9/1/26
NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 9/1
There are times, Lord, when I get lost
somewhere in between my faith in you
and the burdens
and the burdens
that weigh heavy on my heart...
I believe in you
I believe in you
and I trust in your care for me
but I get lost, Lord,
but I get lost, Lord,
lost in my problems and fears,
praying and waiting to be rescued
praying and waiting to be rescued
and wondering why it sometimes seems
you're slow to hear my prayer...
Where might I go, Lord,
Where might I go, Lord,
what can I do
in these in-between times
while I wait for you to help me,
to come and set me free?
Be the Lord of my in-between times, Jesus,
the moments and days, the weeks and seasons
in between...
in between
here and there,
now and -when?
what's been and what will be...
here and there,
now and -when?
what's been and what will be...
in between
sorrow and joy,
hurt and healing,
fear and confidence...
sorrow and joy,
hurt and healing,
fear and confidence...
in between
worry and tranquility,
rejection and acceptance
confusion and clarity...
in between
war and peace,
oppression and freedom,
inequity and justice...
in between
grief and contentment,
shame and self-respect
anxiety and serenity...
grief and contentment,
shame and self-respect
anxiety and serenity...
in between
doubt and certainty,
loneliness and friendship,
foolishness and wisdom...
doubt and certainty,
loneliness and friendship,
foolishness and wisdom...
Come help me, Lord, come rescue me,
come steady and sustain me,
come comfort and assure me
when I'm living in between
all my troubles, stress and trials,
in my waiting, waiting, waiting...
Come grant the peace my heart desires,
the peace I long and thirst for, Lord,
the peace I pray and hope to find,
the peace that's yours to give...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake,
watch over me while I sleep,
that awake, I keep the watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
In the In Between
by Sandi Patty
arranged by Wayne Watson
If a video doesn't appear below, click here!
I have seen glorious days
Flyiing so much higher
Higher than I ever thought I would
Soaring through the air, declaring
"Isn′t God good? Isn't He good?"
He was
And He is
And He always will be
But in the in between
Sometimes it′s hard to see
In the in between
As everyday life happens
And the fields of green
Belong to someone else
In the in between
What will be and what has been
Jesus is a faithful friend
In the in between
I've been unsure of myself
Oh but even in the dark
I know that all is well
'Cause I can see
There in the mirror looking back at me
I know that I'm not everything that I will be
He was
He is
He always will be
But in the in between
Sometimes it′s hard to see
Chorus
Grace and mercy have no season
there is no good reason
Why your better days won′t be the days ahead
'Cause in the in between
As you have some time to dream
Your faith can be restored
By the Lord of the in between
Where everyday life happens
And the fields of green
Belong to someone else
In the in between
What will be and what has been
Jesus is a faithful friend
In the in between
Jesus is a faithful friend
In the in between
8/31/26
Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 9/1
Every day you meet me, Lord:
with love and care,Help me in turn
with understanding and compassion,
with the challenge of truth,
with help and guidance,
with mercy and forgiveness,
with kindness and patience,
with comfort and joy,
with grace and wisdom...
meet those whose paths cross mine:
with love and careHelp me, Lord, meet everyone
with understanding and compassion,
with the challenge of truth,
with help and guidance,
with mercy and forgiveness,
with kindness and patience,
with comfort and joy,
with grace and wisdom...
as I trust you'll meet me...
Amen.
My first day at school...
It's back to school time! Back in the day (well, back in my day) the new school year didn't begin until after Labor Day. Times have changed. (I posted my annual Back To School Prayers a few weeks ago.)
I find myself musing on my own first day of school - now over more than seven decades ago...
In September of 1952 my mother walked me to the Maple Street School (above) for my first day in the first grade. This was in the era before pre-school and kindergarten were common, much less mandatory, so this was my entrance into the world of formal education. The Maple Street School was very close to our home: you could see the edge of the school yard and the building's roof from our front door. Still, the walk to that big yellow building seemed a long one that morning. On the way, I remember telling my mother that my stomach felt strange. I probably said my tummy felt funny!) She understood, held my hand a little tighter and said, "Oh, don't worry. That's just butterflies in your tummy."
