At the Close of Another Year

Our great and Gracious God,

As we come to the close of another year, we would indeed make it the prayer of our hearts that you would abide with us.

We thank you that you have been with us through the days of this past year.

Perhaps many a day we have not felt you near,
Perhaps at times we have even felt that you have
forsaken us and forgotten us but we thank you
that it has never been so.
We thank you that you are constantly with your people, and that you have enabled us to persevere in grace,

You have comforted our hearts,
You have heard our prayers,
You have come so often to our aid.
We pray that you will go with us into this new year.

There is none of us who knows what the new year will hold, but we thank you that every moment of that year is in your hands, and you will be with your people.
We thank you that with that promise girding us, we can go forward with confidence and in your peace. We pray that you will help us to walk with you in this new year better than we have ever done before. Forgive us, Lord, for our sins and our backslidings of this past year.

Grant to us, as the days of the new year unfold, an ever closer walk with you.
Help us to put sin to death,
Help us gladly yield our lives unreservedly to Jesus Christ, our Savior, and God that we may regard ourselves entirely at his disposal to be, to go, to do, as he would wish
We pray that it may be our privilege to serve him,
to bring glory to him, to help others to know him better, and to help some, indeed, to come to know him for the first time.
Have mercy, we pray, upon those connected with us who come to the end of this year and their hearts are still closed against you, still hardening their hearts against you.

Spare them, O God, we pray; spare them! Grant that this new year would mark the beginning of new life in Jesus Christ. We are so thankful for the almighty Holy Sprit, for his limitless power
to bring conviction of sin,
to give new birth,
and to draw those who are away from you
to faith and to repentance.
We pray, Lord, that you would do that in the hearts and lives of all who are upon our hearts.
For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

(from Heart Cries to Heaven by David Campbell)

Another Psalm 13

O Lord, sometimes it feels as though you've forgotten me.
I know you haven't. Have you?
I know you never let me out of your sight. Right?

I just have these times.
Moments of anguish in my heart and mind.
Times when I let myself dwell on those who've wronged me.
Sometimes I even go there willingly,
as if it will do me any good to argue my case again,
though it is only inside my own head,
and mainly a futile attempt to answer my Accuser.

Turn to me, O Lord my God!
Help me!
Remove the weight from my mind
and the film from my eyes.

Evict those unhealthy and unwelcome voices from my mind.
Teach me not to give place to them.
Focus my mind, heart, and attention on your unfailing love for me,
on the joy that is mine because you are mine.

Give me a song,
and let me sing of your goodness all day long.
Amen.

A Prayer to Our Great Protector

Great Protector,
shelter us from the storms of life,
give us refuge in times of trial,
and fill us with the peace
which surpasses all understanding.
Amen.

‪(a Moravian prayer‬; photo by nick_russill, via everystockphoto.com)

O Deus, Ego Amo Te

I love thee, God, I love thee—
Not out of hope for heaven for me
Nor fearing not to love and be
In the everlasting burning.
Thou, my Jesus, after me
Didst reach thine arms out dying,
For my sake sufferedst nails and lance,
Mocked and marred countenance,
Sorrows passing number,
Sweat and care and cumber,
Yea and death, and this for me,
And thou couldst see me sinning:
Then I, why should not I love thee,
Jesu so much in love with me?
Not for heaven’s sake, not to be
Out of hell by loving thee;
Not for any gains I see;
But just the way that thou didst me
I do love and will love thee.
What must I love thee, Lord, for then?
For being my king and God. Amen.

(a translation of St. Francis Xavier's O Deus, Ego Amo Te by Gerard Manley Hopkins)

On the Feast of Stephen

Father, on this feast of Stephen,
the first martyr of your church,
I pray for all those
among my brothers and sisters
who today face persecution, even martyrdom.
Give them strength, Lord,
and stamina.
Lift their eyes to their Lord,
as you did for Stephen,
and give them love for their persecutors
and hope for themselves and their families,
in Jesus' name, amen.

Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven,
hold me together;
Be forever near me,
Breath of Heaven.

Breath of Heaven,
lighten my darkness;
Pour over me Your holiness,
for You are holy,
Breath of Heaven.

