Lord, I'm amazed by you,
by the things you do,
the way you time things,
rhyme things,
one with another,
to whisper to me
that I can never be
so unmindful of you
to make you unmindful of me.
You amaze me.
Thank you.
Amen.
My Psalm 56
Be merciful to me, O God,
for I get scared so easily.
I’m scared right now.
Save me from myself,
and from all who would attack me
to make themselves feel or look better.
Remind me when I am afraid
to trust in you—
you, whose Word I hold dear,
I will try to trust you
rather than fear what men might do to me.
Let not others twist my words,
those who would harm me or my testimony,
sneaky, spying souls
who want to trip me up
and gloat over me.
Defend me from them, Lord God;
trip them up.
I know I’m complaining, but hear me anyway;
take note of my tears
and wipe them away.
Turn my enemies,
come to my assistance when I call for help.
I know that you are for me—
you, whose Word I hold dear,
I will try to trust you
rather than fear what men might do to me.
I am beholden to you, O God;
I owe you infinitely more
than my thanks can convey,
for you have delivered me time and again,
you have caught me when I stumbled,
that I may walk before you
in the light of life. Amen.
for I get scared so easily.
I’m scared right now.
Save me from myself,
and from all who would attack me
to make themselves feel or look better.
Remind me when I am afraid
to trust in you—
you, whose Word I hold dear,
I will try to trust you
rather than fear what men might do to me.
Let not others twist my words,
those who would harm me or my testimony,
sneaky, spying souls
who want to trip me up
and gloat over me.
Defend me from them, Lord God;
trip them up.
I know I’m complaining, but hear me anyway;
take note of my tears
and wipe them away.
Turn my enemies,
come to my assistance when I call for help.
I know that you are for me—
you, whose Word I hold dear,
I will try to trust you
rather than fear what men might do to me.
I am beholden to you, O God;
I owe you infinitely more
than my thanks can convey,
for you have delivered me time and again,
you have caught me when I stumbled,
that I may walk before you
in the light of life. Amen.
Save Me from Me
Lord God Adonai,
You have saved me from sin,
from guilt,
from condemnation,
from Hell,
from so much...
now please save me from me,
from becoming more of what I am
instead of becoming more of what You are,
in Jesus' name, amen.
You have saved me from sin,
from guilt,
from condemnation,
from Hell,
from so much...
now please save me from me,
from becoming more of what I am
instead of becoming more of what You are,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Purify My Soul
(A prayer of J. H. Jowett, slightly revised)
Purify my soul,
make my eyes keen and watchful,
in order that I may discern your purpose
at every turning of the way.
Help me to hallow all my circumstances
whether they appear friendly or adverse,
and may I subdue them all to my King's will.
Amen.
(from J. H. Jowett, The Whole Armour of God, p. 152).
Purify my soul,
make my eyes keen and watchful,
in order that I may discern your purpose
at every turning of the way.
Help me to hallow all my circumstances
whether they appear friendly or adverse,
and may I subdue them all to my King's will.
Amen.
(from J. H. Jowett, The Whole Armour of God, p. 152).
Ruin Me
Lord, as Hilary Watson sang this weekend,
ruin me.
Ruin me.
Ruin me for anything and everything
apart from you.
Make me useless for any purpose
other than pleasing you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
ruin me.
Ruin me.
Ruin me for anything and everything
apart from you.
Make me useless for any purpose
other than pleasing you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Coventry Prayer
The pride which leads me
to trust in myself
and not in you,
O Lord, forgive. Amen.
(based on a plaque in Coventry Cathedral)
to trust in myself
and not in you,
O Lord, forgive. Amen.
(based on a plaque in Coventry Cathedral)
Morning Prayer
(A prayer of William Barclay)
O God, my Father, give me patience all through today.
Give me patience with my work,
so that I may work at a job until I finish it or get it right,
no matter how difficult or boring it may be.
Give me patience with people,
so that I will not become irritated or annoyed,
and so that I will never lose my temper with them.
