A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 2/19

Sometimes I begin Lent with the thought, the hope, the prayer that by Easter - I'm going to be different person, my life transformed by Lenten prayer, sacrifice and almsgiving. Well, that has never really happened. I make the mistake of not accepting the place where I begin - the moment at hand - which is precisely where the Lord meets me. And without the Lord's help, Lent won't be all that it can be. The problem is that it's not easy for me to accept who I am, as I am - but the Lord does! The Lord works with me as I am - not as I have been or want to be - but as I am...

For tonight's prayer, I suggest we begin with John Bell's offer the prayer below and then end with the same song... (If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!)

Take, O take me as I am.
Summon out what I shall be.
Set your seal upon my heart and live in me...

Take, O take me as I am...
This Lent, Lord, take me as I am:
   not as I wish I'd been before,
   not as I wish I were today,
   not as I hope to be tomorrow
but just as I am today:
   the person who stands before you
   knowing there's nothing about me
   you don't already know...

Summon out what I shall be...
Call forth from me this Lent
   the person you made me to be, Lord.
Call out the gifts and talents you've given me.
Summon to the surface what I fear about myself
   and pardon and heal whatever's broken within me.
Summon out from deep within me
   the person you created me to be...

Set your seal upon my heart and live in me...
With the touch of your gentle hand this Lent,
   seal my heart with your love,
   seal my mind with your peace,
   seal my soul with your grace;
and live in me, Lord:
   make your home within me,
   be the housemate of my soul
   to guard and guide me on my way...

Take, O take me as I am.
Summon out what I shall be.
Set your seal upon my heart and live in me...