For Gladys Chmiel, who hugs us all alive.
"Pray a prayer of utter darkness, emptying your soul" is one of my favorite lyric lines. Via negativa, we need you sometimes.
1989
Lyrics:
Many times you start to pray and think about the words,
Thinking prayer is what you say, and not what God has heard.
But a prayer of centered silence opens up the door
To a God whose reaching for you, wants to give you more:
For prayer's a hug from God above,
He'll hold you in his arms
Embracing all your pain and fear,
Revealing truth in life's alarms
Yes, prayer's a hug from God above,
Thank heavens for that love!
Like a quiet woodland pool on placid summer's day
Will reflect the sun's bright beams and scatter sparkling rays—
So a quiet soul within draws down the heavenly light,
And with prayer reflects its glory, shares its power and might!
For prayer's a hug from God above,
He'll hold you in his arms
Embracing all your pain and fear,
Revealing truth in life's alarms
Yes, prayer's a hug from God above,
Thank heavens for that love!
When your world is dark and dim and hollow at the core,
When you're washed with loneliness and pain you can't ignore—
Pray a prayer of utter darkness, emptying your soul.
God will hear and seek and find you, fill and make you whole!
For prayer's a hug from God above,
He'll hold you in his arms
Embracing all your pain and fear,
Revealing truth in life's alarms
Yes, prayer's a hug from God above,
Thank heavens for that love!