Prayer based on Luke 22:39-46
Jesus prays in Gethsemane

This night is so heavy
So dangerous
So far beyond control

And we’re so heartbroken
So disappointed
So tired

Our sorrow draws us to sleep
We try to pray
One eye open
But we don’t last long

We’ve been hopeful, only to fall again
Nothing works
Nothing changes
We’ve tried and failed and tried and failed and tried…

So we sleep our sorrow-full sleep

You sorrow, too
But in your sorrow you keep watch
You question and comply with God’s call
You wrestle in prayer
And go back in for another round and another

Pray for us
Awaken us
Help us choose the same

Tell me, Dear Tree
A Lenten prayer/poem of sacrifice
Based on Luke 23, The Crucifixion of Christ

If you want to sing this, the meter is 86.86 double (CMD)
Suggested tune: KINGSFOLD (United Methodist Hymnal #179)

Tell me dear tree on which my Lord,
My blessed Lord did hang,
How could you hold the spotless Lamb,
Be party with the gang?
That cheerless day, that shadowy hour,
My blessed Savior died,
To free my soul for heavenly things,
O tree, you must have cried.

Yes all your fibers must have screamed
For you one time did live
A green and growing tree, alive,
But your whole self did give
To be the instrument of death,
To be the very tree
To be the place for Christ to die
Upon dark Calvary

Wait! Do I hear a shout of joy
From somewhere deep within?
Your duty done; the battle won
So all the world might win.
How beautiful your love for Him.
He sewed it long ago
You bore the weight. You took the stain,
And now the world must know

The tree of death felt every wound,
Felt all the pain and loss.
She loved her maker through it all,
Was glad to be His cross.
Teach me dear tree on which my Lord,
My precious Lord did die
To treasure grueling duties done
So Christ is lifted high

_______________

For the next few months, I’m reading a chapter from the Gospels each day. This is part of the Summer in the Scriptures reading plan sponsored by the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. Click Here for the reading plan.

You’re most welcome to read along and to join the Facebook discussion group, Summer in the Scriptures. You don’t need to be a Methodist or attend a Methodist church. All are welcome and all means all.

As part of the Facebook group, I’ve been supplying prayers based on the day’s reading. Feel free to post your prayers and observations based on the readings here or there as well.

May the grace of the Gospels, the challenge, and the call, inspire us to great faith and great good works in Jesus’ name. – Lisa <

Gethsemane Prayer © 2020 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Tell Me, Dear Tree © 2009 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.