NGHT PRAYER: Friday 3/27

 

For several years I've posted a weekly Lenten series on a selected topic.  This year, on the Fridays of Lent, I'll be featuring songs we sing to honor the Cross of Jesus. (Here are links to the first, second,  third, fourth and fifth posts in this series.)  The very fact that we sing of the Cross on which Jesus died is a testimony to our faith and belief that in his suffering we find our healing and our life...  Tonight's selection is includes lyrics attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, an 11th century saint. This hymn trains our vision on the suffering of Christ on the Cross and calls us to reflect on the reality that he was crucified, bearing the burden of our sins: mine, yours and those of all of humanity...  This recording gives us Heather Sorenson's contemporary arrangement of Joel Shoemake's and Barry French's moving rendition of a very old hymn.  

I suggest you pray with the song first, and then move on to my Night Prayer...  

 

If a video doesn't appear below, click here!

 

O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded 
With thorns, Thine only crown; 
How pale Thou art with anguish, 
With sore abuse and scorn! 
How does that visage languish 
Which once was bright as morn!

 

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered

Was all for sinners’ gain:

For mine was the transgression,

 But Thine the deadly pain;

Lo, here I fall, my Savior!

’Tis I deserve Thy place;

Look on me with Thy favor,

And help me with Thy grace.

 

O Sacred Head, O Hands and Feet,

O Love Incarnate, broken for me,

 

O Sacred Head, O Hands and Feet,

Who bought my pardon, Who set me free

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night Prayer 

 

When I see you on your Cross, Lord, 

I sometimes turn away 

in shame, remorse and embarrassment,

finding myself liable, responsible, culpable 

for the suffering you lived

until you died

for me and for us all,

out of love for us so undeserving 

of your mercy and forgiveness... 

 

And sometimes, Lord,

when I see you on your Cross,

I gaze with grateful longing

for your holy outstretched arms,

reaching to embrace me

and take me to yourself,

to wash me in the mercy

spilling from your side,

healing me 

of all the sins you bore

in love for me...

 

Give me faith and strength, Lord,

to stand before your Cross,

to gaze upon your sacrifice

and know that in your holy wounds

I'm pardoned, loved and saved

- redeemed -

set free to rise with you

to everlasting life,

in peace that has no end...

 

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...

 

Would you like to pray with the song again?

 

If a video doesn't appear below, click here! 

 

 

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