Bob Hostetler
Woodworker, builder, craftsman in stone,
in your shop by the smith’s,
in the door of your home,
with plumbline to measure, plane to make smooth,
midst curlings and shavings of sweet-scented wood,
knotted and grained, olivewood, oak,
with bow-drill and bit, wood mallet, awl,
mold table and chair, threshing-board, yoke,
winnowing fork, plow, a child’s handhewn toy.
Sweat-streamed, leather-wrapped,
with ax and adz in hand,
you chisel and chip,
cut, hammer, scrape, grind,
file and sand, polish, and buff,
till your craftsmanship shines
in the figure you form.
Carpenter, Artist, sharpen your tools,
Carve your signature in me.
(copyright Bob Hostetler; no unauthorized reproduction)
A Prayer by Ausonius
(shortened and updated slightly)
Omnipotent God, whom through the worship of my heart alone I know, to the wicked unknown, yet known to every devout soul, you are without beginning and without end, more ancient than time past and time to come; your fashion and extent no mind can ever grasp, no tongue express....
Son of the All-highest, bringer of salvation to the human race, you to whom your Begetter has committed all the powers of his Fatherhood, keeping none back in envy, but giving freely, open a way for my prayers and safely convey them to your Father's ears.
Grant me a heart, O Father, to hold out against all deeds of wrong, and deliver me from the serpent's deadly venom, sin....
Prepare a road that I, being freed from the fetters of this frail body, may be led up on high, where in the clear heaven the Milky Way stretches above the wandering clouds of the wind-vexed moon--that road by which the holy men of old departed from the earth; by which Elias, being caught up in the chariot, once made his ways alive above our lower air; and Enoch, too, who went before his end without change of body.
Grant me, O Father, the effluence of everlasting light for which I yearn, and bring to your altar the offering of a stainless life.
Grant me your pardon, Father, and relieve my anguished breast...and when the hour of my last day shall come, grant that the conscience of a life well spent cause me not to fear death, nor yet long for it. When, through your mercy, I appear cleansed from my secret faults, let me despise all else, and let my one delight be to await in hope your judgment. And if that day delays, keep me far from that fierce tempter, the serpent, with his false allurements.
Claim these prayers as your own before the eternal Father, Son of God to whom I pray, Savior, God and Lord, Mind, Glory, Word and Son, very God of very God, Light of Light, who remains with the eternal Father, reigning throughout all ages, whose praise the harmonious songs of tuneful David echo forth, until respondent voices rend the air with "Amen."
Omnipotent God, whom through the worship of my heart alone I know, to the wicked unknown, yet known to every devout soul, you are without beginning and without end, more ancient than time past and time to come; your fashion and extent no mind can ever grasp, no tongue express....
Son of the All-highest, bringer of salvation to the human race, you to whom your Begetter has committed all the powers of his Fatherhood, keeping none back in envy, but giving freely, open a way for my prayers and safely convey them to your Father's ears.
Grant me a heart, O Father, to hold out against all deeds of wrong, and deliver me from the serpent's deadly venom, sin....
Prepare a road that I, being freed from the fetters of this frail body, may be led up on high, where in the clear heaven the Milky Way stretches above the wandering clouds of the wind-vexed moon--that road by which the holy men of old departed from the earth; by which Elias, being caught up in the chariot, once made his ways alive above our lower air; and Enoch, too, who went before his end without change of body.
Grant me, O Father, the effluence of everlasting light for which I yearn, and bring to your altar the offering of a stainless life.
Grant me your pardon, Father, and relieve my anguished breast...and when the hour of my last day shall come, grant that the conscience of a life well spent cause me not to fear death, nor yet long for it. When, through your mercy, I appear cleansed from my secret faults, let me despise all else, and let my one delight be to await in hope your judgment. And if that day delays, keep me far from that fierce tempter, the serpent, with his false allurements.
Claim these prayers as your own before the eternal Father, Son of God to whom I pray, Savior, God and Lord, Mind, Glory, Word and Son, very God of very God, Light of Light, who remains with the eternal Father, reigning throughout all ages, whose praise the harmonious songs of tuneful David echo forth, until respondent voices rend the air with "Amen."
Sabbath Prayer
by Wendell Berry
The mind that comes to rest is tended
In ways that it cannot intend:
Is borne, preserved, and comprehended
By what it cannot comprehend.
Your Sabbath, Lord, thus keeps us by
Your will, not ours. And it is fit
Our only choice should be to die
Into that rest, or out of it.
The mind that comes to rest is tended
In ways that it cannot intend:
Is borne, preserved, and comprehended
By what it cannot comprehend.
Your Sabbath, Lord, thus keeps us by
Your will, not ours. And it is fit
Our only choice should be to die
Into that rest, or out of it.
Teach Me to Use Life's Circumstances
Teach me, O God, to use all the circumstances of my life today that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin.
Let me use disappointment as material for patience:
Let me use success as material for thankfulness:
Let me use suspense as material for perseverance:
Let me use danger as material for courage:
Let me use reproach as material for longsuffering:
Let me use praise as material for humility:
Let me use pleasures as material for temperance:
Let me use pains as material for endurance.
Amen.
(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer)
Let me use disappointment as material for patience:
Let me use success as material for thankfulness:
Let me use suspense as material for perseverance:
Let me use danger as material for courage:
Let me use reproach as material for longsuffering:
Let me use praise as material for humility:
Let me use pleasures as material for temperance:
Let me use pains as material for endurance.
Amen.
(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer)
When I Feel Like It, When I Don't
Bob Hostetler
Father God, I want to believe in you when I feel like it and when I don’t. I want to triumph in you when the fig tree buds and when there is no fruit at all on the vine. I want to love you when times are good and when times are bad. I want to rejoice in you even when the crop fails and there are no sheep in the pen, no cattle in the stall, and no money in the bank. I want to worship you not primarily to bring pleasure to me, but to give pleasure to you, and to give the glory that is due your name (Psalm 29:2).
Deliver me from the cult of personal experience, and help me to learn anew how to worship you and enjoy you forever, in Jesus’ name, amen.
(the prayer that closes chapter eight, "The Cult of Personal Experience," in American Idols)
Father God, I want to believe in you when I feel like it and when I don’t. I want to triumph in you when the fig tree buds and when there is no fruit at all on the vine. I want to love you when times are good and when times are bad. I want to rejoice in you even when the crop fails and there are no sheep in the pen, no cattle in the stall, and no money in the bank. I want to worship you not primarily to bring pleasure to me, but to give pleasure to you, and to give the glory that is due your name (Psalm 29:2).
Deliver me from the cult of personal experience, and help me to learn anew how to worship you and enjoy you forever, in Jesus’ name, amen.
(the prayer that closes chapter eight, "The Cult of Personal Experience," in American Idols)
My Psalm 33
Bob Hostetler
Lord, I rejoice in you with all your righteous ones,
those whom your praise adorns.
How I wish I could praise you on a harp,
and accompany your praise with a guitar.
But even so, I will sing songs to you, new songs;
I will sing loud and long, with laughter in my heart,
for your word, Lord, is wonderful,
and everything you do is excellent.
You love righteousness and justice;
the earth abounds with your goodness.
Your word painted the canvas of heaven,
and your breath spoke galaxies into existence.
You herd the waves of the sea like a shepherd,
and tell the mighty oceans to “Stay!”—and they do!
The whole earth should worship you,
and everyone with half a brain should revere you,
for you speak and it happens;
you say so and it is so.
You trip up the mightiest generals on earth,
and throw armies into chaos.
But your plans cannot be thwarted,
and when you design something, it will be done.
Blessed is the nation that acknowledges you, Lord.
Blessed are the people who are called by your Name.
You look down from your heavenly throne
and see every soul on earth—all six billion of them!
Nothing escapes your gaze
as you sit on your throne.
You know every heart, and you know mine;
you oversee every deed, and you see mine.
No king is protected by his great army.
No soldier is saved by his own strength.
No amount of air power or ground strength
is sufficient to save.
You alone, Lord, are the hope of the wise,
the banner of victory for all who trust in your love for them.
You alone can deliver me today.
You alone can spare me from defeat and discouragement.
I wait for your deliverance, Lord.
You are my help and shield.
My heart will rejoice in you,
and call my victory what it is—your victory—
because I trust in your holy name.
Lord, please show us your kindness,
because you are our only hope.
You are all we seek.
Lord, I rejoice in you with all your righteous ones,
those whom your praise adorns.
How I wish I could praise you on a harp,
and accompany your praise with a guitar.
But even so, I will sing songs to you, new songs;
I will sing loud and long, with laughter in my heart,
for your word, Lord, is wonderful,
and everything you do is excellent.
You love righteousness and justice;
the earth abounds with your goodness.
Your word painted the canvas of heaven,
and your breath spoke galaxies into existence.
You herd the waves of the sea like a shepherd,
and tell the mighty oceans to “Stay!”—and they do!
The whole earth should worship you,
and everyone with half a brain should revere you,
for you speak and it happens;
you say so and it is so.
You trip up the mightiest generals on earth,
and throw armies into chaos.
But your plans cannot be thwarted,
and when you design something, it will be done.
Blessed is the nation that acknowledges you, Lord.
Blessed are the people who are called by your Name.
You look down from your heavenly throne
and see every soul on earth—all six billion of them!
Nothing escapes your gaze
as you sit on your throne.
You know every heart, and you know mine;
you oversee every deed, and you see mine.
No king is protected by his great army.
No soldier is saved by his own strength.
No amount of air power or ground strength
is sufficient to save.
You alone, Lord, are the hope of the wise,
the banner of victory for all who trust in your love for them.
You alone can deliver me today.
You alone can spare me from defeat and discouragement.
I wait for your deliverance, Lord.
You are my help and shield.
My heart will rejoice in you,
and call my victory what it is—your victory—
because I trust in your holy name.
Lord, please show us your kindness,
because you are our only hope.
You are all we seek.
Independence
Bob Hostetler
Based on the lyrics of "O Beautiful, for Spacious Skies" (by Katherine Bates)
Thank you, Lord, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain;
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
Thank you, Lord, for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
Based on the lyrics of "O Beautiful, for Spacious Skies" (by Katherine Bates)
Thank you, Lord, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain;
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
Thank you, Lord, for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
Rock of Ages
Bob Hostetler
A prayer of Augustus Toplady, slightly revised.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Cleanse my heart and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
I hide myself in Thee. Amen.
A prayer of Augustus Toplady, slightly revised.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Cleanse my heart and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
I hide myself in Thee. Amen.
Part of Always
Bob Hostetler
Lord Jesus, today is one of those days
you promised to be with me
when you said, "I will be with you always,
even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
Do, Lord.
Be with me.
Let me feel you near,
and rely on your presence. Amen.
Lord Jesus, today is one of those days
you promised to be with me
when you said, "I will be with you always,
even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
Do, Lord.
Be with me.
Let me feel you near,
and rely on your presence. Amen.
Meister Eckhart's Beatitude
Bob Hostetler
Meister Eckhart said, "Blessed are the pure in heart who leave everything to God now as they did before they ever existed."
Lord, before ever I was conceived,
you set the stars in the sky,
and the planets in their orbits.
Before ever I was born,
you kept this earth spinning through eons of time,
and never forgot or skipped a single season.
Before ever I opened my eyes,
your eyes were on your servants.
Before ever I could speak,
you spoke.
Before ever I could walk,
you walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the Garden.
Before ever I had accomplished a thing,
you accomplished the "impossible."
So, Lord, I leave it all to you.
I surrender my stupid sense that I am in control,
that I need to make things happen,
that "if it's going to be, it's up to me."
I pray, "Thy will be done."
I pray, "Be it unto me according to Thy word."
I pray, "have Thine own way,"
in me and mine,
in this day and the next,
in what I succeed in accomplishing
and in what I fail to accomplish.
I leave everything to you, Sovereign King,
as I did before I ever existed,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Meister Eckhart said, "Blessed are the pure in heart who leave everything to God now as they did before they ever existed."
Lord, before ever I was conceived,
you set the stars in the sky,
and the planets in their orbits.
Before ever I was born,
you kept this earth spinning through eons of time,
and never forgot or skipped a single season.
Before ever I opened my eyes,
your eyes were on your servants.
Before ever I could speak,
you spoke.
Before ever I could walk,
you walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the Garden.
Before ever I had accomplished a thing,
you accomplished the "impossible."
So, Lord, I leave it all to you.
I surrender my stupid sense that I am in control,
that I need to make things happen,
that "if it's going to be, it's up to me."
I pray, "Thy will be done."
I pray, "Be it unto me according to Thy word."
I pray, "have Thine own way,"
in me and mine,
in this day and the next,
in what I succeed in accomplishing
and in what I fail to accomplish.
I leave everything to you, Sovereign King,
as I did before I ever existed,
in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 32
Bob Hostetler
How blessed I am, Lord, that my sins are forgiven,
my wrongs blotted out.
How blessed I am that you charge no sin to my account,
that I can be honest and exposed before you.
When I am not faithful in prayer to you, I can feel my frame weaken,
every day, all day, is just a groan;
day and night
I feel a heaviness,
and my heart shrivels up
like daylilies in a heat wave.
I acknowledge my waywardness to you;
I can’t hide the fact that I’ve neglected my prayer chair.
I admit, 'I confess
my sinful neglect to you.’
And you, gracious as always, forgive me
and wipe the slate clean.
That is why it is such a delight to pray to you
at all times of the day and night—
when the waters rise,
they will not overwhelm your faithful ones.
You are my refuge,
my sentinel,
my singer and my song.