(excerpt from "Mary's Song," a prayer by Amy Grant and Chris Eaton)

Come, Come, Jesus, I Await You

Night has fallen; the clear, bright stars are sparkling in the cold air; noisy, strident voices rise to my ear from the city, voices of the revelers of this world who celebrate with merrymaking the poverty of their Saviour. Around me in their rooms my companions are asleep, and I am still wakeful, thinking of the mystery of Bethlehem.

Come, come, Jesus, I await you. . . .

I am a poor shepherd; I have only a wretched stable, a small manger, some wisps of straw. I offer all these to you, be pleased to come into my poor hovel. I offer you my heart; my soul is poor and bare of virtues, the straws of so many imperfections will prick you and make you weep--but oh, my Lord, what can you expect? This little is all I have. . . . I have nothing better to offer you, Jesus, honour my soul with your presence, adorn it with your graces. Burn this straw and change it into a soft couch for your most holy body.

Jesus, I am here waiting for your coming. Wicked men have driven you out, and the wind is like ice. I am a poor man, but I will warm you as well as I can. At least be pleased that I wish to welcome you warmly, to love you and sacrifice myself for you.

Amen.

(This prayer, written by a young Italian seminarian named Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in 1902 who would later become Pope John XXIII, has become a Christmas Eve tradition for me, and for this blog).

O Emmanuel

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,
the hope of the nations and their Savior:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.
Amen.

O King of the Gentiles

O King of the gentiles and their desired One,
the cornerstone that makes both one:
Come, and deliver man,
whom you formed out of the dust of the earth.

O Rising Sun

O Rising Sun,
splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death.
Amen.

O Key of David

O Key of David,
O royal power of Israel,
controlling at your will the gate of heaven:
come, break down the prison walls of death
for those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death;
and lead your captive people into freedom.
Amen.

O Root of Jesse

O Flower of Jesse’s stem,
you have been raised up
as a sign for all peoples;
kings stand silent in your presence;
the nations bow down in worship before you.
Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
Amen.

O Adonai

O sacred Lord of ancient Israel,
who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,
who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain:
come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. Amen.

O Wisdom

O Wisdom,
coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other mightily,
and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.
Amen.

To Approach That Day on Tiptoe

Lord Jesus,
the day of your nativity approaches,
the day on which we commemorate
your birth,
your condescension,
your humble incarnation.

Please help me and mine
to approach that day on tiptoe,
with reverence and awe,
mindful of your holiness and beauty,
and grateful for the privilege
of finding
and approaching
and kneeling at
your manger, amen.

Magnificat

My soul magnifies you, Lord.

O Savior of Our Fallen Race

A Prayer for Any Day, Any Time

O Father, let Thy love remain;
O Son, may I Thy likeness gain;
O Spirit, stay to strengthen me;
O Triune God, praise be to Thee.

Incline My Heart to Follow In This Way

O Thou whose eternal presence is hid behind the veil of nature, informs the mind of man, and was made flesh in Jesus Christ our Lord, I thank Thee that He has left me an example that I should follow in His steps.

Jesus Christ said, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.

Jesus Christ said, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.

Jesus Christ said, Do good and lend, hoping for nothing again. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.

Jesus Christ said, Love your enemies. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.

Jesus Christ said, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.

Jesus Christ said, Fear not, only believe. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.

Jesus Christ said, Except ye turn again and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.

Jesus Christ said, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.

Amen.

(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer)

Clement's Praise

You, Lord,
through your works have revealed the everlasting structure of the world.
You, Lord, created the earth.
You are faithful throughout all generations,
righteous in your judgments,
marvelous in strength and majesty,
wise in creating and prudent in establishing what exists,
good in all that is observed
and faithful to those who trust in you,
merciful and compassionate.

(excerpted from a prayer of St. Clement of Rome)

Merton Prayer

Let Me Walk With You

O Master, let me walk with you
in lowly paths of service true;
Tell me your secret; help me bear
the strain of toil, the fret of care,
in Jesus' name, amen.

(a hymn by Washington Gladden, slightly revised)

Where the Night Is Wonderful

O God, my God, the night has values that day has never dreamed of. All things stir by night, waking or sleeping, conscious of the nearness of their ruin. Only man makes himself illuminations he conceives to be solid and eternal. But while we ask our questions and come to our decisions, God blows our decisions out, the roofs of our houses cave in upon us, the tall towers are undermined by ants, the walls crack and cave in, and the holiest buildings burn to ashes while the watchman is composing a theory of duration.

