Lord God Adonai,
I know if I pray for rain and testing and hardship
you will answer,
out of love,
but today I pray for sunshine
and rest from testing,
and joy,
out of love,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Walk in the Day
Grant, Lord, that I may walk in the day,
and not stumble,
because I see the Light of this world (John 11:9),
in Jesus' name, amen.
and not stumble,
because I see the Light of this world (John 11:9),
in Jesus' name, amen.
Common Supplication
(from the Book of Common Prayer)
Show us your mercy, O Lord;
And grant us your salvation.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
Let your people sing with joy.
Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
For only in you can we live in safety.
Lord, keep this nation under your care;
And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
Let your way be known upon earth;
Your saving health among all nations.
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Show us your mercy, O Lord;
And grant us your salvation.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
Let your people sing with joy.
Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
For only in you can we live in safety.
Lord, keep this nation under your care;
And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
Let your way be known upon earth;
Your saving health among all nations.
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
Amen.
How Can I Judge
Abba, Father,
how can I judge my brother or sister
for the very sins I have committed,
for the wayward paths I myself have taken?
Am I not the chief of sinners?
Am I not unworthy of your grace?
Am I not an undeserving recipient
of your kindness and mercy?
Save me, Lord,
from compounding my sin
with a superior
and self-righteous attitude.
Save me, who knows what it is to be forgiven,
from withholding forgiveness
from anyone,
in Jesus' name, amen.
how can I judge my brother or sister
for the very sins I have committed,
for the wayward paths I myself have taken?
Am I not the chief of sinners?
Am I not unworthy of your grace?
Am I not an undeserving recipient
of your kindness and mercy?
Save me, Lord,
from compounding my sin
with a superior
and self-righteous attitude.
Save me, who knows what it is to be forgiven,
from withholding forgiveness
from anyone,
in Jesus' name, amen.
In Memoriam
Lord, thank you for Ralph Michaels,
who made a difference in my life.
Thank you for a lifetime of faithful,
surrendered,
consecrated,
effective service to you and your kingdom.
Thank you for his example.
Thank you for his wisdom.
Thank you for his graciousness.
Have mercy on Mattie,
and his family,
and all those who grieve his loss.
May flights of angels sing him to his rest,
in Jesus' name, amen.
who made a difference in my life.
Thank you for a lifetime of faithful,
surrendered,
consecrated,
effective service to you and your kingdom.
Thank you for his example.
Thank you for his wisdom.
Thank you for his graciousness.
Have mercy on Mattie,
and his family,
and all those who grieve his loss.
May flights of angels sing him to his rest,
in Jesus' name, amen.
World Apart
(A prayer by Jars of Clay)
I am the only one to blame for this,
Somehow it all ends up the same,
Soaring on the wings of selfish pride,
I flew too high and like Icarus I collide,
With a world I try so hard to leave behind,
To rid myself of all but love,
to give and die...
To turn away and not become
Another nail to pierce the skin of one who loves
more deeply than the oceans,
more abundant than the tears
Of a world embracing every heartache.
Can I be the one to sacrifice
Or grip the spear and watch the blood and water flow?
To love you - take my world apart;
To need you - I am on my knees;
To love you - take my world apart;
To need you - broken on my knees.
All said and done I stand alone
Amongst remains of a life I should not own;
It takes all I am to believe
In the mercy that covers me.
Did you really have to die for me?
All I am for all you are,
Because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart.
I look beyond the empty cross,
forgetting what my life has cost,
and wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain;
More and more I need you now,
I owe you more each passing hour,
the battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago,
So steal my heart and take the pain
and wash the feet and cleanse my pride,
take the selfish, take the weak,
and all the things I cannot hide.
Take the beauty, take my tears,
the sin-soaked heart and make it yours.
Take my world all apart,
take it now, take it now,
and serve the ones that I despise,
speak the words I can't deny,
watch the world I used to love
fall to dust and thrown away,
I look beyond the empty cross,
forgetting what my life has cost,
so wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain,
so steal my heart and take the pain,
take the selfish, take the weak,
and all the things I cannot hide.
