NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 8/7

Why are you far away, Lord?
Why do you hide yourself when I am in trouble?
- Psalm 10

 

Sometimes, that’s just how I feel, Lord!

I feel like you are far, far away

   when I’m in trouble

   and when I need you the most…

Of course, I know that part of the problem

   is my praying, hoping, wanting and wishing
that you'd solve all my problems

   and give me peace – right now –

or at least sooner than later

   and the truth is, Lord:

      it's already later than sooner...

So that's why you hear me pray,
   Where are you, Lord? 

   Have you forgotten me?

   Why, Lord, do you stand far away

   when I’m in trouble and I need you?

Why do I wait so long for you to do
   what I know you can do?
Why do you wait so long to do
   what you can do?

I know you hear my prayer,

   that you know my every problem.
But I have to wonder

   what keeps your arm from reaching out,

   your hand from helping and healing me

- or have I somehow missed

      your reach, your touch, your care?

Why do you leave me locked in chains of fear,
   shackled in confusion,

      imprisoned by my hopelessness?

 

I don't think I’m asking for too much, Lord.
I ask only for a share

   of what some seem to have in abundance:

I ask for the peace of mind and heart

   that opens to the joy

      that's only yours to give...

 

And I know, Lord: 

   your love for all your people is mysterious,

   sometimes confusing and confounding,

   always mystifying - and yet inviting -

   and ever faithful, true, abiding...

 

And I know, Lord,

   that even when I don’t understand,

   when I feel like you’ve forgotten me,

   when I can’t seem to find you,

      - even and especially then -

I need to put my hope and trust in you

   because you’re my safe place while I wait…  

   you’re my fortress when I feel attacked…  

   you’re my refuge in my fear…  

   you’re my haven in my hopelessness…  

      my safe harbor when my heavy heart

         is storm-tossed and alone...

So tonight I pray and trust, Lord, that you’ll be

   my strength when I'm weak,
   my confidence when I'm tempted to give up,

   my wisdom when I just don’t understand,
   my light in the depths of darkness,

   my joy in the midst of grief,

   and my hope when I wonder

      why when I’m in trouble

         you seem so far away…
  
And I pray for others who are troubled, Lord,
   those who know so well 

      the prayer I pray tonight,

         the plea that lives in their hearts, too…

And… if in fear and pain I've somehow missed
   how your healing hand has

      touched my deepest wounds,
let me see and know

   how you’ve reached out,

   how close you’ve been

   how much you’ve done

in mercy and with kindness

   to touch my troubled heart

      with the peace for which I pray…

     

In the quiet of my prayer, Lord,

   help me know you’re by my side,

that you’re never far away,

   but always close at hand…

 

Help me trust that your heart holds, Lord,

   a place for mine to rest

and that in your heart I’ll find the peace

   I long to know and pray for…        

 

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. 

 

Lord, I Need You by Chris Tomlin

 

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Lord I come, I confess 

Bowing here I find my rest 

Without You I fall apart 

You're the one that guides my heart 

 

Lord, I need You, oh I need You 

Every hour I need You 

My one defense, my righteousness 

Oh God, how I need You 

 

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more 

Where grace is found is where You are 

And where You are Lord I am free 

Holiness is Christ in me 

Yes, where you are, Lord, I am free

Holiness is Christ in me 

 

So teach my song to rise to You 

When temptation comes my way 

And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You 

Jesus You're my hope and stay 

And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You

Jesus You're my hope and stay

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Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 8/7

 

Without a single exception, Lord,

every good gift in the whole of my life

comes from your loving and generous hand... 

My family and friends who love and care for me,
who listen to me and accept me,
who guide me and challenge and comfort me:
   each of them is your gift to me...

Every step I take in the right direction,
every decision I make that's honest and fair,
every change I make to be true to myself,
every thought I have that leads to peace,
every deed I do to help another:
   each one of these is a gift of your prompting...

Every time I stop to look within,
every moment I pause to ask your pardon,
every prayer I whisper to ask for help,
every time I thank you for all my gifts,
every thought I have that leads to you:
   each one of these is your gift to me, 

      a gift of your Spirit stirring within me...

Without a single exception, Lord,
every good gift in the whole of my life
comes from you, from your mercy and love...

And here are the gifts I'm grateful for today: 

 

_________________________________

_________________________________

_________________________________
 

And for all of these, Lord, 

I give you thanks

for your kind and generous love...

Amen.

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August 6: a bitter-sweet day...

