NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 7/16

 

A news reporter mentioned today

that as the pandemic recedes, 

    "things are returning to how they should be...

 

I wonder, Lord: How should things be?

 

If we return to how things were

- will we have arrived at how things ought to be? 

 

Was our pre-pandemic past the best model

    for our post-Covid lives?

 

Were we at peace in the world around us,

    with you and with one another?

 

Was there justice for all, especially in places

    where "justice for all" is the law of the land?

 

Did we love our neighbor as ourselves,

    putting others' needs before our own? 

Were our hearts washed clean of faults,

    our desires pure and selfless?

 

Was our Church living what it sings:

    All Are Welcome in our house of prayer?

 

Had we found sure ways to feed the hungry,

    house the homeless, clothe the naked

        and tend to all the sick and the dying?

 

Were our hearts at long last free, Lord,

    of prejudice, bias and bigotry? 

Had truth and its pursuit prevailed

    over pride and rank self-interest?

If we return to how things were

- will we have arrived at how things ought to be?

Help us not too easily return to how things were, Lord,

    or be too quickly satisfied with all that what was;

rather, help us see and work for what can be

    if only we would do what is good, love what is just

        and walk humbly by your side...

 

Protect us, Lord, while we're awake

and watch over us as we sleep

that awake, we might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

 

(If the musical widget below does not appear, click here!)

City of God by Dan Schutte

 

 

Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!
A new day is dawning for all those who weep.
The people in darkness have seen a great light.
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.

Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
has turned the night into day!

We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day.
The One who has loved us has brightened our way.
The Lord of all kindness has called us to be
a light for his people to set their hearts free.

God is light; in him there is no darkness.
Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all.
O comfort my people; make gentle your words.
Proclaim to my city the day of her birth.

 

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