NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 7/24

Beyond our dreaming, Lord, 
your heart swells eternally, 
gathering in its sacred chambers
every human being,

created in your image:
    peoples of all times and ages,
    tribes of every race and nation,
    past, present, yet to come... 

 

You hold us in your heart tonight

where you've held us from before all time,

since long before our birth:

    for all things come to be through you 

    - without you, nothing comes to be....

 

In your holy heart, O Jesus,

we are brothers, sisters all,

children of one Father,

called to open our hearts 

as wide as you do yours,

in mercy, love and peace... 

 

Let our hearts swell to welcome in

all those whose ways are not our own:

    the stranger we've not met;

    those with different politics;

    the immigrant who has no place to stay;

    that family member, shunned, cut-off;

    those with different faith beliefs;

    the homeless, hungry poor; 

    those who huddle close this night

        as drones above drop bombs;

    anyone who thinks, speaks, dresses, acts

        in ways that we call foreign;

    and all estranged from our embrace

        by selfish, foolish pride...

 

For all of these, for all of us,

there's room, Lord, in your soul:

    we're neighbors in the chambers 

        of your heart, our home, 

            our dwelling place

    where all are loved and cherished

        and called to warmly welcome

    all brothers, sisters, strangers, friends,

        close by or far away

    to find a place in our hearts,

        a place they can call home... 

 

As you find room in your heart, Lord,

help us make room in ours

    for everyone, without exception, 

    with no hint of reservation,

    always room for just one more,

    no ifs, no ands, no buts...

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. 

 

Spirit, Open My Heart

Lyrics by Ruth Duck, arranged by Alfred Fedak 

 

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Spirit open my heart
To the joy and pain of living
As you love may I love
In receiving and in giving
Spirit, open my heart

1 God, replace my stony heart
with a heart that's kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear
to your grace I now surrender.

2 Write your love upon my heart
as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word, and deed,
may my living bring you glory.

 Interlude

3 May I weep with those who weep,
share the joy of sister, brother.
In the welcome of Christ,
may we welcome one another.  

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