Words

When I have lost the words
that tell me who I am,
then visit me in silence, Lord,
and write for me my name.

And when I cannot speak 
to call you in my fear,
look down and see me in my need;
without a sound, draw near.

For you know all my thoughts
before I have the words
as I have known my children's wants:
Come mother me, my Lord,

and hold me to your breast
when all I held is lost.
So wordlessly croon me to rest,
your arms about me crossed.

O Christ, the Word of God,
if I should speak no more,
then be me for me the sounding word 
that praises and implores.

And if my heart is stone,
oh, give it voice to cry:
Let it be just your name alone
resounding to the sky.

Created 1408 by Andrej Rublëv. By Anonymous Russian icon painter (before 1917)Public domain image (according to PD-RusEmpire) – http://www.icon-art.info/masterpiece.php?lng=ru&mst_id=136, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1579041

Prayer for Insomnia

The ages when I cannot sleep
but watch the light around the shades,
do you, O God, some vigil keep
and watch with me the light you made?

Then hear my whispered midnight cries—
let me not wake the ones who sleep!—
Come on the stirring of my sighs,
unlseeping God, and watch with me.

Be in the eyes that will not close,
the notes repeating in my brain,
the breathing that I try to slow,
the heartbeat revving once again.

All-present God, be even here
where reason's angels fear to tread:
the heart that quakes in nameless fear,
the mind that spins uncertain dread.

These tangled sheets will be your throne
where you are worshipped and adored:
O, do no leave me here alone,
but make this bed your temple, Lord!

And let me find, when morning dawns,
your praises as the sparrows sing,
your love as great as night is long,
this night the shadow of your wings.

Amen.

By chaps1 – ., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=92253612

Beyond the Work of Words

In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
Romans 8:26

O God, I do not have the word
to speak a ray of light,
but let my silent prayer be heard
and shine throughout the night.

O Spirit, come and speak for me
the words I do not know,
for light or darkness—let it be
as from your wisdom flows.

O Christ in heaven, sorrow's man,
what comfort can I preach?
As far as stars from earth you stand—
how can my whispers reach?

O Spirit, come and pray for me
in groans too deep for words,
for sorrows that I cannot see—
and may your prayer be heard!

For heaven seems a place too far;
my poor words cannot find,
yet I have touched the Savior's scars,
and God has yet been kind.

O Spirit, come and carry me
beyond the work of words.
By love and mercy, may it be
my silence there is heard!