A Prayerful Interlude

A Scriptural prayer for all of us seeking union with Jesus.

(Volodymyr Tokar / Unsplash)

I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine.

He invites me to lie down in green pastures, among the lilies.

He leads me beside still waters.

            My heart is a garden enclosed,

                 a sealed fountain.

He restores my soul.

Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples,

because I languish with love.

I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

            for His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil;

for You are with me.

Your left arm is under my head,

            Your right embraces me.

For see, winter is past,

            the rains are over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth

            The season of glad song has come,

            the cooing of the turtledove is heard

in our land.

My Beloved lifts up His voice,

He says to me,

            ‘Bud like a rose growing by a stream of water;

                        send forth fragrance like frankincense,

            and put forth blossoms like a lily.

How fragrant your perfumes, more fragrant than all other spices!’

As a lily among the thistles,

            so is my love among the maidens.

I have found Him whom my heart loves.

I hold Him fast, I will not let Him go.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

            all the days of my life;

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

AMEN.

            (Song of Songs, Psalm 23, Sirach 39:13-14)

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