Take the beauty, take my tears,
take my world apart, take my world apart.
I pray, I pray, I pray,
take my world apart.
Amen.
I am the only one to blame for this,
Somehow it all ends up the same,
Soaring on the wings of selfish pride,
I flew too high and like Icarus I collide,
With a world I try so hard to leave behind,
To rid myself of all but love,
to give and die...
To turn away and not become
Another nail to pierce the skin of one who loves
more deeply than the oceans,
more abundant than the tears
Of a world embracing every heartache.
Can I be the one to sacrifice
Or grip the spear and watch the blood and water flow?
To love you - take my world apart;
To need you - I am on my knees;
To love you - take my world apart;
To need you - broken on my knees.
All said and done I stand alone
Amongst remains of a life I should not own;
It takes all I am to believe
In the mercy that covers me.
Did you really have to die for me?
All I am for all you are,
Because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart.
I look beyond the empty cross,
forgetting what my life has cost,
and wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain;
More and more I need you now,
I owe you more each passing hour,
the battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago,
So steal my heart and take the pain
and wash the feet and cleanse my pride,
take the selfish, take the weak,
and all the things I cannot hide.
Take the beauty, take my tears,
the sin-soaked heart and make it yours.
Take my world all apart,
take it now, take it now,
and serve the ones that I despise,
speak the words I can't deny,
watch the world I used to love
fall to dust and thrown away,
I look beyond the empty cross,
forgetting what my life has cost,
so wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain,
so steal my heart and take the pain,
take the selfish, take the weak,
and all the things I cannot hide.
Take the beauty, take my tears,
take my world apart, take my world apart.
I pray, I pray, I pray,
take my world apart.
Amen.
My Psalm 85
Lord, you have poured out blessings on your people!
You have guided and been good to us all the way.
You forgave us our many sins,
our stupid mistakes,
our poor leadership,
our petty controversies,
and more.
You held back your fury.
And from time to time, I'm sure, your laughter.
Now restore us again, O God of our salvation.
As you have done before, once more lay aside what we deserve
and shower on us what your love decrees.
Revive us again,
and we will be careful to thank you and celebrate your goodness.
Show us your unfailing love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
I will listen carefully to you,
I will lean in to catch your whispers,
and watch your face closely to pick up on your signals.
Speak peace to your faithful people.
Speak wisdom and victory and righteousness.
Your salvation is near to those who fear you,
so our land will be filled with your glory.
In you are joined unfailing love and uncompromising truth.
In your presence is found righteousness and peace!
In your presence, truth springs up like crocuses from the earth,
and righteousness beams down like starshine from heaven.
Pour down your blessings.
Pour out your bounty.
Send on us a bountiful harvest,
and let your church take to the streets
with news of your kindness.
You have guided and been good to us all the way.
You forgave us our many sins,
our stupid mistakes,
our poor leadership,
our petty controversies,
and more.
You held back your fury.
And from time to time, I'm sure, your laughter.
Now restore us again, O God of our salvation.
As you have done before, once more lay aside what we deserve
and shower on us what your love decrees.
Revive us again,
and we will be careful to thank you and celebrate your goodness.
Show us your unfailing love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
I will listen carefully to you,
I will lean in to catch your whispers,
and watch your face closely to pick up on your signals.
Speak peace to your faithful people.
Speak wisdom and victory and righteousness.
Your salvation is near to those who fear you,
so our land will be filled with your glory.
In you are joined unfailing love and uncompromising truth.
In your presence is found righteousness and peace!
In your presence, truth springs up like crocuses from the earth,
and righteousness beams down like starshine from heaven.
Pour down your blessings.
Pour out your bounty.
Send on us a bountiful harvest,
and let your church take to the streets
with news of your kindness.
O God, If Still the Holy Place
(A prayer of General Albert Orsborn)O God, if still the holy place
Is found of those in prayer,
By all the promises of grace
I claim an entrance there.
