Last week, I made visits to our home and hospital bound members. Even those whose minds are no longer clear hung on every word as I read “The Lord is my shepherd. . .” and “I lift my eyes to the hills. . .” They appeared as those who are parched drinking deeply of cool water.
As the evening settled in, they needed the assurance of God’s presence with them still and into the life beyond this life.
This prayer seemed appropriate. It is sung as part of Holden Evening Prayer, a beautiful vespers service, in the form of a litany.
Watch thou, dear Lord,
with those who wake,
or watch, or weep tonight,
and give thine angels charge
over those who sleep.
Tend thy sick ones, Lord Christ.
Rest thy weary ones.
Bless thy dying ones.
Soothe thy suffering ones.
Pity thine afflicted ones.
Shield thy joyous ones.
And all, for thy love’s sake.
Amen.