I panicked! In my already anxious state I tried to figure out how butterflies got in my tummy, why they would want to go there and most of all: how would they get out. My mother realized right away that I was unfamiliar with the phrase so she assured me it was just something people said when they were nervous or excited about something about to happen. Nervous? Yes. Excited? Not so much.
Having made the trek across the street, we entered the building, found my classroom and met Mrs. Wynn, my first grade teacher. In those days, parents had no say in classroom placement so it was the luck of the draw that won me a sweetheart of a middle aged woman who was kind, soft spoken, warm, patient and, I recall thinking, quite beautiful.
I weathered that first day quite well. I'm not sure how the butterflies got out or where they went but by the end of the day they were nowhere to be felt or seen.
Right away I liked school. There were new kids there, plenty to do and lots to learn. Every day Mrs. Wynn led us in "morning exercises" - which had nothing to do with calisthenics. She would read the 23rd Psalm from the King James Version of the bible and lead us all in the Lord's Prayer (Catholics going silent at the closing Protestant doxology). We would then stand to salute the flag with the Pledge of Allegiance - and this was two years before the words "under God" were added to the Pledge.
Thus began an academic history of 21 Septembers of anticipating "the first day back" for elementary school, junior high, high school, college and graduate school. Most years I did look forward to returning to the classroom but at this point in life I'm pleased, when Labor Day comes 'round, to let others deal with few butterflies in the tummy.
I panicked! In my already anxious state I tried to figure out how butterflies got in my tummy, why they would want to go there and most of all: how would they get out. My mother realized right away that I was unfamiliar with the phrase so she assured me it was just something people said when they were nervous or excited about something about to happen. Nervous? Yes. Excited? Not so much.
Having made the trek across the street, we entered the building, found my classroom and met Mrs. Wynn, my first grade teacher. In those days, parents had no say in classroom placement so it was the luck of the draw that won me a sweetheart of a middle aged woman who was kind, soft spoken, warm, patient and, I recall thinking, quite beautiful.
I weathered that first day quite well. I'm not sure how the butterflies got out or where they went but by the end of the day they were nowhere to be felt or seen.
Right away I liked school. There were new kids there, plenty to do and lots to learn. Every day Mrs. Wynn led us in "morning exercises" - which had nothing to do with calisthenics. She would read the 23rd Psalm from the King James Version of the bible and lead us all in the Lord's Prayer (Catholics going silent at the closing Protestant doxology). We would then stand to salute the flag with the Pledge of Allegiance - and this was two years before the words "under God" were added to the Pledge.
Thus began an academic history of 21 Septembers of anticipating "the first day back" for elementary school, junior high, high school, college and graduate school. Most years I did look forward to returning to the classroom but at this point in life I'm pleased, when Labor Day comes 'round, to let others deal with few butterflies in the tummy.
I'm content, now, with my seat in the classroom of retired life where I'm still a student, an apprentice, still learning. My curriculum is simple: to study, with wonder and gratitude, the lessons I've learned over 79 years. There's a grand history in those lessons: narratives of joy and sorrow; chapters of of confusion and wisdom; chronicles of accomplishments and failures; accounts of victory and defeat; and footnotes of tears and laughter in a saga, of blessing, sin, mercy and grace. And through it all: the consistent, persistent, mysterious hand of God - whose presence in my story grows ever more clear the more I review and study for my final, final exam.
Oh, and there's homework, too - but it's simple. There's only one book, the scriptures, and the assignment's not hard to complete: just simple, daily, prayerful reflection on the Word of God -and on all memories of how God's Word took flesh: in my family, my friendships, my loves; in my stretching and growing, my yearning and hoping; in my heart, my soul and my prayer; in the twists and turns and ups and downs of the journey I call my life; in the thousands of ways God's been by my side to guard me, guide me and gently lead me home, to peace, forever.
