A Concord Pastor Comments

12/18/25

Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 12/18

Christmas is a week from today... Here's my prayer for those of us who are grieving in this season, missing those who used to gather with us around the tree... I'll post it again next week... Please share this with any who might find it helpful...

There's an empty chair near the tree, Lord,
and an ache in our hearts,
and tears on our cheeks...

We'll try to shield one another
from the loss and the grief we bear
but we know we can't hide it from you...

We pray for

   (name the loved ones you're remembering)
whose presence we miss so much
   in these days meant for peace and for joy....

Open our hearts, our minds and our souls
   to your healing, and the warmth and light
         of your presence...

We pray and we trust that those we miss
    are now in the place you prepared for them:
       their home in your heart of hearts...

Gently open our hearts, Lord,
   to memories of all the love we shared
       with those who've gone before us...

Help us tell the stories that draw us back

   to Christmases shared with the ones we miss...

Teach us to lean on you and each other
   for the strength we need
       to walk through this season a day at a time...

Be with us as, Lord, as we trim the tree

and sing and cry through Christmas carols;
help us find and open the present you bring:
a gracious gift from the Prince of Peace...

Give us quiet moments with you, this week,

calm our restless hearts in prayer;

bless our memories, stories and tears

with hope of finding joy in your birth...

Be with us, Lord, and hold us as close
as you're holding our loved ones,

       slipped from our arms into yours...

Help us look to the day when we'll meet again
   when your mercy gathers us home to you
       in the joy of the life you promise...

Christmas - a day that you've made, Lord -
   a day of promise, of love and grace!
Help us find in this day and the year ahead
    your blessing of peace and joy...

Amen.

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12/17/25

NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 12/17

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come...
Mark 13:33

Teach me to watch, Lord:
to stay awake,
to keep vigil,

to be alert, on my toes,
and to wait for you
as night waits for dawn...

Teach me to watch
   for your approach,
   your drawing near,
   your coming up alongside me,

your falling in by my side
- especially when I least expect you...

Teach me, Lord, to watch
for your advent,
your arrival,

for your showing up,

your presence,
your surprise appearances

in my life

- especially when I'm least expecting you..

Teach me to watch
for signs of your grace

in my day-to-day existence,
in the lives of those around me,

in the daily news,

regardless of how bad it is
and everywhere, Lord,

in the whole of your creation...

Teach me to watch
   for the light of your word,
   for your hand upon my shoulder,
   for your healing touch,
  for your mysterious, amazing

and elusive presence...

Teach me, Lord, to watch,

for your warm fingerprints

on everything, everywhere I turn

and especially on my heart...

Teach me to watch for you

when it seems you'll never come

or when I give up waiting for you;
when I fear that you've forgotten me

and when I've forgotten you...

Teach me to watch:
   with eyes of faith,
   with a hopeful heart,
and with a humble, trusting spirit...

Teach me to watch for you, Lord,
for I know you're there:
   making yourself known,
   revealing yourself in so many ways,
   inviting me to desire you,
   prompting me to seek you,
   leading me to find you...

Teach me to watch for you, Lord,

who so faithfully watch over me all day long and through the night,

never blinking, never nodding,

always by my side...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch for you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

Watch Over Me by Aaron Shust

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I was lonely
You came waltzing over to me
And Your eyes they saw right through me
And You heard each one of my cries for help
And You came to rescue me

I was broken
Every prayer that I had spoken
Reached Your ears and all my tears weren't cried in vain
You carried all my pain
And put me back together again

You watch over me in the darkest valleys
You watch over me when the night seems long
You help me to see the way before me
You watch over me; You watch over me

Always faithful
To be leading, at this moment
Interceding for Your children
Though I've wandered astray from Your infinite ways
You've never left me alone

Refrain

Take this frozen heart; awaken me
Never once have You forsaken me

Refrain

Even though I walk through this shadow of death
You will guide and defend me
You'll guard and protect me
Even though I walk through this shadow of death
You will lead me home

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Pause for Prayer: Wednesday 12/17

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12/16/25

NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 12/16

Some folks are afraid of the dark, Lord

- and not just children!

Others fear the night time's silence:

lonely hours passed with memories

of days gone by, loved ones lost

and treasured souvenirs of joy...

