A Concord Pastor Comments: Pause for Prayer Friday 4/12

My whole life is in your hands, Lord:
   all that you have in mind for me,
   all you call me to be,
   all the troubles that come my way,
   all my joys and sorrows,
   all my successes and failings,
   all my hopes and dreams
      (both the realized and the unfulfilled)
   my health and all my aches and pains
   and all the ways I’ll accept or turn away
      from your will for me
   and the grace you offer to help me accept
      what seems too hard, too much to bear...

All this, Lord, and much, much more you hold, gently and carefully,
   in your hands and in your heart
and nothing in my life (nothing!) is beyond your reach,
   beyond your grasp, your touch, your keen and loving gaze...

Nothing entering or leaving my life surprises you:
   though many things in my life are a mystery to me,
   you understand everything about me,
   everything I experience, all my ups and downs
   and everything I do and everything I fail to do...

Forgive me then, Lord, when I think, even for a moment,
   that you’ve forgotten me;
pardon me when I whine or complain
   as though you’ve abandoned me;
be patient with me when when I mope around
   as if I’m all alone...

Remind me often and never let me forget
that with you at my side I can do and endure all things
and please, Lord, help me to see
   that on the darkest of days your light shines through,
   that in the hardest of times your help is greatest,
   that on my weakest days your strength holds me together,
   that no day passes without you offering
      the gift of the peace, indeed the joy,
         of knowing you’re by my side...

All my life is in your hands, Lord...

Amen.