NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 6/3

Here's a  prayer to help us remember that our freedom is a gift from God...

Lord, you call us to freedom

but you caution us, too, 

lest we lose our freedom to self-indulgence,

selfishly serving our own desires...

You call us to freedom, you give us the freedom

to love only you above all things

- and to love our neighbor as ourselves...

  

You call us to freedom, you give us the freedom

to seek and to find your word and your truth,

to live by the Spirit's wisdom...

 

You call us to freedom, you give us the freedom

to lay down our lives for love of our neighbor

as you gave your life for us...

 

You call us to freedom, you give us the freedom

to spend ourselves for the sake of others,

not counting the cost or the trouble...

 

You call us to freedom, you give us the freedom

to follow wherever your Spirit may lead,

trusting that you're always right by our side...

 

You call us to freedom, you give us the freedom

to speak the hard saying - especially the truth

that sets others free...

 

You call us to freedom, you give us the freedom

to follow your way, to live by your gospel

to do what is right, what is just...

You call us to freedom, you give us the freedom

to generously share your mercy and peace

in all that we say and do...

 

You call us to freedom, you give us the freedom

to surrender a share of the freedom that's ours

that others might live and be free...

 

Call us, Lord, from our self-indulgence

and free us to live in lasting peace

with you and with one another...

 

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. 

 

Freedom Is Coming / Hamba Vangeli 

      Arranged by Alexander L'Estrange

 

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Freedom is coming, O yes, I know!

Hamba Vangeli (Go with the gospel!)

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Pause for Prayer: Wednesday 6/3

 

 

The prophet Micah says 

    this is all that God requires of us!

 

Short verse - tall order!

 

To do what is just...

 

How's that playing out right now

    in my life, my family, 

    at work?  at school? in my neighborhood?

    in my political opinions and stands? 

 

To love what is good...

 

Are there good things I need to learn?

    to love more fully? more freely?

    more patiently? more generously?

    more selflessly? more gently? 

 

To walk humbly with you, my God...

 

Do I stay by your side as you stay by mine?

    do I humbly accept my talents and limitations?

    do I accompany the lonely, the sick, the poor?

    do I freely accept the help that I need?

 

Short verse - tall order! 

 

Amen.

T

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NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 6/2

There are lilac bushes outside my backdoor and at the side door of the church and they're in bloom - but sadly, not for long...  I wrote a "lilac prayer" three years ago but I found today I had another lilac prayer within me, waiting to be shared...

Lord, how I wish that lilacs had a longer life!

 

Oh, I know the bushes will stay green 

through the summer into fall,

til the first frost claims their color

and they take their winter nap...

 

But their blossoms, Lord,

are too soon gone and with them 

their intoxicating scent:

    the fragrance of your presence,

    the sweet air of your Spirit,

    the bouquet of gracious blessing,

    the aroma of your peace...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lilacs and their heady scent

are gifts I don't deserve, Lord,

so I lay no claim upon their stay

but rather take this moment

to thank you for this springtime grace

that fills me with contentment...

 

Make me, then, more grateful, Lord,

for gifts you give that never fade,

whose seasons are forever:  

    your never-failing presence, 

    your patience with my folly, 

    your healing word of mercy,

    your Spirit's guiding wisdom,

    your arms' strong, sweet embrace,

    and the glory of your beauty,

        the light upon my path...

 

Such gifts don't bloom at doorways, Lord,

but rather, in my heart

where your presence, much like incense,

fills creation with your fragrance

and my heart and soul with grace... 

 

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 Fragrance of Christ by Charles Billingsley

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Sweet aroma fill this place
Let us feel your warm embrace
Touch us with your healing grace
Let us see your holy face

Hold us so close by your side
Let us see your loving eyes
Take our wrongs and make them right
Breathe on us the breath of life

The fragrance of Christ
It breaks apart the strongholds of pride
and the hardest of hearts
It makes all the wounded whole and then starts
to open the senses to your goodness
It's the fragrance of Christ

At the start of every day
Fill my heart with perfect praise
with this offering i raise
A holy tribute to your name

Take my feet and lead me to
All the world or just a few
With everything I say and do
May the glory go to you
 

Chorus

Fresh anointing cover me
With a balm of purity
Make me a bouquet of honesty

I will hold your name up high
By the way I live my life
Let me be the fragrance of Christ

 

Chorus

 

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Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 6/2

Image source

People often ask us to pray for them... 

And we often ask others to pray for us... 

This morning's is about just that...  

In fact, you might want to send a link to this post 

to folks who've asked you to pray for them: 

    https://tinyurl.com/2ccnus5x

 

My heart and soul, my pockets and arms 

    are filled, O Lord,
        with the people I pray for today...

