NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 8/4

If today you hear my voice, 

   harden not your hearts..

(adapted from the psalm response: Sunday mass, 8/3)

 

If today you hear my voice,

   harden not your heart... 

 

I listen, Lord,

   I really do listen to hear you,
especially when I stop to pray:

    I listen for your voice...

I strain to hear your voice,
to hear even a word 

    of your wisdom and counsel,
    your consolation and compassion…

 

If today you hear my voice,

   harden not your heart... 

 

I trust that you speak to me, even now,

    in the stillness, the calm and the silence;

I trust that you call me by my own name   

    though my ears may not hear a sound;

I trust that my soul understands and knows

    what you whisper or write on my heart...

 

In my prayer I find welcome respite, Lord, 

from the noise that fills up my life:

    I believe I hear more, 

        in the silence of night

    than I might

        in the course of a day...

 

If today you hear my voice,

   harden not your heart... 

Could it be, Lord - is it possible -
that the first word you speak to me

    is the sound of your holy silence

        come to settle  deep in my soul?

And if it is, 

then give me patience I need

    to take more time,

    to make more time 

    to listen and prayerfully ponder 

what I hear in the silence

    when your heart speaks

        and echoes with love in my own... 

 

If today you hear my voice,

   harden not your heart... 

I speak of the silence 

that breathes your presence: 

    like an old friend 

    whose quiet company speaks volumes 

    though not a word is said...

 

If today you hear my voice,

   harden not your heart... 

 

But there are days, Lord 

- and many nights -

when I need a word,

when I want a word,

    even a quiet whisper,

    the lonely silence to break...         

 

Speak to me, Lord,

and when you do:

    open my heart to hear your voice,     
    open my mind to the counsel you give

    and open my soul to your Holy Spirit,

        speaking in ways mystic, divine...

 

If today you hear my voice, 

    harden not your heart...

 

And when I hear a word you speak

    help me test its truth, Lord,

and even more, help me trust

    it comes from you - not me...

 

When I listen for your voice in scripture

help me find  a verse, a phrase, 

a word that gives me pause,

hits home, 

touches  my soul,

surprises - or assures me, 

enlightens my mind, 

comforts - or confronts me, 

brings me peace - or even joy -

as though you chose and spoke that word

just for me alone... 

 

If today you hear my voice,

   harden not your heart... 

 

And help me listen, Lord

for when you speak a word of challenge: 
    a word to stand me up, 

    hold me to account

    and draw me closer to you

        and to my neighbors and their needs...

 

If today you hear my voice,

   harden not your heart... 

 

Whether I hear or not, Lord,

I trust you're always calling me

and I know you speak always 

- and only and ever:

    words of peace,

        mercy and pardon,

    word of mending and healing,

        of promise and hope,

    words of justice,

        truth and wisdom; 

    words of compassion

        and solace and summons    

    all spoken faithfully,

        gently and deeply, 

    echoing even now

        in my heart and my soul... 

 

If today you hear my voice,

   harden not your heart... 

 

Let me hear your voice, Lord,

let me hear your word

    in that stillness and silence 

where I wait for you, 

    and you wait for me

for our hearts to join

    as one, in prayer... 

 

If today you hear my voice,

   harden not your heart... 

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.

 

 

 Speak, O Lord by   

    Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

 

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