Prayer inspired by Genesis 32: 22-31, Psalm 17: 1-7, 15 and hymns as noted*
O God,
Savior of those who seek refuge, 1
our hearts are restless.2
The night is long;
we are weary from wrestling,
grappling with disease and dis-ease,
the coronavirus and the racism virus
twisting, turning, yearning for relief.
We are worn out;
our spirits limp.
Oh, that our hearts might find rest in you.2
We call upon you, for you will answer us.
You listen and hear our words.
You attend to us: 1
Our cry goes up, “How long?”
May our night of weeping
soon become the morn of song. 3
Oh that we, like Jacob Israel,
would prevail in holding fast to you,
we would not let you go
until we know your name, your nature.
Speak to our hearts, in blessing speak
and tell us if your name is Love. 6
Oh Love,
do not let us go,
we rest our weary souls in you.
Help us trace the rainbow through the rain
and feel the promise that morn shall tearless be. 4
O Love,
gather us in and hold us forever
make us your own — all peoples together
fire of love in our flesh and our bone.5
O Love,
wondrously show yourself
then this night will be over;
we shall awake
beholding your presence
and be satisfied.1
‘Tis Love! ‘tis Love! Thou diedst for me,
I hear thy whisper in my heart.
The morning breaks, the shadows flee,
pure, Universal Love thou art.
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love. 6
Psalm and hymns (adapted):
1 Psalm 17
2 Our hearts are restless until they find rest in you – attributed to St. Augustine
3 The Church’s One Foundation, SJ Stone
4 O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go, George Matheson
5 Gather Us In, Marty Haugen
6 Come O Thou Traveler Unknown, Charles Wesley
~ Evie Doyon, please request permission before using