Give me patience with life,
so that I may not give up hope
when hopes are long in coming true;
so that I may accept disappointment without bitterness
and delay without complaint.
Hear this my morning prayer for your love's sake. Amen.
O God, my Father, give me patience all through today.
Give me patience with my work,
so that I may work at a job until I finish it or get it right,
no matter how difficult or boring it may be.
Give me patience with people,
so that I will not become irritated or annoyed,
and so that I will never lose my temper with them.
Give me patience with life,
so that I may not give up hope
when hopes are long in coming true;
so that I may accept disappointment without bitterness
and delay without complaint.
Hear this my morning prayer for your love's sake. Amen.
My Psalm 55
Hear my prayer, O God,
please listen.
Please answer me.
My thoughts run away with me again
and I am perturbed at the work of the enemy,
at the roadblocks thrown in my way,
for the silliness
and stupidity that swirls around me.
You know how often I get like this, Lord,
how easily I let circumstances get the better of me,
how much I let fear and worry beset me
and even overwhelm me.
It sure would be nice to have wings like a dove!
I could fly away and find a sheltered crag.
I could soar to a place of solitude
and hide there, alone with you.
I could go anytime to my place of shelter,
and retreat from the tempest and storm.
But even as I say that, Lord,
you remind me: I can do that anyway,
you are my shelter, whether I have wings or not.
You are my hiding place, not some physical retreat.
Confuse the wicked, O Lord, and frustrate their plans
who try to oppose you and your work in our midst.
Oppose them!
Tear down their malicious efforts.
Protect me--protect all your people--
from all destructive forces that are at work in the city;
save us from all witchcraft, threats, and lies.
Save us from enemies
who masquerade as friends;
protect us from those who smile and nod
while they curse under their breath
and try to hurt us when no one sees.
Save us from lies,
and gossip,
and intrigue.
I call to you, God,
and you save me.
At all times of the day,
I cry out to you,
and you hear my voice.
You ransom me, unharmed,
from every battle waged against me,
no matter how many oppose me.
God, who is enthroned forever,
hears and saves me
from all those who have turned from you,
from all who think they are doing right
by hurting others,
whose words are more soothing than oil,
but sharper than swords when my back is turned.
I cast my cares on you, LORD;
I know you will sustain you;
you have never let me down yet,
though I deserve none of your favor.
I leave it to you to decide who is wicked
and who needs a comeuppance;
I just know, as for me, I trust in you. Amen.
please listen.
Please answer me.
My thoughts run away with me again
and I am perturbed at the work of the enemy,
at the roadblocks thrown in my way,
for the silliness
and stupidity that swirls around me.
You know how often I get like this, Lord,
how easily I let circumstances get the better of me,
how much I let fear and worry beset me
and even overwhelm me.
It sure would be nice to have wings like a dove!
I could fly away and find a sheltered crag.
I could soar to a place of solitude
and hide there, alone with you.
I could go anytime to my place of shelter,
and retreat from the tempest and storm.
But even as I say that, Lord,
you remind me: I can do that anyway,
you are my shelter, whether I have wings or not.
You are my hiding place, not some physical retreat.
Confuse the wicked, O Lord, and frustrate their plans
who try to oppose you and your work in our midst.
Oppose them!
Tear down their malicious efforts.
Protect me--protect all your people--
from all destructive forces that are at work in the city;
save us from all witchcraft, threats, and lies.
Save us from enemies
who masquerade as friends;
protect us from those who smile and nod
while they curse under their breath
and try to hurt us when no one sees.
Save us from lies,
and gossip,
and intrigue.
I call to you, God,
and you save me.
At all times of the day,
I cry out to you,
and you hear my voice.
You ransom me, unharmed,
from every battle waged against me,
no matter how many oppose me.
God, who is enthroned forever,
hears and saves me
from all those who have turned from you,
from all who think they are doing right
by hurting others,
whose words are more soothing than oil,
but sharper than swords when my back is turned.
