A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Saturday 4/17

Sometimes it's at night, Lord, when I feel closest to you
and sometimes it's at night when I wonder if I've lost you
- or if you've lost sight of me...

But regardless of how I feel, any night or day,
you are there, Lord, you're there with me and beside me,
before me and behind me, within me, all around me...

And should I try to flee your presence,
there's no place I might go, Lord,
but that you'd be there to meet me...

And should I try to slip beyond your grasp,
with you there'd be no letting go...

Though I close my eyes and turn my back
on every side you'd be there:
there's no place, Lord, where I might hide
- your gaze would find me out...

Sometimes, at night, I'm close to you,
sometimes I cannot find you, but
   wherever I find myself tonight,
   however lost I might feel,
   remind me of your presence, Lord,
   your strong, relentless love
   pursuing, seeking, finding me
   and never letting go...

Wherever I go, you're there, Lord:
   however fast I run away - you outpace me;
   however foolish my ways - you guide me;
   however lost I am - you find me;
   however alone I may be -
      you hold me in your arms,
      carry me in your heart,
      you embrace me in your love...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm still awake
and watch over me when I fall asleep,
that awake, I keep night watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

If You Find Me By The Ocean by Steve Warner

If you find me by the ocean,
at the sea's farthest end,
even there, Lord, you watch over me,
even there you place your hand.

1) O Lord you search and you know me,
my rising and my rest,
you discern my journey from afar,
when I wander or lie down.

2) And from your Spirit, where can I go?
Where might I flee from your face?
If I climb the heavens, you are there
and at my final rest.

3) And if I fly on the wings of dawn,
to ocean's farthest end,
ever leading you are at my side,
your mighty hand upon me.

4) Your hand, O Lord, created me
within my mother's womb,
I thank you for the wonder of my life,
your marvels of creation.