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A Prayer in Solitude

Father, thank you for this time of silence 
so I can listen more carefully and keenly at your Word. 

Thank you for this rare opportunity for solitude, 
away from trivial concerns and earthly cares, 
that I may have the precious moments to attune my heart back to You.

You have proven Yourself faithful, and because of this, 
though imperfectly, 
I have made it my aim to devote my life 
to Thy service.

But my heart is wicked, and my flesh weak, my will flickering,
That at times the very act of my worship for You
are the ones that split my devotion to You.

Father, forgive. I acknowledge in humble contrition
that my love for you is weak
that my effort to draw near to you is fleeting,
that my warmest thoughts for You are cold
that my will to serve and to obey is as fickle 
and faltering as the waves that recedes every time.

I confess that my love for You is not as warm and aflame as it ought--
even after knowing who You are and what You've done,
still my heart fails.
Father, forgive.

Forgive
this heart that is divided by conflicting desires,
this spirit that easily tires of the tasks set before me,
this worship that pales in comparison with who You are,
this devotion that grows cold at the slightest discouragement.

Forgive me, Father,
for the eyes that are not fixed solely on You
for the mind that does not solely dwell on thoughts of You
for the heart that wanders away from its heav'nly portion
for the spirit that strays after earthly desires that will not eternally last.

Grant me the grace, Lord,
to hear You clearer in this time of silence.
Grant that Your voice, through Thy Word, be louder and more distinct 
than all my concerns and cares,
than all my hopes deferred,
than all my anxieties and fears,
than all my heart's desires.

May Your word ring the clearest,
Your will be my only motivation and interest,

Your glory my utmost desire.

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