Picture: George Mendoza
Rejoice within the Lord all the time. I shall say it once more: rejoice! Your kindness
must be recognized to all. The Lord is close to. Don’t have any anxiousness in any respect, however
in every thing, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your
requests recognized to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all
understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-9)
Good morning, good God!
You ask me to rejoice, Lord
– in good occasions and in dangerous.
You ask me to hope
– all the time.
You ask me to be grateful
– regardless of what.
You ask quite a bit, Lord, so, in flip,
I will attempt to supply quite a bit this Monday morning…
I give you my need
to rejoice even when occasions are powerful…
I need a pleasure
larger than any loss I’ve recognized,
deeper than all my wounds
and stronger than all my fears…
I ask you to fire up inside me:
the enjoyment that is yours to offer;
pleasure that solely you may give;
pleasure no worry can quell;
than any grief I’ve recognized…
Give me pleasure that survives
my moods, my skinny pores and skin,
my emotions and my ego…
I pray for pleasure that
and comes out on the opposite facet
entire, true and intact…
I give you my need, Lord,
to know, to sense, to reply
to each nudge of your Spirit
prompting me to hope…
After I’m too drained or too busy,
indignant or upset,
forgetful or self-centered,
simply plain silly or too lazy
ship your Spirit to awaken me
to show my coronary heart round,
and are available to you in prayer…
Open my eyes
to all of the blessings I’ve acquired, Lord,
all causes to be joyful:
life, freedom, household and buddies,
shelter, water, foods and drinks,
heat clothes, footwear and schooling…
And the blessings of your grace and mercy:
religion, hope and love,
the knowledge of your Phrase,
your gospel name to justice
and your self in holy sacrament
every time your folks collect…
to rejoice all the time,
to hope with out ceasing
and to offer thanks in all circumstances…
Preserve me aware and grateful Lord,
of all the enjoyment you have given me
and pleasure that is but to come back…
Hear my prayer this Introduction morning
and put together my coronary heart and soul
for the enjoyment you got here to deliver us
way back on Christmas day…
Amen.
