Ep. 43 - Persistence in Petitioning

A liturgy for persistence in petitioning.

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O Helper, 

my heart feels heavy with longing today. 

I carry names I cannot say aloud, 

faces I have seen only in glimpses, 

souls I have not yet met but ache for all the same.

There is sorrow that they do not know You–

A slow, quiet ache in the places where joy and hope wish to rise. 

And beneath the sorrow, I see love–

a reflection, perhaps, of Your own. 

So I come to You, Helper of the weary and the waiting. 

You who gives strength to the faint

You who never grow tired of pursuing. 

Help me not grow tired, either.

You lead and guide us through the wilderness–

the wilderness of unknown grounds and unfamiliar words. 

Yet You do not leave us to walk alone.

You guide us by the One who dwells within, 

and through the Helper, we are led

from the Word You have spoken

to the ‘so be it’ You have promised.

Let me not grow weary in doing good,

even when I cannot see the fruit, 

even when my petitions feel unanswered.

For at the proper time we will reap a harvest

if we do not give up.

My hands feel small, 

and my words are often insufficient. 

But You are faithful even when I am faithless

Let me remember that I am not alone in this longing. 

I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, 

and by You who dwells within

So lead me to the Word, 

the Pioneer and Perfecter.

O Giver of Gifts, 

Help me to pursue with love

Awaken me to where they are, 

to listen as much as I speak, 

to trust that You are already at work.

May You shine in the hearts

Of those not yet walking in Your Light.

Let something Good bloom within them: 

A question. A dream. A moment of wonder. 

Make a way, even when none seems possible. 

For this is Your work, 

And it’s my joy to see You move in hearts. 

Even now, may hope not disappoint me–

because Your love has been poured out into my heart

through the Comforter, who has been given to me.

You are the One who walks beside me in the waiting. 

You are sowing seeds I cannot yet see. 

Let me go forward in trust, in love, and in light

with persistence.

Amen