Well, it's been a long time since my mother took me by the hand and walked me to the Maple Street School. Now it's the Teacher who holds my hand, walks by my side and calms my worries and fears. And I've learned (sometimes the hard way) that when I walk with my hand in the Lord's hand, his wisdom shines as the light on my path and the the lesson I learn, day by day, more and more is the truth of God's merciful love for me.
What's left of my Night Prayer!
FYI:
I wrote a Night Prayer for our being on the cusp between August and
September - and somehow lost the whole thing before posting it. Too
late in the day now to try to reconstruct it. Mea culpa!
What I can
offer is the song that was to go with this prayer - a good song for any
of us who may find transition from what was to what will be a difficult
journey to make...
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
by Aodhan King
8/30/26
Monday Morning Offering: 8/31
 |
| Morning Coffee by George Mendoza |
Good morning, good God!
Lord,
I try really hard
to do the right thing and say the right word
but despite my best efforts,
my words and deeds so often miss their mark
and, worse yet - end up hurting folks -
my words and deeds so often miss their mark
and, worse yet - end up hurting folks -
just when and where I tried and hoped to heal...
Sometimes my efforts at honesty
become a hard lesson in humility
and while I'm grateful for the lesson
I grieve the cost
become a hard lesson in humility
and while I'm grateful for the lesson
I grieve the cost
to those at whose expense
my newfound wisdom comes...
Sometimes, Lord,
my best intentions fall apart
in my own hands
and, try as I might,
and, try as I might,
it's hard to see how and when and why
things went so wrong
- but they did and I need to own that…
So this morning, Lord, I offer you
`my failed deeds, my garbled words
and any harm they've done
to those entrusted to my care...
I pray you’ll work and speak your healing
on whatever unintended hurt
my carelessness has caused...
And, Lord, I offer you
all I've learned the hard way,
the way that's paved with others' hurts
a path that bears the prints of my rough steps...
I ask forgiveness, Lord,
of those whose hearts I've trespassed,
whose spirits I have troubled...
I offer my mistakes, Lord:
the ones I didn't see coming,
the ones I should have seen coming,
and the ones I didn't see until it was too late:
I offer my mistakes, Lord:
the ones I didn't see coming,
the ones I should have seen coming,
and the ones I didn't see until it was too late:
forgive me, Lord,
and heal the hearts of any I have hurt…
I offer you the pride, Lord,
that tempts me to think, and too often to believe,
that I’m always right and never wrong…
that I’m always right and never wrong…
Help me know myself as you do, Lord,
and open wide my eyes
to all in me that's haughty, proud
and much to quick to judge...
Tame and heal and shape me, Lord,
mold and bless my heart,
make me humble in the things I do
and careful in the ways I speak
with everyone I know and meet
this morning and this week...
Amen.
NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 8/30
On Sundays, Night Prayer takes its lead from some element from the day's liturgy. In today's gospel from Matthew 16, Jesus says,
"If you want to come after me, you must deny himself,
take up your cross, and follow me.
If you wish to save your life - you will lose it,
but if you lose your life for my sake - you will find it"
take up your cross, and follow me.
If you wish to save your life - you will lose it,
but if you lose your life for my sake - you will find it"
I didn't have a preaching assignment this weekend, but as I heard the deacon proclaim the gospel on Saturday afternoon, I was struck as never before by the thought of losing my life - for the Lord's sake... My thoughts turned to all the many possible ways I might lose my life - not for the Lord's sake - but for the sake of so many other things...
For your sake, Lord!
That's what you ask of me...
You're ok with my losing the gift of my life
as long as it's for your sake...
That got me to thinking, Lord:
what might be some other ways
I might lose my life
for the sake of so much less?
What other ways might I spend my life,
waste my life, toss away your gift and grace?
For the sake of what paltry things
might I let go the greatest gift I've ever received?
I might lose my life
for the sake of fame and fortune...
I might lose my life
for the sake whatever, however,
I've defined what happiness is...
I might lose my life
for the sake of being accepted
by someone or some group of people...
I might lose my life
for the sake of whatever habits
addict my body, my attention,
my affection, my soul...
I might lose my life
for the sake of pleasure, self-gratification,
comfort or indulgence..