Now is the time to get up and go to the tower. Now is the time to meet You, God, where the night is wonderful.

(a prayer of Thomas Merton, from A Thomas Merton Reader, p. 216; photo is of the Abbey of Gethsemani, where Merton lived as Father Louis)

Another Psalm 12

Lord, is it just me or is no one faithful anymore?
Are there any loyal, dependable people around these days?

So many liars
and flatterers
and deceitful, conniving people.

I would pray for you to silence all the above,
if I wasn't sometimes guilty, too.

My tongue too often gets me into trouble.
My lips are far from pure.
I tell myself I'm better than many,
but since when is that a righteous measure?
When have I ever profited from defending myself
instead of relying on you to be my righteousness?

Your words, Lord, are flawless,
like silver poured from a crucible,
like gold refined seven times.

You alone can keep me safe
and make me right.
You alone can save me
from the deceit of my own heart.

Perfect Icon of God

Dear Lord, help me keep my eyes on you.
You are the incarnation of Divine Love,
you are the expression of God's infinite compassion,
you are the visible manifestation of the Father's holiness.
You are beauty, goodness, gentless,
forgiveness, and mercy.
In you all can be found.
Outside of you nothing can be found.

Why should I look elsewhere or go elsewhere?
You have the words of eternal life,
you are food and drink,
you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
You are the light that shines in the darkness,
the lamp on the lamp stand,
the house on the hilltop.
You are the perfect Icon of God.
In and through you I can see the Heavenly Father,
and with you I can find my way to him.

O Holy One, Beautiful One, Glorious One,
be my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Guide,
my Consoler, my Comforter, my Hope, my Joy, and my Peace.
To you I want to give all that I am.
Let me be generous, not stingy or hesitant.
Let me give you all--
all I have, think, do and feel.
It is yours, O Lord.
Please accept it and make it fully your own.
Amen.

(a prayer of Henri Nouwen, from A Cry for Mercy)

Kindle and Seize Us

Come, Lord,
stir us up
and call us back.
Kindle and seize us.
Be our fire
and our sweetness.
Let us love.
Let us run.

(a prayer from the Confessions of St. Augustine; photo via everystockphoto.com)

A Prayer for St. Nicholas Day

Lord,
while shopping for presents for family and friends,
getting ready to give them more than they need;
while trimming my tree and going to parties,
writing out cards and wrapping up gifts;
while speeding to spend more than I can afford,
on things that will break and soon be forgotten:
keep me mindful, Lord Jesus, of your humble birth
and the claim of the poor on the bounty that's mine...

Amen.

(from A Concord Pastor Comments)

For Blessings My Forebears Would Have Considered Unimaginable

Lord God, thank you for so many blessings my forebears would have considered unimaginable, even miraculous: My fresh-ground coffee was ready when I got out of bed. I'll have cold and hot water any time I want it today. I won’t have to leave this warm house to use the toilet, pay my bills, or do my work. I can get ice at the touch of a button. I can choose from a wide variety of things to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I can keep abreast of the news without buying or picking up a newspaper, will have ample light in every room this evening, and a nearly unlimited choice of books to read.

Fearfully

Excerpts from An Artist's Prayer

Excerpts from a prayer offered by Makoto Fujimura upon accepting the 2014 American Academy of Religion Award in Religion and the Arts:

I pray that some day, in the near future, our children and our grandchildren will see an age when faith and life, art and scholarship, the rational and the intuitive will be so integrated that there will no longer be a need for this award....

I pray that artists will no longer have to be on the defensive as was Mary in that aroma-filled room while disciples grumbled that her perfume could have been sold to feed the poor. “What a waste,” they said. What a waste. Is our art wasteful, too?

Art is gratuitous. Art is extravagant. But so is our God. God does not need us; yet he created us out of his gratuitous love. Jesus astonished the disciples by giving Mary the highest commendation anyone receives in the pages of the Gospels:

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:6 -9)

I pray that in the days to come, this aroma will fill the air whenever the words of Gospel are spoken, that outsiders to faith will sense this extravagant air and feel it, particularly for them. I pray that when our children speak of faith, this gratuitous, intuitive aroma of the love of Christ will be made manifest in their lives....

I pray this sweet aroma of Christ will envelop us, hold us; that even in the darkest hours, this aroma will remind us why it is that we are here, why it is that we can lose everything and yet gain so much....

