Pastor Chris Steubing, my internship supervisor, introduced me to this gorgeous, and as far as we know, anonymous poem/prayer that is perfect for Advent (or any time when waiting seems impossibly hard).
I made a video version for one of our worship services. Please feel free to share or use in any way that might prove useful.
It’s called “Waiting.”
Enjoy.
[ETA: I found the author! Her name is Sharlande Sledge and graciously granted permission to use it. Such lovely work, thank you, Sharlande! I’ve updated both the post and the video.]
Waiting (Sharlande Sledge)
Look upon us gently, Lord,
For waiting is not our forte.
So many other things are…
Things like moving ahead,
Fixing what’s wrong,
Planning what’s next,
Diagnosing the problem,
Cramming more into a day
Than one person can possibly do
Before the sun goes down.
But waiting….
When we are waiting for the light to shine,
When we are waiting for the Word,
When we are waiting for a wound to heal,
Nothing in all the world
Is harder than waiting.
So, in your mercy, Lord,
Wait with us.
Be our very present help in waiting.
Heal our frenzy.
Calm our fears.
Comfort those who at this very minute
Are with every anxious breath and thought
Waiting for they know-not-what.
Transform our in-the-meantime
Into your time,
While we wait with each other,
Sit with each other,
Pray each other into hope,
Surrounded by your presence.