I might lose my life
for the sake of holding on
to what I should let go
or for the sake of avoiding
what I need to confront...
I might lose my life
for the sake of mindless dreams,
fantasies and delusions...
I might lose my life
for the sake of looking for love
in all the wrong places...
I might lose my life
for the sake of those,
for the sake of things
whose promises are hollow,
empty, counterfeit and false...
What then, Lord, does it mean
to lose my life for your sake?
How might I lose my life
for your sake, Lord?
I lose my life for your sake, Lord,
by humbly naming you
my Creator and Redeemer,
and your mercy and your grace
the greatest gifts I'll ever know...
I lose my life for your sake, Lord,
when I lose myself in prayer,
when I lose myself in gratitude,
remembering that you know me,
that you call me by my name,
that you're ever at my side,
in good times and in bad,
in sorrow and in joy...
I lose my life for your sake, Lord,
when I remember how you love me
in spite of all sins,
when I remember that your mercy
has no end and knows no bounds...
I lose my life for your sake, Lord,
when I pray for the grace to let go
all that holds me bound,
what shackles and imprisons me
and keeps me from being
whom you created me to be...
I lose my life for your sake, Lord,
when I lose myself for others,
when I share with others, generously,
from all that you have given me,
all you've given me to give away...
I lose my life for your sake, Lord,
when I let go what has its hold on me
and welcome in the blessings
you have ready for my heart...
I lose my life for your sake, Lord,
when I let go my stubborn ways
and open wide my mind
to your wisdom, word and will...
I lose my life for your sake, Lord,
when life with you forever
is my deepest, hope, my greatest dream,
the promise that sustains me
in good times and in bad...
I lose my life for your sake, Lord,
when your heart becomes the place
where I first look for my home,
for my peace and consolation,
the haven where there's healing
for my wounded, broken heart...
Help me, Lord!
Help me not waste or spend
or lose my life on anyone or anything
- less -
than you, your mercy,
your promise and your love...
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...
O God, You Search Me
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8/28/26
The view from my window...
My summer in the Rockies has come to an end! In a few hours, this will be the view from my window on United Airlines, heading east. I land in Boston at 10:00 p.m. and I'll probably sleep in late tomorrow morning. I'll be posting again on my blog on Sunday night!
8/27/26
Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 8/28
It's never too late to love God...
Saint Augustine, whose feast we celebrate today, came to love God late in his life but understood that it's never too late to love God.
Consider the words he prayed:
Late have I loved you, O Beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you! And look! You were within me, and I was outside myself: and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created: you were with me, but I was not with you. Those created things kept me far away from you: yet if they had not been in you, they would have not been at all. You called and shouted: and broke through my deafness. You flamed and shone: and banished my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me: and I drew in my breath and I pant for you. I have tasted you: and now I hunger and thirst for more. You have touched me: and I have burned for your peace. (The Confessions, book 10, chapter 27, translated by Carolyn J. B. Hammond, Carolyn J. B. Click here for other translations.)
At first glance, the words of his prayer may seem too much: too pious, too poetic, too romantic. But these words capture the experience all of us have in responding to God's love through the years, the decades of our lives.
Spend a little time with them and you'll find yourself in Augustine's prayer...
Here's a beautiful musical setting (from Schola Ministries) of Augustine's Late have I loved Thee (translated and composed by Kathleen Deignan, CND).
Sero Te Amvi by Kathleen Deignan
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(For those not familiar with Latin, the first three lines find their translation in the fourth and fifth.)
Sero te amavi,
pulchritudo tam antiqua et tam nova.
Sero te amavi!
Late have I loved Thee,
O Beauty ever ancient, ever new!
I was searching all around me; You were all within.I grasped at your beauty everywhere
and longed to have and hold what can but be beheld.
Sero te amavi!
You attracted, I, distracted, did not see
the Giver of all gifts was gracing me.Sero te amavi!
You called, you shouted – piercing through my deafness;
You flashed, you shone – dispelling all my blindness.
Sero te amavi!
You breathed your fragrance on me,
I drew my breath and now I am breathless for Thee.
