NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 6/20

Lord, I'm happy this day 
to welcome the solstice

at 10:42 pm:*

    the first day of summer,
    the longest day of the year!

 

But, beginning even tomorrow,

the days will begin to shorten

    - by only a minute or so -

but they'll grow shorter nonetheless,

    day by day by day... 

 

If I were a house plant, Lord,
    the little care card in the pot would read: 

                Enjoys direct sunlight!

So thoughts of shorter days
aren't sunny thoughts for me...

 

What I need to remember, Lord,

    what I should remember,
is that since last December
    the days have been lengthening,

slowly, incrementally,
    but still, growing longer every day...

 

Time moves so slowly, Lord

    - and time moves so quickly! 

 

Actually, much of the time 

    - I'm not sure -

        if time is moving fast or slow...  

 

Like so many things in life, Lord,
    the change in daylight is gradual,
        hardly noticeable,

until I look back and see 

    - how much has changed
            and how much is changing
and how quickly 

    and how slowly 

        have come the changes in my life...

 

So, Lord,

help me neither notice nor count

    the hours of daylight

        on just the second day of summer! 

 

Help me live this summer

    (help me live my life!) 

just a day at a time: 

    each day

        long or short,

        calm or windy, 

        warm or cold,

        stormy or fair,

        dark or bright,

    each day, Lord,     
        a gift from you... 

 

So, I thank you, Lord, for this solstice,  

    the gift of yet another summer,

another season of your presence,

    of your mercy, grace and love,

with your everlasting light

    shining down upon me,

 warming me with just that peace

    that only you can give... 

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.

 

*Eastern Time 

  

For the record... I know this isn't a hymn and that it works better as a morning song than a tune for Night Prayer - but the solstice isn't until after 10 tonight - and I just couldn't resist! 

 

Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

 

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

 

 

 

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!