I was sitting in Starbucks, Lord, waiting and praying
for you to nudge my mind and heart,
my imagination and creativity,
to write this evening’s Night Prayer…
And so you did!
Your Spirit helped me focus
on the people right around me,
altogether 8 in number:
2 baristas serving 6…
I knew none of them, Lord,
and therein lay the moment’s gift:
I didn’t know the bearded barista’s story;
I knew neither the mom’s fears
nor her teen-aged son’s growing pains;
I didn’t know the high school girl’s hidden hopes;
or the tall man’s secret joys;
I didn’t know the young barista’s questions
or the old man’s treasured memories
– or why the delivery man was smiling so broadly,
for no apparent reason…
I didn’t know, much less understand,
the universe of stories, joys and sorrows
wrapped within the lives of these 8 people…
I didn’t know their successes in life
or their freshest disappointments…
I didn’t know their health
or what pain or illness slowed them down today…
I knew neither how much they might be loved
nor what loneliness they live with…
I didn’t know how light or burdened were their hearts,
how jumbled or clear were their thoughts,
how anxious or free were their spirits,
how troubled or content were their souls…
I didn’t know if they believe in you, Lord,
or if they struggle to believe in you;
I didn’t know if they’ve ever asked the « God question »
or long ago left their faith behind…
Only you, Lord, know all these things:
the mystery and the stories,
the intrigue and the secrets,
the dreams and the calamities,
the joyful heights and tragic depths
in every human heart…
So, when my own path nears and crosses
the sacred paths of others,
whose stories I don’t know,
whose burdens I don’t see;
who make their way as I do
seeking happiness and healing;
help me tread then, Lord, as lovingly,
as carefully as you do,
with reverence and compassion
for hearts just like my own…
Make us gentle with each other, Lord,
compassionate and tender,
with reverence for your presence
in every neighbor’s story…
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…
Tonight’s song is certainly the Lord’s song to each of us
-and- the song the Lord asks us to sing to one another:
I will carry you…
I know it hurts
It’s hard to breathe sometimes
These nights are long
You’ve lost the will to fight
Is anybody out there?
Can you lead me to the light?
Is anybody out there?
Tell me it’ll all be alright
You are not alone
I’ve been here the whole time singing you a song
I will carry you
I will carry you
I will carry you
I know you can’t remember how to shine
Your heart’s a bird without the wings to fly
Is anybody out there?
Can you take this weight of mine?
Is anybody out there?
Can you lead me to the light?
You are not alone
I’ve been here the whole time singing you a song
I will carry you
I will carry you
I will carry you
You are not alone
I’ve been here the whole time
I’ve been here the whole time
You are not alone
I’ve been here the whole time singing you a song
I will carry you
I will carry you
I will carry you
I will carry you
I will carry you
I will carry you
I know it hurts
It’s hard to breathe sometimes
