“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.