The Gift of Night

You, Lord have made us

a gift of the night.

The night is to be treasured.

There is nothing to fear.

There is only silence.

There is only the sound

of my own breathing,

of my own footsteps,

of the dried leaves

chattering in the wind.

There is stillness here.

There is rest.

There is opportunity

to look inward and listen

to the yearnings of our souls.

The night is dark,

but here with You, Lord,

there is no darkness.

There are no shadows.

There is only an inner light,

a Pentecostal flame,

that we can nurture

and kindle and grow.

Oh, Lord, You have made

us a gift of the night.

And for that, let us give thanks.

Amen.