Posted in Poetry

Hear My Prayer

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

At morning's dawn I awake
Give me courage for the day
Take all my worries and anxieties
Infuse me with wisdom, guide the way

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

As each day continues on
Help me match my footsteps to yours
In all that comes my way
Remind me your love into me pours

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

Evening comes, the mind scatters
Bring me back into your embrace
In each and every thought
Show me you ever-loving face

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

Night is approaching, two fold darkness
Dispel the fear inside, calm my heart
Be with me as I rest in your peace
Keep me at your side, never to part

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

Everyday, oh everyday I run to you
It's the only thing to do

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

Everyday, oh everyday I run to you
It's the only thing to do

Written June 2023

Posted in Poetry

It is You

What is it Lord that even as I run,
I am found clinging to you?
Though darkness is in my heart,
a light is shining through.
The desires of my flesh,
succumbing to your holy way,
when the battle rages on.
Find me on my knees to pray
as the chaos fights to be let in.
My shield, my hope, You will be.
The enemy stands not a chance.
It is you, Lord, that sets me free.

Written February 2023

Posted in Poetry

Hold, Lead, Fill

Crumbling down before you

Needing your loving embrace

Hold me close in all things

The pieces are all over scattered

Brokenness fills me to the brim

Lead me to wholeness in you

Inward I fold away alone

Grasping out for true freedom

Fill me with your joyful presence

March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: first night

Posted in Poetry

The Dark of Night

In the silence the noise comes running.
Piercing, unexpected stampede crashing,
breaking, pushing, finding a way in.
Deafening the silence. Fighting. Winning
the battle. The silence. Oh the silence,
crowding out the noise invading. Battles.
Raging confusion coming to break
that silence in which peace dwells. Safety.
What is safety? Noise claims the game.
Silence pushes back, hard, unassuming;
it’s power matched with noise. Deafening.
Silence, noise: both come surging, fighting,
Tired. Crumbling. Chaos ensuing. Reach,
for that peace that survives, hidden, afraid.
Afraid of the peace. What is silence?
What of the noise? Is it just confusion,
the thing that makes whole, pure confusion?
Battling. Silence. Battling. Noise. Battling.
Life left losing. Peace, it is forever hiding.

Written 5/24, just before midnight