NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 6/6

 

How can it be, Lord,
that you might choose to touch me
with blessings, warmth and peace
while, at the same time,

or so it seems,
you hold back your hand

while nations bomb each other,

while the homeless seek safe shelter

and the hungry starve to death?

I don't understand, Lord...

I don't understand
why some are blessed
and others left to suffer...

I don't understand, Lord,
why it seems 

you reach out here and there 

but not everywhere...

I don't understand how

you who love all,
who love each and everyone of us
fashioned by your hand,
how you allow your beloved to suffer
when we know

there's absolutely no end 

to the blessings
you might offer...

Nor do I understand why you, Lord,
so truly, purely innocent,
why you were not spared
- but suffered, too -

on behalf of, in the place of

all of us,
so undeserving 

of your grace...

It's a mystery to me, Lord,
- perhaps a mystery meant to be -
that you love us all 

and yet allow us all,
in large and smaller ways,
to share in suffering 

not even you were spared...

When blessings, warmth and peace 

are mine, Lord,

make me mindful of those 

who have much less,

who go without,

who plead for but the simplest gifts

to help them make it, 

to survive,

with their families, with their children,

day by day and night by night...

 

And open wide my heart

to share my bounty,

the excess and the largess 

of all I have 

and keep in store...

 

Make me generous, Lord,

since all you've given me you gave 

for me to share

and give away 

as blessing

sent from you... 

 

And when suffering comes my way,

when I'm wanting and in need,
help me remember, Lord,

to count my days of blessing,

grateful 

for all I have received...

 

Help me humbly open my arms

to be filled with what I need

by kind and generous people

whose hands reach out to offer

what you gave 

to give away...

In the mystery of your love, Lord,

teach all of us to share 

from all that we've been given:
the blessings, gifts, the warmth and peace
that's ever yours to give
and always ours to share...

Protect us, Lord while we're awake

    and watch over us while we sleep

that awake, we might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

 

Here's on old song (based on the scriptures) which many of us will remember from the early days of the liturgical renewal.  It pairs well with this evening's prayer...

 

Whatsoever You Do by Willard Jabusch

    sung by Chris Brunelle

 

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Whatsoever you do to the least of my people 

That you do unto me. 

 

When I was hungry, you gave me to eat; 

When I was thirsty you gave me to drink. 

Now enter into the home of my Father. 

 

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people 

That you do unto me. 

 

When I was weary, you helped me find rest; 

When I was anxious, you calmed all my fears. 

Now enter into the home of my Father. 

 

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people 

That you do unto me. 

 

When I was homeless, you opened your door; 

When I was naked, you gave me your coat. 

Now enter into the home of my Father.

 

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people 

That you do unto me. 

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