Evening Reflection

by: Caroline Hand //// May 21, 2021

I love daily rhythms and prayers. They are juicy and full of life to me. So, when I stumbled upon this gem today: Ffald y Brenin, a retreat center and house of prayer, I immediately downloaded their prayer guide and read along. Here is the one for Evening Prayer. Read along, reflect, rejoice, and lose yourself in the rich words of healing and life and gratitude.

EVENING PRAYER

We pray slowly and reflectively

Father, we come to You as the evening begins to thank You for the progress of this day: Thank you Father.

For all we have seen of You in this day, because this is the day that You have made and we do rejoice and are truly glad because of it: Thank you Jesus.

For all the human contact, face to face, over the phone or by electronic means: Thank you Father.

For encouragement, for new insights, for seeing more of You in creation: Thank you Holy Spirit.

Reading [Caroline adding in here & choosing Psalm 136:1-9 as our reading!]

Psalm 136:1-9 (NIV)

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.

who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.

who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.

who made the great lights – His love endures forever.

the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.

the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.”

Prayer Time [Caroline adding in again: reflection prompts!]

– Which moments today did I feel the closeness of God?

– Which moments today did I feel far from Him?

Surrender, give thanks, and learn from each moment that comes to your mind.

The Lord’s Prayer may be said [Caroline inserting the message version here!]

Matthew 6:9:13

“Our Father in heaven,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right;

Do what’s best –

as above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.

You’re in charge!

You can do anything you want!

You’re ablaze in beauty!

Yes. Yes. Yes.”

O High King of Heaven, Have mercy on our Land. Revive your Church. Send the Holy Spirit for the sake of the lost, the least, and the broken. May your Kingdom come to our nation. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen. (The Caleb Prayer for Wales)

Almighty God, we acknowledge that You are woven into our day, our evening and our night.

Bless us and all that we do this evening. Bless all those we meet. Bless our relaxation time. Bless us with Your great gift of sleep. We bless the Lord who gives us counsel in the night; We open ourselves up to you this night to give us dreams; to give us visions; to refresh us; to strengthen us. (Psalm 16:7)

Pause …

Lord, wherever spiritual, physical or emotional darkness touches me, I trust you to lighten it. I believe and trust in you.

We now commit this evening (and this night) to You, trusting You to be in them, whether speaking or silent, creative or resting.

You are our God and King, our stronghold and our deliverer.

Let us go forth in joy and peace because we go with His presence.

Amen.

Reference: