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Thursday, July 20, 2006

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Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19
Psalm 102
Matthew 11:28-30

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night-light

"My soul yearns for You in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for You." —Isaiah 26:9

Last night the Holy Spirit kept some people up and woke some people up. "Rise up, shrill in the night, at the beginning of every watch; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord; lift up your hands to Him" (Lam 2:19). Now is the time to pray as we've never prayed before. "Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who stand in the house of the Lord during the hours of night" (Ps 134:1). "As a woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pains" (Is 26:17), so are we in God's presence.

We live in an almost desperate situation. Many are one step away from hell and eternal damnation. But Jesus assures and invites us: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome" (Mt 11:28). "Will not God then do justice to His chosen who call out to Him day and night?" (Lk 18:7) Are you the "one who has set her hope on God and continues night and day in supplications and prayers"? (1 Tm 5:5)

Jesus' question echoes and thunders: "Could you not spend one hour with Me?" (Mk 14:37, our translation) "Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God!" (Jl 1:13) "Your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise; awake and sing, you who lie in the dust" (Is 26:19).

Prayer:  Father, many spend half the night watching TV. Some are drinking, others commit fornication or adultery. I offer this night to You as a vigil of my love.

Promise:  "Your souls will find rest, for My yoke is easy and My burden light." —Mt 11:29-30

Praise:  When Isabel cannot sleep, she spends the time with the Lord in intercession.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Lord, Teach Us to Pray on audio AV 57-3 or video V-57.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2005

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