Light in a Snow-Darkened Church

GRANT unto us, Almighty God, the One Spirit of love, that all times may teach us, all things instruct us; all holy souls be of our communion, and that we may have fellowship with all those who have loved Thee and done well.

One Spirit be with us, the Spirit that was with the men of old, though varying in form. Whatsoever we read of ancient times, of the burning bush, and the fiery pillar; whatever we read of the men of old, and of those things that they beheld; let them nevertheless set forth to us the One Spirit of God.

Above all things, this day show Thyself to us as the true and only light. And let outward things teach us. May the gloom over all to-day teach us of the gloom that comes over Man’s spirit when the clouds of earth have been to us stronger than the fires that be above. As we see that the mists and gloom are born of the uncultured valleys of the earth, teach us to see how much of the mist and gloom in our lives goes up from our own doings; from holiness forgotten, from pureness cast aside. And as we know that the sun shall break through again in beauty, and gladden us all with his glorious light, make us know that when the Sun of Righteousness shall arise, He shall bring healing on His wings.

Lord God! shine upon us, that, we may have light enough to find that which we have lost. Which of us would not take a candle to find the things that were, and are not? When we have lost Thine image, then give us light; light that shall pierce through all the caves and chambers of the heart; light that shall light up the dark places; light that shall reveal the corners where the hidden things can be found; light enough to come home to Thee when we have wandered; light to carry us to Bethlehem, where the Holy Child was born; light enough to pass through the dark Valley when death shall come; light enough to enter into the eternal bliss.

When the darkness that is upon us comes to us in the loss, not of righteousness, but of those we love; when lovers and friends are gone, and the stars that once gladdened us are seen no more; then let Thy heavenly light shine upon us. When youth departs, and strength decays, and friends get few; when, deserted and sad, we measure our journey by the dead that are gone from us, rather than by those that are left; then let Thy light come from above. When the eyes grow dim, and desire fails, and the heat of life dies down, and the blood grows chill, and faith is faint; when darkness comes because the shadow of death is upon us; then let the light of God shine upon us, that our poor trembling steps may be guided in safety; then glorify the western world, light up for us the setting sun.

When we walk in crooked ways, and find them much bemired, be a lantern unto our feet, lest we stumble. Above all, let the light of the House of God shine out when we have wandered away from home, and are striving to come back. Always give us light; light to run the race that is set before us; light to do Thy work, before the night cometh in which no man can work.

When Thy light seems too bright to be kindly, and is too fierce for our sins, spare us not; but light Thy light in our hearts, until that light shall kindle a fire in which all idols shall be burned, and all false things purged from us, that we may serve God in pureness and gladness of heart.

Now, Lord God, every day and at all times this is our prayer:—hear us now, for the day comes when we may be dumb and cannot speak; when the heart may burn, but the tongue may be stiffened;—Now and for ever; in life and in death; in the daytime and in the night; in loneliness and in crookedness; in weal and in woe; in sickness and in health; in the morning, at noontime, and in the evening, let there be light!

Give us the light of God, and all shall go well. Of Thy mercy hear these our supplications, through Jesus Christ our Lord.—AMEN.