About the Hymn
From prison, Paul urges the Philippians to pray. “Do not be anxious about anything,” he says, “but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (4:6).
This hymn text concentrates on the morning and evening prayers of the Christian. Mornings see us opening our hearts, like the flowers open up to the sun, giving our Lord thanks and articulating our needs. Midnights see us whispering our darkest sorrows and anxieties, asking our Lord to fill our souls with strength and peace, to soothe us, to tame the turmoil, just as the moonlight tames the nights.
And the Lord answers. He answers.
Psychologists—and some theologians, sadly—will say that prayer is primarily an emotional crutch for the one who prays, a way for us to express ourselves, to release our anxieties, and perhaps to remember that we’re not alone.
But Scripture says differently. In some mysterious way, our prayers make a difference! Our Lord condescends to hear us and allows our requests to alter his behavior. “You do not have because you do not ask,” says James (4:2).
Our Lord is always more ready to hear than we are to pray. He knows what we will ask before we speak. He accepts our praise, provides for our needs, forgives our sins, and stills the anxious chaos, giving us peace “which transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
The hymn should be performed at a contented♩= ca. 60.
Text
1. When comes the sun, I rise to pray;
with you, my Lord, I meet the day.
I seek you in our place of pray’r
and find you waiting for me there,
and though you are the King on high,
you bend to me and hear my cry.
2. As sun is calling forth the blooms,
I open up my heart to you:
a swelling song of thankfulness
for all the ways you choose to bless,
and then a litany of need,
of hearts to heal and mouths to feed.
3. When comes the moon, my midnight soul
will whisper ev’ry hidden woe,
the longing ache of loneliness,
the sin and shame and brokenness,
the secret sorrows that I keep:
you know them, Lord, before I speak.
4. The hush of moonlight tames the night
as you, Lord, bathe my soul with light.
You still the chaos, dull the pain,
and give me strength to rise again.
Because you hear my ev’ry plea,
I walk these days and nights in peace.
© 2017 Laurie F. Gauger
Lectionary Reading
Year A, Season after Pentecost, Proper 23 (28): Philippians 4:1–9
Year C, Third Sunday of Advent: Philippians 4:4–7
Year C, Season after Pentecost, Thanksgiving Day: Philippians 4:4–9
Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Final Exhortations
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
