A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 4/3

Sitting here with you in the quiet, Lord,
I know you're near, you're by my side
but sometimes, it's not easy

to raise my eyes to you,
to look you in the face...

It might be something I've done

or something I've failed to do
that keeps me from looking you in the eye...

I so easily forget

that you look upon me, always
- and with eyes of mercy -

   especially in those times
       when I most need your forgiveness...

Then there are times when I don't look up
   because I feel so small before you:
insignificant, of no account,
   unworthy of your notice;
and it's just then, precisely then,

that I need to remember your word:
that you keep me as the apple of your eye!

How I see myself, Lord,

and how you see me
are so often so very different!

Are you and I looking at the same person?

You see me as your own,

your child, your beloved,
while I regard myself as

- well, so much less than that...

While all I see are sins and imperfections,
you look upon me as someone you love

someone in whom you delight...

Yes, you see my faults and failings
but first you see in me

the work of your hand,
the person you created...

Cataracts of self-doubt cloud my vision
   and I fail to see in me what you so clearly see:
      the image of the One

in whose likeness I was made...

Sometimes, Lord,

I sink so deep into my own pain and sadness

that I'm unable to lift my head, to raise my eyes,

to see the light of your face...

But apart from your gaze, Lord

- I am nothing...

That you hold me in your eyes

- is life to me...

Outside the warmth of your glance
- I would perish in the lonely cold...

Lord, let your face shine upon me!

Whatever keeps my head bent low,
place your gentle hand beneath my chin
and lift my face to yours...

Open my eyes
that I might see and know

the warmth of your eyes
seeking mine...

Lord, let your face shine upon me!

Raise me up, Lord,

from whatever keeps me down!
I want to raise my eyes to you
to keep my vision trained on you

and on your hand,

leading and guiding me to serve you,

       the Master of my heart and soul...

Even now, Lord, as I sit with you in prayer,
   lift my eyes to your eyes, my heart to your heart
as when I lift my face to the summer sun
      whose light warms my cheek...

Even now, Lord, in the quiet of this time and place,
   let me see the gift of your mercy

smiling on me
and help me know, help me believe

    help me see in me what you see:
     your child, your own, your beloved...

Let your face shine upon, me Lord,
   and keep me as the apple of your eye...

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, Let Your Face Shine Upon us

by Marty Haugen

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