NIGHT PRAYER: 5/13

 

Ascension Day is almost over, Lord...

 

We heard the story:

your gathering your friends, ascending from their sight, 

going up to heaven with the promise 

that your Spirit soon would come...

 

For nine days,

your friends waited and prayed 

for your Spirit to come down

with power and blessing,

anointing their hearts

with the fire of your love... 

 

I picture them huddled together, Lord,

in that upper room

where you had broken bread and shared a cup with them

the night before you died...

 

I hear them telling, again, the stories of your life:

- the story of your calling them together as his friends;

- the stories you told to help them understand

      the word you came to share;

- the stories of your healing the sick,
      those bent low in body, mind and spirit;

- the stories of your traveling from town to town

      telling the good news of your Father's mercy;
- the story of your suffering, your death,
      and how they deserted you in your hour of need;
- and the story of your rising, your meeting them again,
      greeting them with blessings of pardon and of peace... 

 

Tonight, then, Lord, help me remember

- the story of your calling me 

      and my coming to know and love you
- your stories and parables

     and how they've touched my heart and guided my steps;
- the stories of all the times you've helped me,
      healed me and mended my brokenness;
- the story of how you've followed me, everywhere I go,
      and how you've never left my side;
- the story of your saving love for me upon the Cross,
      in spite of all the ways I've betrayed your faithful care;
- the stories of your appearing, showing up in my life,
      often when I least expect you - but when I really need you;
- the story of my life with you, a story not yet ended,
      a story we're still writing, telling, sharing, living - you and I...

 

No greater story could I tell, Lord,

than the story of your love for me

and of your holy Spirit leading, guiding, 

blessing me through every day

of the story of my love for you... 

 

Protect me, Lord, while I lie awake,

remembering your story

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake I might keep watch for you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

(Tonight's song is and old hymn tune from the 1860's, 
rendered here acapella, all four parts in Christ Rupp's voice)
 
I Love To Tell The Story by Chris Rupp

I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above
Of Jesus and his glory
Of Jesus and his love

I love to tell the story
Because I know 'tis true
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else can do

I love to tell the story 'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love

I love to tell the story, 
’Tis pleasant to repeat,
What seems each time 
I tell it more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, 
for some have never heard
The message of salvation 
from God’s own holy Word.

I love to tell the story 'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love
 

I love to tell the story
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest

And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new, new song
'Twill be the old, old story
That I have loved so long

I love to tell the story 'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love

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