Give me a self-denying soul,
Enlarged and unconfined;
Abide within me, and control
The wanderings of the mind.
Give me the strength of faith that dares
To die to self each day,
That bravely takes the cross, nor cares
To find an easier way.
Help me to make more sacrifice,
To walk where Christ would lead,
That in my life He may arise
To hallow every deed.
Amen.
A Prayer for the Oxford, Ohio, Metroplex
(A prayer of U2)
Take this city,
A city should be
shining on a hill;
Take this city,
If it be your will.
What no man can own,
no man can take;
Take this heart,
Take this heart,
Take this heart,
And make it break.
Amen.
Take this city,
A city should be
shining on a hill;
Take this city,
If it be your will.
What no man can own,
no man can take;
Take this heart,
Take this heart,
Take this heart,
And make it break.
Amen.
God, Give Me the Head of a Baptist
God, as J.D. Greear says,
give me the head of a Baptist,
the heart of a Pentecostal,
and the feet of a Jehovah’s Witness.
And I add, please give me the hands of a Salvationist,
the joy of the Church of God in Christ,
and the commitment of a Mormon.
Give me please the integrity of Billy Graham,
the generosity of Rick Warren,
the prayer life of Hudson Taylor,
the servant heart of Mother Theresa.
Help me also to work like an Arminian
and sleep like a Calvinist,
in Jesus' name, amen.
give me the head of a Baptist,
the heart of a Pentecostal,
and the feet of a Jehovah’s Witness.
And I add, please give me the hands of a Salvationist,
the joy of the Church of God in Christ,
and the commitment of a Mormon.
Give me please the integrity of Billy Graham,
the generosity of Rick Warren,
the prayer life of Hudson Taylor,
the servant heart of Mother Theresa.
Help me also to work like an Arminian
and sleep like a Calvinist,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Betrayal and Desertion
Lord Jesus, I've never thanked you
for enduring the betrayal and desertion
of your closest friends.
But I thank you now.
It means something to know
that you know
that pain,
and you forgive.
for enduring the betrayal and desertion
of your closest friends.
But I thank you now.
It means something to know
that you know
that pain,
and you forgive.
Morning Prayer
Whatever comes my way today,
whatever men may do or say,
have your way in me
so everyone may see
I belong to you.
In all my hands may find to do,
let all the glory go to you,
give grace and peace I pray,
let all my actions say
I belong to you.
In waking and in sleeping, Lord,
give what strength your will affords,
and keep me through it all,
make sure I do not fall,
for I belong to you.
(copyright 2005, Bob Hostetler )
whatever men may do or say,
have your way in me
so everyone may see
I belong to you.
In all my hands may find to do,
let all the glory go to you,
give grace and peace I pray,
let all my actions say
I belong to you.
In waking and in sleeping, Lord,
give what strength your will affords,
and keep me through it all,
make sure I do not fall,
for I belong to you.
(copyright 2005, Bob Hostetler )
On My Son's Birthday
Abba, Father, how I thank you for my son, Aaron, and all the good things you have placed in him.
On this, his twenty-sixth birthday,
please bless him and keep him,
make your face shine upon him and be gracious to him,
smile on him and give him peace,
in the name of Jesus, your Son, amen.
The Lorica, or St. Patrick's Breastplate
I arise today Through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength
of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength
of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength
of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength
of his descent for the judgment of Doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches
and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison,
against burning,
Against drowning,
against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.
People Pleaser's Prayer
Abba, Father, please save me from the error
of believing I can please everyone;
and grant me the wisdom
to be satisfied if you are pleased.
Amen.
of believing I can please everyone;
and grant me the wisdom
to be satisfied if you are pleased.
Amen.
Prayer for Church Finances
Lord, I lift up our church finances. May we sow generously into our church without reluctance or compulsion. Make all grace abound so we have all we need for every good work You’ve assigned us. Make us rich in ways that result in generosity on our part so You will be praised. Keep reminding us of your promise to throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessing on all who bring the whole tithe into Your house (2 Cor. 9:6-11; Mal. 3:10).
