NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 4/28

There are words I've prayed for decades, Lord,

    and because they're so familiar

they can easily pass me by

    - though they're right there on my lips... 

For instance?  

 

Well, every night I pray that

    I might keep watch with you...

 

That I might sit by your side

    as you survey the world around us...

 

That I might take in the day's events

    from your perspective

        and with your wisdom...

 

That I might see, through your eyes

    the mystery of veiled beauty, 

        every hidden gift and blessing,

            every unassuming joy...

 

That I might discern, 

    by the light of your word,

        the truth of things:

            what's honest, fair and just...

 

That I might observe, 

    as carefully as you do,

        the little things that matter 

            and really make a difference...

 

That I might see, as you see,

    all my neighbors' joys and sorrows,

        all their troubles, pain and burdens... 

 

That I might watch and wait for

    any ways I might serve others

        with who I am and all I have...

 

That when my eyes grow heavy

    I might lean upon your shoulder, 

nod, drift off and fall asleep 

    in your strong and loving arms...

 

Help me listen, Lord,

    help me learn, know and understand

        the words I pray each day, Lord...

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. 

 

Keep Watch, Dear Lord

    by Craig Phillips

 

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Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 4/28

I took this photo yesterday from the porch of Concord's Colonial Inn where I was having lunch with an old friend. The colors in the upper left are bunting on the Inn's porch roof...  At the lower left are the stairs to the church where I prayed with the people of Holy Family... At the lower right, my home for 15 years on Monument Square...  And over all: the sun shining down on a beautiful spring day...

Yesterday afternoon

    it all came together, Lord:

        the season, the day,

        the present, the past,

        the moment, the memories,

        the healing, the peace 

    shared with a friend,

        breaking bread on the porch

    with the noon day sun,

        warm on my arms,

    and piercing through

        to the depths of my heart...

 

It was nothing less 

    than a day of grace:

        a truly sacramental day;

    and nothing more 

        than paschal joy

    redeeming creation, 

        along with my soul, 

    in the heart of town,

        in Monument Square...

 

I praise you, 

    good and generous God

        from whom all blessings flow;

keep open wide 

    my heart to days

        when grace is in the air..

     

Amen. 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 4/27

I come to prayer tonight, Lord, 
    grateful for the day just past
    and hopeful for the week ahead...

Bless and keep all those I love:
    stay by their side and guide their steps,

        guard and protect them from danger and harm;
    fill their hearts with your mercy and peace

        may they walk in your light, by day and by night;

And I pray you'll bless and keep me, too, Lord:

    lead me along the path of your truth;

    school my heart in the ways of  your wisdom;

    strengthen my will to do what you ask

    and fill my heart with your mercy and peace...

Bless the whole world, Lord - all your people:

    the poor and the homeless, the sick and the dying;

    the abused and forgotten, the hungry and thirsty;

    those who suffer unjust persecution, 

    those whose lives are scarred by war...

 

Bless all your children, Lord, teach us your ways.

    to reach out and care for all those in need

and take up the work of justice for all

    as the path to the peace you call us to make 

Bless us all and protect us, Lord, 

    hold us safe in the palm of your hand
that awake, we might keep the watch with you
    and asleep, find rest in your peace...

Amen.

Just let the beauty of this blessing cover you as you pray...

Clare Benediction by Sir John Rutter

    sung by  Giovanni Lorenzi  

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May the Lord show his mercy upon you,
may the light of his presence be your guide.
May he guard you and uphold you,
may his spirit be ever by your side.

When you sleep may his angels watch over you,
when you wake may he fill you with his grace.
May you love him and serve him all your days,
Then in heaven may you see his face.

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Monday Morning Offering: 4/27

Morning Coffee by George Mendoza

  

I love the image of the Good Shepherd - can't get enough of it!  Ten years ago I wrote this Good Shepherd Monday Morning Offering and I believe I've posted it every year since.  It has new meaning for me every year when I pray it and I trust that it might be the same in your heart and prayer...

 

With yesterday's gospel
still in my mind and heart, Lord,
I offer you this prayer:
    shepherd me
    through the ups and downs,
    joys and sorrows,
    temptations and graces

    that come my way today 

        - and  every day... 

 

Shepherd me, O God, 

    from here to there,
    from where I am 

        to where I'm meant to be,
    from one moment to the next,
    from today into tomorrow,
    from my past into my future...

Shepherd me, O God,

    from yesterday's problems

        through today's dilemmas

            to the peace your Spirit offers...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from memories that hold me back
        to a future I've yet to experience...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from my failings, sins and errors
        to the grace of a new beginning...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from fantasies and daydreams
        to a life that's authentic and certain...

Shepherd me, O God,

    from selfish impatience 

        to endurance and docility...

 

Shepherd me, O God,

    far from all my foolish ways

        to the path where Wisdom beckons...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from selfishness and greed
        to a generous, giving spirit...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from arrogance and pride
        to humble self-surrender...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from the lies I've come to believe
        to the truth that sets me free...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from all that's less than pure
        to what's clear and clean and chaste...

Shepherd me, O God,

    from my anger and resentments,

        to understanding and forgiveness...  

Shepherd me, O God,
    from my lazy habits
        to work that satisfies and serves...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from mindless wandering
        to the path you'd have me walk...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from flirting with temptation
        to doing what is right...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from prejudice and bias
        to understanding and acceptance...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from wasting what I have
        to sharing all that's mine...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from hopelessness and fear
        to confidence and trust in you...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from feeling sorry for myself
        to gratitude for all I have...

Shepherd me, O God,
    from doubts that cloud my thoughts
        to faith that clears my soul...

Shepherd me, O God,

    from here to there,

    from one moment to the next,

    from today into tomorrow,

    from my past into my future...

