Monday of the fourth week of lent

Date: Monday, March 20
Contributor:  Ann Jones
Lectionary Link                     
​         
It is night after a long day.
        What has been done has been done;
        what has not been done has not been done;
        let it be.
 
This is a passage from one of my favorite prayers, Night Prayer from A New Zealand Prayer Book.
 
I am a person who makes lists. Each morning, I write a few things on a post-it note to remind myself of my goals for the day.  It might include things like practice my recorder, pick up something from the library or to do a simple project around the house.  More often than not, I fail to complete the entire list and carry things over for the next day… or the day after… or the day after that.  Not completing the goals I set for myself can create stress.
 
Enter the Night Prayer… Reminding myself that it is OK to just let it be is very comforting to me, and helps me keep my stress levels manageable (most of the time).
 
Having recently retired from my job as a school nurse, I think back to the days when I felt overwhelmed and could not do everything that was expected of me (or that I expected of myself).  I frequently would stop, take a breath, and recite to myself, what is done is done, what is not done is not done, let it be.  It gave me permission to walk away, knowing I could pick up where I left off the next day and it would be OK. 
 
I encourage you to visit the Night Prayer from time to time and give yourself permission to stop, take a breath, and let it be. Tomorrow is a new day, with new joys and new possibilities.
 
A Night Prayer (from A New Zealand Prayer Book)

Lord, it is night.

The night is for stillness.
        Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.
        What has been done has been done;
        what has not been done has not been done;
        let it be.

The night is dark.
        Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of
        our own lives rest in you.

The night is quiet.
        Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
        all dear to us,
        and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.
        Let us look expectantly to a new day,
        new joys,
        new possibilities.

In your name we pray.  Amen.