Mount Tabor: image source

 

On August 6 the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration: the time when Jesus took Peter, James and John on a hike -  to the top of Mount Tabor.  At the peak, Jesus was transfigured before their eyes and they had a glimpse of his glory (read the story here). 

 

August 6 is also the anniversary the United States dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. As the gospel and our prayer draw our attention to the Holy Land, let's pray for an end there to terrorism, war and violence, let's pray for peace where still, sadly, there is no peace...

I'm not in Israel, Lord, 
and Mount Tabor is no where in sight
- so where might you take me today
to give me a glimpse of your glory?

Will you walk me around my neighborhood,
your light shining on the place where I live,
on my town? my nation? my world?

Will you sit with me on my porch,
on my doorstep or in my backyard,
the glow of your grace warming my heart?

Will you find us a quiet corner
and spend some time with me there,
the light of your face chasing the shadows away?

Will we go for a ride to the woods or a field,
to the shore or a nearby mountain
where nature's shot through with your presence?

Will I just close my eyes and open my heart
in a moment of prayer and reflection,
your radiant brilliance transfiguring my soul? 

 

Will I hear in my prayer your call to us all

to make peace in our world, wounded by war 

and peace in our families, broken and hurt,

and peace in our hearts, estranged from you,

but healed by your mercy, algow with your light... 

No, I'm not in the holy land, Lord,
and Mount Tabor is no where in sight
- so where might you lead and take me today
to give me a glimpse of your glory?

Amen.

 

Transfiguration by Ricky Manalo

 

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Jesus on the mountain peak, 

stands alone in glory blazing. 

Let us, if we dare to speak, 

join the saints and angels praising. 

 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Let us, if we dare to speak,

join the saints and angels praising. 

 

Trembling at His feet we saw, 

Moses and Elijah speaking. 

All the prophets and the law, 

shout through them their joyful greeting. 

 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

All the prophets and the law, 

shout through them their joyful greeting. 

 

Swift the cloud of glory came, 

God, proclaiming in its thunder, 

Jesus as the Son by name! 

Nations, cry aloud in wonder. 

 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Jesus as the Son by name, 

Nations, cry aloud in wonder. 

 

Jesus is the chosen one, 

living hope of ev'ry nation, 

Hear and heed Him, ev'ry one, 

sing with Earth and all creation. 

 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Hear and heed Him, ev'ry one, 

sing with Earth and all creation.

.....

Hear and heed Him, ev'ry one, 

sing with Earth and all creation.

 

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Pause for Prayer: WEDNESDAY 8/5

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NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 8/4

Sometimes, Lord, 

    the things I should know best

        surprise me, 

        stop me in my tracks 

        and strike me as amazing...

 

That happened this afternoon.

 

I was sitting still, 

    (can't recall what I was thinking)

and then there came to mind a thought

    that led to many other thoughts

        of you and me - so simple -

and yet thoughts that brought a healing balm

    to soothe and calm my soul...  

 

I remembered how...

 

You're always there for me,

    watching over me

        - whether I'm paying attention or not...

 

You're always deeply interested  

    in everything I think or say or do,

        in all I imagine, hope and pray for...

 

You always look upon me 

    as someone you cherish,

    someone you treasure,

    someone you've chosen

        in spite of my faults and rough edges...

 

You embrace me 

    as someone you delight in, 

    someone you prize,

    someone who's unique, special 

    and one-of-a-kind...

 

You greet me  

    as someone you know very well,

    someone you understand,

    someone you "get"

    someone you accept...

 

You wrap me

    in your arms,

    in your warmth, 

    in your kindness 

        and compassion...

 

Your love for me is mysterious,

    sometimes perplexing,

    always mystifying and inviting,

    seductive and confounding,

    faithful and abiding...

             

You love me freely, unreservedly,

    perfectly, completely,

    mercifully and tenderly, 

    graciously and gently...

 

But sometimes, Lord - even often -

    I forget all this and in self-pity,

        I put it all aside; 

    I lose touch with you

       whose hand rests always

            soft upon my heart;

    I think myself not worthy

        of your notice, care and smile;

    I forget it's in your image I was made

         and of your love that I was born...

 

And then one afternoon,

    your Spirit comes to nudge me

and there comes to mind a thought

    that leads to many other thoughts

        of you and me - so simple -

and yet thoughts that bring a healing balm

    to soothe and calm my soul...  

 

Sometimes, Lord, 

    the things I should know best

        surprise me, 

        stop me in my tracks 

        and strike me as amazing...

 

That happened this afternoon

    and for your Spirit's nudge

        I give you all my 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. 

 

The Steadfast Love of the Lord

   by Dave Hunt

 

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