NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 9/26

I was sitting in Starbucks, Lord, waiting and praying 

    for you to nudge my mind and heart,

        my imagination and creativity,

    to write this evening's Night Prayer...

And so you did!

 

Your Spirit helped me focus 

on the people right around me, 

altogether 8 in number:

    2 baristas serving 6...

 

I knew none of them, Lord,

and therein lay the moment's gift:

    I didn't know the bearded barista's story;

    I knew neither the mom's fears

        nor her teen-aged son's growing pains;

    I didn't know the high school girl's hidden hopes;

        or the tall man's secret joys;

    I didn't know the young barista's questions

        or the old man's treasured memories

    - or why the delivery man was smiling so broadly,

        for no apparent reason...

I didn't know, much less understand,

    the universe of stories, joys and sorrows

        wrapped within the lives of these 8 people...

I didn't know their successes in life

    or their freshest disappointments...

I didn't know their health

    or what pain or illness slowed them down today...

I knew neither how much they might be loved

    nor what loneliness they live with...

 

I didn't know how light or burdened were their hearts,

    how jumbled or clear were their thoughts,

        how anxious or free were their spirits,

            how troubled or content were their souls...

I didn't know if they believe in you, Lord,

    or if they struggle to believe in you;

I didn't know if they've ever asked the "God question"

        or long ago left their faith behind... 

 

Only you, Lord, know all these things:

    the mystery and the stories,

    the intrigue and the secrets,

    the dreams and the calamities,

    the joyful heights and tragic depths

    in every human heart...

 

So, when my own path nears and crosses

    the sacred paths of others,

whose stories I don't know,

    whose burdens I don't see;

who make their way as I do

    seeking happiness and healing;

help me tread then, Lord, as lovingly,

    as carefully as you do,

with reverence and compassion

    for hearts just like my own...

 

Make us gentle with each other, Lord,

    compassionate and tender,

with reverence for your presence

    in every neighbor's story...

         

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.

 

Tonight's song is certainly the Lord's song to each of us

-and- the song the Lord asks us to sing to one another:

    I will carry you...

 

Carry You by Ruelle

If a video doesn't appear below, click here!

 

 

I know it hurts 

It's hard to breathe sometimes  

These nights are long  

You've lost the will to fight  

Is anybody out there?  

Can you lead me to the light?  

Is anybody out there?  

Tell me it'll all be alright  

You are not alone  

I've been here the whole time singing you a song  

I will carry you I will carry you  

I know you can't remember how to shine  

Your heart's a bird without the wings to fly  

Is anybody out there?  

Can you take this weight of mine?  

Is anybody out there?  

Can you lead me to the light?  

You are not alone  

I've been here the whole time singing you a song  

I will carry you I will carry you  

You are not alone I've been here the whole time  

You are not alone  

I've been here the whole time singing you a song 

I will carry you I will carry you

I will carry you I will carry you

I know it hurts  

It's hard to breathe sometimes

 

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