Lord, I’m tired.
Exhausted.
Sometimes I wonder
how I find the strength.
So much to do,
and so little time and energy.
And always one thing more,
nagging at the back of my mind
like toothache.
Unwelcome, yet hard to ignore.
I buzz around, a frantic fly
battering the window-pane
until I fall exhausted to the sill.
All noise and movement, but so little done. And in the effort to respond
to all the calls that others make
I find I’m losing touch with you.
The crowds get in between.
The more I do for you,
the further off you seem.
A paradox, until I hear your voice,
not asking more of me,
but telling me to find a breathing space, a place to rest.
And in the quiet you are there.
No accusations,
and no suggestions that I could do more.
And as we sit together
I begin to realise that many of the demands I face
are self-imposed.
They’re mine. Born out of ego and the guilt I feel when I can’t cope comes from my pride, and not you.
When I’m faced with something I just can’t find the energy to do, give me
the honesty to face the fact that maybe you’re not asking it of me.
Eddie Askew
Prayers at Compline and others....
Be present, O merciful God,
and protect us through the silent hours of this night,
so that we who are wearied
by the changes and chances of this fleeting world,
may rest upon your eternal changelessness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Abide with us, Lord, for it is evening,
and day is drawing to a close.
Abide with us and with your whole Church,
in the evening of the day, in the evening of life,
in the evening of the world;
abide with us and with all your faithful ones,
O Lord, in time and in eternity. Amen.
Almighty God,
you see that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves:
keep us both outwardly in our bodies,
and inwardly in our souls;
that we may be defended from all adversities
which may happen to the body,
and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
God our Father and Protector, you remind us that we have
no need to fear; that you guard us in all our ways. You
neither slumber or sleep, you are constantly
watching over us. Grant us the grace to
let go of our concerns, and to share
the burden of our worries, so
that, resting and sleeping,
we may know ourselves
to be held in your
peace.
Hear me when I call,
God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; The Lord will hear when I call to Him.
Lord, lift up the light of
Your countenance upon us.
You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
I will lay me down in peace,
and take my rest; For You alone,
Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4