 

Shepherd me, O God,

    beyond my wants,

        beyond my fears,

        from death into life...

Amen.

Shepherd Me, O God by Marty Haugen

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NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 4/26

On Sundays, Night Prayer takes its lead from some element from the day's liturgy. On the Fourth Sunday of Easter every year, the gospel speaks of Christ as our Good Shepherd, this year from John. Our prayer tonight is a reflection on a verse from Psalm 23, a dialog between the Lord and us, the sheep he shepherds...

 

Even when I walk through a dark valley,

I fear no harm for you are at my side,
your crook and your staff give me courage...
- Psalm 23

I pray...

 

Even when I walk through a dark valley...

 
Is that right, Lord? 
Even in the darkness?

    even when I can't see where I am? 

        or where I'm going?
    when I can't find my way 

        - can't find you?

    even when I'm not sure

        how I ended up here in the first place? 

 
Even when I walk through a valley of fear?

 

Is that right, Lord? 

Even when I stumble through clouds of confusion? 
    when the path leads me deep 

        into lonely woods?

    when I walk through a valley

        so shadowed and deep 

            I lose sight of my trust and my hope?  

    when I'm scared and alone

        when I'm lost and confused?     

    when I wonder and fear

        that you've left my side...

 

Even then, Lord?

 

And the Lord answers...

 

Yes, even then!  Especially then!

 

I'm with you always:

    though you don't see my face 

        or hear my voice,

    though you may not feel 

        my hand warming yours,

    though you earnestly seek 

        but somehow can't find me...

 

Even then, I'm right by your side:

    I'm the flicker of hope alive in your soul,

        the glimmer of grace in your heart of hearts

        the  spark of the Spirit's fire and warmth

        the torch that shines on your shadowed path

        the light in the tunnel leading to peace...

 

Trust that I'm with you

    though you can't find me, 

trust in my presence,

    my mercy and strength... 

 

Trust in my light in the valley of darkness:

    - trust in my light come into your heart,

        the light that glistens in all of your tears

    - trust in my light come into your soul:

        a flame my Spirit will tend with care

    - trust in my light come into your mind

        to illumine your thoughts 

            with wisdom and grace

    - trust in my light come into your life

            to lead you and guide you

                and bring you home...

      

 I pray...

From my dark valley, Lord - hear my prayer: 

    my cry for your presence, your love and your care,

    my plea for your healing and consolation,

    my need for your light, your wisdom and warmth

    my prayer that your joy overflow in my heart...

   

I trust you're with me, my gentle shepherd,

    especially in times

        when I'm lost and  alone...

I trust you're there, right by my side

    to calm my fears, settle my soul 

        and wipe every tear from my eyes...

 

Even tonight, 

    whatever my valley of darkness might be,

you are my shepherd, you are my friend,

    your crook and your staff give me courage...

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. 

 Psalm 23 by Bobby McFeerin,

    sung by The Stellar Singers

 

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The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need,
He makes me lie down in green meadows,
Beside the still waters he will lead.

He restores my soul, he rights my wrongs,
He leads me in a path of good things,
And fills my heart with song.

Even though I walk through a dark and dreary land,
There is nothing that can shake me,
He has said he won't forsake me,
I'm in his hand.

He sets a table before me in the presence of my foe,
He anoints my head with oil,
And my cup overflows.

Surely, surely goodness and kindness will follow me,
All the days of my life,
And I will live in his house,
Forever, forever and ever.

Glory be to our Father, and Brother,
And to the Holy of Holies,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
Life, without end.  Amen.

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Do you need some peaceful time today?

 

Need a break?  A little respite? A few peaceful moments?

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, spend some time with Sir John Rutter's setting of Psalm 23.  This music never fails to heal my heart, settle my soul and lift my spirits...  (If a video doesn't appear above, click here!)

 

The Lord is my shepherd,
Therefore can I lack nothing,
He shall feed me in a green pasture
And lead me forth beside the waters of comfort,

He shall convert my soul,
And bring me forth in the paths of righteousness,
For his name's sake,

Yea, though I walk through the
Valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For thou art with me,
Thy rod and thy staff comfort me,

Thou shalt prepare a table before me
Against them that trouble me,
Thou hast anointed my head with oil,
And my cup shall be full,

But thy loving kindness and mercy
Shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell In the house of the Lord, forever.    

 

 

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Pause for Prayer: SUNDAY 4/26

Good Shepherd by Duncan Grant

 

Today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter,

   is Good Shepherd Sunday...

Good Shepherd of us all,
I thank you today for all the good shepherds in my life
and for all the ways you've shepherded me
through their love, their watchful presence,
their devotion and protection...

I thank you for my parents, my first shepherds;
I thank you for their protection, for the shelter of their love,
and for all they sacrificed
to help me grow...

I thank you for other shepherds in my family
and for all my friends
who comfort and challenge me,
who dry my tears and make me laugh,
who walk faithfully close by my side...

I thank you for all the shepherds
who taught me in school,
who counseled and directed me,
who shaped me and helped me to become
the person I am today...

I thank you for shepherds
whose names I don't know, who stand in harm's way
'round my town and 'round the world,
standing guard all day long to keep me safe,
keeping vigil while I sleep without a worry...

I thank you Lord, for the shepherds who care

for the sick and dying sheep among us,
who bind up wounds,

who bring comfort to those in pain,
who speed the path to health
or ease the path to end of days...

I thank you for the shepherds you've called home,
especially those gone much too soon,
whose gentle shepherd's crook I miss,
whose presence still abides within my heart...

I thank you for the shepherds, Lord,
who remember me in prayer,

lifting up my name and needs to you;
who keep me in the sheepfold of your grace, 

you, my gentle Shepherd,
Good Shepherd of us all...

Amen.

The Lord Is My Shepherd 

   by Stuart Townend

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