Thee, God, I come from, to thee go,
All day long I like fountain flow
From thy hand out, swayed about
Mote-like in thy mighty glow.
What I know of thee I bless,
As acknowledging thy stress
On my being and as seeing
Something of thy holiness.
Once I turned from thee and hid,
Bound on what thou hadst forbid;
Sow the wind I would; I sinned:
I repent of what I did.
Praise Belongs to You
Praise belongs to you, Lord.
I praise you for your faithfulness,
your kind and merciful willingness
to hold onto me in spite of all my sin and stubbornness.
I praise you for your constancy
and at the same time your creativity;
you are always merciful,
yet your mercies are new every morning.
I praise you for your power,
your purity,
your sweetness,
your majesty,
your holiness,
your goodness,
your patience,
your truth,
your love, your great love,
and your grace, in Jesus' name, amen.
I praise you for your faithfulness,
your kind and merciful willingness
to hold onto me in spite of all my sin and stubbornness.
I praise you for your constancy
and at the same time your creativity;
you are always merciful,
yet your mercies are new every morning.
I praise you for your power,
your purity,
your sweetness,
your majesty,
your holiness,
your goodness,
your patience,
your truth,
your love, your great love,
and your grace, in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer of Christina Rossetti for the Lord's Day
Open wide the window of our spirits, O Lord, and fill us full of light;
open wide the door of our hearts,
that we may receive and entertain you
with all our powers of adoration and praise.
Valentine
Like summer snow
floating from a sun-filled sky,
draping airy-white on flowered fields,
Your love astonished me.
No frilly show,
no assorted-chocolate pledge,
no candy hearts or silver kisses
disclosed your care for me;
But unsparing,
cross-bearing, thorn-wearing love
that opened hands and feet and side
to spill your heart for me,
To recreate,
inundate my longing soul
with giving, holding, accepting,
enfolding love for me.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but you are the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:25, 26).
floating from a sun-filled sky,
draping airy-white on flowered fields,
Your love astonished me.
No frilly show,
no assorted-chocolate pledge,
no candy hearts or silver kisses
disclosed your care for me;
But unsparing,
cross-bearing, thorn-wearing lovethat opened hands and feet and side
to spill your heart for me,
To recreate,
inundate my longing soul
with giving, holding, accepting,
enfolding love for me.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but you are the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:25, 26).
God, Renew Me by Your Spirit
God, renew me by your Spirit!
Come and touch my weary soul.
Grant me joy so I can share it;
Oh, restore me; make me whole!
God, revitalize our mission!
Bless your church from pole to pole!
May we overcome division!
Oh, restore us; make us whole!
God, revive my congregation!
Be our center and our goal!
Help us join in adoration!
Oh, restore us; make us whole!
God, refresh your whole creation!
Timeless is salvation’s role!
Grant us boundless celebration!
Oh, restore us; make us whole!
(Revised from GOD, RENEW US BY YOUR SPIRIT! © 1992 John Dalles)
Come and touch my weary soul.
Grant me joy so I can share it;
Oh, restore me; make me whole!
God, revitalize our mission!
Bless your church from pole to pole!
May we overcome division!
Oh, restore us; make us whole!
God, revive my congregation!
Be our center and our goal!
Help us join in adoration!
Oh, restore us; make us whole!
God, refresh your whole creation!
Timeless is salvation’s role!
Grant us boundless celebration!
Oh, restore us; make us whole!
(Revised from GOD, RENEW US BY YOUR SPIRIT! © 1992 John Dalles)
Your New Word Amid Our Anxiety
On reading 1 Kings 2:1-9
The promises roll of your lips
and into our ears:
I will be with you;
I will love you faithfully;
I will be your God;
My covenant is forever.
We count on your words that flow from our ears
to our hearts, and we are glad.
But even while we listen,
we live much of our lives underneath the table.
We read these old stories, and
we know about intrigue and fear and
anxiety and near violence
and deception.