You know who they are and you what they need 
   and you don't need me 
      to remind you...

But there's something's sacred
   in saying aloud the names of those 
      who've asked me to pray for them...

There's something holy 
   in whispering to you
      what they once whispered to me...

And there's something graced
   in simply remembering
      the prayer I saw in their eyes...

 
(Let's all take some time here 

    to share with the Lord the names of those 

        who've asked for our prayers 

    - and those, too, who may not have asked 

        and yet hold a place in our hearts...)

 

My heart and soul, my pockets and arms 

    are filled, O Lord,
        with the people I pray for today...

Hear every prayer I whisper 
   for those who've asked me, Lord,
to lift their names and needs in prayer

    with faith and trust and hope in you...

Amen. 

 

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Here are two songs for this morning: the first I posted some years ago, the second I've used more frequently - they both have the same message and each one is just right for today's prayer...  

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I Will Pray For You

   by Mark Hayes and Randy Cox 

 

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I have prayed for you
that your faith is still held fast.

I prayed for you,

a guard against the tempest

Every time you’re brought to mind,

every prayer you’ve left behind.

I have raised you up on high,

I have prayed for you.

I have prayed for you

that God’s will is your guide.

I pray for you that you are led each day.

Every time I sense you there,

every time I knelt in prayer,

and in all this world of care

I have prayed for you.

I will pray that God’s strength

will hold you in the arms

of the One who gave his all for you.

I will pray every day

that this life of faith remains close

to my heart and mind.

I will pray, I will pray,

I will stay on my knees,

I will pray for you today.

God, who hears in all the secret places

will attend to our every plea.

All we ask, all our desires will be answered

in God’s own time, God’s own time.

I will pray that God’s strength

will hold you in the arms

of the One who gave his all for you.

I will pray every day

that this life of faith remains close

to my heart and mind.

I will pray, I will pray,

I will stay on my knees,

I will pray for you today.

 

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I Prayed for You by  Andrew Maycock 

   and the Songsters of the Salvation Army

 

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Today I said a prayer for you

I just felt I really needed to

I’m not certain why you’re on my mind

Or why you need my prayers this time

Still I prayed anyway

 

Today I said a prayer for you

I asked blessings on your heart anew

I prayed that you would somehow feel

   my prayers for you as I  kneel

Believing you’ll receive

 

I prayed for hope, I prayed for peace

I prayed that God’s work in your life

   will never cease

I prayed for joy, I prayed for love

I prayed that he’ll enfold you in his arms

I prayed for you

 

Today I said a prayer for you

Across the miles or far from view

As the sun rises and falls

He’ll be there through it all

I pray, I pray

 

Today I said a prayer for you

I prayed that he’d draw close to you

That he’d touch your day some way

and I promised I’d always pray now and always

 

I prayed for hope, I prayed for peace

I prayed that God’s work in your life

   will never cease

I prayed for joy, I prayed for love

I prayed that he’ll enfold you in his arms

I prayed for you

 

Never underestimate the power of prayer

It’s greater than we can imagine,

   what a privilege to care

Taking time to think of those

known or known to him

Lifting up those souls to our life-giving King

 

I prayed for hope, I prayed for peace

I prayed that God’s work in your life

   will never cease

I prayed for joy, I prayed for love

I prayed that he’d enfold you in his arms

I prayed for you, I prayed for you, I prayed for you

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 6/1

I first posted this six years ago - but I've added a few more "over" prayers to a prayer that most of us might prayer every day, every night - over and over again...

 

It's at the end of day, Lord,
when folks feel the weight
of all that's hanging over them,

all that crowds their minds and hearts...

  

So I tonight I pray for all who are:

overburdened with worries and cares
overextended and exhausted
overindulged - and yet still empty
overworked and underpaid

overwhelmed by daily news

overstepped and left behind
overruled with no appeal
overinvolved and burning out
overboard without a line

overfed and yet still hungry

overthrown by "powers that be" 

overhauled against our will

overwatched but not protected
overthinking anxious thoughts
overshadowed, lost, abandoned
overcome by grief and sorrow

overheard and quoted falsely
overlooked and left alone

overgrown by weeds and thorns

overpowered and strong-armed 
overturned by other voices

overcast by gathering clouds
overcautious, stuck in fear
0verprotected, smothered, stifled
overpowered, trapped and cornered
overscrupuled, plagued by doubt
overtired, all worn out,

all over being "over"
    - overwhelmed by daily life... 

 

All these I lift in prayer
    to you and to your Spirit, Lord...

Raise us up and out from under
    all that oversteps our freedom,

    all that overclouds our joy,
    all that overrides our will,

    all that overruns our hope
    and all that overrules our claim
        to all the hope and grace and joy
              you offer us each day...

