In the Hour of Your Advent

I’ve begun to understand something I have known for a long time: You are still in the process of your coming. Your appearance in the form of a slave was only the beginning of your coming, a beginning in which you chose to redeem men by embracing the very slavery from which you were freeing them. And you can really achieve your purpose in this paradoxical way, because the paths that you tread have a real ending, the narrow passes which you enter soon open out into broad liberty, the cross that you carry inevitably becomes a brilliant banner of triumph.

It is said that you will come again, and this is true. But the word again is misleading. It won’t really be “another” coming, because you have never really gone away. In the human existence that you made your own for all eternity, you have never left us.

But still you will come again, because the fact that you have already come must continue to be revealed ever more clearly. It will become progressively more manifest to the world that the heart of all things is already transformed, because you have taken them all to your heart.

Behold, you come. And your coming is neither past nor future, but the present, which has only to reach its fulfillment. Now it is still the one single hour of your Advent, at the end of which we too shall have found out that you have really come.

O God who is to come, grant me the grace to live now, in the hour of your Advent, in such a way that I may merit to live in you forever, in the blissful hour of your eternity.

(from Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas)

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As Decay Creeps

Keep me, O Lord, from waxing mentally and spiritually dull and stupid. Help me to keep the physical, mental, and spiritual fiber of the athlete, of the man who denies himself daily and takes up his cross and follows Thee. Give me success in my work, but hide pride from me. Save me from the self-complacency that so frequently accompanies success and prosperity. Save me from the spirit of sloth, of self-indulgence, as physical infirmities and decay creep upon me.

(a prayer of Samuel Logan Brengle, recorded in Portrait of a Prophet by Clarence Hall; please feel free to share this prayer with others using the Twitter, Facebook, and other buttons below. You can also subscribe to this blog in your blog reader or enter your email address at top right to receive posts via email)

My Little Vessel Is As Full As It Can Be

O My God,
Thou fairest, greatest,
first of all objects,
my heart admires,
adores,
loves thee,
for my little vessel
is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out
all that fullness before thee
in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with thee
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless thee for the soul thou hast created,
for adorning it, for sanctifying it,
though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body thou hast given me,
for preserving its strength and vigour,
for providing senses to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.

I love thee above the powers of language to express,
for what thou art to thy creatures.

Increase my love, O my God,
through time and eternity.

(from The Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan prayers, edited by Arthur Bennett; please feel free to share this prayer with others using the Twitter, Facebook, and other buttons below. You can also subscribe to this blog in your blog reader or enter your email address at top right to receive posts via email)

More Thanks Than I Can Give

My Maker and my King,
To you my all I owe;
Your sovereign bounty
is the spring
Whence all my blessings flow.

The creature of your hand,
On you alone I live;
My God, your benefits demand
More praise than I can give.

Lord, what can I impart
When all is yours before?
Your love demands a thankful heart;
My gift, alas! how poor.

O! let your grace inspire,
My heartfelt thanks outpour;
Let every word and each desire
And all my days be yours.
Amen.

(A prayer by hymnwriter Anne Steele, slightly updated; please feel free to share this prayer with others using the Twitter, Facebook, and other buttons below. You can also subscribe to this blog in your blog reader or enter your email address at top right to receive posts via email)

On the Day Before a Feast

For you, who fed the hungry,

May we so break our bread

In constant, costly giving

That others may be fed. 

Amen.

(by Lillian Cox)

For the Commonplace

Lord, help me not take for granted
the simplest of gifts and blessings...

Make me grateful for the everyday, the commonplace,
what's right at hand, always there and at my fingertips...

Help me see what I often miss:
the gift of life itself and the blessing of your love...

(from A Concord Pastor Comments)

Steer

Steer the ship of my life, good Lord,
to your quiet harbor,
where I can be safe
from the storms of sin and conflict.
Show me the course I should take.
Renew in me the gift of discernment,
so that I can always see
the right direction in which I should go.
And give me the strength and the courage
to choose the right course,
even when the sea is rough and the waves are high,
knowing that through enduring hardship and danger,
in your name we shall find comfort and peace. Amen.

(a prayer of Basil of Caesarea; please feel free to share this prayer with others using the Twitter, Facebook, and other buttons below. You can also subscribe to this blog in your blog reader or enter your email address at top right to receive posts via email)

Sure

Listening

Dear Jesus,
Teach me to be a better listener. Soften my heart so that I may receive counsel willingly and with gratitude. When I stumble or make mistakes, give me the humility to accept godly correction so that I may grow in understanding. As I learn to be a good listener, I pray that you would bring me the blessings of spiritual maturity.

(an excerpt from the book, 365 Pocket Prayers, by Ron Beers)

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Wit's End

Thank you
that you are never
at your wit's end.

Bring Them Home

God on high,
Hear my prayer;
In my need
You have always been there.

Make their skies
Smooth and clear,
Get them all
Safely here.
Bring them home.
Bring them home.
Bring them home.

