A Prayer

Please

Let me catch my breath

The path behind me has been

On fire

As long as I remember

Ahead

Tangled bank

No promise of the other side

Shine a light in the dark

Please

Let me catch my breath

These tears have been

Flowing

Longer than I can remember

Bottomless

Bittersweet well

They’re drawn from

Bore a hole in the bucket

Please

Let me catch my breath

This story I’m spinning, spinning,

Spinning

That I might remember

Is nothing

Fiber pulled from the wind

Slip me some thread

Please

Prayer for Peace

On this night of falling bombs and broken treaties

this night of pain and suffering

in ways and parts of the world I can hardly imagine

I believe in peace.

On this night of broken dreams and falling stars

this night of a Messiah come…and lost

to a world unwilling or unable to listen

I believe in peace.

On this night, I have heard angels singing

and watched the hush ebb and flow

‘round the face of a child

within this sanctuary, this grace of fellowship

I believe in peace.

On this night, let the sounds of our celebration

woven from the dreams of shepherds and kings,

carry our united voices,

to every darkened corner.

I believe in peace.