NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 11/13

These days, Lord,

there's a lot of stubbornness in the news

and it's oh-so-easy to point a wagging, accusing finger 

(in protest!) towards anyone so self-convinced,

so ornery, so rigid and unyielding...

 

But this morning, Lord, while shaving,

I saw someone just like that,

right there - in my bathroom mirror!

There he was - someone I know quite well!

Someone who's been known to mistake 

   inflexibility for perseverance,

   dogmatism for determination,

   rigidity for constancy

   and intransigence for loyalty...

 

And those contrasts are not

just two sides of the same coin:

no, they're contrary opposites

and sometimes (even often, I confess)

these mark my thoughts and words and deeds...

Sometimes I find my faults in the mirror, Lord,

and sometimes I see them mirrored 

in other folks' behavior - but in either case,

give me the wisdom I need to admit my stubborn ways

and the grace and humility I need 

to turn them 'round...

 

Point my wagging finger towards the mirror, Lord:

let me find it pointing back to me...

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.

Take, O Take Me As I Am by John Bell

 


Take, O take me as I am,
Summon out what I shall be.
Set your seal upon my heart
and live in me...

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