Ultimately, all I have said is a prayer and invitation to encounter the mystery of the Gospel, one which is still filled with the aroma of Mary of Bethany. I pray that this aroma will invade us too with love and hope. If my work has witnessed in some way to this extravagance of the Gospel, if it has refused these reductions or separations of art and religion, if I have brought my whole self to this work, filled with a great desire, then I have been one steward of this great garden. Without reduction, in the grace of this encounter, let us continue our work in the extravagance of the flower, in a tune that somehow keeps propelling us without words.

(Read the entire speech--and prayer--here)

The Mysteries of Old Age

O Lord, as I grow old, help me to understand Thy mind for me and Thy will. I realize that each stage of life--youth, manhood, old age--has its own problems. Help me to understand the mysteries of old age. I have not passed this way before. Help me to be wise, to make no mistakes, to be serene, patient, hopeful and unafraid.

(a prayer of Samuel Logan Brengle, recorded in Portrait of a Prophet by Clarence Hall; photo via everystockphoto.com. 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)

Another Psalm 11

Lord, I take refuge in you.

It doesn't matter what others say to me,
whether they tell me to flee like a bird seeking shelter
or point out that the wicked are aiming, like expert archers nocking an arrow, to shoot through the dark at me,
or throwing up their hands, saying, "the very foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"

It doesn't matter.
You are in your holy temple;
you are seated on your cosmic throne;
your eyes see it all, you miss nothing.

If I'm being tested, you're still in charge;
you still hate wickedness and oppose violence.
You will punish the wicked
and send calamity on them.

I will rest in your righteousness,
and do my best to reflect it with my behavior,
as I look to you,
as I seek your face.
Amen.

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)

From Ghoulies and Ghosties

From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!

(Traditional Scottish prayer; the artwork pictured above can be ordered here)

A Prayer for This Morning

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

(the daily morning prayer of Martin Luther; thanks to Leonard Sweet for posting this on Facebook)

For Prayerfulness

Today's prayer from the "31 Ways to Pray for Your Kids" app for iPhone and iPad...and my prayer today for my kids and my grandkids.

Resilience

Give me that resilience of spirit that bends, but is never broken.

For upon life's resistances, I will rise.

(a prayer of E. Stanley Jones)

From Stupid Things

From the stupid things I often do,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my lack of thought and care,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my rash and headstrong judgments,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my impetuous quick temper,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my selfishness and greed,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my ego and my pride,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my foolishness and folly,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my delusions and my fantasies,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my wasting time and effort,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my stewing in self-pity,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my indifference and my apathy,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my jealousy and envy,
deliver me, O Lord...

From my grudges and resentments,
deliver me, O Lord...

From all my faults deliver me
and so deliver those whose hearts and lives
are bruised and hurt by mine, Lord...

Deliver me from all my faults
and in their place give me the grace
to be prudent
caring
understanding
peaceable
generous
selfless
wise
truthful
earnest
grateful
compassionate
accepting
and forgiving...

Deliver me from all my faults
and in their place give me the grace
to be faithful, Lord,
to you and to your Word...

Amen.

(a prayer from A Concord Pastor Comments; photo via everystockphoto.com)

The Echo of Heaven's Praise

Father, we rejoice that you have given us Sunday,
the day when we remember that you created the world
and all that is within it,
the day when Jesus was raised from the dead
and death and hell laid waste,
the day in which all things were made and remade.

Father, may we approach Sunday
with longing and expectation;
as the hungry seek for bread,
so may we yearn for word and sacrament;
save our worship from all that is trivial;
rooted in the reality of the world in which we live,
may it yet glimpse the glory of your presence,
and stand in awe at the light of your holiness;
may we sense the presence of all who have gone before us,
hearing in our own songs the echo of unseen heaven's praise,
in Jesus' name, amen.

(From More Everyday Prayers)

A New Mizpah for Miles and Mia

Be near to them, Lord,
all the while I can't.
Hold them close.
Keep them safe.
Shield and shelter them.
Bless and buoy them.

Let them remember their Crappaw and Mimi,
and their Aunt Aubrey and Uncle Kevin,
and their cousins, Calleigh, Ryder, and Avery,
and miss us all,
but not with the terrible pangs of longing
with which we miss them.

Keep them busy and happy and fruitful and joyful
while we are absent one from the other,
in Jesus' name, amen.