We mostly do not act out our violence
but we imagine and ponder and scheme;
and then we, too, must cover up
and the cover-up ferments;
our lives become complex and burdened.
We keep inventing ourselves and our underneath selves turn out
to be less than adequate
and we wish we were other than we are.
We juggle your good purposes and
our hidden yearnings and
try to serve two masters,
try to live two narratives,
try to live two dreams,
and we are weary.
Because we know our hearts of anxiety so well,
we seem fated to disease.
But because we know your heart of fidelity so well,
we know you will defeat our demons
and make us new.
We know about your abiding fidelity in
Jesus of Nazareth.
Give us patience and steadfastness as we
process the ragged edges of our lives.
Amen.
(a prayer by Walter Brueggemann, from his book, Prayers for a Privileged People)
The promises roll of your lips
and into our ears:
I will be with you;
I will love you faithfully;
I will be your God;
My covenant is forever.
We count on your words that flow from our ears
to our hearts, and we are glad.
But even while we listen,
we live much of our lives underneath the table.
We read these old stories, and
we know about intrigue and fear and
anxiety and near violence
and deception.
We mostly do not act out our violence
but we imagine and ponder and scheme;
and then we, too, must cover up
and the cover-up ferments;
our lives become complex and burdened.
We keep inventing ourselves and our underneath selves turn out
to be less than adequate
and we wish we were other than we are.
We juggle your good purposes and
our hidden yearnings and
try to serve two masters,
try to live two narratives,
try to live two dreams,
and we are weary.
Because we know our hearts of anxiety so well,
we seem fated to disease.
But because we know your heart of fidelity so well,
we know you will defeat our demons
and make us new.
We know about your abiding fidelity in
Jesus of Nazareth.
Give us patience and steadfastness as we
process the ragged edges of our lives.
Amen.
(a prayer by Walter Brueggemann, from his book, Prayers for a Privileged People)
Let Your Spirit Rest on Me
Abba, let your Spirit rest on me,
fill me with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
baptize me with the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord,
in Jesus' name, amen.
fill me with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
baptize me with the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Favor in Abundance
Show up for us today, Lord.
Please grant us your presence
and your favor in abundance,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Please grant us your presence
and your favor in abundance,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Gift
I give myself to you, Lord.
I give you this day.
Take my offering,
sanctify it,
burn it up on the altar,
and make it acceptable,
pleasing to you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
I give you this day.
Take my offering,
sanctify it,
burn it up on the altar,
and make it acceptable,
pleasing to you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Drive Us to the Cross
"Our Lord and our God, you are indeed the source of our life in Christ Jesus. Of what then could we boast? And yet, we seek constantly to lord it over each other. Even in the darkest questions, those in which the information available to us is scant, we assume that we know enough to dismiss those who disagree with us with a curt 'He doesn't get it.' We laugh, we criticize, and we talk about each other in ways that demean, in ways that give evidence of the pathetic attempt to elevate ourselves above all others. Forgive us our sin. And drive us to the cross. For beneath the cross, the ground is completely level. There is no room for boasting unless it be that boasting in the Lord whose power was made complete in weakness. For he alone is worthy of our praise, our veneration, our adoration, and the complete devotion of our hearts and our minds.
It is in his name that we pray. Amen."
(Prayer offered before a lecture by Bruce McCormack, professor of systematic theology at Princeton)
It is in his name that we pray. Amen."
(Prayer offered before a lecture by Bruce McCormack, professor of systematic theology at Princeton)
Your Will
Abba, today I pray:
may your will be done.
I submit to your will.
I agree with your will.
I commit to doing your will,
in Jesus' name, amen.
may your will be done.
I submit to your will.
I agree with your will.
I commit to doing your will,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer from Steven Curtis Chapman
(Today is my friend Jim Rose's funeral, which makes apropos this lyric, from "Last Day on Earth" by Steven Curtis Chapman)
I pull over to the side of the road and I
Watch the cars pass me by;
The headlights and the black limousine tell me
Someone is saying goodbye.
