Today’s my birthday and a dear friend of many years sent me an email including the words in green below, which I’ve adapted and embedded in this Night Prayer…
God, who brought everything into being,
today is the anniversary of my birth,
that day you beckoned me
to enter this magnificent world you created.
When I try to downplay my birthday, Lord,
remind me that it’s the anniversary
of your calling me out of my mother’s womb
and into the world you created
and the life you had in store for me…
And that makes this a holy day,
not because of me, Lord,
but on account of what you did for me:
you gave me life,
conceived of my dear parents’ love,
a lifetime’s span
to grow in grace and love of you,
all these years to find find you
and to follow you,
and seek to walk where you might lead…
To mark and honor this day,
I ask for courage, Lord,
to know that my birth has meant something,
however ordinary I might judge my life to be…
Help me see, Lord,
all the ways you’ve shaped me, touched me,
blessed and healed me;
all the ways you’ve shaped and touched
and blessed and healed others
through my words and deeds and love…
Help me see, Lord,
how you’ve used my weakness
to support and strengthen others;
how in my foolishness
your wisdom still shone bright;
how even through my sinfulness
you’ve revealed your heart of mercy;
how through my stumbling efforts
you worked wonders with your grace…
Light my heart and will on fire, Lord,
that I might see that I inhabit this earth for a reason…
You created me for a reason, Lord,
for a purpose, for your plan,
for the mystery of your tending
to creation, to us all…
Thank you, Lord, for creating me,
for the gift of all who walk with me,
for these 76 fleeting years
and your promise to be by my side
now and forever more…
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…
