Jesus spent much time praying to his heavenly Father.  As you read the words of each stanza of the hymn, Come Away with Me (Words by Mary Nelson Keithahn), answer God’s call to “come away” to a time of prayer.

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.                                             (Mark 1:35)

Come away with me to a quiet place,

apart from the world with its frantic pace,

to pray, reflect, and seek God's grace.

Come away with me. Come away.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated.  Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.”  And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”  Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?  Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.  So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.  Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

(Matthew 26:36-46)

Come and pray with me on a gentle sea,

on top of a hill in the Galilee,

in gardens like Gethsemane.

Come away with me. Come away.

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,

    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.    

(Psalm 86:15)

Come today with thoughts of the countless ways

that God's steadfast love blesses all our days,

and join with me in silent praise.

Come away with me. Come away.

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in

“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“Pray then in this way:

Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.  Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.    

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,  as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not bring us to the time of trial but rescue us from the evil one."

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.                                                                          (Matthew 6:5-15)

Come and say, in words whispered from your soul,

the feelings and actions you can't control.

Your spirit needs to be made whole.

Come away with me. Come away.

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.  He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.”  Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’  The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”  Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.  If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?                                                                                      (John 3:5-15)

Come away with me to a quiet place,

to God's loving arms waiting to embrace

all those who come in hope of grace.

Come away with me. Come away.