I bow my head and I whisper a prayer,
“Father, comfort their broken hearts,”
And as I drive away there's a thought that I
I cannot escape, no I, cannot escape this thought
I can't get away:
Oh, if this should be my last day here on earth,
How then shall I live.
Oh, if this should be the last day that I have
Before I breathe the air of heaven
Let me live it with abandon to
The only thing that remains
After my last day here on earth....
Amen.
I pull over to the side of the road and I
Watch the cars pass me by;
The headlights and the black limousine tell me
Someone is saying goodbye.
I bow my head and I whisper a prayer,
“Father, comfort their broken hearts,”
And as I drive away there's a thought that I
I cannot escape, no I, cannot escape this thought
I can't get away:
Oh, if this should be my last day here on earth,
How then shall I live.
Oh, if this should be the last day that I have
Before I breathe the air of heaven
Let me live it with abandon to
The only thing that remains
After my last day here on earth....
Amen.
A Prayer for Super Bowl Sunday
The world of fast money,
and loud talk,
and much hype is upon us.
We praise huge men whose names will linger only briefly.
We will eat and drink,
and gamble and laugh,
and cheer and hiss,
and marvel and then yawn.
We show up, most of us, for such a circus,
and such an indulgence.
Loud clashing bodies,
violence within rules,
and money and merchandise and music.
And you--today like every day--
you govern and watch and summon;
you glad when there is joy in the earth,
But you notice our liturgies of disregard and
our litanies of selves made too big,
our fascination with machismo power,
and lust for bodies and for big bucks.
And around you gather, as every day,
elsewhere uninvited, but noticed acutely by you,
those disabled and gone feebles,
those alone and failed,
those uninvited and shamed.
And you whose gift is more than "super,"
overflowing, abundant, adequate, all sufficient.
The day of preoccupation with creature comforts writ large,
We pause to be mindful of our creatureliness,
our commonality with all that is small and vulnerable exposed,
your creatures called to obedience and praise.
Give us some distance from the noise,
some reserve about the loud success of the day,
that we may remember that our life consists
not in things we consume
but in neighbors we embrace.
Be our good neighbor that we may practice
your neighborly generosity all through our needy neighborhood.
(a prayer by Walter Brueggemann, from his book, Prayers for a Privileged People)
and loud talk,
and much hype is upon us.
We praise huge men whose names will linger only briefly.
We will eat and drink,
and gamble and laugh,
and cheer and hiss,
and marvel and then yawn.
We show up, most of us, for such a circus,
and such an indulgence.
Loud clashing bodies,
violence within rules,
and money and merchandise and music.
And you--today like every day--
you govern and watch and summon;
you glad when there is joy in the earth,
But you notice our liturgies of disregard and
our litanies of selves made too big,
our fascination with machismo power,
and lust for bodies and for big bucks.
And around you gather, as every day,
elsewhere uninvited, but noticed acutely by you,
those disabled and gone feebles,
those alone and failed,
those uninvited and shamed.
And you whose gift is more than "super,"
overflowing, abundant, adequate, all sufficient.
The day of preoccupation with creature comforts writ large,
We pause to be mindful of our creatureliness,
our commonality with all that is small and vulnerable exposed,
your creatures called to obedience and praise.
Give us some distance from the noise,
some reserve about the loud success of the day,
that we may remember that our life consists
not in things we consume
but in neighbors we embrace.
Be our good neighbor that we may practice
your neighborly generosity all through our needy neighborhood.
(a prayer by Walter Brueggemann, from his book, Prayers for a Privileged People)
My Psalm 82
God, you preside in heaven’s court;
yours is the authority over every authority.
How you must grieve at our injustice,
at our petty squabbles,
at our failure to defend the weak and fatherless,
at our attitude toward the poor and oppressed,
our failure to rescue the weak and the needy
from the hands of the wicked.
