Night Prayer: SUNDAY 11/8

On Sundays, Night Prayer takes its lead from some element from the day's liturgy. The first reading and gospel for today's mass draw us to the gift of wisdom.  Keep in mind that in the scriptures, Wisdom is often described in the feminine!

 

Wisdom!

Dare I invite Wisdom into my heart, Lord?

Or - dare I not welcome her advances?

 

Do I not desire her - and deeply so -

    in my thoughts, in my words, in all I do?

 

Wisdom! 

She comes at no small cost, Lord.

To welcome her is to kiss goodbye

    to self-indulgent folly,

    playing with the truth,

    and selfish pride and ego...

         

Wisdom!

A demanding friend is she

who asks for all I have 

but in return gives back much more 

than ever I might dream to call my own... 

 

Wisdom!

A jealous lover she 

who seduces me with truth

down a simple path to peace,

to serenity and joy...

 

Wisdom! 

She shimmers and she shines 

in the corners of my mind

with a mesmerizing light 

undimmed by my confusion...

 

Wisdom! 

She trains my eyes to seek what's true,

what's just, what's pure, what's whole,

what's worthy of my will, my love,

in all I say and do...

 

Wisdom! 

Dare I invite her, Lord,

to settle in my soul,

to dwell deep in my thoughts

and take hold of my desires? 

 

Or dare I not welcome her advances?

Dare I chance a wasted, foolish life,

spent in vain pursuit

of passing, empty pleasures?

 

Lord, I choose Lady Wisdom! 

 

Send her to my arms

    to renew me from the inside out,

    to govern all things in my soul,

    to abide with me

       in spite of all my foolish ways,

    to fill me with your mercy

       and the grace and peace she brings...

 

Give me courage, Lord,

   to court the one who seeks me out,

who never tires in her quest

   to take my mind, my heart, 

      my soul, my all...

 

Wisdom! 

May she lead me to a quiet place

   where I might rest with her

while she holds me close 

   and shares with me

from all her many treasures,

   your word of truth and peace...

 

In the stillness of my prayer, Lord,

    send Wisdom to my soul,

to take me as her own,

    to make my heart her home...

 

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. 

 

Two songs for prayer tonight: the first,reflective and the second, uptempo... If you don't find two videos below, click here!

 
Wisdom Gives by Good Branch's Sound

 

 

Wisdom, Wisdom! by Lori True

 

 
 

Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive
Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive
Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts
Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts
    in our conflicts and chaos
    in our struggles and strong will
    in our pride and our passion
    O Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts

Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive
Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive
Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts
Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts
    in all of our doubting
    in all of our choosing
    in all of our searching
    O Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts

Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive
Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive
Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts
Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts
    when we're tired and closed minded
    when we think we're the wiser
    when we can't hear you calling
    O Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts

Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive
Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive
Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts
Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts
    let your Word dwell within us
    let your Good News inspire us
    let your Gospel Truth shape us
    O Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts

Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive
Wisdom, Wisdom, be attentive
Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts
O, Wisdom, Wisdom, open our hearts

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Pause for Prayer: SUNDAY 11/8

 

 

Lord,

your Spirit is with me 24/7/365,
    pushing and pulling me,
    prompting and prodding me,
    nudging me always
    to love what's good,
    to do what's just,
    to speak the truth,
    to do the next right thing,
    to help my neighbor,
    to choose wisely,
    to lift my heart to you in prayer
    and to walk humbly

        by your side...

But so often, too often, Lord,
    I'm deaf to your voice,
    blind to your presence, 

    too busy, too lazy,
    too foolish, too self-absorbed
    to see, to hear, to notice
    all the ways your Spirit moves
        in me, around me and through me...

Today, Lord,
    open my ears and my eyes,
    my mind and my imagination,
    and my heart's and my soul's desires
        - all to your Spirit -
    living and breathing within me
        and through the whole of creation...

Amen. 

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Night Prayer: SATURDAY 11/7

Both the first reading and the gospel for mass tomorrow focus on wisdom - so wisdom's on my mind... 

Lord, I'm working on my homily 

 and trusting you won't laugh too loudly

  when you hear me preach about wisdom!

 

Just thinking about wisdom 

 reminds me of how foolish,

 how unwise, I often am

 and of just how much I need

 to cling to your wisdom

  every day of my life...

 

I need to cling to your wisdom 

 as I make decisions:

  big ones, small ones and everyday choices

  that make a difference in my own life

  and in the lives of those around me...

 

I need to cling to your wisdom

when foolishness seeks to seduce me

 from your will to mine,

 from your ways to my ways,

 from living by your word

 to living by mine…

 

I need to cling to your wisdom, Lord, 

 when I shape my ideas,

 form my opinions

 and pledge my allegiance

 to party, power and privilege...

 

I need to cling to your wisdom 

 when I'm lost, confused or discouraged,

 lest I take the wrong path,

 succumb to my doubts

 or abandon my hope in you...