Instruct me, Lord, and teach me the way to go;
let me not take my eyes off you.
Let me not be like a horse or a mule;
that resists the bridle and bit;
but let me submit readily and willingly
to the slightest gesture or movement of my Master.
The wicked endure countless troubles,
but your unfailing love surrounds me as I trust in you, moment by moment.
I rejoice in you, Yahweh,
I exult in you;
I shout for joy with an open and upright heart.
How blessed I am, Lord, that my sins are forgiven,
my wrongs blotted out.
How blessed I am that you charge no sin to my account,
that I can be honest and exposed before you.
When I am not faithful in prayer to you, I can feel my frame weaken,
every day, all day, is just a groan;
day and night
I feel a heaviness,
and my heart shrivels up
like daylilies in a heat wave.
I acknowledge my waywardness to you;
I can’t hide the fact that I’ve neglected my prayer chair.
I admit, 'I confess
my sinful neglect to you.’
And you, gracious as always, forgive me
and wipe the slate clean.
That is why it is such a delight to pray to you
at all times of the day and night—
when the waters rise,
they will not overwhelm your faithful ones.
You are my refuge,
my sentinel,
my singer and my song.
Instruct me, Lord, and teach me the way to go;
let me not take my eyes off you.
Let me not be like a horse or a mule;
that resists the bridle and bit;
but let me submit readily and willingly
to the slightest gesture or movement of my Master.
The wicked endure countless troubles,
but your unfailing love surrounds me as I trust in you, moment by moment.
I rejoice in you, Yahweh,
I exult in you;
I shout for joy with an open and upright heart.
Prayer Before a Speaking Engagement
Bob Hostetler
No speaker is saved by the quality of his material;
no preacher succeeds by the multitude of his gifts.
Relying on man's approval is a vain hope, a stupid goal;
despite all its allure it cannot save.
My hope is on your unfailing love, Lord;
I hope for your deliverance.
No speaker is saved by the quality of his material;
no preacher succeeds by the multitude of his gifts.
Relying on man's approval is a vain hope, a stupid goal;
despite all its allure it cannot save.
My hope is on your unfailing love, Lord;
I hope for your deliverance.
I Enter
Bob Hostetler
(a prayer of Eugene Peterson, in his book, Praying with the Psalms, June 19)
I enter the place of prayer, dear God,
to listen to what you have to say.
I have been shouted at, accused, and threatened
from the newspaper, radio, and television.
Now I want to hear the syllables of hope
that come in the still small voice of your Spirit
and establish you as Lord in my heart
as well as "Most High over all the earth" (Psalm 83:18). Amen.
(a prayer of Eugene Peterson, in his book, Praying with the Psalms, June 19)
I enter the place of prayer, dear God,
to listen to what you have to say.
I have been shouted at, accused, and threatened
from the newspaper, radio, and television.
Now I want to hear the syllables of hope
that come in the still small voice of your Spirit
and establish you as Lord in my heart
as well as "Most High over all the earth" (Psalm 83:18). Amen.
Summer is Nigh
Bob Hostetler
This year, Lord, is flying by. Summer is nigh. I renew my prayer that you will make this yet--even more--a year of breaking through for Cobblestone. Bring yet more members, greater stewardship, deeper worship, more fruitful children's ministry, greater community and outreach, and even, Lord, a victorious year-of-all-years in our Walk This Way campaign and movement toward a permanent home on our South Farm campus, in Jesus' name, amen.
This year, Lord, is flying by. Summer is nigh. I renew my prayer that you will make this yet--even more--a year of breaking through for Cobblestone. Bring yet more members, greater stewardship, deeper worship, more fruitful children's ministry, greater community and outreach, and even, Lord, a victorious year-of-all-years in our Walk This Way campaign and movement toward a permanent home on our South Farm campus, in Jesus' name, amen.
Haven't Asked Enough
Bob Hostetler
Father, I confess that I haven't asked enough of you.
You have said, "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it."
You have said, "Ask, and it shall be given."
You have said, "You have not because you ask not."
So, Abba, I ask:
More faith, please. Give me walk-on-water faith.
More wisdom, the kind that sees your fingerprints on events and circumstances, and also sees clearly the things you are not involved in.
I pray for more income for my family,
more resources to pay off all those student loans.
I pray for more stewardship in my church,
I pray for $2 million for our first building,
I pray for more commitment, more members, more volunteers,
more passion, deeper worship, stronger marriages.
I pray for a recording studio job for my son,
and for you open the door to home ownership for my daughter.
Help me to lose weight,
to become a better husband,
to improve in my leadership and speaking.
I pray for the sale of Northkill and The Caiaphas Scroll.
I pray for the ministry and financial success of American Idols.
I pray for your hand of blessing on my wife in her studies...a paid internship...and speed her graduation and the onset of a wildly effective counseling ministry for her, in Jesus' name, amen.
Father, I confess that I haven't asked enough of you.
You have said, "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it."
You have said, "Ask, and it shall be given."
You have said, "You have not because you ask not."
So, Abba, I ask:
More faith, please. Give me walk-on-water faith.
More wisdom, the kind that sees your fingerprints on events and circumstances, and also sees clearly the things you are not involved in.
I pray for more income for my family,
more resources to pay off all those student loans.
I pray for more stewardship in my church,
I pray for $2 million for our first building,
I pray for more commitment, more members, more volunteers,
more passion, deeper worship, stronger marriages.
I pray for a recording studio job for my son,
and for you open the door to home ownership for my daughter.
Help me to lose weight,
to become a better husband,
to improve in my leadership and speaking.
I pray for the sale of Northkill and The Caiaphas Scroll.
I pray for the ministry and financial success of American Idols.
I pray for your hand of blessing on my wife in her studies...a paid internship...and speed her graduation and the onset of a wildly effective counseling ministry for her, in Jesus' name, amen.
Refiner's Fire
Bob Hostetler
Abba, Father, some of my friends and coworkers are in the furnace right now,
walking through the flames, not of idolatry but of trial.
Please save them. Keep even their clothes from being singed,
and keep the flames from touching them and their families.
Grant for this period to be a refining fire,
showing them your presence in the furnace,
demonstrating your awesome deliverance (as you did for the three Hebrews),
and bringing them through it all with more faith,
more strength,
and smokin' only with the smell of your touch on them, in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, Father, some of my friends and coworkers are in the furnace right now,
walking through the flames, not of idolatry but of trial.
Please save them. Keep even their clothes from being singed,
and keep the flames from touching them and their families.
Grant for this period to be a refining fire,
showing them your presence in the furnace,
demonstrating your awesome deliverance (as you did for the three Hebrews),
and bringing them through it all with more faith,
more strength,
and smokin' only with the smell of your touch on them, in Jesus' name, amen.
Spiritual Amnesia
Bob Hostetler
Save me, God, from spiritual amnesia,
from forgetting--like your people Israel did long ago, and repeatedly (Ps. 78)--
all the mighty works I have seen you do.
Save me from forgetting how you carried me through deep waters,
how you called me and anointed me and constantly, flawlessly enabled me;
save me from forgetting how you brought me through Red Seas
and sent water and manna,
and led me into your promise.
Save me from forgetting your miraculous work in
Bill Dobias and Cheryl Johnson,
Bob Holzworth and Greg Farthing,
John Johnson and Sharla Racioppa.
Save me from forgetting Walk This Way and South Farm.
Save me from forgetting The Prayer Bible and American Idols.
Save me from forgetting, even last Sunday, your most marvelous working.
Save me from spiritual amnesia,
but give me the memory of faith,
faith as big as your track record deserves,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Save me, God, from spiritual amnesia,
from forgetting--like your people Israel did long ago, and repeatedly (Ps. 78)--
all the mighty works I have seen you do.
Save me from forgetting how you carried me through deep waters,
how you called me and anointed me and constantly, flawlessly enabled me;
save me from forgetting how you brought me through Red Seas
and sent water and manna,
and led me into your promise.
Save me from forgetting your miraculous work in
Bill Dobias and Cheryl Johnson,
Bob Holzworth and Greg Farthing,
John Johnson and Sharla Racioppa.
Save me from forgetting Walk This Way and South Farm.
Save me from forgetting The Prayer Bible and American Idols.
Save me from forgetting, even last Sunday, your most marvelous working.
Save me from spiritual amnesia,
but give me the memory of faith,
faith as big as your track record deserves,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Arrows, Dove, Bones, and Stones
Bob Hostetler
Abba, Father, thank you for the arrows in my quiver,
my children, who make me so proud.
Thank you for my dove, my darling,
my rose of Sharon, my bride,
whose love refreshes and sustains me.
Thank you for the bones and organs in the body,
the church, who complement me
and make up for my deficiencies,
making me whole.
Thank you for the smooth stones in my sling,
my co-leaders in the church,
with whom I know you will slay giants,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, Father, thank you for the arrows in my quiver,
my children, who make me so proud.
Thank you for my dove, my darling,
my rose of Sharon, my bride,
whose love refreshes and sustains me.
Thank you for the bones and organs in the body,
the church, who complement me
and make up for my deficiencies,
making me whole.
Thank you for the smooth stones in my sling,
my co-leaders in the church,
with whom I know you will slay giants,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Thanks for Small Homely Things
Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of small, homely things:
Sunlight through a jar of beach-plum jelly...
A rainbow in soapsuds in dishwater...
An eggyolk in a blue bowl...
White ruffled curtains sifting moonlight...
The color of cranberry glass...
A little cottage with blue shutters...
Crimson roses in an old stone crock...
The smell of newly baked bread...
Candlelight on old brass...
The soft brown of a cocker's eyes,
in Jesus' name, amen.
(based on lines from Peter Marshall)
Sunlight through a jar of beach-plum jelly...
A rainbow in soapsuds in dishwater...
An eggyolk in a blue bowl...
White ruffled curtains sifting moonlight...
The color of cranberry glass...
A little cottage with blue shutters...
Crimson roses in an old stone crock...
The smell of newly baked bread...
Candlelight on old brass...
The soft brown of a cocker's eyes,
in Jesus' name, amen.
(based on lines from Peter Marshall)
Like An Empty Cup
Bob Hostetler
I come to this day, Lord,
and lift my empty cup
to the overflowing fountain
of your strength and sufficiency.
You are more than enough
for all I need this day.
I come to this day, Lord,
and lift my empty cup
to the overflowing fountain
of your strength and sufficiency.
You are more than enough
for all I need this day.
My Psalm 31
Bob Hostetler
In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
Let me not be ashamed;
deliver me because you (certainly not me!) are righteous.
Please listen carefully to me, speed to my defense.
Be my rock of strength once again,
A fortress of safety.
I know you are my rock and my fortress;
I know you will lead me and guide me,
for that will glorify your name.
You will pull me from every trap that has secretly been laid for me,
for you are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit,
for you have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.
I detest the worship of idols—vain, all of them—
for I trust in you, Lord.
I sing and dance with joy because of your lovingkindness,
because you see all my problems,
and know all my troubles,
and you have not let me get backed into a corner,
but have set me in a spacious, luxurious space.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, in times of stress,
when my spirits are low,
and my energy fades.
Ministry is filled with daily griefs,
and relief from sadness is only temporary.
The misery of others drains my strength,
and I tend to escape by eating everything in sight.
The Enemy of your people never sleeps,
and his pawns are always on the job,
working even through your servants, it seems.
Some of them see me on the street,
and turn the other way.
Some ignore me at public events as if I were dead,
as if I were a piece of furniture.
They believe—and spread—rumors about me,
and I often meet people who say they have heard of me,
and then seem to size me up,
as though wondering if I’m really
as bad as all that.
Even so, I trust in you, O Lord,
I say, "You are my God."
My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my Enemy
and from those who hate me.
Smile on your servant;
show me favor.
Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I call upon you;
instead, let the unrepentant be put to shame,
and shut the mouths of those who spread lies.
How great is your generosity, Lord,
which you show to those who revere you,
those who find shelter in you
in the sight of a watching world.
You hide me in the secret place of your presence
where I am safe from all the lying conspiracies of men;
you cover me with your wings
and mute the sound of their lies.
I bless you, Lord,
for you have blessed me in spite of every attack.
Though at times, I admit,
I have felt abandoned by you,
I know you’ve always listened to my cries,
and heard every prayer I’ve prayed.
I love you, Lord,
when I am alone and when I am gathered with the faithful.
I know you preserve the faithful
and allow the arrogant to suffer what they deserve.
With your help, I will be strong and bold,
and hope in you, Lord.
In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
Let me not be ashamed;
deliver me because you (certainly not me!) are righteous.
Please listen carefully to me, speed to my defense.
Be my rock of strength once again,
A fortress of safety.
I know you are my rock and my fortress;
I know you will lead me and guide me,
for that will glorify your name.
You will pull me from every trap that has secretly been laid for me,
for you are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit,
for you have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.
I detest the worship of idols—vain, all of them—
for I trust in you, Lord.
I sing and dance with joy because of your lovingkindness,
because you see all my problems,
and know all my troubles,
and you have not let me get backed into a corner,
but have set me in a spacious, luxurious space.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, in times of stress,
when my spirits are low,
and my energy fades.
Ministry is filled with daily griefs,
and relief from sadness is only temporary.
The misery of others drains my strength,
and I tend to escape by eating everything in sight.
The Enemy of your people never sleeps,
and his pawns are always on the job,
working even through your servants, it seems.
Some of them see me on the street,
and turn the other way.
Some ignore me at public events as if I were dead,
as if I were a piece of furniture.
They believe—and spread—rumors about me,
and I often meet people who say they have heard of me,
and then seem to size me up,
as though wondering if I’m really
as bad as all that.
