Minister by Night

Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord

who minister by night in the house of the Lord.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary

and praise the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Zion,

he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 134

Walking the halls of a hospital late at night is a unique form of quiet. Apart from the occasional beeping of a machine or the chime of an arriving elevator, the noise of the daytime has been silenced. It is said that God gives the gift of healing, even and especially while patients sleep. The sound of healing in these moments is deep and silent.

Sitting in the foyer of the homeless shelter late at night is another unique form of quiet. After a frenetic day of providing food, clothing, care, and shelter, the street weary souls find a moment where they can sleep safely. It is said that when we provide for the “least of these”, we provide for Jesus. A dimly lit room finds the homeless Christ on every cot and air mattress.

On the living room couch, a parent soothes the fevered brow of an exhausted, yet fitful toddler whose body is fighting a virus. Quietly humming a lullaby and a long-remembered love song, the parent shows strength with their embrace while feeling weak in their inability to make things better. It is said that when we are weak, Jesus is strong. In the silence of the living room, that parent prays for that strength.

The words of Psalm 134 call all the servants of the Lord to praise. The Maker of heaven and earth ever and always blesses the people of God. Then, those blessed respond to God with praise with uplifted hands in the sanctuary.

This psalm particularly calls to those servants of the Lord who minister by night in house of the Lord. It was those priests and Levites who had special duties at the temple, including night watches, who were called to acts of praise.

In our time, we find these ministers as the nurses and janitorial staff on the hospital floors; the social workers and counselors in the homeless shelter; and the parents and caregivers of the sick. For wherever the quiet night calls angels to serve, watch, and care, there you will find perfect praise.

Let us pray,

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.