 

I need to cling to your wisdom, Lord, 

 because you are my way

 you are my truth

 and you are my very life:

  without you I'm lost

  and truly have nothing...

 

I need to cling to your wisdom, Lord: 

 she’s the light in my shadows,

 the strength in my weakness

 my hope in hard times

 and joy in my sorrow...

 

I need to cling to your wisdom:

 to save me from playing the fool,

 to help me discern the truth

 and to lead me, wisely, day by day

  to your mercy, your grace and your 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.

 

Christ Our Wisdom

   by  Sovereign Grace Music

 

If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!

 

 

Christ our wisdom, we are humbled 

When You hide Your ways from us 

You have purposes unnumbered 

Each one good and glorious 

Help us trust when we grow weary 

Free us from our anxious thoughts 

Give us grace to see more clearly 

You are God and we are not 

 

Christ our wisdom, be our gladness 

When we fail to understand 

You ordain all joy and sadness 

To fulfill Your perfect plan 

Help us know You rule with power 

Over every raging flood 

In our most uncertain hour 

You are God and we are loved 

 

Christ our wisdom, we will follow 

Though the way ahead is veiled 

As we journey through the shadows 

Grant us faith where sight has failed 

Help us cling to Your commandments 

Strengthened by Your faithful Word 

We will never be abandoned 

You are God and we are Yours 

 

Christ our wisdom we adore You 

For the beauty of the cross 

Once in foolishness we scorned You 

But Your blood has ransomed us 

Help us sing the endless mercies 

Of Your humble heart to save 

Christ our wisdom, Christ our glory 

You are God forever praised 

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Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 11/7

Image source

 

Lord, you will not fail today:

    to show me your face,
    speak to my heart,
    and touch my soul with your mercy...

You will not fail:
    to walk by my side
    and show me the way
    to where your peace awaits me...

You will not fail:
   to help me carry the burdens I bear,

   to pierce my deepest grief with joy

   and to be the light in my darkest hour...

You will not fail:
    to give me all that I truly need          
    to come at last to this day's end,
    my soul at peace with you...

 

Then help me, Lord, not fail today:
    to look for you
        in all I meet;
    to open my heart
        to your healing touch;

    and to find you ever at my side,
        guiding, helping and lifting me up
            each time I trip and I fall...

 

Help me, Lord, to seek your presence

    in life as it meets me today

    with all of its many ups and downs,

    its twists and turns, laughter and tears, 

       and all of my sorrows and joys...

 

Today's the day that you've made, Lord,

    and I trust in faith that you will not fail:  

        to guide each step that I take

    'til evening falls and finds me safe,

        asleep and at peace with you...    

Amen.

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Night Prayer: FRIDAY 11/6

As you know, this week I moved from Good Shepherd Parish in Wayland to Regina Cleri, the archdiocesan residence for senior priests in downtown Boston.  The differences are many, sometimes stark and startling, filled with grace - and welcome...

 

No rain where you're praying tonight? Here's something to put you in the mood:

 

 

This Friday night I'm learning, 

or more accurately -I'm remembering -

the difference between a rainy night in the city

and a rain night in the suburbs...

 

Back in Wayland, Lord,

the rain falls unassumingly, 

modestly, subtly 

- perhaps, even humbly

 

but here in the city 

the rain comes down straightforwardly,

rather matter-of-factly, intentionally

- even bluntly...

 

Even in a storm, 

suburban rain falls with a certain grace, 

veiling nature with a glistening sheen,

moistening her tender skin with grace...

 

While urban rains pour down 

drenching high-rises, sidewalks and pedestrians,

pelting everything in sight with mercy

come to cleanse a city's soul...

 

I've lived out in the country, Lord,

and now, back in the city

so I've known the different ways you rain

your mercy and your grace

on your people and the land...

 

Rain on me, O Lord!

Drench and all but drown me

in the waters of redemption

and bathe me in your kindness,

deep down in my soul... 

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. 

 

"Rain Down" is one of my favorites - and the images on this video make it a perfect companion for tonight's prayer! 

 

Rain Down by Jaime Cortez

 

If a video doesn't appear below, click here!

 

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Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 11/6

Whether the day ahead is busy and full
    - or a day when I haven't very much to do,
I know that you, Lord, have your eye on me
    and plans for how I might best spend today...

If my day looks overbooked, Lord:

    point out the tasks that might be useless
and let me see what foolishness 

    I may have even scheduled,

- and all the precious time I waste 

    when I make no time for you...

If my calendar is free, wide open,

    then show me ways that I might fill it:
        reaching out to those in need,

        making peace as I am able,

        or spending time with someone

            who's alone and needs a friend...

 

And if today's an in-betweener,
    - busy now but later free -
then help me balance work and play

    and spend this day for what it is:
        24 hours, your gift to me,
        to grow in faith and hope and joy,
        to grow in love of you, Lord

        and in service of my neighbor...

Amen.

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