We stumble around,
and get it wrong most of the time.
You have made us just a little lower than the angels
and crowned us with honor and privilege,
yet we fail you as though we’ve practiced it.
Forgive us, O God, judge of all the earth,
and rise up to lead us and teach us and change us,
amen.
yours is the authority over every authority.
How you must grieve at our injustice,
at our petty squabbles,
at our failure to defend the weak and fatherless,
at our attitude toward the poor and oppressed,
our failure to rescue the weak and the needy
from the hands of the wicked.
We stumble around,
and get it wrong most of the time.
You have made us just a little lower than the angels
and crowned us with honor and privilege,
yet we fail you as though we’ve practiced it.
Forgive us, O God, judge of all the earth,
and rise up to lead us and teach us and change us,
amen.
Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are,
And make me love you as I ought to love.
Teach me to feel that you are always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
Teach me to love you as your angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The baptism of the Heaven-descended Dove,
My heart an altar and your love the flame.
(From a hymn of George Croly, slightly revised)
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are,
And make me love you as I ought to love.
Teach me to feel that you are always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
Teach me to love you as your angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The baptism of the Heaven-descended Dove,
My heart an altar and your love the flame.
(From a hymn of George Croly, slightly revised)
A Prayer of St. Ephraim of Syria
O Lord, Master of my life, grant that I may not be infected with the spirit of slothfulness and inquisitiveness, with the spirit of ambition and vain talking.
Grant instead to me, your servant, the spirit of purity and humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love.
O Lord and King, bestow upon me the grace of being aware of my sins and not thinking evil of those of my brethren. Amen.
Grant instead to me, your servant, the spirit of purity and humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love.
O Lord and King, bestow upon me the grace of being aware of my sins and not thinking evil of those of my brethren. Amen.
Prayer for a Granddaughter Not Yet Born
Abba, Father, Author of life,
I thank you for baby Mia,
waiting to be born to my son and daughter-in-law.
Keep her safe, please,
grant her health,
and make her strong
for that day when she becomes known to us
as she is already known to you.
Please be gracious to her mother, Nina,
in providing as much comfort and strength
as possible--and even more than possible.
And grant when baby Mia is born
that she will be in every way further evidence
of your power to answer prayer,
your willingness to grant health and happiness,
and your awesome creativity and variety.
Attend to her, Lord God, please attend to her,
and thank you for her, in Jesus' name, amen.
I thank you for baby Mia,
waiting to be born to my son and daughter-in-law.
Keep her safe, please,
grant her health,
and make her strong
for that day when she becomes known to us
as she is already known to you.
Please be gracious to her mother, Nina,
in providing as much comfort and strength
as possible--and even more than possible.
And grant when baby Mia is born
that she will be in every way further evidence
of your power to answer prayer,
your willingness to grant health and happiness,
and your awesome creativity and variety.
Attend to her, Lord God, please attend to her,
and thank you for her, in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer of E. Stanley Jones
Oh, Eternal Christ, understandable to even me,
I thank you for putting the latchstring so low I can reach it.
I can reach the Highest, for you are the Highest become lowly, reachable.
And so I come, for in You I "see" everything I need. I thank you.
A Jackson Browne Prayer
(A prayer based on Jackson Browne's song, "The Pretender")
I’m going to wake up in my house
And go to sleep in your arms;
I’m going to say my prayer in the morning
And go to work each day
And when the evening rolls around
I’ll go on home and lay my body down
And when the morning light comes streaming in
I’ll get up and do it again,
Amen.
I’m going to wake up in my house
And go to sleep in your arms;
I’m going to say my prayer in the morning
And go to work each day
And when the evening rolls around
I’ll go on home and lay my body down
And when the morning light comes streaming in
I’ll get up and do it again,
Amen.
Song of Joy (My Psalm 81)
I sing for joy to you, God my strength;
I shout my praise to you, O God of Jacob!
I will sing and dance and clap and bow
to the music of drum and guitar and keyboard today!
