Mary Sullivan

A mighty God we serve—this much we know is true.

When Amalek waged war, God showed Moses what to do.

When Moses hands were raised in prayer, enemies had no chance.

But if his hands were lowered, the enemy advanced.

 

We faithful friends united form a prayer army each day,

Through our united prayers we keep the evil one at bay,

We think some things are pretty bad, but what we cannot see:

Without our constant praying—how much worse some things would be.

 

Our God is rich in mercy.  He feels the pain we feel.

Performing mighty miracles—when did Christ fail to heal?

He healed the paralytic whom friends lowered through the roof,

Jesus healed the lepers—of this there’s ample proof.

 

He healed the daughter of Jairus, whom all forsook as dead,

She came to life.  “Little girl, I say to you, get up” is what He said.

He healed the demon-possessed-daughter—who but Jesus could foresee

This mom would beg mercy; and cry out: “Lord, help me.”

 

The disciples urged: “send her away.”  She had that Canaan label.

With faith, she preserved and said: “even… dogs eat from their Master’s table.”

Many pressing on Him, many voices getting loud,

with just her touch He healed the woman in the crowd.

 

He healed the blind. He healed the mute.   He healed the boy possessed.

Do we believe that somehow God for us would do less?

The truth is Christ healed everyone who came forth in faith to ask.

Not one soul did He miss, from the first until the last.

 

When we go before our Master, when on humbled knees we kneel,

Can we see we serve a God who answers prayer and longs to heal?

We can persevere, like the widow with the judge unjust.

The Lord hears our every prayer.  In Jesus, we can trust.

“In the Dark Night of the Soul, Bright Flows the River of God.” (Saint John of the Cross)

 

The day has grown so dim, dear Lord, our souls face darkness of night.

All around seems doom and gloom, with no hope or relief in sight.

We struggle to peer through the darkness.  We search for some semblance of light.

Dear Lord, have you abandoned us?  From darkness, we long to take flight.

 

It’s in darkness, Lord, that you teach us, to look for You, and to pray.

It’s in darkness, Lord, that we learn to reach for Your hand in the darkness of day.

It’s in darkness, Lord, that we turn to You to feed us Your spiritual food.

It’s in darkness, Lord, that our prideful souls, are humbled and firmly renewed.

 

It’s in darkness our ears once deaf to Your voice, develop a sharpened hearing.

It’s in darkness our souls learn trust, to set aside all our fearing.

It’s in darkness that virtue begins to grow, on this unlit road which we trod.

It’s in darkness that bright rivers start to flow—that flows the bright rivers of God.

 

Our loved ones too are in darkened nights.  Guide them to reach for Your hand.

Show them how to use their ears, to hear and to heed Your commands.

Guide them to trust, to find in You a new peace and tranquility.

In the darkness, Lord, help them to find the truth of humility.

 

Then lead them, Lord, through the darkness, by bright flowing rivers of light.

Lead them, Lord, through the darkness.  Give them a burning a desire for right.

Lead them, Lord, to dependence on You, to a love for Your merciful ways.

Lead them, Lord, through the darkness to a truth they’ll embrace all their days.

 

Lead them, Lord, through the darkness, to a longing for serving souls too.

Lead them, Lord, through the darkness.  Lead them Lord through the darkness to You.

Our hearts are always with them; our hearts are never far.

Our hearts can’t ever leave them; no matter where they are.

No need to even wonder, no need to question why;

For the simple truth is that our love for them can’t die.

 

Every step we make in life, and even our next move,

Is often just a step toward what we think is love and truth.

We all can be mistaken, in what we think is true,

There is not one among us who can’t be tricked in what we do.

 

Feelings often change, like the daily weather.

Feelings can lead us toward some things which do not make us better.

For feelings can be fickle and lead us all astray.

Feelings can deceive each one of us, at any time of day.

To let our feelings rule our lives, sometimes we all are faulted.

Sad to say, in life today, feelings are exalted.

 

Lord, help those we love to find a path, find another way.

Help them seek the truth, which leads to the light of day.

They think it’s crazy doctrine, or a bunch of rules we give,

Lord, help them see it’s You Who came to teach us how to live.

 

You came to bring us true love, extend to each one mercy.

You came to show us the truth, to settle controversy.

We are Your humble creatures.  You are our Creator.

You O Lord love us most. But You are no dictator.

 

May loved ones stop to listen, follow what You have to say,

Then when the storms come in their lives, they won’t be swept away.

Protect and defend them, Lord.  The demons, now please slay.

Be to loved ones, humble strength, which helps them through each day.

 

Guide us to embrace Your love.  Send to us a new leaven,

To raise our minds to truth this day; our souls one day to heaven.

Dear Lord, may we seek You

in the places You are found.

In the Scriptures may we seek You,

where Your Word and truth abound.

 

May we seek You in those places

Where You are in our midst.

In the source and summit of our lives,

The Most Holy Eucharist.

 

We cry out for mercy, Lord.

Knowing You are near.

You care for us and love us.

Of You we need not fear.

 

Your ways are not our ways, Lord.

Your thoughts are not our thoughts.

May we and all our loved ones know

Our wills have led to naught.

 

Heavens so high above the earth,

Your ways above ours too.

May we seek Your holy will, Lord,

In all we think and say and do.

 

[Based on Is. 55:6-9]