8/16/23

NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 8/16

(This is more personal than the prayers I usually post but I trust that many of you will be able to relate to what I've written.  Below the text here, you'll find a version of the same written in the feminine - followed then by tonight's song.)

I came across this photo, Lord,
and I'm guessing it's about 45 years old
and I was about 30...
 
Who was that man, Lord?
What was his story?
What were his hopes and his dreams?
    his sorrows and his joys?
        his fears and insecurities?
            his questions - and his answers?
And who were you to him, Lord,
    at that time in his life?
 
And who's that man today, Lord?
What story has he lived?
What blessings is he counting
    - and what are his regrets?
What has made him happy
    and what burdens has he carried?
What questions still bemuse him?
    what wisdom now is his?
And who are you to him, Lord,
    at this time in his life?

And who will he become, Lord,
    in what time may still be his?
What chapters of his story
    has he yet to live and write?
How many are the graces
    you wait to offer him:
your peace for when he's worried,
    your strength for when he's weary.
Will your Spirit calm his restlessness 
    with trust in what's to come,
with hope in your sweet mercy
    and the life that you have won?
 
Who will you be for him, Lord,
    at this time in his life
when the hopes and dreams and mystery
    of all that came before
bring him closer to your promise
    of the peace you have in store?
 
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.
 
(And in the feminine...) 

Who was that woman, Lord?
What was her story?
What were her hopes and her dreams?
    her sorrows and her joys?
        her fears and insecurities?
            her questions - and her answers?
And who were you to her, Lord,
    at that time in her life?
 
And who's that woman today, Lord?
What story has she lived?
What blessings is she counting
    - and what are her regrets?
What has made her happy
    and what burdens have been hers?
What questions still bemuse her?
    what wisdom now is hers?
And who are you to her, Lord,
    at this time in her life?

And who will she become, Lord,
    in what time may still be hers?
What chapters of her story
    has she yet to live and write?
How many are the graces
    you wait to offer her:
your peace for when she's worried,
    your strength for when she's weary.
Will your Spirit calm her restlessness 
    with trust in what's to come,
with hope in your sweet mercy
    and the life that you have won?
 
Who will you be for her, Lord,
    at this time in her life
when the hopes and dreams and mystery
    of all that came before
bring her closer to your promise
    of the peace you have in store?
 
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.
 
Lord, I Offer My Life  by Don Moen

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