Here at the New Moon,
I will sing songs to you and lift you up.
I will give thanks to you in my native tongue
and with whatever language you care to supply.
For you have removed the burden from my shoulders;
my hands are the hands of a free man.
I called, and you rescued me,
you answered me in the storm,
you refined me through the fire.
I once more cast down my idols,
I once more declare you to be my God, God alone in my eyes.
I cast down my idol of security,
my idol of popularity,
my idol of man’s approval,
my idols of comfort,
ease,
and peace.
You are the LORD my God,
who brought me out of Egypt.
I will open wide my mouth, for you to fill it.
I will listen to you;
I will submit to you.
Mold my stubborn heart
and deliver me from my own devices.
I will follow your ways,
and watch for you to quickly subdue my enemies
and turn your hand against my foes!
Let those who hate cringe before you,
and let their punishment be a warning to all.
But let me and mine be fed with the finest of wheat,
let me and mine be satisfied with honey from the rock.
Amen.
I shout my praise to you, O God of Jacob!
I will sing and dance and clap and bow
to the music of drum and guitar and keyboard today!
Here at the New Moon,
I will sing songs to you and lift you up.
I will give thanks to you in my native tongue
and with whatever language you care to supply.
For you have removed the burden from my shoulders;
my hands are the hands of a free man.
I called, and you rescued me,
you answered me in the storm,
you refined me through the fire.
I once more cast down my idols,
I once more declare you to be my God, God alone in my eyes.
I cast down my idol of security,
my idol of popularity,
my idol of man’s approval,
my idols of comfort,
ease,
and peace.
You are the LORD my God,
who brought me out of Egypt.
I will open wide my mouth, for you to fill it.
I will listen to you;
I will submit to you.
Mold my stubborn heart
and deliver me from my own devices.
I will follow your ways,
and watch for you to quickly subdue my enemies
and turn your hand against my foes!
Let those who hate cringe before you,
and let their punishment be a warning to all.
But let me and mine be fed with the finest of wheat,
let me and mine be satisfied with honey from the rock.
Amen.
Leader's Lament
Lord God Adonai, I am so tired of being a leader.I'm tired of being the one people look to for answers,
and then being ignored or criticized
because they don't like the answer.
I'm sick of unrealistic expectations,
of being always under the gun,
under the microscope,
on call.
I'm sick of my best not being good enough.
I'm sick of having to make decisions,
and then being second guessed by those
who never suggested anything better,
who have the luxury of sniping from the sidelines.
I'm tired of backseat drivers.
I'm tired of "damned if I do, damned if I don't."
I'm tired of throwing myself in front of the bus for people
and then have them gripe because of how I did it.
I'm tired of not being able to win for losing.
I'm tired of keeping confidences
that put me in an impossible position
while others say all sorts of things,
untrue and unfair things,
and then suspect or accuse me
because they don't understand my actions.
I'm tired of having to play by a different set of rules,
a higher standard,
than people who feel free to lash out at me.
Just once, can I lash out?
Can I be petty?
Can I be childish?
Can I be unforgiving?
Can I be bitter and resentful?
Can I blame everyone else while accepting no responsibility myself?
I'm sick of being the one who has to persevere,
the one who can't quit,
who can't turn his back,
who can't leave people holding the bag.
Please, LET me step aside and let someone else lead.
Let someone else have the responsibility.
Let someone else pay the price.
I'm tired of the attacks,
I'm tired of the grief.
I'm tired of being talked about behind my back.
I'm tired of giving.
I'm tired of leading.
And lest you be tired of me whining,
even while YOU try to lead poor, pathetic, self-pitying ME,
I will say,
Amen.
My Psalm 80
Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead your people in green pastures.
O God, enthroned above the heavenly beings,
display your radiant glory
to me, and to the flock I love.
Show us your mighty power.
Come to rescue us!
Turn us again
and ever more completely
to yourself, O God.
Smile on us.
