Watching with Thee

"Then saith He unto them, 'My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death:  tarry ye here, and watch with me. '   ...And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, 'What, could ye not watch with me one hour?'"  Matthew 26:38,40

Lord, today I see my grief

as a loving gift from you.

A welcoming call to share your travail.

A partnership I won't rue.

When I ache and long and pray

for those that have gone away

I am crying along with you, my God,

for my wayward ones gone astray.

Is this the way you feel, my Lord,

About all your children dear?

Who have left the fold and followed the world

And want You no longer near.

What would it be to see, O God

Never to turn away;

To know all the pain, the filth, the sin;

Watching the world night and day.

Mercifully my little stage, O Lord

Can only play my small life

I can't imagine what you must feel

Carrying the whole world's strife.

Lord that you welcome me to join

Taking me by the hand

Ask me to watch and pray awhile

Gladly I will stand.

How could I do any less, my Friend

You've already made the way.

Grief a gift to help keep me awake,

Gratefully I will pray.

                                           --Patti Lofgren