Even so, I trust in you, O Lord,
I say, "You are my God."
My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my Enemy
and from those who hate me.
Smile on your servant;
show me favor.
Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I call upon you;
instead, let the unrepentant be put to shame,
and shut the mouths of those who spread lies.
How great is your generosity, Lord,
which you show to those who revere you,
those who find shelter in you
in the sight of a watching world.
You hide me in the secret place of your presence
where I am safe from all the lying conspiracies of men;
you cover me with your wings
and mute the sound of their lies.
I bless you, Lord,
for you have blessed me in spite of every attack.
Though at times, I admit,
I have felt abandoned by you,
I know you’ve always listened to my cries,
and heard every prayer I’ve prayed.
I love you, Lord,
when I am alone and when I am gathered with the faithful.
I know you preserve the faithful
and allow the arrogant to suffer what they deserve.
With your help, I will be strong and bold,
and hope in you, Lord.
For Benefit of Counsel
Bob Hostetler
Lord, your Word says, "a wise man listens to advice" (Proverbs 12:15).
You have reminded me several times recently
how you have blessed me
through the counsel of others,
through willingness to seek counsel,
and through willingness to heed counsel.
How many weaknesses have I overcome
due to the counsel of others?
How many griefs have I avoided
due to the counsel of others?
How many blessings do I enjoy
due to the counsel of others?
Thank you for the truth of your Word,
the wisdom of your counsel,
the ways you have blessed me
and made me wise to listen to wise counsel,
to your glory,
to your praise,
to your credit,
and not mine,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, your Word says, "a wise man listens to advice" (Proverbs 12:15).
You have reminded me several times recently
how you have blessed me
through the counsel of others,
through willingness to seek counsel,
and through willingness to heed counsel.
How many weaknesses have I overcome
due to the counsel of others?
How many griefs have I avoided
due to the counsel of others?
How many blessings do I enjoy
due to the counsel of others?
Thank you for the truth of your Word,
the wisdom of your counsel,
the ways you have blessed me
and made me wise to listen to wise counsel,
to your glory,
to your praise,
to your credit,
and not mine,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Prayer for My Eating Habits
Bob Hostetler
Abba, you know I don't treat my body like a temple of your Holy Spirit. I ask you for help in discerning and addressing why I eat the way I do; why I so often eat as though it's the last food I'll ever have; why I perceive food as an entitlement and reward; why I eat uncontrollably when I'm stressed or depressed.
Lord, you are my refuge and strength.
Forgive me for turning to food instead of to you.
Strengthen me and sustain me to choose health instead of eating,
to eat to live and not live to eat,
to control my hunger and urges instead of letting them control me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, you know I don't treat my body like a temple of your Holy Spirit. I ask you for help in discerning and addressing why I eat the way I do; why I so often eat as though it's the last food I'll ever have; why I perceive food as an entitlement and reward; why I eat uncontrollably when I'm stressed or depressed.
Lord, you are my refuge and strength.
Forgive me for turning to food instead of to you.
Strengthen me and sustain me to choose health instead of eating,
to eat to live and not live to eat,
to control my hunger and urges instead of letting them control me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
No Confidence in the Flesh
Bob Hostetler
Lord God, Abba, in Jesus' name I pray:
Grant me to worship you in the Spirit,
rejoice in Christ Jesus,
and put no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3).
Please, Abba: no confidence in the flesh.
NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH,
for I know this is your will concerning me,
amen.
Lord God, Abba, in Jesus' name I pray:
Grant me to worship you in the Spirit,
rejoice in Christ Jesus,
and put no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3).
Please, Abba: no confidence in the flesh.
NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH,
for I know this is your will concerning me,
amen.
Your Timing
Bob Hostetler
Lord, you mystify me with your timing.
You are all-knowing,
and past, present, and future are all the same to you.
Still, I don't know why your timing is so inscrutable and unpredictable...and often maddening!
It's not easy to learn your ways when you never explain yourself!
And it gets pretty frustrating, if you don't mind me saying.
But my times are in your hand...and not the other way around,
so teach me faith,
teach me patience,
and teach me not to expect your gracious working
to follow my timetables,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, you mystify me with your timing.
You are all-knowing,
and past, present, and future are all the same to you.
Still, I don't know why your timing is so inscrutable and unpredictable...and often maddening!
It's not easy to learn your ways when you never explain yourself!
And it gets pretty frustrating, if you don't mind me saying.
But my times are in your hand...and not the other way around,
so teach me faith,
teach me patience,
and teach me not to expect your gracious working
to follow my timetables,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord of My Life, Whose Tender Care
Bob Hostetler
(A prayer by an anonymous hymnwriter, slightly updated and revised)
Lord of my life, whose tender care
Has led me on till now,
Here lowly at the hour of prayer
Before your throne I bow;
I bless your gracious hand, and pray
Forgiveness for another day.
Oh, may I daily, hourly, strive
In heavenly grace to grow;
To you and to your glory live,
Dead to all else below;
Tread in the path my Savior trod,
Though thorny, yet the path to God.
With prayer my humble praise I bring
For mercies day by day;
Lord! teach my heart your love to sing,
Lord! teach me how to pray;
And all I am, and all I own,
Entrust to you alone.
(A prayer by an anonymous hymnwriter, slightly updated and revised)
Lord of my life, whose tender care
Has led me on till now,
Here lowly at the hour of prayer
Before your throne I bow;
I bless your gracious hand, and pray
Forgiveness for another day.
Oh, may I daily, hourly, strive
In heavenly grace to grow;
To you and to your glory live,
Dead to all else below;
Tread in the path my Savior trod,
Though thorny, yet the path to God.
With prayer my humble praise I bring
For mercies day by day;
Lord! teach my heart your love to sing,
Lord! teach me how to pray;
And all I am, and all I own,
Entrust to you alone.
Deliver
Bob Hostetler
Deliver us from evil, Lord.
Deliver us from debt.
Deliver us from self-reliance.
Deliver us from deceitful people.
Deliver us from judgmental people.
Deliver us from perfectionism.
Deliver us from people-pleasing.
Deliver us from greed.
Deliver us from materialism.
Deliver us from schism.
Deliver us from arrogance.
Deliver us from self-deception.
Deliver us from favoritism.
Deliver us from faithlessness.
Deliver us from the fruits of our own stupidity.
Deliver us, in Jesus' name, amen.
Deliver us from evil, Lord.
Deliver us from debt.
Deliver us from self-reliance.
Deliver us from deceitful people.
Deliver us from judgmental people.
Deliver us from perfectionism.
Deliver us from people-pleasing.
Deliver us from greed.
Deliver us from materialism.
Deliver us from schism.
Deliver us from arrogance.
Deliver us from self-deception.
Deliver us from favoritism.
Deliver us from faithlessness.
Deliver us from the fruits of our own stupidity.
Deliver us, in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, I Know Not
(A prayer by François Fénelon)
Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of Thee,
Thou only knowest what I need;
Thou lovest me better than I know how to love myself.
Father! Give to Thy child that which he himself knows not how to ask.
I dare not ask either for crosses or consolations;
I simply present myself before Thee.
I open my heart to Thee.
Behold my need, which I know not myself;
see and do according to Thy tender mercy.
Smile or heal, depress me, or raise me up;
I adore all Thy purposes without knowing them:
I am silent;
I offer myself in sacrifice;
I yield myself to Thee,
I would have no other desire than to accomplish Thy will.
Teach me to pray. Pray thyself in me.
Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of Thee,
Thou only knowest what I need;
Thou lovest me better than I know how to love myself.
Father! Give to Thy child that which he himself knows not how to ask.
I dare not ask either for crosses or consolations;
I simply present myself before Thee.
I open my heart to Thee.
Behold my need, which I know not myself;
see and do according to Thy tender mercy.
Smile or heal, depress me, or raise me up;
I adore all Thy purposes without knowing them:
I am silent;
I offer myself in sacrifice;
I yield myself to Thee,
I would have no other desire than to accomplish Thy will.
Teach me to pray. Pray thyself in me.
My Psalm 30
Bob Hostetler
I praise you, Lord, for you rescue me.
You refuse to let my enemies get the best of me.
Lord God, I cry out to you for help,
and you heal me, body and soul.
You deliver me from the grave, O Lord.
You keep me from falling into the pit.
I sing to you, Lord, with all your saints!
I praise your holy name.
Your anger lasts an instant,
but your favor lasts a lifetime!
I suffer dark nights like anyone,
but then you bring a new dawn, time after time.
When things are going great,
I feel like nothing can stand in my way.
Your favor, O Lord, makes me feel secure.
But when you turn your face away from me, I am a mess.
I cry out to you, Lord.
I beg you for mercy, all over again.
I know you never tire,
but it’s hard to believe you’re not fed up with me.
If you gave up on me now, though,
I could never praise and glorify you any better than I do today!
So hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me.
Help me, O Lord.
You turn my worst moments into occasions for dancing.
You replace my prison garments with party garb,
so I will sing your praises as loud and long as I am able.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
I praise you, Lord, for you rescue me.
You refuse to let my enemies get the best of me.
Lord God, I cry out to you for help,
and you heal me, body and soul.
You deliver me from the grave, O Lord.
You keep me from falling into the pit.
I sing to you, Lord, with all your saints!
I praise your holy name.
Your anger lasts an instant,
but your favor lasts a lifetime!
I suffer dark nights like anyone,
but then you bring a new dawn, time after time.
When things are going great,
I feel like nothing can stand in my way.
Your favor, O Lord, makes me feel secure.
But when you turn your face away from me, I am a mess.
I cry out to you, Lord.
I beg you for mercy, all over again.
I know you never tire,
but it’s hard to believe you’re not fed up with me.
If you gave up on me now, though,
I could never praise and glorify you any better than I do today!
So hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me.
Help me, O Lord.
You turn my worst moments into occasions for dancing.
You replace my prison garments with party garb,
so I will sing your praises as loud and long as I am able.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Envy
Bob Hostetler
Lord God, Adonai, please save me from envy.
Save me from wanting any other pastor's success,
any other church's growth,
anyone else's building,
anyone's circumstances,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord God, Adonai, please save me from envy.
Save me from wanting any other pastor's success,
any other church's growth,
anyone else's building,
anyone's circumstances,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Grant That I May Always Be Right
Lord, grant that I may always be right,
for Thou knowest I am hard to turn.
(An old Scottish-Irish prayer)
for Thou knowest I am hard to turn.
(An old Scottish-Irish prayer)
Thanks in a Heat Wave
Oh, my Lord, it's hot.
The heat these past few days has been nearly unbearable...
and it's not even summer yet!
It reminds me to thank you for shade,
for breezes,
for fans,
and for air conditioning.
Thank you that it's not always this hot.
Thank you for the variety of the seasons.
Thank you for heat waves
that bless us when they subside.
The heat these past few days has been nearly unbearable...
and it's not even summer yet!
It reminds me to thank you for shade,
for breezes,
for fans,
and for air conditioning.
Thank you that it's not always this hot.
Thank you for the variety of the seasons.
Thank you for heat waves
that bless us when they subside.
Batter My Heart
(A prayer by John Donne, in sonnet form)
Batter my heart, three-person’d God, for you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o’erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn and make me new.
I, like an usurp’d town, to another due,
Labor to admit you, but Oh, to no end,
Reason your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captiv’d, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth’d unto your enemy:
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
Batter my heart, three-person’d God, for you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o’erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn and make me new.
I, like an usurp’d town, to another due,
Labor to admit you, but Oh, to no end,
Reason your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captiv’d, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth’d unto your enemy:
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
Thanks for Sundays
Lord, thank you for Sundays,
as hard as they are,
as hard as I work,
as exhausted as they make me,
thank you for the privilege of worshiping you
and seeing you work,
in Jesus' name, amen.
as hard as they are,
as hard as I work,
as exhausted as they make me,
thank you for the privilege of worshiping you
and seeing you work,
in Jesus' name, amen.
General Intercession
(from the Book of Common Prayer)
Make your ways known upon earth, Lord God,
your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your church in holiness
and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of this and every nation,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace
and let your glory be over all the earth, in Jesus' name, amen.
Make your ways known upon earth, Lord God,
your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your church in holiness
and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of this and every nation,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace
and let your glory be over all the earth, in Jesus' name, amen.
If On My Soul
If on my soul a trace of sin remaineth,
If on my hands a stain may yet be seen,
If one dark spot a weary soul retaineth,
O wash me, Lord, that every part be clean;
For I would live that men may see thyself in me,
I would in faith ascend thy holy hill
And, with my thoughts in tune with thy divinity,
Would learn how best to do thy holy will.
If on my hands a stain may yet be seen,
If one dark spot a weary soul retaineth,
O wash me, Lord, that every part be clean;
For I would live that men may see thyself in me,
I would in faith ascend thy holy hill
And, with my thoughts in tune with thy divinity,
Would learn how best to do thy holy will.
My Psalm 29
Bob Hostetler
Lord, I praise you,
from what little strength I have,
for your glory and strength.
I give you glory, Lord, which is your due,
because of your great name.
I worship you for the beauty of your holiness.
You speak, Lord, in the rains:
your glory thunders in the skies
and pours out in torrents.
Your voice is powerful;
your voice is majestic.
Your voice splinters the mightiest trees;
a word from your mouth reduces them to kindling.
Your rumblings make the landscape dance;
your power rattles the mountains.
Your voice flames across the sky in the lightning.
Your voice shakes the forests,
and makes the deserts tremble.
Your voice uproots mighty oaks,
and denudes the forests,
and in your presence every knee bows
and every tongue cries out your glory.