And the mystery

of walking in shadows, feeling our way

through places unseen and unknown;

wandering, wondering

where our steps might take us,

praying for your hand to guide us...

Help us remember, Lord:

there's comfort in the night time;

there's nothing in the dark

save what was there in sunshine;

that memories glow in shadows,

more clearly than in daylight;

that your gentle Spirit always leads

at dawn, at noon, all night...

Each day when evening comes then,

help us fall into your arms,

make your home within our hearts

that we might find our home in yours...

Protect us, Lord, through dark of night,

keep vigil as we sleep

that awake, we might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

In the Arms of God by Tony Alonso

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Come and rest in the arms of God,
Leave your worry and fear
Make your home in the heart of God,
God will dry every tear.
For the burden you carry will fade within God's care,
Come and rest in the arms of God.

Gentle is God's way and humble is God's heart.

God's love will light the way that leads to peace.
Surely you shall see God's goodness and God's grace:
Rest now in God's embrace.

Refrain

Do not be afraid; God heals the broken heart.

Through grief and disbelief God still remains.
God and God alone will be your soul's true rest:
Fall in the arms of God.

Refrain

You are not alone, for God is always near.

Come, place your doubt and fear within God's care.
God will give you rest and soothe your weary soul:
Dwell in the heart of God.

Refrain

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Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 12/16

I first posted this photo 14 years ago. The little boy in my

sister's window is my great-nephew who, next spring,

will graduate from high school!

It's almost Christmas, Lord,

and children everywhere are filled with excitement

as visions of sugar plums dance in their heads...

It's been a long, long while, Lord,

since I've dreamed of dancing sugar plums

and a long time, too, since childlike faith

has sparked my heartfelt yearning

that gifts beyond my dreaming

are coming - my way -

from the One who loves me always

with love beyond all telling...

Soon, Lord, I'll celebrate

your coming among us,

your living within us,

your bringing the gifts of my heart's desire:

your healing, blessing and peace...

Spark my longing for all of your gifts,

ignite my yearning and deepen my trust

that you're drawing near, to dwell in my heart,

with mercy beyond my hopes and dreams

and with love beyond all telling, O Lord,

with love beyond all telling...

Amen.

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Rob Reiner on Charlie Kirk's death

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12/15/25

NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 12/15

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

Upon those who lived in a land of gloom

a light has shone... Isaiah 9:1

I'm lighting candles on a wreath, Lord,

awaiting a light to shine in my darkness,

to pierce the shadows in the corners of my heart,

to brighten the path I walk each day...

You know better than I, Lord,

how dark my night can be,

how uneven the path I follow,

how cold the shadows in my worries and fears...

I need your light, Lord!

Help me find the light I know is yours,

help me find the light you came to share,

help me find your light to warm my heart...

And shine on the lives of those I love, Lord

the ones I care for and cherish:

with your word and your wisdom

to lead and guide them

illumine the paths they choose

and keep them warm in your love...

I need your light, Lord!

Help me find the light I know is yours,

help me find the light you came to give,

help me find your light to warm my heart,

help me find your light for me to share...

Protect me, Lord, through the dark of night

and watch over me as I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch for your light

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

This such a simple, prayerful tune...

May You Find A Light by The Brilliance

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Lost and weary traveler,
Searching for the way to go
Stranger, heavy-hearted,
Longing for someone to know

May you find a light
May you find a light
May you find a light

to guide you home.

There are weary travelers,
Searching everywhere you go
Strangers who are searching,
Longing deeply to be known.

May you find a light
May you find a light
May you find a light

to guide you home.

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I am content...

And for those who are wondering: Makers/rocks.

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Just wondering...

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Saint Nicholas!

I've visited Georgetown, CO many times but this is the first time I've been in town for the annual Christmas Market, which runs on the first two weekends of December. There are hundreds of people, strolling carolers, plenty of vendors selling food, crafts and gifts - and a procession of the Santa Lucia Children's Choir from the local public school! l

The procession includes Saint Nicholas - dressed as the bishop he was! The saintly prelate was kind enough to pose for a photo with me after the procession. (The natural backlighting plays some tricks here but this is real - not AI)