Raise us up to stand upon the mountains
    and raise us up to walk on stormy seas;
raise us up from all that undercuts us 

    raise them up to fly on eagles' wings...

Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake
    and watch over us as we sleep
that awake, we may keep watch with you
    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen. 

 

The relentless affirmation of this song's repeating refrain is likely one that all of us can take to prayer, take to the Lord - any day or night...

You Raise Me Up 

    by Rolf Lovland and Brendan Graham,

        performed by Peter Hollens

 

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When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

 

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Monday Morning Offering: 6/1

Coffee in the Morning

The Lorica (Breastplate) is a prayer attributed to Saint Patrick (c. 337). You might picture Patrick donning his faith as the breastplate in his armor as he faces a new day.   The Lorica comes to mind this Monday after Trinity Sunday because it opens and closes with these words:

    I arise today
    through a mighty strength,
    the invocation of the Trinity:
    through a belief in the Threeness,
    through confession of the Oneness
    of the Creator of creation.

 

§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§

     

Good morning, good God!

Like Patrick, Lord, I want to don 

    the armor of faith, hope and love:

    the breastplate of the Father, Son and Spirit,

    the strength of the grace you offer me

        to meet whatever challenge

            may come my way today...

 

Give me the armor of perseverance 

    to move through this day with courage;

give me wisdom I need to think clearly

        and to make good choices and decisions;

give me humility, that I might learn

    to put my neighbor's needs before my own;

give me purity, to seek what's true, 

    praiseworthy, genuine and whole;

give me patience, 

    to bear with others kindly;

give me the generosity to share 

    not just from my bounty but also from my want; 

and give me the reverence I owe to you, 

    to all creation, to my neighbor and to myself...

 

I offer you my person, Lord,

my heart and soul, my mind and body,

I offer you my self, Lord:

    arm me with conviction,

    drape me in mercy,

    vest me in virtue,

    garb me in grace,

    equip me with strength and courage,

    clothe me in a generous spirit

    and be my shield against any and all

        who would come between you and me...

I offer you my weak, naked self, Lord:

    cover my shame, 

    gird me with strength,

    clothe me in dignity

    and wrap me in your glory,

    the robe of my salvation

lest anyone or anything

    come between you and me...

Amen.

 

The Deer's Cry by Shaun Davey

    performed by Rita Connolly 

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Trinity Sunday

 

On Sundays, Night Prayer will reflect some element from the day's mass.  Today is Trinity Sunday!

 

I pray to you, O God, 

    Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

your triune mystery 

    more than I can fathom...

So many ways to name you,

    to seek you and to know you, 

        to call on you in prayer...

So many holy images

    to ponder and reflect on,

        to feed my dreams and visions....

 

Glory and divinity,

    touching my humanity,

         inviting me to sanctity... 

 

You are God, my Father

    triune in your majesty,

        your power and your strength...

 

You are God, Eternal Word,

    triune in your mercy,

        in your kindness and compassion...

You are God, the Holy Spirit,

    triune in your wisdom,

        in your blessings and your gifts...

 

You are one, my Lord and God,

    may I be one with you

        in your triune, holy peace...

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.

Here's a trinity of musical possibilities to close this evening's prayer: a very simple piece, almost a mantra, from Sandra McCracken; a powerful choral piece from the master composer Tchaikovsky and a reflective, contemporary song from by Jason Upton...

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Trinity Song by Sandra McCracken

 

 

 

Holy Father, Son and Spirit 

Holy Communion, Three in One 

Holy Father, Son and Spirit 

Holy Communion, Three in One 

 

Come with Your peace, with Your invitation 

Bind us together in holy love 

Come with Your peace, with Your invitation 

Bind us together in holy love 

 

Holy Father, Son and Spirit 

Holy Communion, Three in One 

Holy Father, Son and Spirit 

Holy Communion, Three in One 

 

Three in One 

Three in One

Three in One 

Three in One 

 

 

Cherubic Hymn 

   by Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky,

    The Saint Peters burg Chamber Choir

 

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Let us represent the cherubim 

in mystic harmony, 

praise the Father, Son and Spirit, 

raise our three-fold song, 

praise the Trinity,  

raise our three-fold song to the Trinity, 

Let us now cast aside,  

let us cast aside all this earthly life, 

cast aside, cast aside, cast aside, 

all this earthly life. Amen. 

 

Izhe kheruvimy tayno obrazuyushche, 

I zhivotvoryashchey Troytsye, 

trisvyatuyu pyesn’, pripyevashche, 

trisvyatuyu pyesn’ pripyevashche. 

Vsyakoye nynye, nynye zhityeskoye 

otlozhim popyecheniye, otlozhim, 

popyecheniye. Amin’. 

Father, Son, Spirit by Jason Upton

 

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