You rule over the natural forces of this earth.
You reign as king over drought and flood,
tornado and hurricane,
volcanos and tides,
fire and ice.
Mighty Lord, Adonai, please give some of that strength to your people
and bless your people with peace, like the calm that follows the storm.
Lord, I praise you,
from what little strength I have,
for your glory and strength.
I give you glory, Lord, which is your due,
because of your great name.
I worship you for the beauty of your holiness.
You speak, Lord, in the rains:
your glory thunders in the skies
and pours out in torrents.
Your voice is powerful;
your voice is majestic.
Your voice splinters the mightiest trees;
a word from your mouth reduces them to kindling.
Your rumblings make the landscape dance;
your power rattles the mountains.
Your voice flames across the sky in the lightning.
Your voice shakes the forests,
and makes the deserts tremble.
Your voice uproots mighty oaks,
and denudes the forests,
and in your presence every knee bows
and every tongue cries out your glory.
You rule over the natural forces of this earth.
You reign as king over drought and flood,
tornado and hurricane,
volcanos and tides,
fire and ice.
Mighty Lord, Adonai, please give some of that strength to your people
and bless your people with peace, like the calm that follows the storm.
Dangerous God
Bob Hostetler
You are dangerous, God.
You scare me.
Not you, exactly,
but the things you call me to,
the places you take me to,
the bold, crazy leaps of faith
you expect of me.
I believe; help my unbelief.
You've shown me over and over again
that I can walk on water
if my eyes are on you.
You've proven that with my God
I can leap over a wall,
I can advance against an army,
I can do all things through the One who gives me strength.
So, dangerous God,
I will.
Help me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
You are dangerous, God.
You scare me.
Not you, exactly,
but the things you call me to,
the places you take me to,
the bold, crazy leaps of faith
you expect of me.
I believe; help my unbelief.
You've shown me over and over again
that I can walk on water
if my eyes are on you.
You've proven that with my God
I can leap over a wall,
I can advance against an army,
I can do all things through the One who gives me strength.
So, dangerous God,
I will.
Help me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Creation Praise
A prayer from the journals of Thomas Merton (May 20, 1961)
Today, Father, the blue sky praises you.
The delicate green and orange flowers of the tulip poplar praise you.
The distant blue hills praise you,
with the sweet-smelling air that is full of brilliant light.
The bickering flycatchers praise you,
with the lowing bulls and the quails that whistle over there,
and I, too, Father, praise you with these creatures my brothers.
You have made us all together and you have placed me here this morning in the midst of them.
And here I am.
Today, Father, the blue sky praises you.
The delicate green and orange flowers of the tulip poplar praise you.
The distant blue hills praise you,
with the sweet-smelling air that is full of brilliant light.
The bickering flycatchers praise you,
with the lowing bulls and the quails that whistle over there,
and I, too, Father, praise you with these creatures my brothers.
You have made us all together and you have placed me here this morning in the midst of them.
And here I am.
John's Prayer
Bob Hostetler
Abba, I pray with my colaborer, John:
I love you, O Lord, my strength. Impart your strength to the leaders of your church called Cobblestone. We want to hear from you, and to be thrilled by the confirmation and continuity we'll hear when we next meet.
But Satan wants us to go in a fog, and to come together on May 22nd dazed and confused, and leave defeated. Crush the bones of our enemy, O Lord; grind them to dust and blow them away. Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle!
Fight for us, El Shaddai... bring glory to your name...bring victory to your people. Sustain us in our fasting, Father; protect us as we pray. Grant us wisdom, patience, and discernment, through Jesus Christ our Lord. So be it.
Abba, I pray with my colaborer, John:
I love you, O Lord, my strength. Impart your strength to the leaders of your church called Cobblestone. We want to hear from you, and to be thrilled by the confirmation and continuity we'll hear when we next meet.
But Satan wants us to go in a fog, and to come together on May 22nd dazed and confused, and leave defeated. Crush the bones of our enemy, O Lord; grind them to dust and blow them away. Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle!
Fight for us, El Shaddai... bring glory to your name...bring victory to your people. Sustain us in our fasting, Father; protect us as we pray. Grant us wisdom, patience, and discernment, through Jesus Christ our Lord. So be it.
Infinitude
Bob Hostetler
God in Christ, I see your infinitude displayed:
infinite love,
infinite mercy,
infinite sacrifice,
infinite grace,
infinite righteousness,
infinite beauty,
infinite purity,
infinite blessedness,
infinite worthiness,
infinite submission,
infinite compassion,
infinite honor,
infinite integrity,
infinite justice,
infinite praise,
infinite wealth,
infinite wisdom,
infinite glory,
infinite majesty,
infinite faithfulness,
infinite abandonment,
infinite condescension,
infinite power,
infinite strength,
infinite Godhead,
infinite manhood,
God in Christ, I praise your infinitude, amen.
God in Christ, I see your infinitude displayed:
infinite love,
infinite mercy,
infinite sacrifice,
infinite grace,
infinite righteousness,
infinite beauty,
infinite purity,
infinite blessedness,
infinite worthiness,
infinite submission,
infinite compassion,
infinite honor,
infinite integrity,
infinite justice,
infinite praise,
infinite wealth,
infinite wisdom,
infinite glory,
infinite majesty,
infinite faithfulness,
infinite abandonment,
infinite condescension,
infinite power,
infinite strength,
infinite Godhead,
infinite manhood,
God in Christ, I praise your infinitude, amen.
Quicken
(a prayer by Caryll Houselander, slightly revised)
Lord, I am the mediocre,
I am the half-giver,
I am the half-lover,
I am the savorless salt.
Lord Jesus Christ,
restore me now,
to the primal splendor
of first love,
to the austere light
of the breaking day;
Let me hunger and thirst,
let me burn in the flame.
Break the hard crust
of complacency.
Quicken in me
the sharp grace of desire,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, I am the mediocre,
I am the half-giver,
I am the half-lover,
I am the savorless salt.
Lord Jesus Christ,
restore me now,
to the primal splendor
of first love,
to the austere light
of the breaking day;
Let me hunger and thirst,
let me burn in the flame.
Break the hard crust
of complacency.
Quicken in me
the sharp grace of desire,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Cyprian's Prayer
(a prayer of Cyprian of Carthage, revised)
Lord, I pray for those in danger of falling away,
that they may recover their footing.
I pray for those standing firm,
that they may not be tempted to their downfall.
I pray for those who have fallen,
that they may admit the gravity of their sin
and realize that it calls for a serious remedy,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, I pray for those in danger of falling away,
that they may recover their footing.
I pray for those standing firm,
that they may not be tempted to their downfall.
I pray for those who have fallen,
that they may admit the gravity of their sin
and realize that it calls for a serious remedy,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Repentance
Bob Hostetler
Abba, how I thank you for your rebukes and warnings.
I repent,
and bow before you in submission
and great gratitude that you have chosen
mercy over judgment,
and kindness instead of humiliation for me.
Now, please, set my feet on higher ground,
and grant that I may serve you in newness of life,
now and forevermore, in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, how I thank you for your rebukes and warnings.
I repent,
and bow before you in submission
and great gratitude that you have chosen
mercy over judgment,
and kindness instead of humiliation for me.
Now, please, set my feet on higher ground,
and grant that I may serve you in newness of life,
now and forevermore, in Jesus' name, amen.
Novelist's Prayer
Bob Hostetler
Lord, as I work on this book,
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.
Lord, as I work on this book,
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.
Non-traveler's Prayer
Bob Hostetler
Lord God, I thank you that I am home.
Thank you that I have no flight to catch today,
that I have no distance to drive,
that I will sleep in my own bed tonight,
that I will be here to kiss my wife goodnight.
Thank you that I have no worries about traffic jams,
detours,
delays,
connections,
and luggage.
Thank you that I will not spend $2 for bottled water,
$5 for a "value meal" (!),
and $10 to park my car.
Thank you for days like these,
when I am a non-traveler.
Lord God, I thank you that I am home.
Thank you that I have no flight to catch today,
that I have no distance to drive,
that I will sleep in my own bed tonight,
that I will be here to kiss my wife goodnight.
Thank you that I have no worries about traffic jams,
detours,
delays,
connections,
and luggage.
Thank you that I will not spend $2 for bottled water,
$5 for a "value meal" (!),
and $10 to park my car.
Thank you for days like these,
when I am a non-traveler.
Fasting Fortnight
Bob Hostetler
Abba, I offer these next two weeks to you as a fast,
a prayer, and ask you to please show yourself to me,
to us (Cobblestone) as a church,
and especially to our leadership team.
Lead us to the fast you have chosen, Lord;
prompt us to seek you sincerely, purely, completely.
Fulfill in us these next two weeks your promise
to answer when we call,
to speak when we are listening,
to lead us when we are attentive to follow.
I praise you and thank you for the spacious place you've put us in, Lord;
that we are even at the point of deliberating on our first building, our next phase, our eventual campus, is a miracle of grace.
Protect us, Lord.
Preserve the leaders of Cobblestone.
Protect them from the Evil One.
Save us all, and guide us, in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, I offer these next two weeks to you as a fast,
a prayer, and ask you to please show yourself to me,
to us (Cobblestone) as a church,
and especially to our leadership team.
Lead us to the fast you have chosen, Lord;
prompt us to seek you sincerely, purely, completely.
Fulfill in us these next two weeks your promise
to answer when we call,
to speak when we are listening,
to lead us when we are attentive to follow.
I praise you and thank you for the spacious place you've put us in, Lord;
that we are even at the point of deliberating on our first building, our next phase, our eventual campus, is a miracle of grace.
Protect us, Lord.
Preserve the leaders of Cobblestone.
Protect them from the Evil One.
Save us all, and guide us, in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 28
Bob Hostetler
I call out to you,
O Lord, my rock;
please don’t be silent.
If you stop speaking to me,
I would feel
like dropping dead.
Hear my words,
and my non-words,
when my soul cries out to you.
See my lifted hands
reaching out to you.
Save me from being enticed by the way of the wicked;
I’m bad enough all by myself.
Make me unlike those who speak peace to their neighbors,
while all the while plotting “war” in their hearts.
Give such people what they deserve,
and turn their wickedness back on them.
Pay them their fair wages,
letting them reap the crop they have sown.
May those who ignore or defame your great works
be knocked down a peg
instead of climbing the ladder of success.
I bless you, Lord,
because you hear me when I call out to you.
You are my strength and my shield;
I trust you, and you help me;
my heart swells with joy in your presence,
and I sing your praises with my whole heart.
Lord, you are my strength;
you alone give me the victory I crave.
Save your people,
and bless those who belong to you:
Feed them and carry them for ever, amen.
I call out to you,
O Lord, my rock;
please don’t be silent.
If you stop speaking to me,
I would feel
like dropping dead.
Hear my words,
and my non-words,
when my soul cries out to you.
See my lifted hands
reaching out to you.
Save me from being enticed by the way of the wicked;
I’m bad enough all by myself.
Make me unlike those who speak peace to their neighbors,
while all the while plotting “war” in their hearts.
Give such people what they deserve,
and turn their wickedness back on them.
Pay them their fair wages,
letting them reap the crop they have sown.
May those who ignore or defame your great works
be knocked down a peg
instead of climbing the ladder of success.
I bless you, Lord,
because you hear me when I call out to you.
You are my strength and my shield;
I trust you, and you help me;
my heart swells with joy in your presence,
and I sing your praises with my whole heart.
Lord, you are my strength;
you alone give me the victory I crave.
Save your people,
and bless those who belong to you:
Feed them and carry them for ever, amen.
Easy Smile
Bob Hostetler
Abba, please give me an easy smile.
Make me quick to laugh,
quick to dance,
and quick to have fun.
You have made my joy full,
I just don't often enough give vent to it.
So teach me to skip again, Lord,
like a child,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, please give me an easy smile.
Make me quick to laugh,
quick to dance,
and quick to have fun.
You have made my joy full,
I just don't often enough give vent to it.
So teach me to skip again, Lord,
like a child,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Constant Prayer
Bob Hostetler
Abba, if I knew you the way I want to know you,
I suspect I would never pray for anything
but more of you.
Abba, if I knew you the way I want to know you,
I suspect I would never pray for anything
but more of you.
Needy and Poor
Bob Hostetler
Abba, Father, I am needy and poor.
Come to me, restore,
cleanse, empower,
renew, in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, Father, I am needy and poor.
Come to me, restore,
cleanse, empower,
renew, in Jesus' name, amen.
Hollow Substitute
Bob Hostetler
Father, you know how easy it is for me to substitute an exterior religious performance for an interior spiritual concern. How hollow and empty it must look to you! Help me to shape my words and acts today in the way you shaped yours toward me in Jesus, in whose name I pray, amen.
(From Eugene Peterson's Praying with the Psalms, April 14).
Father, you know how easy it is for me to substitute an exterior religious performance for an interior spiritual concern. How hollow and empty it must look to you! Help me to shape my words and acts today in the way you shaped yours toward me in Jesus, in whose name I pray, amen.
(From Eugene Peterson's Praying with the Psalms, April 14).
My Psalm 27
Bob Hostetler
Lord, you are my light and my salvation;
why should I fear anyone?
Lord, you are the strength of my life;
of whom should I be afraid?
When wicked people try to mess me up,
when people who hate me try to trip me up,
they will trip themselves.
Even if an army takes positions against me,
why should I worry?
If someone declares “war” against me,
I still have you, Lord.
I ask one thing of you, Lord,
one thing most of all,
one thing I crave,
one thing I will seek:
to dwell in your presence all the days of my life,
to gaze on your beauty,
and to experience you in your holy place.
