Some of you remember the prayer I wrote called “Some Days Are Very Hard.” I wrote it after a Facebook friend posted a response to one of Jack’s funny posts. She said that she appreciated Jack’s humor because “some days are very hard.” That phrase worked on me until it became the prayer that I wrote and which was included in my book.
I shared that prayer with a choir from Los Altos United Methodist Church in Los Altos, California. At the end of the retreat, T. Paul Rosas, the senior organist for the church, asked if he could use the words in a requiem that he was writing to commemorate the lives of family and friends.
He has completed the first segment of the requiem and it will premier tonight at the church’s Maundy Thursday service at 7:30 PDT.
[Update: 9:20 a.m.] [Update #2 — corrected times: 1:45 p.m.] The service will be live streamed from the church’s website. Tune in at 10:30 pm ET, 9:30 CT, and 8:30 MT 7:30 pm Pacific time. But even if you cannot watch, think and pray about the events of this day and of the premier of this beautiful musical piece “”#4 Dies Irae (Some Days Are Very Hard) by T. Paul Rosas. Thank you, Paul and Los Altos United Methodist Church. I’m deeply honored.
Here’s a video of the prayer that I recorded at Iona last year.
All the Wonders 
How exciting that your friend’s comment stirred that beautiful prayer, which inspired a requiem. The Holy Spirit the cries of our hearts and creates beauty. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Meant to say, “takes the cries of our hearts and creates beauty.” 🙂
This is the most beautiful prayer, Beth, and your video is remarkable: a stunning setting and a heartfelt rendering of your own words. Thank you for sharing your many gifts with us!
Thank you, my friend. Love to you!!! ❤
I had been touched by this prayer of yours in the past, Beth, but receiving it yesterday as we are mourning my step brother was a great blessing. Thank you. I hope I can hear the Requiem one day,
Prayers for you and you family in these days. Blessings to you.