Surprise Blessing

Cana Prayer

Whatever you say to me, I will do it.

Whether you say go or stay, I will do it.

Whether it means exaltation or abasement, I will do it.

Whether you ask little or much,
easy or hard,
near or far,
I will do it.

Whatever obedience,
sacrifice,
or submission you ask,
I will do it.

(based on John 2:5)

Memorial Day Prayer

In the quiet sanctuaries of our own hearts,
let each of us name and call on
the One whose power over us
is great and gentle,
firm and forgiving,
holy and healing…

You who created us,
who sustain us,
who call us to live in peace,
hear our prayer this day.

Hear our prayer for all who have died,
whose hearts and hopes are known to you alone…

Hear our prayer for those who put the welfare of others
ahead of their own
and give us hearts as generous as theirs…

Hear our prayer for those who gave their lives
in the service of others,
and accept the gift of their sacrifice…

Help us to shape and make a world
where we will lay down the arms of war
and turn our swords into ploughshares
for a harvest of justice and peace…

Comfort those who grieve the loss of their loved ones
and let your healing be the hope in our hearts...

Hear our prayer this day
and in your mercy answer us
in the name of all that is holy.

Amen.

(from the Concord Pastor blog)

Zarephath Prayer 6

Lord God, you have provided,
you are providing,
and you will provide:
I believe,
help my unbelief!

From unexpected places,
in unmistakeable ways,
with gracious generosity
and gratifying regularity
you have provided for the needs
of me and my family,
and graciously kept our stores
of oil and flour
from running out.

I thank you, Sovereign Lord,
with my whole heart,
and ask you to please
continue.

Amen.

Yard Work

Thank you, God, for yard work,
for the hours behind a lawnmower,
pulling weeds,
or spreading mulch,
when I can think,
brood,
pray,
listen to music,
feel like I'm accomplishing something,
smell fresh cut grass,
get a little exercise,
work with my hands,
and see tangible results.

It's good for me,
and it's a means of grace to me,
for which I give you thanks,
in Jesus' name, amen.

A Prayer of St. Philip Neri, Slightly Revised

My God, beware of Bob, otherwise he will betray you.

Restore

Precious Father, thank you for the act of restoration. It is so amazing to know that when we are broken and wounded, you can put us back together. You can restore that which was lost and we can be found. You can restore our hurts and and we can be whole. You are the one who can enable us to forgive. To show mercy. To bestow grace. You are the restorer of all things and for that we give you praise.

For anyone that is hurting at this time, I ask that you reach out your restorative Hands and pour out a healing balm to their souls. Soothe their spirits. Calm their nerves. Bind up the weary and broken pieces and grant them renewal in a mighty way. Revive them. Restore them. Do a powerful work in their lives that only you can do. We give you all glory and honor and praise that is so due your name. In the mighty, powerful, saving name of Jesus Christ, amen.

(from the highly recommended Daily Prayer blog)

I Don't Know

God, I don't know what you're thinking,
but I know you're thinking.

I don't know what you're doing,
but I know you're working.

I don't know where you're leading,
but I know you are.

I don't know how you'll turn evil to good,
but I know you will.

Amen.

O Man of Galilee

O Man of Galilee,
Stay with and strengthen me;
Walk Thou through life with me,
O Man of Galilee.

(a prayer of Robert Hoggard)

Juggling

Lord, as I write today,
let your creativity flow through me,
along with your wisdom,
your insight,
your interest in people,
and your ability to love
even those with desperate flaws.

Please give me focus
beyond my abilities,
and productivity
beyond my capacity.

You who can juggle galaxies and worlds,
and oversee the activity of angels and humans,
please help me to keep all the balls in the air:
setting,
character,
plot,
subplot,
flow,
pace,
etc.

Make me more like you than I can hope,
you who started my story,
and wove it into the great story
of you and your plans for this world,
this cosmos,
and every soul in it,
in Jesus' name, amen.

