O God – it’s morning!
And once again, as always,
And once again, as always,
– you’re up before I am!
It never fails: I turn off the alarm clock
and there you are, sitting at the foot of my bed,
waiting, watching, wanting to be
the first thought of my day…
Well, forgive me, Lord,
but on most days I don’t have a first thought
but on most days I don’t have a first thought
’til I’ve had a cup of coffee….
So, please, be patient with me, Lord,
as you always are,
and give me time to wake up
to your presence…
Another week stretches ahead of me, Lord:
a week of unknowns,
a week of unknowns,
a week of possibilities,
a week of new beginnings,
a week of new opportunities
for stretching and growing,
discovering and learning,
for maturing in faith, in hope
and in love…
Where am I going this week, Lord?
What do you have in store for me?
Where will you guide me?
Where will you guide me?
How will you call me to follow you,
to walk in your footsteps
wherever your Spirit may lead?
If, well when, I go astray this week
or try to take a short-cut:
pull me back, rescue me
pull me back, rescue me
and set me once again
on the path where I belong,
even – and especially –
if the road you’ve charted, Lord,
is rough and hard to travel,
and may not the way
I’d have chosen for myself…
But most of all: walk with me, Lord!
Stay by my side – don’t leave me alone –
and guide me when I’m lost and confused…
When darkness shades my steps
shine your light upon my path…
When I’m totally lost and can’t find my way,
teach me to stop and ask you for directions…
When I’m slow take another step
– afraid to take the first step –
– afraid to take the first step –
whisper graced encouragement
in my ears, my mind, my soul…
Should the path I travel frighten me,
give me your hand to hold
give me your hand to hold
and be my shield and guard…
When my spirit flags
and my steps slow,
give me strength to pick up my pace
and follow where you lead…
When I need to make a turn, Lord,
show me the right way to go
and teach me not to look back
and teach me not to look back
on what’s best left behind…
Take me down the just path, Lord,
and lead me on the road to truth,
the highway of integrity
where I can always travel
and lead me on the road to truth,
the highway of integrity
where I can always travel
in your shadow, by your side…
Help me see, Lord, that
the only route worth taking
is the one that draws me closer
is the one that draws me closer
to you and to my neighbor,
to your light and to your peace…
I offer you this morning, Lord,
and the day and week ahead
and as soon as I get out of bed
– let’s have a cup of coffee!
Amen.
Amen.
Morning Has Broken
Morning has broken like the first morningBlackbird has spoken like the first birdPraise for the singing, praise for the morningPraise for them springing fresh from the word
Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from heavenLike the first dewfall on the first grassPraise for the sweetness of the wet gardenSprung in completeness where his feet pass
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morningBorn of the one light, Eden saw playPraise with elation, praise every morningGod’s recreation of the new day
Morning has broken like the first morningBlackbird has spoken like the first birdPraise for the singing, praise for the morningPraise for them springing fresh from the word
