NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 3/23

Sometimes I forget, Lord, 

that the people along my path
are just as burdened and fragile 

as I can sometimes be
 - and just as vulnerable...

When I look to my past

I remember those I've hurt in my haste, 

in my selfishness, pride and carelessness,

in my anger, resentments and judgments...

I remember all the times I intended no harm
but my neglect and self-interest

bruised and wounded others nonetheless...

 

So, I pray this night
for all the people I've hurt and offended:

If  there are ways for me to make amends, Lord,
show me how 

and give me the courage
to say what I need to say
and do what I need to do,
sooner rather than later...

And if the times and chances for making amends
have long since passed me by,
hear my prayer for those I've hurt
and touch with tender healing

those beyond my reach... 

Give me a sensitive and forgiving heart, Lord
especially if my heart has hardened
with resentment, hurt and anger...

Help me remember 

    how much and how often,

    how fully and freely

you've always forgiven me...

 

Lord, open my eyes and ears,

    open my mind and my heart
        to the people around me now: 

make me more and more aware of their presence 

    and how often my life  and my ways

        touch theirs...

 

Give me courage, Lord, and nudge me
    to take the first step toward making peace
        in my family and my neighborhood, 

            at work and at school...

 

And give me the grace I need, Lord,
    to seek and make peace 

        between you and me...

Make me mindful, Lord,
    of all whose paths cross mine;
may I be as kind and gentle with them
    as I'd have them be with me...

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. 

 

Tonight's song, performed here by Barbara Streisand, is not a hymn but it pairs well with tonight's prayer nonetheless. Sometimes the people we hurt the most are the people we love the most...

 

I Never Meant to Hurt You by Laura Nyro

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I never meant to hurt you 

I'm not that way at all 

Please believe the words of the heart 

A heart that seems so small 

And I swear I never meant to hurt you 

 

I guess I lost my place 

Please, believe the words of the heart 

A heart that hides its fails 

Why do I do things I never mean to do? 

Oh, why did I speak so carelessly 

When all that I felt 

Was love for you? 

And I swear I never 

 

I never meant to hurt you 

I've got to make you know 

Please, believe the words of the heart 

A heart that didn't show I never meant to hurt you 

I only meant to love you 

It's true 

And when I saw you crying 

I cried too... 

 

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