(based on lines from "Bring Him Home," from Les Miserables)

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Please

Forgive me for so often acting
as though it should please you to please me.
May it please me to please you.

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Incautious

God, make me incautious in my dealings with you,

like a little child,

amen.

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Abilities

Abba, Father,
thank you that I can throw a ball and climb steps.
Thank you that I can chop wood and drive a car.
Thank you that I can read a book and chew my food,
sleep through the night and remember my name,
make my wife laugh,
hug my grandchildren,
sing, kneel, taste,
vote, and write.
Thank you that I can dress myself,
earn a living,
tie my shoes,
breathe deeply,
and laugh often.
Amen.

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I Remember

Not Giving Up

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Another Psalm 10

Sometimes, Lord, you do seem far away,
as if you are hiding yourself in these troubling times.
Such wickedness,
so many atrocities,
so much suffering.
It sure would be nice
if you would intervene, visibly and decisively.
It would be great
if you would stop the wicked in their tracks.
Do you see what's going on in Iraq and Syria,
where the works of your hands are being oppressed and brutalized?
Will you not hold the wicked accountable?
Will you let them continue to spread evil,
speaking and acting as if you don't exist?

And what of those who enrich themselves
on the misfortune of others,
the corrupt, the swindlers, the abusers?
They seem to do whatever they want, without resistance.

They spew blasphemy, curses, lies, and hatred.
They deceive well-meaning and gullible people.
They take advantage of others,
preying on the hopeful,
devouring the conscientious,
and exploiting the weak and poor,
as though you are missing in action,
unconcerned,
even blind.

Arise, Lord!
Act, please!
Move!

Show yourself.
Show your concern.
Show the world that you are alive, awake, and in control.

Show up for the helpless.
Show up for the orphan.
Show up for the beaten, suffering, despairing ones.

Strike down the wicked.
Beat back their poisonous ways.
Obliterate their progress and profits.

Assert yourself.
Establish justice.
Restore peace.

Amen.

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A Prayer for Our Prayers

Lord, accept our prayers,
but judge us not through our prayers;
grant them with mercy.

(first century Jewish prayer)

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Wild Grapes

Grant, Almighty God, that as you train us up with so much diligence and assiduous care, and regard us as dear and precious like an hereditary vine--O, grant that we may not bring forth wild grapes, and that our fruit may not be bitter and unpleasant to you, but that we may strive to so form our whole life in obedience to your law, that all our actions and thoughts may be pleasant and sweet fruits to you. And as there is ever some sin mixed up with our works, even when we desire to serve you sincerely and from the heart, grant that all stains in our works may be so cleansed and washed away by the sacrifice of your Son, that they may be sweet-smelling sacrifices to you, through the same, even Christ Jesus, who has so reconciled us to you as to obtain pardon even for our works. Amen.

(a prayer of John Calvin, in his Commentary on Hosea, translated into English in 1846 and updated by me into modern English)

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Veterans Day Prayer

G-d of compassion,
G-d of dignity and strength,
Watch over the veterans of the United States
In recognition of their loyal service to our nation.
Bless them with wholeness and love.
Shelter them.
Heal their wounds,
Comfort their hearts.
Grant them peace.

G-d of justice and truth,
Rock of our lives,
Bless our veterans,
These men and women of courage and valor,
With a deep and abiding understanding
Of our profound gratitude.
Protect them and their families from loneliness and want.
Grant them lives of joy and bounty.

May their dedication and honor
Be remembered as a blessing
From generation to generation.

Blessed are You,
Protector and Redeemer,
Our Shield and our Stronghold.

© 2011 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

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For a Writer's Commute

Thank you that my morning commute

is just two floors down.

Amen.

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What Joy

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Another Psalm 9

I will say a wholehearted "thank you," Lord;
I will brag on you to all who will listen.
You give me joy;
You make me want to sing, O Most High.

Whatever enemies I have are nowhere to be found;
they must be hiding in a hole somewhere,
for you, my righteous king and gracious judge,
are my defender and upholder.

You rebuke those who need rebuke;
you destroy wickedness with your righteous hand.
You embarrass the haughty
and dismantle their schemes,
erasing even the memory of them.

You reign forever;
you rule from your eternal throne,
righteously
and generously.

You are my refuge in desperate times,
my safe house.
I know you, love you, and trust you.
I know you will not let me down.

I will sing to you.
I will make you known,
you who remember my name
and listen to my cries and outbursts.

Save me from self-pity.
Have mercy on me and keep me from ignoring my blessings
and falsely inflating my challenges.
Help me to praise you with my actions,
to rejoice in your deliverance.

Save me from my own stupidity
and teach me wisdom by the stupidity of others.
Make me alert to your wisdom and justice;
let me learn from others' mistakes.

Most of all, save me from my tendency to forget you,
who never forgets me,
who is my constant hope.

Arise, Lord. Assert yourself
over all human silliness and sin--
especially my own.

Remind me constantly of who I am
and whose I am.

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For a New Therapy

Lord God,
you created all that is,
and gave such creativity and intellect to humans;
thank you for all that goes into medical research
and the development of new treatments
for cystic fibrosis,
from which my precious grandchildren suffer.

