On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Today's scriptures (especially the first reading and the gospel) urge us toward a change of heart and mind as we stand before our God...
Lord, some things in my life need changing
and I wish these changes would happen overnight
but change comes slowly to me -
perhaps because I come so slowly to change...
Help me change, Lord,
help me change…
Open me
to the changes I want to make
the changes I need to make,
the changes you're calling me to make...
Change me from the inside out!
Reboot my heart
‘til it beats in rhythm with yours, Lord,
‘til my heart’s in sync
with your wisdom, word and will...
Change and stretch me, Lord,
to become, to be
the person you created me to be...
Stretch me, Lord,
‘til I’m satisfied with being nothing less
than the person you created me to be...
Open my eyes, Lord,
to see your Spirit at work in my life
helping me to change,
day by day by day...
Open my ears to hear your voice
guiding me through the changes I need to make...
Open my mouth in prayer to ask for your help
in making the changes I most need to make...
Open my mind to know and to learn
how my thoughts and ideas might need to change…
Open my hands to work for change
that will serve and help and lift up my neighbor…
Open me to changes I need to make
in places I’m now complacent, smug and content…
Open my heart to your Spirit, Lord,
changing, shaping and molding me in your image…
Open me to the ways you’re leading and guiding me
through changes I don’t want to make
and changes I’m afraid to make,
and changes that I need to make:
the changes, Lord, that you by grace
are working to make in me...
heal what’s wounded, mend what’s broken,
sweeten what’s soured, refresh what’s lost,
and refresh what’s grown weary within me…
Change me, Lord:
help me serve those in need,
cheer those in sorrow,
comfort those who grieve,
stand with those who stand alone
and rejoice with those whose hearts are glad…
Change me, Lord, in all the ways
you and I know I need to change,
especially when I’m slow to change
or even resist and refuse to change…
you opened and emptied yourself for me,
you exchanged your life for mine
that I might have life forever,
humble, open and empty my heart
for the sake of all whose paths cross mine,
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.
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