Only then will we be delivered,
only then can we prosper.
O Lord God of Heaven’s battalions,
hold off no longer in routing our Enemy,
utterly defeating him.
We are muddy from the battlefield
and shell-shocked in the fight.
Lift our heads, Conquering Hero.
Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s battalions.
Smile on us.
Only then will we be delivered,
only then can we prosper.
You have brought us into a good
and spacious place.
You cleared the ground for us,
and we have persevered through many trials.
Now, Lord, O God of Heaven’s battalions,
if you choose, you can refresh us with victory,
with one victory after another.
Look down from heaven,
look favorably on us,
and rally your weary troops.
Strengthen the people you love,
the children you adore.
By your grace, we will never abandon you again.
Revive us so we can call on your name
and declare your glory to a watchful world.
once more.
Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s battalions.
Smile on us.
Only then will we be delivered,
only then can we prosper.
you who lead your people in green pastures.
O God, enthroned above the heavenly beings,
display your radiant glory
to me, and to the flock I love.
Show us your mighty power.
Come to rescue us!
Turn us again
and ever more completely
to yourself, O God.
Smile on us.
Only then will we be delivered,
only then can we prosper.
O Lord God of Heaven’s battalions,
hold off no longer in routing our Enemy,
utterly defeating him.
We are muddy from the battlefield
and shell-shocked in the fight.
Lift our heads, Conquering Hero.
Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s battalions.
Smile on us.
Only then will we be delivered,
only then can we prosper.
You have brought us into a good
and spacious place.
You cleared the ground for us,
and we have persevered through many trials.
Now, Lord, O God of Heaven’s battalions,
if you choose, you can refresh us with victory,
with one victory after another.
Look down from heaven,
look favorably on us,
and rally your weary troops.
Strengthen the people you love,
the children you adore.
By your grace, we will never abandon you again.
Revive us so we can call on your name
and declare your glory to a watchful world.
once more.
Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s battalions.
Smile on us.
Only then will we be delivered,
only then can we prosper.
Restore
Abba, please restore to me the joy of your salvation
and, with it, please restore my faith in people
and my ability to think and expect
the best of them,
in Jesus' name.
Amen.
and, with it, please restore my faith in people
and my ability to think and expect
the best of them,
in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Don't Know What to Pray For
Abba, my Abba, help.
I don't know what to pray for today.
There is so much I could praise and thank you for,
so much I could ask,
so much I could lament,
so very much I need.
More than anything, I need you.
Come, in Jesus' name, amen.
I don't know what to pray for today.
There is so much I could praise and thank you for,
so much I could ask,
so much I could lament,
so very much I need.
More than anything, I need you.
Come, in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer for Our New Administration
(Based on an ancient prayer by St. Clement of Rome)
You, Master, have given our new president and this new administration power through your majestic and inexpressible might, so that we, acknowledging the glory and honor which you have given them, may be subject to them, resisting your will in nothing. Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, harmony, and stability, that they may blamelessly administer the government which you have given them.
For you, heavenly Master, King of the ages, give to the sons of men glory and honor and authority over those upon the earth. Lord, direct their plans according to what is good and pleasing in your sight, so that by devoutly administering in peace and gentleness the authority which you have given them they may experience your mercy. You, who alone are able to do these and even greater good things for us, we praise through the high priest and guardian of our souls, Jesus Christ, through whom be the glory and the majesty to you both now and for all generations and for ever and ever. Amen (1 Clement 61.1-3).
You, Master, have given our new president and this new administration power through your majestic and inexpressible might, so that we, acknowledging the glory and honor which you have given them, may be subject to them, resisting your will in nothing. Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, harmony, and stability, that they may blamelessly administer the government which you have given them.