I cast my cares on you, LORD;
I know you will sustain you;
you have never let me down yet,
though I deserve none of your favor.
I leave it to you to decide who is wicked
and who needs a comeuppance;
I just know, as for me, I trust in you. Amen.
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
(A prayer of Charles Wesley)
Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand, dying, and behold, I live.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.
Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand, dying, and behold, I live.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.
A Hymn of Adoration
(A prayer of Henry Van Dyke, slightly revised)
Joyful, joyful, I adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt my clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill me with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call me to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach me how to love all others, lift me to the joy divine.
Lord, I join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, I march onward, victor in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads me Sunward in the triumph song of life.
Joyful, joyful, I adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt my clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill me with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call me to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach me how to love all others, lift me to the joy divine.
Lord, I join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, I march onward, victor in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads me Sunward in the triumph song of life.
Another Prayer of Lancelot Andrewes
Let me find grace in Thy sight
to have grace
whereby I may serve Thee acceptably
with reverence and godly fear.
Let me find the grace also
not to receive that grace in vain,
not to come short of it,
yea, not to neglect it,
so as to fall from it;
but to stir it up, so as to grow in it,
yea, to continue in it
till the end of my life.
And O perfect for me
what is lacking of Thy gifts,
increase my little faith,
strengthen my trembling hope,
kindle the smoking flax of my love.
Shed abroad Thy love in my heart
so that I may love Thee,
my friend in Thee, my enemy for Thee.
O Thou who givest grace to the humble,
give me also grace to be humble.
O Thou who never failest them that fear Thee,
unite my heart to fear Thy name;
let my heart rejoice in Thy fear.
Let me fear one thing only,
the fearing aught more than Thee.
Amen.
to have grace
whereby I may serve Thee acceptably
with reverence and godly fear.
Let me find the grace also
not to receive that grace in vain,
not to come short of it,
yea, not to neglect it,
so as to fall from it;
but to stir it up, so as to grow in it,
yea, to continue in it
till the end of my life.
And O perfect for me
what is lacking of Thy gifts,
increase my little faith,
strengthen my trembling hope,
kindle the smoking flax of my love.
Shed abroad Thy love in my heart
so that I may love Thee,
my friend in Thee, my enemy for Thee.
O Thou who givest grace to the humble,
give me also grace to be humble.
O Thou who never failest them that fear Thee,
unite my heart to fear Thy name;
let my heart rejoice in Thy fear.
Let me fear one thing only,
the fearing aught more than Thee.
Amen.
A Prayer of Lancelot Andrewes
Lord,
let me learn to abound, let me learn to suffer need,
in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content;
for nothing earthly, temporal, corruptible,
let me ever long or wait.
Amen.
let me learn to abound, let me learn to suffer need,
in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content;
for nothing earthly, temporal, corruptible,
let me ever long or wait.
Amen.
A Prayer for Healing
Abba Father, Almighty God,
In Jesus' name I come to you on behalf of Tony and his wife Chris.
In Jesus' name, I ask you,
giver of all good gifts,
Yahweh rohe, God our healer,
to have mercy on them.
Please, Lord God Adonai, miraculously invade Tony's body with your power,
touch him as you touched blind Bartimaeus,
heal him as you healed Peter's mother-in-law,
raise him up from sickness as you raised Lazarus from the grave.
Aid every doctor he sees,
every machine that plays a part,
every diagnostic tool,
every readout and signal,
to rid his body of every trace of cancer.
Give wisdom in every decision,
strength in every time of weakness,
and faith to move mountains,
faith to heal cancer,
faith to conquer fear,
in Jesus' name.
Visit Chris with your strength,
and hope,
and mercy.
Fill her to the measure of all the fulness of God
in her ministry of support and love to her husband.
Answer her prayers,
most of all,
as they are the prayers of your son, Jesus,
who intercedes for her,
and your Holy Spirit,
who cries out on her behalf
in groanings and utterings the human mind can't comprehend.
