epiphany

A Prayer Against Fear

I place my trust in the Lord of Hosts
Whose arm is strong to keep me.
Though a thousand skilled warriors,
Even thousands of thousands
Armed and clad in adamant and diamond,
Rise against me,
I will not fear.
Though the Prince of Shadows himself
Should come in fury of hot blood and fire
To claim my soul,
I need not be afraid.
For all who hate me
Are but mice before a lion;
Even like dry grass before the hooves
Of a stallion shod for battle
Be my foes.
Therefore, I place my trust
In the Lord of Hosts.

I place my way with the Father of Lights,
Who guides my step and keeps my feet.
Like the light of a thousand suns,
Even thousands of thousands,
White hot and burning with the glory of youth,
The dawning of life,
Be but his shadow.
Though darkness swarm around me,
Though depth of clouded night, an active
Blackness, devour my road,
I need not be afraid.
For light shines in the darkness,
And the darkness cannot consume it.
Even should the pitch of hell surround
And the day be black about me,
Your truth will light my eyes.
Therefore, I place my way
With the Father of Lights.

Before the Son of Truth I place my cause,
Who stands to judge my soul’s complaint.
Though a thousand accusers,
Even thousands of thousands
Armed with greedy lies or proof of false will,
Cry against me,
I will not fear.
Though the law of God itself
Should rise, demanding hot blood or fire
In honest claim,
I need not be afraid.
I have an Advocate
Whose word can stay the law,
Who stands my Judge, who stands my Substitute,
Who frees me from every fine
And measures me with mercy.
Therefore, before the Son of Truth
I place my cause.

I place my hope in the Spirit of Peace,
The Ghost who comes to comfort.
Though a thousand devils,
Even thousands of thousands,
Quick and clever, with whispers of chaos
Assault my mind,
I will not fear.
Though madness come to consume me,
Though life itself become discord and pain,
I need not be afraid.
For clouds of confusion
Must scatter before the Breath.
The gentle Wind will come to kindle
My heart’s moist and molding wood, its
Smoldering spark.
Therefore I place my hope
In the Spirit of Peace.

Into the hands of the God of all Love,
The One who created, who made
Himself man and was crushed for our punishment,
Who rose, defeating death’s strength,
I place my life.
The Lord of Hosts,
The Father of Lights,
The Son of Truth,
The Spirit of Peace,
Great God of all Love,
Keep my trust,
My way,
My cause,
My hope,
My life.
Into your hands I commend my spirit,
Into the hands of the God of all Love.

Peace be with all who walk in his love,
Who keep his commandments.
Amen.

Posted by jonhanneman at July 15, 2006 8:41 AM | TrackBack