For I know when trouble comes,
you will hide me in your eyrie;
you will place me out of reach of my enemies
on a high crag.
You will place me where I can look down on those who would hurt me,
and they will look like tiny ants to me,
making me wonder how they could ever have bothered me at all.
Therefore I offer sacrifices of joy to you at every opportunity;
I will sing your praises,
I will whisper your praises,
I will shout your praises,
I will dance your praises.
Hear me, Lord, when I cry out to you.
Have mercy on me, and answer me.
When you say, “Seek ye my face,”
prompt a willing response: “I will seek you wholeheartedly, Lord.”
Please don’t obscure your face;
please don’t be angry with me;
though you know I deserve your wrath,
you have always been my helper regardless of how little I deserve your help.
Stay with me, Lord;
stay beside me, O God of my salvation.
You who are more faithful than father or mother,
hold me close.
Teach me how to become more and more like you, Lord,
and blaze a straight path ahead of me,
so I will not give my enemies reason to rejoice.
Frustrate those who hate me,
who accuse me wrongly,
who blame me for their problems.
If it weren’t for you, Lord, I would have lost hope long ago.
Help me just to wait on you,
to be brave and courageous,
and wait for you to accomplish your good will.
Lord, you are my light and my salvation;
why should I fear anyone?
Lord, you are the strength of my life;
of whom should I be afraid?
When wicked people try to mess me up,
when people who hate me try to trip me up,
they will trip themselves.
Even if an army takes positions against me,
why should I worry?
If someone declares “war” against me,
I still have you, Lord.
I ask one thing of you, Lord,
one thing most of all,
one thing I crave,
one thing I will seek:
to dwell in your presence all the days of my life,
to gaze on your beauty,
and to experience you in your holy place.
For I know when trouble comes,
you will hide me in your eyrie;
you will place me out of reach of my enemies
on a high crag.
You will place me where I can look down on those who would hurt me,
and they will look like tiny ants to me,
making me wonder how they could ever have bothered me at all.
Therefore I offer sacrifices of joy to you at every opportunity;
I will sing your praises,
I will whisper your praises,
I will shout your praises,
I will dance your praises.
Hear me, Lord, when I cry out to you.
Have mercy on me, and answer me.
When you say, “Seek ye my face,”
prompt a willing response: “I will seek you wholeheartedly, Lord.”
Please don’t obscure your face;
please don’t be angry with me;
though you know I deserve your wrath,
you have always been my helper regardless of how little I deserve your help.
Stay with me, Lord;
stay beside me, O God of my salvation.
You who are more faithful than father or mother,
hold me close.
Teach me how to become more and more like you, Lord,
and blaze a straight path ahead of me,
so I will not give my enemies reason to rejoice.
Frustrate those who hate me,
who accuse me wrongly,
who blame me for their problems.
If it weren’t for you, Lord, I would have lost hope long ago.
Help me just to wait on you,
to be brave and courageous,
and wait for you to accomplish your good will.
As for Me
Bob Hostetler
As for me, I trust in you, Lord (Psalm 55:23).
As for me, I will listen to your voice.
As for me, I will bow down to you.
As for me, I will believe you are looking out for me and taking care of me.
As for me, I will rely on you and your timing.
As for me, I trust in you (Psalm 55:23).
As for me, I trust in you, Lord (Psalm 55:23).
As for me, I will listen to your voice.
As for me, I will bow down to you.
As for me, I will believe you are looking out for me and taking care of me.
As for me, I will rely on you and your timing.
As for me, I trust in you (Psalm 55:23).
I Love Your Word
Bob Hostetler
Abba, Lord, how I love your Word.
I love how it teaches me,
comforts me,
calms me,
challenges me,
reminds me,
corrects me,
convicts me,
molds me,
and leads me deeper into relationship with you.
Thank you, in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, Lord, how I love your Word.
I love how it teaches me,
comforts me,
calms me,
challenges me,
reminds me,
corrects me,
convicts me,
molds me,
and leads me deeper into relationship with you.
Thank you, in Jesus' name, amen.
To Know You
Bob Hostetler
Abba, I want to know you
like a sailor knows his knots,
like a true horseman knows his favorite mount,'
like a lover knows his loved one's face.
Teach me your ways, Lord,
so I may know you (Exodus 33:13),
in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, I want to know you
like a sailor knows his knots,
like a true horseman knows his favorite mount,'
like a lover knows his loved one's face.
Teach me your ways, Lord,
so I may know you (Exodus 33:13),
in Jesus' name, amen.
To the Only Wise God
Bob Hostetler
I give praise to you, my Father, ‘the only wise God [my] Saviour’ (Jude 1:25).
You are all wise,
only wise,
infinitely wise.
You are wise in creating,
wise in sustaining,
wise in inspiring,
wise in guiding,
wise in saving,
wise in correcting.
You are wise in all you think,
all you say,
and all you do.
You are wise,
only wise,
and all wise.
May all glory and majesty, dominion and power, be yours both now and ever, amen.
I give praise to you, my Father, ‘the only wise God [my] Saviour’ (Jude 1:25).
You are all wise,
only wise,
infinitely wise.
You are wise in creating,
wise in sustaining,
wise in inspiring,
wise in guiding,
wise in saving,
wise in correcting.
You are wise in all you think,
all you say,
and all you do.
You are wise,
only wise,
and all wise.
May all glory and majesty, dominion and power, be yours both now and ever, amen.
For People Who Don't Like Me
Bob Hostetler
Abba, Father, I pray for people who don't like me,
people who think I'm a jerk,
a hypocrite,
a poor leader,
an awful pastor,
a rotten friend,
a pathetic human being,
a dreadful, dangerous sinner.
They're right.
You know how much I would love
to pray for you to prove them wrong.
But that prayer might in itself fulfill their worst beliefs about me.
So instead, I pray:
bless them, Lord.
I name them, right now....
Bless those I forgot.
Bless those I'm not smart enough to recognize as among that company.
Pour out your goodness on them, Lord.
Heal ___'s hurts.
Give peace to ___.
Fill ___'s heart with forgiveness and grace and kindness.
Make ___ ten times the man I am.
Give ___ a renewed sense of purpose and a renewed awareness of your favor.
Pour out such a blessing,
such mountains of kindness on these your children--
and bring about such growth in grace in my life--
that their low opinions of me
will totally evaporate in the glory
and beauty of what you do in their lives
and in mine,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, Father, I pray for people who don't like me,
people who think I'm a jerk,
a hypocrite,
a poor leader,
an awful pastor,
a rotten friend,
a pathetic human being,
a dreadful, dangerous sinner.
They're right.
You know how much I would love
to pray for you to prove them wrong.
But that prayer might in itself fulfill their worst beliefs about me.
So instead, I pray:
bless them, Lord.
I name them, right now....
Bless those I forgot.
Bless those I'm not smart enough to recognize as among that company.
Pour out your goodness on them, Lord.
Heal ___'s hurts.
Give peace to ___.
Fill ___'s heart with forgiveness and grace and kindness.
Make ___ ten times the man I am.
Give ___ a renewed sense of purpose and a renewed awareness of your favor.
Pour out such a blessing,
such mountains of kindness on these your children--
and bring about such growth in grace in my life--
that their low opinions of me
will totally evaporate in the glory
and beauty of what you do in their lives
and in mine,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Monday Preacher's Prayer
Bob Hostetler
Lord God, it's Monday.
Save me, Lord.
Save me from doubt and depression.
Restore my strength and my energy.
Lead me beside still waters,
help me not to believe the thoughts and feelings that flow from my low energy level and stress about all the things I have to do today.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
the pleasure I find in serving you,
the gratitude for all your kind gifts to me,
and the privilege of leading your people,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord God, it's Monday.
Save me, Lord.
Save me from doubt and depression.
Restore my strength and my energy.
Lead me beside still waters,
help me not to believe the thoughts and feelings that flow from my low energy level and stress about all the things I have to do today.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
the pleasure I find in serving you,
the gratitude for all your kind gifts to me,
and the privilege of leading your people,
in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 26
Bob Hostetler
Judge me kindly, Lord.
By your grace, let me walk in integrity.
By your grace, let me trust in you without wavering.
Examine me, Lord, and diagnose everything that’s wrong with me.
Shine your light into my heart and mind.
I know your kindness tempers your correction,
and my desire to walk in your truth trumps my desire to avoid painful correction.
Save me from hanging around liars.
Keep me far from the company of cheaters.
Turn me away from the paths of those who do evil,
and free me from any desire to make wicked people like me.
I will wash my hands, Lord;
I will bow in repentance at your altar.
I will sing your thanks in a loud voice,
and boldly report to others what you have done.
I love your house, Lord.
I love your church.
I love being there when your people assemble.
I love giving you glory in the company of the saints.
Make me wise,
so that I may not be in the wrong place,
in the wrong company,
at the wrong time.
Lead me in paths of righteousness.
Rescue me, pity me, and lift me,
setting my feet on solid ground, higher ground,
the Rock that is higher than I.
I praise you, Lord, among the company of the committed.
Judge me kindly, Lord.
By your grace, let me walk in integrity.
By your grace, let me trust in you without wavering.
Examine me, Lord, and diagnose everything that’s wrong with me.
Shine your light into my heart and mind.
I know your kindness tempers your correction,
and my desire to walk in your truth trumps my desire to avoid painful correction.
Save me from hanging around liars.
Keep me far from the company of cheaters.
Turn me away from the paths of those who do evil,
and free me from any desire to make wicked people like me.
I will wash my hands, Lord;
I will bow in repentance at your altar.
I will sing your thanks in a loud voice,
and boldly report to others what you have done.
I love your house, Lord.
I love your church.
I love being there when your people assemble.
I love giving you glory in the company of the saints.
Make me wise,
so that I may not be in the wrong place,
in the wrong company,
at the wrong time.
Lead me in paths of righteousness.
Rescue me, pity me, and lift me,
setting my feet on solid ground, higher ground,
the Rock that is higher than I.
I praise you, Lord, among the company of the committed.
Prayer in an Airport Terminal
Bob Hostetler
Lord, I cry to you for help.
Exhausted, I pray for stamina.
Hours of waiting stretching ahead of me, I pray for patience.
In taxiing, taking off, flying, and landing, I pray for safety.
Please cause things to run on time.
Please get me home safely,
and, if it's all the same to you, Lord,
sooner rather than later,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, I cry to you for help.
Exhausted, I pray for stamina.
Hours of waiting stretching ahead of me, I pray for patience.
In taxiing, taking off, flying, and landing, I pray for safety.
Please cause things to run on time.
Please get me home safely,
and, if it's all the same to you, Lord,
sooner rather than later,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Change the Gears
A prayer of Peter Marshall, slightly revised.
Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for doing the things that make me feel uncomfortable and guilty when I pray.
I say that I believe in you, yet I doubt your promises.
I say that in God I trust, yet I worry and try to manage my own affairs.
I say that I love you, O Lord, and yet I do not obey you.
I say that you have the answers to all my problems, and yet I am slow to consult you.
Forgive me, Lord, for my lack of faith and the willful pride that ignores the way, the truth, and the life.
Please reach down and change the gears within me that I may go forward with you, amen.
Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for doing the things that make me feel uncomfortable and guilty when I pray.
I say that I believe in you, yet I doubt your promises.
I say that in God I trust, yet I worry and try to manage my own affairs.
I say that I love you, O Lord, and yet I do not obey you.
I say that you have the answers to all my problems, and yet I am slow to consult you.
Forgive me, Lord, for my lack of faith and the willful pride that ignores the way, the truth, and the life.
Please reach down and change the gears within me that I may go forward with you, amen.
For the Bifocals of Faith
A prayer of Peter Marshall, slightly revised.
Father, give me the bifocals of faith that see the despair and the need of the hour but also see, further on, the patience of my God working out his plan in the world he has made, in Jesus' name, amen.
Father, give me the bifocals of faith that see the despair and the need of the hour but also see, further on, the patience of my God working out his plan in the world he has made, in Jesus' name, amen.
Small Thanks
Bob Hostetler
Lord, I give you thanks, for small things.
Thank you for waking me today.
Thank you for running water, shampoo, soap, and toothpaste.
Thank you for breakfast.
Thank you for the coffee in my cup, and the granola in my bowl.
Thank you for one more day at home before my trip.
Thank you that my children both made it safely to work today.
Thank you that my watch is working,
and my computer,
and my refrigerator,
and my desk lamp,
and my aging body.
Thank you for all the small things in a day's time that go right, and so go unnoticed, in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, I give you thanks, for small things.
Thank you for waking me today.
Thank you for running water, shampoo, soap, and toothpaste.
Thank you for breakfast.
Thank you for the coffee in my cup, and the granola in my bowl.
Thank you for one more day at home before my trip.
Thank you that my children both made it safely to work today.
Thank you that my watch is working,
and my computer,
and my refrigerator,
and my desk lamp,
and my aging body.
Thank you for all the small things in a day's time that go right, and so go unnoticed, in Jesus' name, amen.
Commit
Bob Hostetler
I commit, Lord, I surrender.
I give my all.
I can do nothing apart from you.
I beg you even for the will to beg you;
I rely on you even for the ability to rely on you.
All my help comes from you,
my Maker,
Friend,
Refuge,
and Strength. Amen.
I commit, Lord, I surrender.
I give my all.
I can do nothing apart from you.
I beg you even for the will to beg you;
I rely on you even for the ability to rely on you.
All my help comes from you,
my Maker,
Friend,
Refuge,
and Strength. Amen.