O God, come to their assistance;
O Lord, make haste to help them, in Jesus' name, amen.
In Jesus' name I come to you on behalf of Tony and his wife Chris.
In Jesus' name, I ask you,
giver of all good gifts,
Yahweh rohe, God our healer,
to have mercy on them.
Please, Lord God Adonai, miraculously invade Tony's body with your power,
touch him as you touched blind Bartimaeus,
heal him as you healed Peter's mother-in-law,
raise him up from sickness as you raised Lazarus from the grave.
Aid every doctor he sees,
every machine that plays a part,
every diagnostic tool,
every readout and signal,
to rid his body of every trace of cancer.
Give wisdom in every decision,
strength in every time of weakness,
and faith to move mountains,
faith to heal cancer,
faith to conquer fear,
in Jesus' name.
Visit Chris with your strength,
and hope,
and mercy.
Fill her to the measure of all the fulness of God
in her ministry of support and love to her husband.
Answer her prayers,
most of all,
as they are the prayers of your son, Jesus,
who intercedes for her,
and your Holy Spirit,
who cries out on her behalf
in groanings and utterings the human mind can't comprehend.
O God, come to their assistance;
O Lord, make haste to help them, in Jesus' name, amen.
A Totally Truthful Hymn of Prayer
I do not ask Thee, Lord,
That all my life may be
An easy, smooth and pleasant path;
'twould not be good for me.
That grace and strength be given
To keep me fighting all the way
That leads to God and Heaven!
That tears may never flow,
Or that the world may always smile
Upon me as I go.
A thorn-crown pressed Thy brow;
Thy suffering brought Thee victory then,
And thou canst help me now.
And heart more deeply bleed?
Or what if dark and lonely days
Draw forth the cry of need?
My needy soul to fill,
And Thou wilt teach my yearning heart
To know and do Thy will
That all my life may be
An easy, smooth and pleasant path;
'twould not be good for me.
(Easy, smooth and pleasant would be niceBut O I ask today
ONCE in a while, though)
That grace and strength be given
To keep me fighting all the way
That leads to God and Heaven!
(And an occasional break from the fightingI do not ask Thee, Lord,
would be welcome from time to time, too)
That tears may never flow,
Or that the world may always smile
Upon me as I go.
(But "sometimes smile" would be okay,From Thee fell drops of blood;
if it's all the same to you)
A thorn-crown pressed Thy brow;
Thy suffering brought Thee victory then,
And thou canst help me now.
(I'm willing to suffer for you,And what if strength should fail,
it's suffering fools I don't like to do)
And heart more deeply bleed?
Or what if dark and lonely days
Draw forth the cry of need?
(I really hope I never find out,That cry will bring Thee down
to tell you the truth)
My needy soul to fill,
And Thou wilt teach my yearning heart
To know and do Thy will
(But "easy, smooth and pleasant"
still suits me better, if you please).
My Psalm 54
Save me, O God, by your name;
vindicate me by your might.
Hear my prayer, O God;
listen to these words of mine.
My Enemy is ruthless,
always attacking;
he works through this person one day,
and that circumstance the next.
But you are my help;
you alone are the one who sustains me.
Make my Enemy’s strategies backfire;
defend me, destroy him.
I will continue to bring you my willing sacrifices.
I will praise your name, O LORD,
for it is good.
You have delivered me from all kinds of troubles,
and my eyes have looked triumphantly on my foes.
vindicate me by your might.
Hear my prayer, O God;
listen to these words of mine.
My Enemy is ruthless,
always attacking;
he works through this person one day,
and that circumstance the next.
But you are my help;
you alone are the one who sustains me.
Make my Enemy’s strategies backfire;
defend me, destroy him.
I will continue to bring you my willing sacrifices.
I will praise your name, O LORD,
for it is good.
You have delivered me from all kinds of troubles,
and my eyes have looked triumphantly on my foes.
A Prayer of Jeremiah
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise (Jeremiah 17:14).
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise (Jeremiah 17:14).
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