I tasted your sweetness and now I am famished for You –
You touched me; now I am burning for your peace.
Late have I loved Thee, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new!
I was searching all around me; You were all within.
Sero te amavi! Vero te amavi…
With Augustine, ask the Lord to call, to shout, to pierce your deafness; to flash, to shine, to dispel your blindness; to breathe on you and in your heart; to touch your life with his love - that you might come to love him...
And remember: it's never too late!
NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 8/27
Today is the feast of Saint Monica who was the mother of Saint Augustine. Monica is the patron saint of mothers - and here's why... At about the age of 17, Augustine began a relationship with a young
woman in Carthage. Though his mother wanted him to marry, the woman remained his lover, the couple persisting in the
relationship for over fifteen years and producing a son. In addition to a profligate life, Augustine was a thief and a heretic. Saint Monica prayed for Augustine's conversion for 17 years. In 385, Augustine ended his relationship with his lover in order to prepare to
marry a teenage heiress but before marrying here, Augustine underwent a great conversion, became a priest and bishop and one of the greatest theologians in the history of the Church.
Lord,
I pray this night for mothers
who long for their children to find a home
in the faith we share in the life of the Church
where the gospel is preached
and the grace of sacraments
nourish and bind us together,
all of us, one in you...
I pray this night for mothers
whose loving hearts break
when they watch their children lay aside
the wisdom and truth they've lived and taught
and faithfully handed on...
I pray this night for mothers who worry,
"How did I fail? Where did I go wrong?"
Help them see all the good
they've faithfully done
and all the ways they've done
to raise their own in the faith we hold...
Help them trust that you, with patience and mercy,
delight in their children and care for them;
that you call them by name, move in their hearts,
heal their hurts and forgive their sins,
so great is your love and desire for them to
to find their faith and peace in you...
And I pray tonight for mothers
who've prayed and prayed, for years and years
and who sometimes, perhaps,
were too strong, even harsh,
in calling their own to the Church and the faith
they so much want them to share.
Give them patience, Lord, and trust in you,
in the saving grace you offer us all
as we stumble and bumble our way to you,
seeking that peace most fully found
in your love, in your word,
in your mercy and grace,
in your Church and the gospel of joy...
Saint Monica,
pray for all mothers...
Saint Monica,
pray for our children...
Saint Monica,
pray for each one of us
as you prayed for Augustine, your son...
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.
Tonight's song by the Getty's is from PBS Atlanta's 2015 concert: Joy - an Irish Christmas. This accounts for the verse in Gaelic (translation provided below).
A Mother's Prayer by Kristyn and Keith Getty
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Before you close your eyes to sleep
I have a promise still to keep
As I hold you in my arms.
I pray your little frame grows strong
And that faith takes hold while you are young;
This is my prayer for you.
Hold my hand;
I’ll teach you the Way to go.
Through the joys, through the tears,
The journey of these years,
May you trust Him ‘til the end.
May you trust Him in the end.
This world is not as it should be,
But the Savior opens eyes to see
All that’s beautiful and true.
Oh may His light fill all you are
And the jewel of wisdom crown your heart;
This is my prayer for you.
Hold my hand;
I’ll teach you the Way to go.
Through the joys, through the tears,
The journey of these years,
He is with us ‘til the end.
He is faithful ‘til the end.
Dún do shúil
Close Your eyes
Dún do shúil, a rún mo chroí
Close your eyes, oh love of my heart
A chuid den tsaol, ‘s a ghrá liom
My worldly joy, my treasure
Dún do shúil, a rún mo chroí
Close your eyes, oh love of my heart
Agus gheobhair feirín amárach…
And you will get a gift tomorrow
You’ll travel where my arms won’t reach
As the road will rise to lead your feet
On a journey of your own.
May my mistakes not hinder you
But His grace remain and guide you through;
This is my prayer for you.
Take His hand
And go where He calls you to.
And whatever comes, seek Him
With all your heart;
This will be my prayer for you.
Father, hear my ceaseless prayer;
Oh keep them in your care.
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