Sparrow Prayer
Bob Hostetler
Abba, you are watchful and mindful when a sparrow falls;
catch and cushion your children...
let your everlasting arms shield and strengthen and support us all, in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, you are watchful and mindful when a sparrow falls;
catch and cushion your children...
let your everlasting arms shield and strengthen and support us all, in Jesus' name, amen.
Easter Prayer
Bob Hostetler
Today my Savior left the grave!
I celebrate you, Lord, my King!
I celebrate your power to save,
I give you every song I sing,
I make this day a prayer to you,
And pray you're pleased with all I do.
Today my Savior left the grave!
I celebrate you, Lord, my King!
I celebrate your power to save,
I give you every song I sing,
I make this day a prayer to you,
And pray you're pleased with all I do.
Good Friday Prayer
O Jesus,
it is not the heavenly reward You have promised
which impels me to love You;
neither is it the threat of hell
that keeps me from offending You.
It is You O Lord,
it is the sight of You
affixed to the Cross and suffering insults;
it is the sight of Your broken body,
as well as Your pains and Your death.
There is nothing You can give me
to make me love You.
For even if there were no heaven and no hell
I would still love you as I do!
Source: catholicdoors.com. Used with permission.
it is not the heavenly reward You have promised
which impels me to love You;
neither is it the threat of hell
that keeps me from offending You.
It is You O Lord,
it is the sight of You
affixed to the Cross and suffering insults;
it is the sight of Your broken body,
as well as Your pains and Your death.
There is nothing You can give me
to make me love You.
For even if there were no heaven and no hell
I would still love you as I do!
Source: catholicdoors.com. Used with permission.
Greater Things
Bob Hostetler
Greater things in me, Lord God, Abba Father, I pray:
greater abandonment to you,
greater discernment,
greater faith,
greater wisdom to lead your people,
greater prayerfulness all day long,
greater communion with you,
greater heights of praise,
greater depths of humility,
greater effectiveness in extending your kingdom,
greater restfulness and trust in you,
greater purity of heart and holiness of life,
greater victory against the enemy,
greater unity with your whole church,
greater clarity of purpose and vision in my life and ministry,
greater productivity in my writing.
Give me faith, O Lord, I pray--faith for greater things, in Jesus' name, amen.
Greater things in me, Lord God, Abba Father, I pray:
greater abandonment to you,
greater discernment,
greater faith,
greater wisdom to lead your people,
greater prayerfulness all day long,
greater communion with you,
greater heights of praise,
greater depths of humility,
greater effectiveness in extending your kingdom,
greater restfulness and trust in you,
greater purity of heart and holiness of life,
greater victory against the enemy,
greater unity with your whole church,
greater clarity of purpose and vision in my life and ministry,
greater productivity in my writing.
Give me faith, O Lord, I pray--faith for greater things, in Jesus' name, amen.
Wild and Crazy Sheep Prayer
Bob Hostetler
Good Shepherd, in me you have a wild and crazy sheep in love with thorns and brambles. But please don't get tired of looking for me.
(From Thomas Merton's journals, April 11, 1948, with a tiny revision)
Good Shepherd, in me you have a wild and crazy sheep in love with thorns and brambles. But please don't get tired of looking for me.
(From Thomas Merton's journals, April 11, 1948, with a tiny revision)
Fill My Life with Praise
A hymn of Horatius Bonar, updated slightly.
Fill up my life, O Lord my God,
In every part with praise,
That my whole being may proclaim
Your being and your ways.
Not for the lip of praise alone,
Nor even the praising heart
I ask, but for a life made up
Of praise in every part!
Praise in the common words I speak,
Life’s common looks and tones,
In fellowship wherever I am
With my belovèd ones;
Not in the "church crowd" alone
Where holy voices chime,
But in the silent paths of earth,
The quiet rooms of time.
Fill every part of me with praise;
Let all my being speak
Of you and of your love, O Lord,
Poor though I be, and weak.
So will you, Lord, from me, even me,
Receive the glory due;
And so shall I begin on earth
The song forever new.
So shall each fear, each fret, each care
Be turned into a song,
And every winding of the way
The echo shall prolong;
So do each part of day or night
With sacredness imbue,
That all my life, in every step
Be fellowship with you.
Fill up my life, O Lord my God,
In every part with praise,
That my whole being may proclaim
Your being and your ways.
Not for the lip of praise alone,
Nor even the praising heart
I ask, but for a life made up
Of praise in every part!
Praise in the common words I speak,
Life’s common looks and tones,
In fellowship wherever I am
With my belovèd ones;
Not in the "church crowd" alone
Where holy voices chime,
But in the silent paths of earth,
The quiet rooms of time.
Fill every part of me with praise;
Let all my being speak
Of you and of your love, O Lord,
Poor though I be, and weak.
So will you, Lord, from me, even me,
Receive the glory due;
And so shall I begin on earth
The song forever new.
So shall each fear, each fret, each care
Be turned into a song,
And every winding of the way
The echo shall prolong;
So do each part of day or night
With sacredness imbue,
That all my life, in every step
Be fellowship with you.
Spring
Bob Hostetler
Lord, Gerard Manley Hopkins was right:
Nothing is so beautiful as spring—
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;
Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.
What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden.—Have, get, before it cloy,
Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.
Thank you, Lord, amen.
Lord, Gerard Manley Hopkins was right:
Nothing is so beautiful as spring—
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;
Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.
What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden.—Have, get, before it cloy,
Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.
Thank you, Lord, amen.
My Psalm 25
Bob Hostetler
O Lord, I lift up my soul to you.
O my God, I trust in you:
let me not be ashamed,
or defeated by my enemies.
In fact, let none who trusts you be ashamed,
but rather let schemers and swindlers be ashamed.
Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me to walk in your footsteps.
Light my way with your truth,
and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation.
Help me to wait on you throughout the day.
Persevere in your tender mercies and lovingkindnesses toward me, Lord.
They’ve lasted this long; let them endure through my days.
As you have forgotten the sins of my youth,
so wipe clean my latest transgressions.
Look on me through eyes of mercy,
and smile on me today, O Lord.
You are utterly good and upright, Lord.
You are the ultimate Teacher and Guide,
showing even the worst sinners like me the way they should go.
You lead the meek along right paths,
and make the most humble your disciples.
You blaze paths of mercy and truth
for all those who keep your covenant and obey your commands.
For the sake of your name and your reputation, Lord,
make me a man who walks in forgiveness, despite my many sins;
make me a student who listens reverently to you and follows your teachings;
make me an heir who dwells at ease,
whose children enjoy a rich legacy from you;
make me your friend and confidante, Lord,
show me (like Peter) things only you can impart.
I look to you for everything, Lord,
for you alone keep me safe from the snares that surround me.
Look to me, Lord, and have mercy upon me,
for apart from you I am desolate and afflicted.
When my heart swells with sorrows, please lift me out of my distress.
Look tenderly on me, heal my pain, and forgive all my sins.
And meanwhile, don’t forget my enemies,
for they are many, and I can’t stand against them unless you stand for me.
Divine Watcher, watch over my soul;
Dread Warrior, fight for me;
God my Defender, vindicate me, for I rely on you.
Let your integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I have none of my own;
I wait on you.
As with me, so with all your people:
Redeem them all, O God, out of all their troubles.
O Lord, I lift up my soul to you.
O my God, I trust in you:
let me not be ashamed,
or defeated by my enemies.
In fact, let none who trusts you be ashamed,
but rather let schemers and swindlers be ashamed.
Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me to walk in your footsteps.
Light my way with your truth,
and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation.
Help me to wait on you throughout the day.
Persevere in your tender mercies and lovingkindnesses toward me, Lord.
They’ve lasted this long; let them endure through my days.
As you have forgotten the sins of my youth,
so wipe clean my latest transgressions.
Look on me through eyes of mercy,
and smile on me today, O Lord.
You are utterly good and upright, Lord.
You are the ultimate Teacher and Guide,
showing even the worst sinners like me the way they should go.
You lead the meek along right paths,
and make the most humble your disciples.
You blaze paths of mercy and truth
for all those who keep your covenant and obey your commands.
For the sake of your name and your reputation, Lord,
make me a man who walks in forgiveness, despite my many sins;
make me a student who listens reverently to you and follows your teachings;
make me an heir who dwells at ease,
whose children enjoy a rich legacy from you;
make me your friend and confidante, Lord,
show me (like Peter) things only you can impart.
I look to you for everything, Lord,
for you alone keep me safe from the snares that surround me.
Look to me, Lord, and have mercy upon me,
for apart from you I am desolate and afflicted.
When my heart swells with sorrows, please lift me out of my distress.
Look tenderly on me, heal my pain, and forgive all my sins.
And meanwhile, don’t forget my enemies,
for they are many, and I can’t stand against them unless you stand for me.
Divine Watcher, watch over my soul;
Dread Warrior, fight for me;
God my Defender, vindicate me, for I rely on you.
Let your integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I have none of my own;
I wait on you.
As with me, so with all your people:
Redeem them all, O God, out of all their troubles.
Number my Days
Bob Hostetler
Lord, teach me to number my days aright,
that I may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90).
Help me to do today the things that matter,
not to waste the time I have.
Remind me that every moment I have is precious.
Help me to redeem whatever time you give me,
that I may be glad and rejoice all the days of my life, in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, teach me to number my days aright,
that I may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90).
Help me to do today the things that matter,
not to waste the time I have.
Remind me that every moment I have is precious.
Help me to redeem whatever time you give me,
that I may be glad and rejoice all the days of my life, in Jesus' name, amen.
How Precious is Life
Bob Hostetler
Adonai, my God, you sure have given me frequent reminders lately--like hitting me over the head with a sledgehammer--of how precious life is.
Thank you for my own life, every heartbeat,
every waking moment, every sleeping breath.
Thank you for the precious life of my bride,
for every moment we have together,
for every intimacy,
every smile,
even every frustration (I would sooner take millions of them than not have her).
Thank you for the precious life of my daughter, my Blossom,
thank you for every kiss she gives me,
every sassy remark (give me many, many more),
every moment, every moment, every moment.
Thank you for the precious life of my son, my Boomer,
for the sound of his heavy foot upstairs and down,
for every time he makes fun of me (give me many, many more),
every moment, every moment, every moment.
How precious, Lord, is my life and theirs.
How precious is every friend you've spared me thus far,
and every family member.
Please help me to remember how precious life is not only when it is taken away, but when it lingers, too, in Jesus' name, amen.
Adonai, my God, you sure have given me frequent reminders lately--like hitting me over the head with a sledgehammer--of how precious life is.
Thank you for my own life, every heartbeat,
every waking moment, every sleeping breath.
Thank you for the precious life of my bride,
for every moment we have together,
for every intimacy,
every smile,
even every frustration (I would sooner take millions of them than not have her).
Thank you for the precious life of my daughter, my Blossom,
thank you for every kiss she gives me,
every sassy remark (give me many, many more),
every moment, every moment, every moment.
Thank you for the precious life of my son, my Boomer,
for the sound of his heavy foot upstairs and down,
for every time he makes fun of me (give me many, many more),
every moment, every moment, every moment.
How precious, Lord, is my life and theirs.
How precious is every friend you've spared me thus far,
and every family member.
Please help me to remember how precious life is not only when it is taken away, but when it lingers, too, in Jesus' name, amen.
Free
Bob Hostetler
Adonai, I praise you and thank you
that the Son has set me free;
I am free indeed.
I am free to laugh,
I am free to dance,
I am free to sing,
I am free to follow you,
I am free to walk in the light,
I am free to say no,
I am free to say yes,
I am free to go,
I am free to stay,
I am free to say "I'm sorry,"
I am free to say "I love you,"
I am free to work,
I am free to rest,
I am free,
I am free indeed.
Thank you, in Jesus' name, amen.
Adonai, I praise you and thank you
that the Son has set me free;
I am free indeed.
I am free to laugh,
I am free to dance,
I am free to sing,
I am free to follow you,
I am free to walk in the light,
I am free to say no,
I am free to say yes,
I am free to go,
I am free to stay,
I am free to say "I'm sorry,"
I am free to say "I love you,"
I am free to work,
I am free to rest,
I am free,
I am free indeed.
Thank you, in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 24
Bob Hostetler
The earth is yours, Lord, and everything in it;
the whole world, and all its people, belong to you.
For you started it all,
building it up from the ocean depths,
and parting land and sea.
I long to ascend into your hill, Lord.
I ache to stand in your holy place.
Cleanse my hands, and purify my heart;
rid my heart of its idols, and purge my tongue of its lies.
Pour out your blessing on me, Lord,
and fill me again with your righteousness, God of my salvation.
Turn my heart again to seek you wholeheartedly,
to seek your face, O God of Jacob.
I open the gates to you, Lord;
I swing open the doors like the gates of Jerusalem,
that the King of glory may enter in.
You are my King; you are my glory.
You are Adonai, strong and mighty,
Adonai, my Dread Warrior.
I open the gates to you, Lord;
I swing open the doors like the gates of Jerusalem,
that the King of glory may enter in.
You are my King; you are my glory,
the Lord of hosts, the King of glory, amen.
The earth is yours, Lord, and everything in it;
the whole world, and all its people, belong to you.
For you started it all,
building it up from the ocean depths,
and parting land and sea.
I long to ascend into your hill, Lord.
I ache to stand in your holy place.
Cleanse my hands, and purify my heart;
rid my heart of its idols, and purge my tongue of its lies.
Pour out your blessing on me, Lord,
and fill me again with your righteousness, God of my salvation.
Turn my heart again to seek you wholeheartedly,
to seek your face, O God of Jacob.
I open the gates to you, Lord;
I swing open the doors like the gates of Jerusalem,
that the King of glory may enter in.