(A prayer from http://prayerleader.com)
(A prayer from http://prayerleader.com)
Prayer for Cobblestone
Lord, for your church,
my family, Cobblestone, I pray.
Inspire our worship,
empower John's speaking,
inhabit the praises of your people,
show your glory,
make the fellowship of the saints glorious,
and let the distant be drawn close,
and the close be drawn closer,
in Jesus' name, amen.
my family, Cobblestone, I pray.
Inspire our worship,
empower John's speaking,
inhabit the praises of your people,
show your glory,
make the fellowship of the saints glorious,
and let the distant be drawn close,
and the close be drawn closer,
in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 84
I love your dwelling place,
Lord God Adonai!
I hunger to worship you,
I thirst to gather with your people,
and commune with you.
Like a sparrow in its nest,
or a swallow sheltering in a chimney,
I am utterly at home in your presence,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
I love your house;
I love your people.
I love being around those whose strength is in you,
who enter your house intent on worship.
Thank you for those who worship you
wherever you show up,
in a tiny chapel or a majestic cathedral,
in a desert or a rainforest.
You lead such true worshipers from strength to strength,
you show yourself to them without fail.
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Look upon us, Lord God;
look with favor on your servants and ministers.
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand anywhere else;
I would rather sweep your floors, O Lord,
than be exalted in the palaces of the wicked.
For you, LORD God, are a sun and shield;
you bestow favor and honor;
you withhold no good thing
from those who walk with you.
O LORD Almighty,
I am thrilled and honored to trust in you
and call you mine.
Lord God Adonai!
I hunger to worship you,
I thirst to gather with your people,
and commune with you.
Like a sparrow in its nest,
or a swallow sheltering in a chimney,
I am utterly at home in your presence,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
I love your house;
I love your people.
I love being around those whose strength is in you,
who enter your house intent on worship.
Thank you for those who worship you
wherever you show up,
in a tiny chapel or a majestic cathedral,
in a desert or a rainforest.
You lead such true worshipers from strength to strength,
you show yourself to them without fail.
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Look upon us, Lord God;
look with favor on your servants and ministers.
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand anywhere else;
I would rather sweep your floors, O Lord,
than be exalted in the palaces of the wicked.
For you, LORD God, are a sun and shield;
you bestow favor and honor;
you withhold no good thing
from those who walk with you.
O LORD Almighty,
I am thrilled and honored to trust in you
and call you mine.
The Magnificent
(A prayer of U2, believe it or not)
I was born to sing for you
I didn't have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise...
Justified till [I] die....I will magnify
The Magnificent.
I was born to sing for you
I didn't have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise...
Justified till [I] die....I will magnify
The Magnificent.
A Prayer of Clement XI
O my God, I believe in Thee; do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee; do Thou secure them. I love Thee; teach me to love Thee daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended Thee, do Thou increase my sorrow.I adore Thee as my first beginning; I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon Thee as my sovereign protector.
Vouchsafe, O my God! To conduct me by Thy wisdom, to restrain me by Thy justice, to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power.
To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think of Thee, speak of Thee, refer all my actions to Thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shalt appoint.
Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will may be done because it is Thy will, and in the manner that Thou willest.
I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul.
Give me strength, O my God! To expiate my offenses, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state of life.
Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness, hatred of my faults, love of my neighbor, and contempt of the world.
May Thy grace help me to be submissive to my superiors, [gracious] to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies.
Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion.
O my God! Make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in affliction, and humble in prosperity.
Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my employments, and constant in my resolutions.
Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my comportment regular.
Assist me, that I may continually labor to overcome nature, to correspond with Thy grace, to keep Thy commandments, and to work out my salvation.
Make me realize, O my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of Heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity.
Grant that I may prepare for death; that I may fear Thy judgments, and in the end obtain Heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today is the Day
(A prayer of Lincoln Brewster)
I'm casting my cares aside,
I'm leaving my past behind,
I'm setting my heart and mind on You, Jesus,
I'm reaching my hands to Yours,
Believing there's so much more,
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good,
It's good.
