DOWN TIME

Jesus, Friend in time of need,
please stay with me
especially in the dark moments
when life can seem bleak
and challenges too great.

When horizons turn dark
and my confidence fails,
when challenges seem almost insurmountable,
when hope falters and depression threatens,
bring me to my knees, but then please
raise me up strong once more!

Let me remember that You agonized
in the Garden of Gethsemane
asking for the chalice of bitter pain
to be removed.
You stumbled on the bloody road to Calvary,
and You cried out in searing anguish
on the Cross of our Salvation.

But You persevered!
Let me endure as You did and hold fast
to the end when Easter Resurrection
will surely come.

I am confident that You will not send me trials more burdensome than I can endure,
but I know I can survive only with Your help
which I hope for, beg for, depend on
and pray for.

Keep me aware
that even when You seem distant,
You are never ever far away, but always
right here within me.
Let me feel now how very close You are,
behind me, beside me, in front of me
face-to-face, now and always, forever.

Help me bravely bear my crosses
and confusions.
Let me stand fast in the fortress of Faith,
hold strong to the anchor of Hope,
and trust the redeeming power of Charity.

And please, my dearest guiding, loving, God,
let me never, ever give in to despair.

Let me know that after every night
there is a dawn.
Let me remember that with You
all things are possible.
Let me be confident that with You
all things are always finally made right.

Through You the eternal shining light
of faith follows any stumbling moment
of darkness.

Let me never forget that I have
a Heavenly Father, Who loves and protects me,
a Holy Spirit Who enlightens and strengthens me, and You my Lord, Savior and Friend, Jesus, Who holds me fast through all missteps
and fears and storms of insecurity,
guiding me toward the heavenly realm
of unending splendor, into union with You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Infinite Triune God, forever and forever.

Amen

(c) 2011 Donn B. Murphy

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dbm at nowstar.net