You are my King; you are my glory.
You are Adonai, strong and mighty,
Adonai, my Dread Warrior.
I open the gates to you, Lord;
I swing open the doors like the gates of Jerusalem,
that the King of glory may enter in.
You are my King; you are my glory,
the Lord of hosts, the King of glory, amen.
Prayer for Monday (based on a hymn by Charles Wesley)
Bob Hostetler
Be pleased to keep me, Lord, this day
Without committing sin,
And let me not one moment stray
From a prayerful mode within.
You can from every sin secure;
I know it is your will
To preserve your servant pure
From every touch of ill.
So, Lord, I bow before you now,
My soul on you depends,
To see me safely, purely through
Until this day shall end.
Be pleased to keep me, Lord, this day
Without committing sin,
And let me not one moment stray
From a prayerful mode within.
You can from every sin secure;
I know it is your will
To preserve your servant pure
From every touch of ill.
So, Lord, I bow before you now,
My soul on you depends,
To see me safely, purely through
Until this day shall end.
Pastor Prayer
Bob Hostetler
Remind me, Lord, when I'm tempted to panic by the complaints (legitimate and otherwise) of your people, that you've brought us all through choppy waters before.
Remind me that I've heard:
"You should really preach from the NIV."
"You don't use the King James Version?"
"Please don't use so many different translations."
"We need to sing more hymns."
"I need more Spirit-filled worship."
"I need deeper teaching."
"The music's boring."
"The music's too repetitive."
"The music's too loud."
"I couldn't hear a thing."
"The powerpoint was messed up."
"You shouldn't hug people."
"The announcements are too long."
"The announcements are too repetitive."
"You didn't make any announcements."
"The worship leader closes his eyes."
"The worship leader was off-key."
"The worship leader's mic was too loud."
"The instruments drowned out the voices."
"Why won't you meet with my son?"
"I was upset that you didn't call."
"I was upset that you showed up at my house without calling first."
"You shouldn't show videos in church."
"I couldn't get connected at your church."
"I can't attend anymore because people notice when I've been gone and ask where I've been."
"You repeat the same chorus too many times."
"You should try preaching without notes."
"I don't think the way you do communion is biblical."
"You're trying to be too seeker-friendly."
"That wasn't very seeker-friendly."
"You're just trying to be another Cincinnati Vineyard."
"You really need to be more like Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill."
"What was wrong with the coffee this week?"
"Your position on [pick a doctrine or issue] isn't strong enough."
"Your position on [pick a doctrine or issue] is too strong."
Remind me, Lord, that you are often pleased with something that doesn't particularly please your precious sheep. Help me to look for your approval, and be wise when I encounter the approval OR disapproval of the flock, in Jesus' name, amen.
Remind me, Lord, when I'm tempted to panic by the complaints (legitimate and otherwise) of your people, that you've brought us all through choppy waters before.
Remind me that I've heard:
"You should really preach from the NIV."
"You don't use the King James Version?"
"Please don't use so many different translations."
"We need to sing more hymns."
"I need more Spirit-filled worship."
"I need deeper teaching."
"The music's boring."
"The music's too repetitive."
"The music's too loud."
"I couldn't hear a thing."
"The powerpoint was messed up."
"You shouldn't hug people."
"The announcements are too long."
"The announcements are too repetitive."
"You didn't make any announcements."
"The worship leader closes his eyes."
"The worship leader was off-key."
"The worship leader's mic was too loud."
"The instruments drowned out the voices."
"Why won't you meet with my son?"
"I was upset that you didn't call."
"I was upset that you showed up at my house without calling first."
"You shouldn't show videos in church."
"I couldn't get connected at your church."
"I can't attend anymore because people notice when I've been gone and ask where I've been."
"You repeat the same chorus too many times."
"You should try preaching without notes."
"I don't think the way you do communion is biblical."
"You're trying to be too seeker-friendly."
"That wasn't very seeker-friendly."
"You're just trying to be another Cincinnati Vineyard."
"You really need to be more like Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill."
"What was wrong with the coffee this week?"
"Your position on [pick a doctrine or issue] isn't strong enough."
"Your position on [pick a doctrine or issue] is too strong."
Remind me, Lord, that you are often pleased with something that doesn't particularly please your precious sheep. Help me to look for your approval, and be wise when I encounter the approval OR disapproval of the flock, in Jesus' name, amen.
Like Spring Snow
Bob Hostetler
Lord God, you do what you want, and what you want is always good. You made it snow yesterday--the first day of Spring!--and will make it melt when it pleases you. You are unimpeded and undistracted by cries of "global warming" and calendars that say "It's Spring!" So--you who can do anything--please make me and mold me according to your will. Make me a man after your own heart, a servant of God Most High, and a blessing to my family, church, and community, in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord God, you do what you want, and what you want is always good. You made it snow yesterday--the first day of Spring!--and will make it melt when it pleases you. You are unimpeded and undistracted by cries of "global warming" and calendars that say "It's Spring!" So--you who can do anything--please make me and mold me according to your will. Make me a man after your own heart, a servant of God Most High, and a blessing to my family, church, and community, in Jesus' name, amen.
The Thief's Prayer
Bob Hostetler
Lord, remember me.
Remember me when you feel like blessing someone.
Remember me when you're handing out strength for the day,
rest for the night,
hope for tomorrow.
Remember me when I forget you are near.
Remember me when the crowd presses in on me.
Remember me when others find fault,
and demand what I cannot give.
Remember when I'm stricken with fear,
and peace eludes me,
and I forget that you are in control.
Remember me, too, when cloudy skies clear,
and all seems well with the world.
Remember me, Lord.
Remember me, in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, remember me.
Remember me when you feel like blessing someone.
Remember me when you're handing out strength for the day,
rest for the night,
hope for tomorrow.
Remember me when I forget you are near.
Remember me when the crowd presses in on me.
Remember me when others find fault,
and demand what I cannot give.
Remember when I'm stricken with fear,
and peace eludes me,
and I forget that you are in control.
Remember me, too, when cloudy skies clear,
and all seems well with the world.
Remember me, Lord.
Remember me, in Jesus' name, amen.
One
Bob Hostetler
I choose to trust in you today, Lord (Ps. 37:3).
I choose to believe that you are in control.
I choose trust instead of stress.
I claim the peace of Christ to rule in my heart and mind.
I choose to take today one step at a time,
one task at a time,
one challenge at a time,
and let you worry about all the rest.
I choose to trust in you today, Lord (Ps. 37:3).
I choose to believe that you are in control.
I choose trust instead of stress.
I claim the peace of Christ to rule in my heart and mind.
I choose to take today one step at a time,
one task at a time,
one challenge at a time,
and let you worry about all the rest.
My Psalm 23
Bob Hostetler
Lord, you are my shepherd;
in your hand is everything I need:
you give me rest in lush green meadows,
you lead me beside gently flowing streams,
you renew my strength,
and lead me along good paths—
all of which reinforces your reputation as a good shepherd.
So, even if I must walk through the darkest valley,
where danger and death surrounds me,
I will not be afraid,
as long as you are right next to me,
because I know your rod and your staff
will protect and comfort me.
Lord, you bless me bountifully
in the very presence of my enemies.
You treat me like a guest—a king, even!—
anointing my head with oil.
And you keep pouring out blessings, though my cup overflows.
I know this: your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in your house, Lord, forever.
Lord, you are my shepherd;
in your hand is everything I need:
you give me rest in lush green meadows,
you lead me beside gently flowing streams,
you renew my strength,
and lead me along good paths—
all of which reinforces your reputation as a good shepherd.
So, even if I must walk through the darkest valley,
where danger and death surrounds me,
I will not be afraid,
as long as you are right next to me,
because I know your rod and your staff
will protect and comfort me.
Lord, you bless me bountifully
in the very presence of my enemies.
You treat me like a guest—a king, even!—
anointing my head with oil.
And you keep pouring out blessings, though my cup overflows.
I know this: your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in your house, Lord, forever.
A Variation on St. Teresa of Avila's Bookmark
Bob Hostetler
I choose today, Lord,
to let nothing disturb me,
to let nothing dismay me.
I choose to remember
that all things are passing,
yet you never change.
I choose to pursue
that patience endurance
that attains all it strives for.
I choose to rest in the awareness
that he who has God
lacks for nothing:
God alone suffices
(Based on "the bookmark" of St. Teresa of Avila, sixteenth century).
I choose today, Lord,
to let nothing disturb me,
to let nothing dismay me.
I choose to remember
that all things are passing,
yet you never change.
I choose to pursue
that patience endurance
that attains all it strives for.
I choose to rest in the awareness
that he who has God
lacks for nothing:
God alone suffices
(Based on "the bookmark" of St. Teresa of Avila, sixteenth century).
You Alone
Bob Hostetler
You alone are God,
You were from of old,
And You will be until eternity, always, first and last,
Now and always for ever and ever.
As for You, You are the same,
and Your epoch will not come to an end;
As for You, You are the same,
and Your kingdom will not be abolished,
And Your Power is invincible,
And Your strength is untiring,
And Your magnificence will not be humbled,
And the splendor of Your Name will not be dispelled,
and the praise of Your exalted fame will not be diminished,
And Your light will not be darkened,
And Your decree will not be abrogated,
The pillar of Your word will not be overthrown,
And Your wisdom will not fall into error,
And Your counsel will not be concealed.
You alone are God, God of all;
You alone are God, Lord of all;
You alone are God, King of all;
You alone are God, Creator of all;
You alone are God, Conqueror of all;
You alone are God, Omnipotent;
You alone are God, Slayer of all;
You alone are God, Destroyer of all;
You alone are God, Savior of all;
You alone are God, Life of all;
You alone are God, Sustainer of all;
You alone are God, Protector of all;
You alone are God, Restorer of all;
You alone are God, Raiser of all;
You alone are God, Supporter of all;
You alone are God, Helper of all;
You alone are God, a righteous God over all creation,
amen.
(Traditional Ethiopian Jewish prayer, translated by Margaret Hayon).
You alone are God,
You were from of old,
And You will be until eternity, always, first and last,
Now and always for ever and ever.
As for You, You are the same,
and Your epoch will not come to an end;
As for You, You are the same,
and Your kingdom will not be abolished,
And Your Power is invincible,
And Your strength is untiring,
And Your magnificence will not be humbled,
And the splendor of Your Name will not be dispelled,
and the praise of Your exalted fame will not be diminished,
And Your light will not be darkened,
And Your decree will not be abrogated,
The pillar of Your word will not be overthrown,
And Your wisdom will not fall into error,
And Your counsel will not be concealed.
You alone are God, God of all;
You alone are God, Lord of all;
You alone are God, King of all;
You alone are God, Creator of all;
You alone are God, Conqueror of all;
You alone are God, Omnipotent;
You alone are God, Slayer of all;
You alone are God, Destroyer of all;
You alone are God, Savior of all;
You alone are God, Life of all;
You alone are God, Sustainer of all;
You alone are God, Protector of all;
You alone are God, Restorer of all;
You alone are God, Raiser of all;
You alone are God, Supporter of all;
You alone are God, Helper of all;
You alone are God, a righteous God over all creation,
amen.
(Traditional Ethiopian Jewish prayer, translated by Margaret Hayon).
Impromptu Praise
Bob Hostetler
Abba, Father,
Mighty God,
Adonai,
I praise you:
for the grace
to praise you.
I praise you:
for the symphony of seasons,
four movements,
winterspringsummerfall.
I praise you:
for the marvelous variety of tastes
you've placed in this world,
grapes, apples,
bread, potato,
cheese, milk,
asparagus, peas,
egg yolk and white,
chocolate, coffee,
salt and pepper,
beef and chicken, pork and fish,
cinnamon,
sugar,
and so much more.
I praise you:
for your endless creativity,
your awesome majesty,
your thundering power,
your gentle caresses,
your incredible patience,
your immeasurable condescension
to listen to me
praise you.
Abba, Father,
Mighty God,
Adonai,
I praise you:
for the grace
to praise you.
I praise you:
for the symphony of seasons,
four movements,
winterspringsummerfall.
I praise you:
for the marvelous variety of tastes
you've placed in this world,
grapes, apples,
bread, potato,
cheese, milk,
asparagus, peas,
egg yolk and white,
chocolate, coffee,
salt and pepper,
beef and chicken, pork and fish,
cinnamon,
sugar,
and so much more.
I praise you:
for your endless creativity,
your awesome majesty,
your thundering power,
your gentle caresses,
your incredible patience,
your immeasurable condescension
to listen to me
praise you.
A Prayer of Hildegarde of Bingen, slightly revised
Bob Hostetler
Fire of the Spirit,
Life of the lives of creatures,
Spiral of sanctity,
Bond of all natures,
Glow of charity,
Lights of clarity,
Taste of sweetness to the fallen,
be with me and hear me,
in Jesus' name, amen
(Hildegarde of Bingen, twelfth century).
Fire of the Spirit,
Life of the lives of creatures,
Spiral of sanctity,
Bond of all natures,
Glow of charity,
Lights of clarity,
Taste of sweetness to the fallen,
be with me and hear me,
in Jesus' name, amen
(Hildegarde of Bingen, twelfth century).
The Grace of Loving Curiosity
copyright Bob Hostetler
Abba, I pray for "the grace of loving curiosity" (Eugene Peterson), that I may see you at work in other people's lives, and become more a man of blessing and insight to them, in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, I pray for "the grace of loving curiosity" (Eugene Peterson), that I may see you at work in other people's lives, and become more a man of blessing and insight to them, in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 22
Bob Hostetler
My God, my God, how can you let me feel forsaken?