Today is the day You have made;
I will rejoice and be glad in it,
And I won't worry about tomorrow,
I'm trusting in what You say,
Today is the day.
I'm putting my fears aside,
I'm leaving my doubts behind,
I'm giving my hopes and dreams to You, Jesus,
I'm reaching my hands to Yours,
Believing there's so much more,
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good,
It's good.
I will stand upon Your truth
And all my days I'll live for You.
Amen.
I'm casting my cares aside,
I'm leaving my past behind,
I'm setting my heart and mind on You, Jesus,
I'm reaching my hands to Yours,
Believing there's so much more,
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good,
It's good.
Today is the day You have made;
I will rejoice and be glad in it,
And I won't worry about tomorrow,
I'm trusting in what You say,
Today is the day.
I'm putting my fears aside,
I'm leaving my doubts behind,
I'm giving my hopes and dreams to You, Jesus,
I'm reaching my hands to Yours,
Believing there's so much more,
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good,
It's good.
I will stand upon Your truth
And all my days I'll live for You.
Amen.
To My Dread Warrior
Lord God Adonai, Dread Warrior,
please shield me and mine
from the Enemy's attacks.
Please defend us
and mend us
and superintend us,
in Jesus' name, amen.
please shield me and mine
from the Enemy's attacks.
Please defend us
and mend us
and superintend us,
in Jesus' name, amen.
God You Reign
(A prayer of Lincoln Brewster)
You paint the night,
you count the stars and call them by name;
the skies proclaim:
God, you reign!
Your glory shines;
you teach the sun when to bring a new day;
Creation sings: God, you reign!
God, you reign,
God, you reign,
forever and ever,
God, you reign!
You part the seas,
you move the mountains with the words that you say;
my song remains:
God, you reign!
You hold my life,
you know my heart and you call me by name;
i live to say: God, you reign!
You paint the night,
you count the stars and call them by name;
the skies proclaim:
God, you reign!
Your glory shines;
you teach the sun when to bring a new day;
Creation sings: God, you reign!
God, you reign,
God, you reign,
forever and ever,
God, you reign!
You part the seas,
you move the mountains with the words that you say;
my song remains:
God, you reign!
You hold my life,
you know my heart and you call me by name;
i live to say: God, you reign!
What Trials
Lord God, you know what trials afflict me,
and what trials await me.
You know all things.
In your wisdom, love, and power,
come to my assistance;
make haste to help me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
and what trials await me.
You know all things.
In your wisdom, love, and power,
come to my assistance;
make haste to help me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord of the Starfields
(A prayer by Bruce Cockburn)
Lord of the starfields,
Ancient of Days,
Universe Maker,
Here's a song in your praise.
Wings of the storm cloud,
Beginning and end,
You make my heart leap
Like a banner in the wind.
O love that fires the sun,
Keep me burning.
Lord of the starfields,
Sower of life,
Heaven and earth are
Full of your light.
Voice of the nova,
Smile of the dew,
All of our yearning
Only comes home to you.
O love that fires the sun,
keep me burning.
Lord of the starfields,
Ancient of Days,
Universe Maker,
Here's a song in your praise.
Wings of the storm cloud,
Beginning and end,
You make my heart leap
Like a banner in the wind.
O love that fires the sun,
Keep me burning.
Lord of the starfields,
Sower of life,
Heaven and earth are
Full of your light.
Voice of the nova,
Smile of the dew,
All of our yearning
Only comes home to you.
O love that fires the sun,
keep me burning.
Small Thanks
God, thanks so much for the things in my life--
big and small--
that give me pleasure.
Help me to notice all of the ways that you've blessed me. Amen.
big and small--
that give me pleasure.
Help me to notice all of the ways that you've blessed me. Amen.
Visit
Abba, visit your people Cobblestone today with your love and power. Send a mighty rushing wind, in Jesus' name, amen.
Morning Prayer
Lord, let my every thought, movement, word, and deed today be guided and inspired and approved by you, in Jesus' name, amen.