We Cry Out

If I Am to Complain

If I am to complain, let me complain to Jesus fastened on his cross. But in your presence, my Savior, what have I to complain of? What are my sufferings compared to those you bear without complaining? I might perhaps convince my fellow man that I am unjustly afflicted, but in your presence, Lord, I cannot, for my sins are known to you. You know my sufferings are far less than I deserve. And since all my afflictions proceed from you, to you I come; give me strength and hearten me to suffer in silence; as once you did yourself.

(a prayer of Claude de la Colombiere)

Hardship

Lord, make possible for me by grace what is impossible to me by nature. You know that I am not able to endure very much, and that I am downcast by the slightest difficulty. Grant that for your sake I may come to love and desire any hardship that puts me to the test, for salvation is brought to my soul when I undergo suffering and trouble for you.

(a prayer of Thomas à Kempis)

A Prayer without Words in Praise of the Creator

El Cielo de Canarias / Canary sky - Tenerife from Daniel López on Vimeo.

A Prayer by Antoinette Bourignon

Come, Savior, Jesus, from above!
Assist me with Thy heavenly grace;
Empty my heart of earthly love,
And for Thyself prepare the place.

O let Thy sacred presence fill,
And set my longing spirit free!
Which pants to have no other will,
But day and night to feast on Thee.

While in this region here below,
No other good will I pursue:
I’ll bid this world of noise and show,
With all its glittering snares, adieu!

That path with humble speed I’ll seek,
In which my Savior’s footsteps shine,
Nor will I hear, nor will I speak,
Of any other love but Thine.

Henceforth may no profane delight
Divide this consecrated soul;
Possess it, Thou Who hast the right,
As Lord and Master of the whole.

(A prayer by Antoinette Bourignon, circa 1640; translated from French to English possibly by John Byrom)

By Grace

Lord God,
to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!

By your grace, I was made;
by your grace, I drew breath.
By your grace, I learned your name.
By your grace, I heard your Word,
and by your grace, received it.
By your grace, I felt your touch,
by your grace, I believed.
By your grace, through faith, was saved.
By your grace, I am forgiven.
By your grace, I have been kept.
By your grace, I have been strengthened.
By your grace, I live,
and move,
and have my being.
By your grace, I pray,
learn,
laugh,
love,
hope,
think,
write,
eat,
see,
hear,
taste,
touch.
By your grace, I am set in a loving family.
By your grace, I am called into ministry.
By your grace, I am loved.
By your grace, I stand.
By your grace, I walk.
By your grace, I mount up on wings like eagles.

By your grace,
all...
only...
amen.

Keep Them Close

Lord, you know what is on my heart today.
You know who.

You know the news my son will hear
and the decision he and his wife may face.

Grant them wisdom, Lord.
Make the dreams you have given them
come true, by your lovingkindness to them,
in your gracious timing,
according to your will.

You know I want to pray to keep them close--
to me,
and to my wife.
But we will let them go if you choose,
and if they do.
But keep them close--
to you,
whatever else may happen,
in Jesus' name, amen.

Grace

Gracious God,
grant me the grace
to show grace
to those who don't show grace,
in Jesus' name, amen.

Morning Prayer

Almighty God, my Father,
you have brought me in safety
to the beginning of this new day;
please preserve me with your mighty power,
that I may not fall into sin
nor be overcome by adversity;
and in all I do,
please direct me to the fulfilling
of your purposes,
in Jesus' name, amen.

Evening Thanks

Thank you, Lord,
for this day now ending.

Thank you for the "nots" of this day:
I was not ill,
I was not insulted,
I was not hungry,
I was not stranded,
not hurt,
not betrayed,
not assaulted,
not afraid.

Thank you also for the "wases" of today:
I was fed,
and clothed,
and washed,
respected,
listened to,
and treated kindly;
blessed,
thanked,
appreciated,
and encouraged.