You seem so distant,
so far from the words of my groaning.
My God, I call to you by day,
but hear nothing back from you.
I call at night;
I am not silent…why are you?
Holy One, high and lifted up,
you sit enthroned on the praises of your people.
My ancestors trusted you;
they leaned on you, and you saved them.
They cried out for your help
and you bent down and scooped them up in your arms.
They threw themselves on your care,
and were not disappointed.
But I am brought low, like a worm crawling in the dust.
People say untrue things behind my back.
They even lie to my face.
They attribute their ‘stuff’ to me.
They’re probably thinking, “I can’t wait
to see you get your comeuppance.
When you fall on your face,
we’ll all know that God wasn’t with you in the first place.”
But you have been with me from birth, Lord.
You’ve graced me with your presence
since my diaper days.
And I have leaned on you since before I can remember;
you have been my God from birth.
So don't abandon me now,
when trouble surrounds me
and I feel all alone.
You see them, Father, those around me who wish me evil,
who snap and snipe at me like rabid dogs,
and like predators
wait for an opportunity to attack.
I don’t have the strength to fight back;
my blood feels water-thin,
and my old bones are weary.
My heart just isn’t in it,
it feels like all the fight has gone out of me.
I have no desire to defend myself anymore,
and no words to turn back their hatred.
I lie down: let them bury me.
All those who hate me surround me,
like dogs, they are relentless,
nipping at my ankles,
they’ll never be satisfied or turned away.
So, Lord, come.
You are my strength, you’re all I’ve got; hurry to help me.
Save me from their long knives;
save me from their growling and grumbling.
Rescue me from their lion's teeth;
save me from their longhorns.
All I want to do is tell others about you;
I just want to speak your good news.
I want to praise you, Lord, with those who revere you,
and actually honor you by taking you at your word
and doing what you say.
You will not ignore my troubles.
You will not hide from me
but will hear me when I whine and cry and sob to you.
Lord, I praise you in the company of your people;
your true worshipers will see me do what I have promised.
Let the poor eat their fill;
let your true worshipers praise you.
May their hearts forever beat your praises!
Let people everywhere remember
and turn to you, Lord.
Let all the families of the world
worship you
because you are King,
and you rule the nations.
Let weak and strong all feast and worship you together.
Let everyone bow down to you,
every mortal soul.
Preserve your praise among future generations,
and let my children’s children hear of you.
Let them proclaim your righteousness
to their children, not yet born,
for everything you do is worth telling.
My God, my God, how can you let me feel forsaken?
You seem so distant,
so far from the words of my groaning.
My God, I call to you by day,
but hear nothing back from you.
I call at night;
I am not silent…why are you?
Holy One, high and lifted up,
you sit enthroned on the praises of your people.
My ancestors trusted you;
they leaned on you, and you saved them.
They cried out for your help
and you bent down and scooped them up in your arms.
They threw themselves on your care,
and were not disappointed.
But I am brought low, like a worm crawling in the dust.
People say untrue things behind my back.
They even lie to my face.
They attribute their ‘stuff’ to me.
They’re probably thinking, “I can’t wait
to see you get your comeuppance.
When you fall on your face,
we’ll all know that God wasn’t with you in the first place.”
But you have been with me from birth, Lord.
You’ve graced me with your presence
since my diaper days.
And I have leaned on you since before I can remember;
you have been my God from birth.
So don't abandon me now,
when trouble surrounds me
and I feel all alone.
You see them, Father, those around me who wish me evil,
who snap and snipe at me like rabid dogs,
and like predators
wait for an opportunity to attack.
I don’t have the strength to fight back;
my blood feels water-thin,
and my old bones are weary.
My heart just isn’t in it,
it feels like all the fight has gone out of me.
I have no desire to defend myself anymore,
and no words to turn back their hatred.
I lie down: let them bury me.
All those who hate me surround me,
like dogs, they are relentless,
nipping at my ankles,
they’ll never be satisfied or turned away.
So, Lord, come.
You are my strength, you’re all I’ve got; hurry to help me.
Save me from their long knives;
save me from their growling and grumbling.
Rescue me from their lion's teeth;
save me from their longhorns.
All I want to do is tell others about you;
I just want to speak your good news.
I want to praise you, Lord, with those who revere you,
and actually honor you by taking you at your word
and doing what you say.
You will not ignore my troubles.
You will not hide from me
but will hear me when I whine and cry and sob to you.
Lord, I praise you in the company of your people;
your true worshipers will see me do what I have promised.
Let the poor eat their fill;
let your true worshipers praise you.
May their hearts forever beat your praises!
Let people everywhere remember
and turn to you, Lord.
Let all the families of the world
worship you
because you are King,
and you rule the nations.
Let weak and strong all feast and worship you together.
Let everyone bow down to you,
every mortal soul.
Preserve your praise among future generations,
and let my children’s children hear of you.
Let them proclaim your righteousness
to their children, not yet born,
for everything you do is worth telling.
Pruning
copyright Bob Hostetler
Abba, you know I don't like the pruning process. I want uninterrupted, straight-line growth...but I confess that as arrogance and ambition. I open my heart to your pruning process, confident in your loving nature, and good, wise plans for me. Do what you will with me, amen.
Abba, you know I don't like the pruning process. I want uninterrupted, straight-line growth...but I confess that as arrogance and ambition. I open my heart to your pruning process, confident in your loving nature, and good, wise plans for me. Do what you will with me, amen.
Gratitude
copyright Bob Hostetler
Thank you, Lord, for the many blessings wherewith you have blessed me...
my family, my children,
for their health and mine,
for my wife's beauty, intelligence, and charm,
for my senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch.
For a sound mind,
for my natural and spiritual gifts,
for this home, these clothes,
for books,
for coffee,
water,
for a refrigerator and pantry filled with food,
for computers and phones,
for movies,
for pens and pencils,
for light,
for snow and winter,
for days off,
for friends and co-laborers in the Gospel.
For the ability to keep going when I'm tired,
for the Bible,
for the many Bibles I own (an embarrassment of riches),
for all your grace, forgiveness, and kindness toward me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Thank you, Lord, for the many blessings wherewith you have blessed me...
my family, my children,
for their health and mine,
for my wife's beauty, intelligence, and charm,
for my senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch.
For a sound mind,
for my natural and spiritual gifts,
for this home, these clothes,
for books,
for coffee,
water,
for a refrigerator and pantry filled with food,
for computers and phones,
for movies,
for pens and pencils,
for light,
for snow and winter,
for days off,
for friends and co-laborers in the Gospel.
For the ability to keep going when I'm tired,
for the Bible,
for the many Bibles I own (an embarrassment of riches),
for all your grace, forgiveness, and kindness toward me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
For the Prayers of Others
copyright Bob Hostetler
Abba, thank you for the prayers of others on my behalf,
those times when someone's prayer--unbeknownst to me-- has encouraged me, healed me, delivered me, or empowered me.
How many times in my life have I unknowingly been saved because someone--somewhere--prayed for me?
How many prayers have turned back some disaster that awaited me?
How many moments have been shot through with blessing and loveliness because someone spoke my name to you?
Whether close or distant,
from a friend or stranger,
long or short,
thank you for them all.
How I will rejoice in eternity to see the record of all who have prayed for me, and how much I owe to them.
Abba, thank you for the prayers of others on my behalf,
those times when someone's prayer--unbeknownst to me-- has encouraged me, healed me, delivered me, or empowered me.
How many times in my life have I unknowingly been saved because someone--somewhere--prayed for me?
How many prayers have turned back some disaster that awaited me?
How many moments have been shot through with blessing and loveliness because someone spoke my name to you?
Whether close or distant,
from a friend or stranger,
long or short,
thank you for them all.
How I will rejoice in eternity to see the record of all who have prayed for me, and how much I owe to them.
On Taking My Problems Less Seriously
copyright Bob Hostetler
Lord God, help me to take my problems less seriously,
and with them my obsessions,
my perfectionism,
my concern for getting every detail right,
and looking good to others
and pleasing others
and keeping a perfect "track record."
And help me to take more seriously your joy,
the joy of my salvation,
your sense of humor,
your delight in your Creation,
your compassion for the lost and unloved and "unloveable."
Help me to take seriously your will,
your agenda,
your priorities,
your timing,
your ways of doing things,
and not try to get you on board with me!
Lord God, help me to take my problems less seriously,
and with them my obsessions,
my perfectionism,
my concern for getting every detail right,
and looking good to others
and pleasing others
and keeping a perfect "track record."
And help me to take more seriously your joy,
the joy of my salvation,
your sense of humor,
your delight in your Creation,
your compassion for the lost and unloved and "unloveable."
Help me to take seriously your will,
your agenda,
your priorities,
your timing,
your ways of doing things,
and not try to get you on board with me!
Help Me Swallow
copyright Bob Hostetler:
Abba, help me swallow whole the truth that you will never leave me nor forsake me; that you will be with me through dark times and will not let the waters overwhelm me nor the fire burn me; that your plans for me are good and not evil, plans to prosper, not harm me, plans to give me hope and a future; that when I call, you will hear and answer; that "greater things" I can do through faith in you, in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, help me swallow whole the truth that you will never leave me nor forsake me; that you will be with me through dark times and will not let the waters overwhelm me nor the fire burn me; that your plans for me are good and not evil, plans to prosper, not harm me, plans to give me hope and a future; that when I call, you will hear and answer; that "greater things" I can do through faith in you, in Jesus' name, amen.
On My Son's Engagement
Bob Hostetler
Abba, thank you for my son, and for his fiance Nina.
Thank you that he has found a woman who lights his eyes,
who thrills his heart,
who excites his ambition,
who teaches him to believe in himself,
who inspires him to believe in your desire to bless him,
who appreciates his strengths,
who complements his weaknesses,
and makes him better in every way.
Thank you for him, thank you for her, and thank you for bringing them together. Please protect them from every attack, and allow them to experience only those discomforts and misfortunes that in your wise plan will make them better for your service and for each other's enjoyment, in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, thank you for my son, and for his fiance Nina.
Thank you that he has found a woman who lights his eyes,
who thrills his heart,
who excites his ambition,
who teaches him to believe in himself,
who inspires him to believe in your desire to bless him,
who appreciates his strengths,
who complements his weaknesses,
and makes him better in every way.
Thank you for him, thank you for her, and thank you for bringing them together. Please protect them from every attack, and allow them to experience only those discomforts and misfortunes that in your wise plan will make them better for your service and for each other's enjoyment, in Jesus' name, amen.
My Jesus, I Love Thee
A hymn by William Featherston with a new verse by Bob Hostetler
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the pleasures of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I love with this heart you have purchased from sin,
I love with a mind you've renewed from within,
With whatever strength you may give me from now on,
My Jesus, I'll love you, my strength and my song.
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the pleasures of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I love with this heart you have purchased from sin,
I love with a mind you've renewed from within,
With whatever strength you may give me from now on,
My Jesus, I'll love you, my strength and my song.
Thanks for Catholics
copyright Bob Hostetler
Father,
the blessings of this day
remind me to thank you for the impact
Roman Catholic brothers and sisters have had on my walk with you,
from Brennan Manning
to John Michael Talbot
to my brothers at the Abbey of Gethsemani, and more.
Thank you, in Jesus' name, amen.
Father,
the blessings of this day
remind me to thank you for the impact
Roman Catholic brothers and sisters have had on my walk with you,
from Brennan Manning
to John Michael Talbot
to my brothers at the Abbey of Gethsemani, and more.
Thank you, in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 21
copyright Bob Hostetler
I will rejoice in your strength, O Lord;
and oh, how greatly do I rejoice in your salvation!
You have given me my heart's desire,
and have not withheld anything good from me.
You have blessed me with all sorts of good things;
you treat me like a prince—which is what I am in your eyes!
I asked you to save my life, and you did;
even giving me long life.
I exult when you win the victory,
and you robe me and garland me like a champion.
You have given me eternal and temporal blessings,
and I am happiest when I feel your presence and sense your smile.
because I trust in you, Lord,
and because of that I will not be swayed or tripped up or turned aside.
You will triumph over all your enemies;
your strong right hand will crush all who oppose you.
You will destroy them in flaming fire when you appear,
they will be engulfed in your wrath, and consumed by your judgment fires.
You will castrate evil
and stop it from reproducing on earth.
Those who plot against you will be foiled,
and their malicious schemes will finally be frustrated.
They will run for shelter and find none
when you aim your arrows at them and call them to account.
I praise you, Lord, for all your glorious power;
I celebrate your mighty works with words and music.
I will rejoice in your strength, O Lord;
and oh, how greatly do I rejoice in your salvation!
You have given me my heart's desire,
and have not withheld anything good from me.
You have blessed me with all sorts of good things;
you treat me like a prince—which is what I am in your eyes!
I asked you to save my life, and you did;
even giving me long life.
I exult when you win the victory,
and you robe me and garland me like a champion.
You have given me eternal and temporal blessings,
and I am happiest when I feel your presence and sense your smile.
because I trust in you, Lord,
and because of that I will not be swayed or tripped up or turned aside.
You will triumph over all your enemies;
your strong right hand will crush all who oppose you.
You will destroy them in flaming fire when you appear,
they will be engulfed in your wrath, and consumed by your judgment fires.
You will castrate evil
and stop it from reproducing on earth.
Those who plot against you will be foiled,
and their malicious schemes will finally be frustrated.
They will run for shelter and find none
when you aim your arrows at them and call them to account.
I praise you, Lord, for all your glorious power;
I celebrate your mighty works with words and music.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)