For you, heavenly Master, King of the ages, give to the sons of men glory and honor and authority over those upon the earth. Lord, direct their plans according to what is good and pleasing in your sight, so that by devoutly administering in peace and gentleness the authority which you have given them they may experience your mercy. You, who alone are able to do these and even greater good things for us, we praise through the high priest and guardian of our souls, Jesus Christ, through whom be the glory and the majesty to you both now and for all generations and for ever and ever. Amen (1 Clement 61.1-3).
Enlarge
Abba, enlarge my heart.
Increase my faith.
Improve my leadership skills.
Expand my territory.
Magnify my vision.
Multiply my insight,
understanding,
discernment,
and wisdom,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Increase my faith.
Improve my leadership skills.
Expand my territory.
Magnify my vision.
Multiply my insight,
understanding,
discernment,
and wisdom,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Send the Fire!
O Christ of burning, cleansing flame,
Send the fire!
Your blood bought gift today I claim,
Send the fire!
Look down and see this waiting host,
Give us the promised Holy Ghost;
We need another Pentecost,
Send the fire!
God of Elijah, hear my cry:
Send the fire!
To make us fit to live or die,
Send the fire!
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring the light and glory in,
The revolution now begin,
Send the fire!
To make our weak hearts strong and brave,
Send the fire!
To live a dying world to save,
Send the fire!
O let us on your altar lay
Our lives, our all, this very day;
And crowning all, Lord, let us pray:
Send the fire!
(Revised from a hymn by General William Booth)
Send the fire!
Your blood bought gift today I claim,
Send the fire!
Look down and see this waiting host,
Give us the promised Holy Ghost;
We need another Pentecost,
Send the fire!
God of Elijah, hear my cry:
Send the fire!
To make us fit to live or die,
Send the fire!
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring the light and glory in,
The revolution now begin,
Send the fire!
To make our weak hearts strong and brave,
Send the fire!
To live a dying world to save,
Send the fire!
O let us on your altar lay
Our lives, our all, this very day;
And crowning all, Lord, let us pray:
Send the fire!
(Revised from a hymn by General William Booth)
Inadequate Praise
Abba, Father, I praise you for your patience and perseverance,
and thank you for not giving up on me!
I praise you for your transcendence and ineffability,
and thank you that though you are so far beyond me
and my little mind and heart,
you condescend to me --
not only in Christ, but daily, moment by moment.
I praise you for your grace and mercy,
and thank you that you looked beyond my faults -- and still do!
I praise you for your creativity and inventiveness,
and thank you that your inventions so enrich my life --
coffee, grass, clouds, rain, wind, sunrises, colors, textures, music, and more.
I praise you, Lord God, because you are worthy, completely worthy,
to receive my praise,
so much so that I could praise you all day and all week,
all month, doing nothing else but praise you,
and still not come close to exhausting your worthiness!
and thank you for not giving up on me!
I praise you for your transcendence and ineffability,
and thank you that though you are so far beyond me
and my little mind and heart,
you condescend to me --
not only in Christ, but daily, moment by moment.
I praise you for your grace and mercy,
and thank you that you looked beyond my faults -- and still do!
I praise you for your creativity and inventiveness,
and thank you that your inventions so enrich my life --
coffee, grass, clouds, rain, wind, sunrises, colors, textures, music, and more.
I praise you, Lord God, because you are worthy, completely worthy,
to receive my praise,
so much so that I could praise you all day and all week,
all month, doing nothing else but praise you,
and still not come close to exhausting your worthiness!
Six Degree Thanks
Abba, Father, thank you for furnaces
and fireplaces
and shelter from the cold. Amen.
and fireplaces
and shelter from the cold. Amen.
Psalm 108 Prayer
Oh, grant us help against the foe,
for vain is the salvation of man!
With you, Lord, we shall do valiantly;
it is you who will tread down our foes.
(Psalm 108:12-13)
for vain is the salvation of man!
With you, Lord, we shall do valiantly;
it is you who will tread down our foes.
(Psalm 108:12-13)
All in All
I've little strength to call my own,
And what I've done, before your throne,
I here confess, is small;
But on your strength, O God, I lean,
And through the Blood that keeps me clean,
You are my all in all.