And now, Lord, you have set your servant free
to go in peace, as you have promised,
for these eyes of mine have seen the Savior
whom you have prepared for the whole world to see,
a Light to enlighten the nations
and the Glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father,
to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit,
who was,
and is,
and is to come,
in Jesus' name, amen.

Remind Me

Dear God,

When I cannot see you,
remind me that you never lose sight of me.

When I cannot hear you,
remind me that you never miss a word I pray.

When I cannot reach you,
remind me that you hold me in your arms.

When I cannot find you,
remind me that you always seek me.

When I cannot trust you,
remind me that you never give up on me.

And when I cannot, well, whatever . . .
remind me that you can, you do and you will . . .

Amen.

(from A Concord Pastor Comments blog)

A Writer's Prayer Against Laziness

God, save me
from laziness as a writer.
Save me from the error of thinking my first draft is good enough.
Save me from settling for second best.
Save me from low standards,
pedestrian thoughts,
stale words,
and pat answers.

Grant me the grace to reread
and rewrite
with diligence and insight.

Grant me the stamina to edit
and revise
with patience and perseverance.

Grant me the wisdom to be utterly unsatisfied
until every piece,
every page,
every paragraph and sentence
shines in such a way as to delight
both the reader
and you,
in Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer from Under the Broomtree

Lord God of Elijah,
I do not ask,
like your servant the prophet, who cried out from under the broomtree,
and asked you to let him die.

But I do ask you to come,
in a still small voice.
Come to my weary heart.
Come to my desert place.
Come to my broomtree.
Come.
Amen.

Just Saying

Lord,
I'm just saying:
there are EASIER ways
to
get
me
to
change.

This is the Day

Lord, this is the day YOU have made.
No one else made this day,
no one else controls it.

This is the day you have made.
Whatever yesterday brought,
whatever tomorrow brings.

This is the day you have made,
yet another anniversary of your Creation
and of your resurrection.

This is the day you have made.
It is my honor, my privilege, my blessing
to be alive to see it.

This is the day you have made.
Whatever awaits, I accept as from your hand
and I will look for you in it.

This is the day you have made.
I will worship you with my whole heart.
My praises and prayers will ascend to you
while I have breath.

This is the day you have made.
I will rejoice
and be glad in it. Amen.

Desert Prayer

A Few Questions

Lord God, help me:
is it arrogant
to point out others' arrogance?
Is it ungrace
to accuse others of being graceless?
Is it sin
to want to show others
their own sins
when they are showing others
their sins?

I bet you're going to say,
"It depends."
Or something wise like that.

You know me, Lord.
You have searched me and you know me.
You look into my heart right now.
I submit to you,
and ask you to forgive my hidden faults,
in Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer in Sadness

O God, come to my assistance;
O Lord, make haste to help me.

Look on me, Lord,
look on my sad heart,
look on my low spirit.

Come to me where I am,
and carry me out of here.

You are the Lifter of my head.
You are my Shield and Strength.
You give me songs in the night.

Gracious God, please turn my mourning into dancing,
and replace this shroud of sadness
with the garment of gladness,
with a crown of joy.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with your Holy Spirit,
in Jesus' name, amen.

Another Prayer of St. Francis de Sales

My God, I give you this day.

I offer You, now, all of the good
that I shall do, and I promise to accept,
for love of You,
all of the difficulty that I shall meet.

Help me to conduct myself during this day
in a manner pleasing to you.

Amen.

(another great prayer from the Daily Prayer blog)

I've Still Got You

When everything else is gone,
I've still got you.
When everything else is wrong,
You pull me through.
When everything else is gone,
Jesus, I've got you.

(a prayer by the Christian rock group, Allies)

A Prayer by James Taylor

Won't you look down upon me, Jesus?
You've got to help me make a stand;
You've just got to see me through another day.
My body's aching and my time is at hand,
And I won't make it any other way.

A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

(by Robert Frost, from A Boy's Will)