10/16/22

NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 10/16

On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Tonight's prayer picks up the message on prayer found in the first reading and the gospel for today's mass...

This evening, Lord,

I want to thank you
for your always being there,
every time I come to pray...

I believe that when I pray

you listen to me,

   heart hears my heart
even when my heart is mute...

I believe you love the prayer of
   of just my "showing up,”
   of every time my heart,
   my imagination and my attention turn
        - if only for a few seconds -
   toward you, always there, at my side...

Especially then,

I'm grateful for the ways

you catch my glance,
   my momentary nod in your direction,
my heart's secret “wink” to let you know
   you're on my mind,

   you’re in my heart,
I'm glad you're near,

   I need you

   and I want you by my side...

It's not a bell, Lord,

   nor the time of day,

   nor my need, much less my idea
no - it’s only and always

   the power of your Spirit

   that calls and draws me to prayer...

Every prayer of mine
   comes at your Spirit's prompting,
your grace stirring, prodding,

   nudging, urging me

        to come to you in prayer...

There's not a moment, night or day,
when your Spirit isn't moving me
   to make some time,
   to find a quiet place,
   to sit with you in prayer...

I'm so grateful, Lord:

   you never tire of my tales of woe,
        of drying all my tears,

   listening with such patience,
        hearing me out, again and again,
   even when I fail to find the words

        to speak what’s really on my mind

            and in my heart,
        what I really need to speak to you in prayer...

No thought of mine, Lord,
   comes as news to you...

Not a word of my prayer

   takes you by surprise…

 

You hear my every plea,

   ever stumbling, awkward, mindless, rote

        distracted, selfish prayer…


And most of all you hear the prayer

   that echoes in my heart

        but never makes it to my lips…


You never turn away from me
   in boredom or frustration,
but rather do you bend, Lord,

   always, ever nearer, closer,
        to hear my every word...

Help me never be afraid, Lord,

to share with you in prayer
what’s precisely on my mind

and rooted deep within my heart...

This evening, Lord, I thank you
for your always being there,

for your open ears and heart
every time I come to pray...

 

Protect me, Lord, while I’m awake,

watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace…

 

Amen.

Two versions of tonight's music: the widget just below is a bigger sound with a choral backup while the video that follows offers a lighter acoustic solo rendition by the same artist, Doe Jones.  And my suggestion?  Listen to both, in the order in which they appear below...

 
When I Pray by Doe Jones

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

 
Carrying all of the world on my shoulders 
And it’s gotten too heavy for me 
You know I ain’t no Hercules 
Life moves on 
Stuff breaks down 
People fall off 
 
Gotta find a way to get over 
Gotta find a way to get through 
Breakthrough 
Hear You 
Struggles they last 
But as time pass 
It’s been one thing after the other 
 
Oh I don’t always know the right way 
No I don’t always know what to say 
But all I know is something happens 
When I pray 
 
I know I can get through when I pray 
I know I can reach You when I call Your name 
You’re never too busy for me 
You’re never too busy for me 
 
When I oh I found myself at the end of the road 
Looking for it and I see a fork in the road 
Hell, if I know 
Which way to go 
I feel so alone 
Life is so, so cold 
 
Oh I’m not very eloquent in speech 
I don’t always sound holy when I speak 
Papa told me something happens 
When I pray 
 
I know I can get through when I pray 
I know I can reach You when I call Your name 
You’re never too busy for me 
You’re never too busy for me 
When I pray 
I know I can get through when I pray 
I know I can reach You when I call Your name 
You’re never too busy for me 
You’re never too busy for me 
When I pray 
 
I know You will never leave me dry 
It’s not in Your nature to turn away 
When the humble pray 
When I cry I know 
You will never leave me empty 
It’s not in Your nature to turn away 
From the humble
When I pray 
 
 I know I can get through when I pray 
I know I can reach You when I call Your name 
You’re never too busy for me 
You’re never too busy for me 
When I pray 
 
I know I can get through when I pray 
I know I can reach You when I call Your name 
You’re never too busy for me 
You’re never too busy for me 
When I pray 
 
I know I can get through when I pray 
I know I can reach You when I call Your name 
You’re never too busy for me You’re never too busy for me 
When I pray I know I can get through when I pray 
I know I can reach You when I call Your name 
You’re never too busy for me 
You’re never too busy for me 
When I pray
 
Acoustic version 


  

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