NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 7/11

Today's the feast of Saint Benedict, who revolutionized monastic life with this Rule for community life, in which he wrote:

And when they rise from table after the sixth hour let them rest upon their beds in complete silence; or if by chance anyone should wish to read, let him so read as that he may not disturb anyone else.

In Benedict's time the "sixth hour" was around noon - lunch time!  So it's sometimes said that Benedict is the patron saint of afternoon naps and nappers.  In that spirit, let's pray tonight...

 

Lord,

help me find pockets of time each day

    to relax, to rest, to refresh myself,

    to retreat, for a time, from worry and work,

    to lean on your shoulder and close my eyes,

    to nap in the peace of your presence...

 

Help me understand, Lord, 

that even if I nap:

    the world will keep on spinning,

    the tide come in, go out,

    the sky will stay in place above 

    and life go on quite nicely

    while I nod and drift and doze...

 

Let a simple nap remind me, Lord,

my whole life's in your hands:

awake, asleep or in between

you hold me in your love...

 

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.

 

As you might have guessed, there are not a lot of nap hymns in the sacred music genre!  So, I'm offering you two options. The first is a total fun song - although it makes the point!  The second is a song I've used before, it's really meant for "a good night's sleep" - but it will serve for naps as well!

 

I Took A Nap by Andrew Gunadie

 

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I had a lot of things to do today
But you know what I did instead

I took a nap - It was a very good nap

 

That email - I took a nap
Zoom call - I took a nap
What about your lunch plan - I took a nap
House chores - I took a nap

Home workout? - I took a nap
Bath time? - I took a nap
What about the Eggies* - I made time for that
The end of this chorus - I took a nap

 

I woke up from the nap to get things done
But you know what I did instead

I took another nap - It was a very good nap

 

That email - I took a nap
Zoom call - I took a nap
What about your lunch plan - I took a nap
House chores - I took a nap

Home workout? - I took a nap
Bath time? - I took a nap

What about your TikTok - I made time for that
The end of this song - I took a nap 

I took a nap - I took a nap - I took a nap...

 

*I did the research Eggies simply refers to eggs! 

 

Sleep Chant by Karen Drucker

 

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Sleep in peace.   Wake in joy.    

Always know that I am loved.
I sleep in peace.  I wake in joy.  

I always know that I am loved.

Today I live in gratitude.  

Today I give my love.
And tonight when I lay my head to rest, 

I give thanks, I give thanks.

 
Sleep in peace.  Wake in joy.  

Always know that I am safe.

Sleep in peace.  Wake in joy.  

Always know that I am safe.

Each day I wake is a miracle.  

Each day is a precious gift.
I count my blessings and feel such grace.  

I give thanks. I give thanks.

I sleep in peace.  I wake in joy.  

I always know that all is well.
I sleep in peace.  I wake in joy.  

I always know that all is well.

I sleep in peace.  Wake in joy.  

Always know that I am loved.
Sleep in peace.    Wake in joy.  

Always know that I am loved.

Sleep in peace.  Wake in joy.  

Always know that I am safe.
Sleep in peace.  Wake in joy.  

I always know that I am safe.

I sleep in peace.  I wake in joy.  

I always know that all is well.
I sleep in peace.  I wake in joy.  

I always know that all is well.

 

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