Pause for Prayer: SUNDAY 3/3p

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, called Laetare Sunday because the entrance verse in the missal calls us to rejoice (laetare in Latin) - we are half the way on our journey toward Easter joy (thus, the lighter rose vestments).  Picking up where we left off at Night Prayer yesterday, we pray about finding joy in times that, well - just aren't joyful!

I want to rejoice, Lord:

I’d so much rather rejoice than weep; 

I’d rather be glad in you 

than sad in my own troubles…

 

And yes, I'd like to rejoice always 

but my heart can't always muster

all the joy my soul desires...

 

I know I’m called to rejoice in you, 

to find my joy in you, 

especially when I'm finding it hard 

to find any joy within myself...

The joy you offer, Lord, 

the joy you promise

- the joy I long for - 

lies in you, 

outside my personal trials:

the joy you pledge I'll come to know

when I let go  

and take a step beyond

the troubles I cling to,

and reach for the peace,

the joy that rests in you

who walk at my side

every step along my way...

 

So I pray, visit my heart, Lord,

with the joy that’s yours to give: 

the joy that only you can give, 

the joy that won't be quelled by fear, 

the joy whose source runs deeper 

than my deepest pain or grief, 

the joy that springs 

from depths in me

my heart has not searched...

 

Find me that joy, Lord, 

greater than any loss I've ever known, 

deeper than all my worries and wounds,

a muscular joy 

to strengthen me 

in my weakness…

Grant me that joy, Lord,

that survives my moods and feelings, 

my roller coaster emotions, 

my anger and self-pity, 

my thin skin, pride and stubborn ego…

 

In the quiet of my prayer, Lord, 

help me see the ways 

I sometimes ward off joy 

and prefer instead 

the misery I’ve befriended...

  

Turn my heart around, Lord,

turn it up-side-down 

until it opens to the simple joys 

of every day, 

the joy that pours like rain drops 

from your hand...

When my heart is dry, Lord,

and my soul is cloudy,

plant within me seeds of joy 

to blossom in those times 

when all my joy 

depends on you alone...

 
When I've lost all hope of finding joy again 

let your Spirit fan to flame its glowing embers,
warming up my heart to trust anew  

that though tears may fall all night,

with morning light the sun will rise

and joy again return...

Send your Spirit, Lord,  
   to anoint my soul with joy...

Open my eyes, Lord, to all the blessings 

you have shared with me,
all the reasons to remember 

to find my joy in you,

in good times and in bad... 

 

I pray for joy that lasts, Lord:

a joy that suffers through, 

a joy that persists and endures 

and remains in me, surviving 

whole, stronger, deeper, true, intact...

 

In this quiet time with you, Lord,

refresh my desire, my thirst for joy;
help me find my joy in simply being still,

in being here with you, 

the joy of knowing you’re my God…

Help me rejoice in you, Lord, always,

help me rejoice in you alone...

 

I pray again, Lord:

help me find my joy in you,

let me find my joy in you...

 

Amen.

 

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