You know that I have hounded you to cure them,
miraculously or providentially,
as you see fit.

So now I pray for this new development,
for Vertex Pharmaceuticals's application for FDA approval of the combination of ivacaftor (Kalydeco™) and lumacaftor.

Grant approval, Lord.
Even though it's currently only for ages twelve and older,
use this new therapy to give them relief and health,
even as you bless new and ongoing efforts
that will bless Calleigh and Ryder,
even as I pray for you to heal them miraculously,
sooner,
in Jesus' name, amen.

A Prayer of W. H. Auden

O Lord, my God,
Though I forsake Thee,
Forsake me not,
But guide me as I walk
Through the Valley of Mistrust,
And let the cry of my disbelieving absence
Come unto Thee,
Thou who declared unto Moses,
I SHALL BE THERE.

(the solo from W. H. Auden's "The Twelve: Anthem for the Feast of any Apostle")

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A Post-Election Day Prayer

God, thank you
for the right
and responsibility
to vote.
Thank you for volunteers
who man the polls.
Thank you for poll watchers
who try to keep the process honest.
Thank you for all who exercise,
and for all who worked
and fought
and died
to protect and preserve,
this freedom
for all.
Amen.

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New Psalm 81

I sing for joy to you, God my strength;
I shout my praise to you, O God of Jacob!
I will sing and dance and clap and bow

to the music of drum and guitar and keyboard today!

Full Moon or New Moon,

 I will sing songs to you and lift you up.
I will give thanks to you in my native tongue
and with whatever language you care to supply.
For you have removed the burden from my shoulders;

 my hands are the hands of a free man.

I called, and you rescued me,

 you answered me in the storm,

 you refined me through the fire.

I once more cast down my idols,
I once more declare you to be my God, God alone in my eyes.
I cast down my idol of security,
my idol of popularity,
my idol of man’s approval,
my idols of comfort,
ease,
and peace.

You are the LORD my God,

 who brought me out of Egypt.

 I will open wide my mouth, for you to fill it.
I will listen to you;

 I will submit to you.

Mold my stubborn heart
and deliver me from my own devices.
I will follow your ways,
and watch for you to quickly subdue my enemies

 and turn your hand against my foes!
Let those who hate cringe before you,

 and let their punishment be a warning to all.
But let me and mine be fed with the finest of wheat,

 let me and mine be satisfied with honey from the rock.
Amen.

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A Prayer the Pastor Quoted

Lord, don't let me get into any situation I'm going to have to pray my way out of.
Amen.

As Another Week Begins

O Lord, our Heavenly Father, at the beginning of another week we come to you for help and light.

Grant that we make this a sacred day of rest to your service. May we consecrate this day to find all peace and strength in you. Make our hearts beat with devotion so that we may serve you in spirit and in truth. May we live this day laying a good foundation for our coming work.

Be with us in the worship services of your day so that your saints may join in heart and soul. Be with us so that we may receive the blessing promised to all who sincerely pray to you and faithfully hear your Word.

This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray, amen.

Like Saints of Old

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, please give my children and grandchildren the kind of faith exhibited by men and women of God like Abel, who by faith offered an acceptable sacrifice and was commended as righteous.

Give them faith like that of Enoch, who walked with you and pleased you. Let them fully believe in you, and know you as a rewarder of them who diligently seek you.

Grant them faith like that of Noah, who obeyed your word and built the ark, even before there was any sign of rain in the sky.

Let them trust you like Abraham did, who obeyed you and stepped out in faith without even knowing where you were leading him; let them, like him, look for a city with firm foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Let them be as sold out to you as Abraham was when he offered up Isaac. Give them the ability to believe in your promises even—especially!—when it would take a miracle.

Give them the faith of Jacob, who blessed the sons of Joseph and worshipped you with his last ounce of strength, and of Joseph who believed you would deliver your people even when he knew his eyes would not see it.

Grant them Moses’ kind of faith, who chose suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin; let my children esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt.

Give my children and grandchildren the kind of faith that sent the walls of Jericho crashing down, that delivered Rahab from destruction, that empowered and sustained Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephtha, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, achieved righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched flames of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, in spite of fear were brave in battle, and though outnumbered put whole armies to flight.

Let faith in you make them like godly women who received their loved ones back from the dead. Make them like those who stood strong even when they were tortured, refusing release because they believed in resurrection to a better life. Make them like those who endured jeers and flogging, chains and imprisonment. Give them the unshakeable faith of those who were stoned, sawn in two, beheaded, exiled—who became destitute, afflicted, persecuted—of whom the world was not worthy. Give them a faith so strong that even though they may wander in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth, they will nonetheless believe your Word and persevere until the day when you make them perfect, together with all the saints and heroes of the faith, in Jesus’ name, amen.

(based on Hebrews 11:1-40; the art piece, "Moses and the Burning Bush," is one of eleven panels by sculptor Alice Proctor, on display at Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, GA)