11. Prayers of a Life in Tension by Stephen W. Hiemstra

God of All Compassion:

Draw near to me in my grief

Let me not mourning alone.

I remember how you walked with me during sunny days

Days when the trees were bright with leaves

And the flowers bloomed along the beach and the hills and the forest.

Now that autumn has come and the days grow shorter

Be ever near as a I walk along along stormy paths

That wind through the shaddows and under leafless trees.

Forgive my aloofness, ever at a distance

Thinking that the sun would always shine

and warm breezes would stay near.

Forgive my tight-fisted attitude

Grasping at time, grasping at resources, grasping for myself.

Grant me a clear mind, a generous heart, and helpful hands

Through your Holy Spirit Almighty God

That I might be like you. Now and always.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.