A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 9/9

(I'm away for a few days so I'm reposting a Night Prayer
from several months ago, one of my favorites...)

Every evening, Lord, my day ends with the prayer
you'll protect me while I lie awake
and watch over me as I sleep:
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...

I know you're with me all day long
and it's a comfort to trust you're by my side
'neath the moon and the stars,
all through the night...

At any other time of night or day
am I as vulnerable, Lord, unguarded and defenseless,
as when I'm sound asleep in the dark of night?

Is there any place I need you more than in my sleep,
than in the land of dreams and nightmares,
that nightly death from which I always pray to wake?

Thank you, Lord, for keeping faithful vigil
in these hours each night when I am most in need
of a host of angel guardians and a sentinel divine...

Once again then, Lord, tonight:
protect me as I lie awake
and watch over me as I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

All Through The Night, an old Welsh hymn, seems the
perfect choice for this evening's prayer. The most beautiful
setting I found is in the original language, so I've supplied
English lyrics to help us pray with these beautiful visuals.

Sleep my child and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels I will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved one's watch am keeping,
All through the night

Angels watching, e'er around thee,
All through the night
Midnight slumber close surround thee,
All through the night
They will of all fears disarm thee,
No forebodings should alarm thee,
They will let no peril harm thee
All through the night

While the moon her watch is keeping
All through the night
While the weary world is sleeping
All through the night
O'er thy spirit gently stealing
Visions of delight revealing
Breathes a pure and holy Spirit
All through the night