A Concord Pastor Comments

6/18/26

Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 6/18

Photo by CP

Sitting in the backyard last night

it was the fragrance, not the bloom,

of this evergreen azalea

that first caught my attention:

her perfume discretely drifting,

interrupting my reflections

and turning head and heart to find

the source of this sweet scent...

I rose, went to her side and,

with unwarranted intimacy,

pressed my face to her petals,

inhaling her fair beauty...

And kindly,

she did not rebuff my bold advance

but rather bade me meet

the One who had delivered to my yard

her bouquet of invitation

to this summer's grace and peace...

Photo by CP

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6/17/26

NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 6/17

A few nights ago I had dinner with some old friends and, as happens, the conversation to turned to "back in the day" and how gracious has been our God in our lives... Even if you're alone - and especially if times are hard - let this prayer stir up some of your best memories and take some time to thank God for them and the people they bring to mind and heart...

It's a good thing, Lord, to pause often

and remember gratefully,

people and places from my past

and all the good times I shared with them,

moments of blessing with people I love

whose memory's a joy each time I recall

the grace of their place in my life...

Each memory shines like a precious jewel

carefully stored in my soul,

a treasure chest of grace and gifts

shared over so many years;

love's souvenirs, polished and shining,

the brighter for turning them over and over

in the folds of my grateful heart...

So many people in so many places,
   so many joyful and happy times:
       more than my fading memory recalls,
       more than I ever deserved
       and more than my heart can hold...

There's a place and a time,
especially at sunset,
for calling to mind and meeting again
the love of family and friends,

each one, Lord, your gift to me,
deeply embedded within my heart,

now lifted up to you in prayer

with soulful thanks and praise...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

There Is A Place by Liam Lawton,

performed by James Kilbane

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There's a time for remembering, a time to recall
The trials and the triumphs, the fears and the falls.
There's a time to be grateful

for the moments so blest:
The jewels of our memory where love is our guest.

There is gold that is gleaming in a past we once knew:
In our tears and our laughter,

'twas love brought us through.
There's a road we have traveled

where sunlight has kissed,
That carries us onward when loved ones are missed.

There is treasure in our fields.

There is treasure in our skies.
There is treasure in our dreaming

from the soul to the eye;
For wherever we gather in the light of God's grace,
And for all whom we remember,

there will ever be a place.

In the quiet of the evening, at the close of the day,
We will rest on the journey. To the Lord we shall pray.
May we thank God for blessings,

for the moments we've shared.
As we seek for tomorrow, close by us you'll stay.

There is treasure in our fields.

There is treasure in our skies.
There is treasure in our dreaming

from the soul to the eye;
For wherever we gather in the light of God's grace,
And for all whom we remember,

there will ever be a place.

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6/16/26

Pause for Prayer: WEDNESDAY 6/17

Lord,
no matter how young or old I am,
I've got a lot of growing left to do
- and maybe even some growing up!

I know I have a ways to go
in becoming the person I was made to be,
the person you call me to be,
the person I truly want to be...

Help me see what holds me back
and help me see what helps me grow
and help me leave behind
what keeps me from becoming
who I was made to be...

Lord, I believe you and I
both want the same thing here
- so let's talk...

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NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 6/16

All shall be well, all shall be well

and all manner of things shall be well...

I pray those words often, Lord,

and I trust those words

because I trust you

and I put my faith in you...

But sometimes I think:

yes, all shall be well

but what about right now

when things are not yet well?

Well, I know even now,

in the midst of all my problems,

my troubles and confusion,

even now you're with me, at my side,

you're my Shepherd, you're my guide

and already, even now, Lord:

I shall not want,

I shall not want for more,

how could I ask for more?

Even now,

you're enough for all my needs

and I shall not want, Lord,

I shall not want for more,

how could I ask for more?

Before our regular closing verse,

take some time and open your heart

to pray with this amazing song...

Psalm 23 (A Psalm of Hope)

by Heather Sorenson

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The Lord is my Shepherd

And I shall not want I shall not want I shall not want

The Lord is my Shepherd

And I shall not want I shall not want for more

How could I ask for more?

He leads by still water

And I shall not want I shall not want I shall not want

He leads by still water

And I shall not want I shall not want for more How could I ask for more?

He is enough for ev’ry need

He is enough for ev’ry broken dream

The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want

I’m satisfied with what He gives

He will provide and faithfully supply

The Lord is my Shepherd

And I shall not want

He leads through the valley

And I shall not want I shall not want I shall not want

He leads through the valley

And I shall not want

He is enough for ev’ry need

He is enough for ev’ry broken dream

The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want

I’m satisfied with what He gives

He will provide and faithfully supply

The Lord is my Shepherd

And I shall not want

He is the Night, He is the Day

He is the Sun, He is the Shade

He is the Ocean, He’s the Stream

In ev’ry song He is my theme

And if we wander off alone

His mercy calls us home

His mercy calls us home Back to home!

I feast at His table

And I shall not want I shall not want I shall not want

I feast at His table

And I shall not want I shall not want for more

He is the Strength to conquer sin I shall not want for more

He’s faithful when my trust is thin

I shall not want

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

and asleep rest in your peace...

Amen.

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Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 6/16

Photo by R. N.

I have a friend, Lord,

who has an eye for beauty

and - more than that -

he makes time, regularly,

and with purpose, so it seems,

to find himself in places

where beauty unfolds naturally,

quietly and casually,

revealing what is always there,

yet always partly hidden;

what comes and goes and comes again

for those who have the eye,

for those who save the time,

for those whose souls can capture

a glimpse of the divine...

So, down in the Barbados now

my friend has found a haven

where halos that won't fit in church

rise up with rainbow glory

encircling even brother sun

whose brilliance shines and hallows

the horizon's simple line...

Give me an eye for beauty, Lord,

and help me find and save the time,

those moments of serenity,

when my soul opens wide to catch

a glimpse of your divinity...

Amen.

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6/15/26

NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 6/15

So many of us move from day to day with our hearts wounded and burdened in any number of ways...

Our hearts, O Lord,

are strong,

torturous,

sensitive,

vulnerable places

where all manner of

loves,

memories,

emotions

and secrets

are carefully

kept and stored,

guarded and preserved,

wrestled and treasured,

nursed and healed...

I hold in my prayer this evening, Lord,

all whose hearts are heavy burdened,

missing the lightness and joy they've known

in better times, on brighter days...

Your heart, O Lord, enfolds us all,

holding us close in your merciful arms:

embrace us and whisper your blessing of peace

to soothe and heal - and heal again -

the wounds that never seem to close...

Protect us, Lord, while we're awake

and watch over us while we sleep

that awake, we might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

Spirit, Open My Heart

Lyrics by Ruth Duck,

arranged by Alfred Fedak

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Spirit open my heart
To the joy and pain of living
As you love may I love
In receiving and in giving
Spirit, open my heart

God, replace my stony heart
with a heart that's kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear
to your grace I now surrender.

Write your love upon my heart
as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word, and deed,
may my living bring you glory.

Interlude

May I weep with those who weep,
share the joy of sister, brother.
In the welcome of Christ,
may we welcome one another.

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