(From a song by Herbert Booth, slightly revised)
And what I've done, before your throne,
I here confess, is small;
But on your strength, O God, I lean,
And through the Blood that keeps me clean,
You are my all in all.
(From a song by Herbert Booth, slightly revised)
Servant Prayer
Lord, I am selfishly born
and remain to this day, one loving to be served.
Change me, Lord.
Remake me from the inside out
into one who who serves with a loving heart.
(A prayer of Virelle Kidder, from her wonderful book, The Best Life Ain't Easy, But It's Worth It).
and remain to this day, one loving to be served.
Change me, Lord.
Remake me from the inside out
into one who who serves with a loving heart.
(A prayer of Virelle Kidder, from her wonderful book, The Best Life Ain't Easy, But It's Worth It).
My Psalm 79
O God, the world is too much with us.
The ways of the world defile your people,
and weaken your church.
We are prey
for our enemies,
and we cooperate in our own destruction!
We turn on each other
and devour each other with our words,
our attitudes,
our sin.
We make our Enemy’s job easy!
How long, O LORD? Will you let this continue?
How can you let your children, your chosen ones,
live so deceitfully, so unfruitfully?
It would be different if it came from people who do not acknowledge you or call on your name;
but it is your own who devour and destroy your house.
Deliver us from the sins of the fathers;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
Help us, O God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name's sake.
Save us from making a mockery of you,
of your Gospel,
of all you have taught us and commanded us and done for us.
May the groans of the wounded come before you;
by the strength of your arm
preserve those who have been hurt by friendly fire.
Throw our Enemy’s attacks into his teeth,
even seven times over.
Then we your people,
the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will recount your praise.
The ways of the world defile your people,
and weaken your church.
We are prey
for our enemies,
and we cooperate in our own destruction!
We turn on each other
and devour each other with our words,
our attitudes,
our sin.
We make our Enemy’s job easy!
How long, O LORD? Will you let this continue?
How can you let your children, your chosen ones,
live so deceitfully, so unfruitfully?
It would be different if it came from people who do not acknowledge you or call on your name;
but it is your own who devour and destroy your house.
Deliver us from the sins of the fathers;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
Help us, O God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name's sake.
Save us from making a mockery of you,
of your Gospel,
of all you have taught us and commanded us and done for us.
May the groans of the wounded come before you;
by the strength of your arm
preserve those who have been hurt by friendly fire.
Throw our Enemy’s attacks into his teeth,
even seven times over.
Then we your people,
the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will recount your praise.
Epiphany
Almighty and everlasting God, who has made known the incarnation of your Son by the bright shining of a star, which, when the wise men beheld, they presented costly gifts and adored your majesty; grant that the star of your righteousness may always shine into our hearts; and that, as our treasure, we may give ourselves and all we possess to your service, through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.
(from the Gelasian Sacramentary)
(from the Gelasian Sacramentary)
Clasp Your Hand
Lord, I would clasp your hand in mine,
And never murmur or repine,
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since it is your hand leading me.
(from the hymn, He Leadeth Me, by Joseph Henry Gilmore, slightly updated)
And never murmur or repine,
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since it is your hand leading me.
(from the hymn, He Leadeth Me, by Joseph Henry Gilmore, slightly updated)
Sunday Plea
Abba, send your blessing on your people today.
Please grant us to worship you
in spirit and in truth,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Please grant us to worship you
in spirit and in truth,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Workday Rest
Adonai, only you could do what I ask:
please help me rest today,
even though I work,
in Jesus' name, amen.
please help me rest today,
even though I work,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Mindful Prayer
Abba, Father, I thank you
that you have made me passably smart.
I ask also:
please make me miraculously wise,
in Jesus' name, amen.
that you have made me passably smart.
I ask also:
please make me miraculously wise,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A New Year Prayer
(A prayer by Charles de Foucauld)
Father, I abandon myself into your hands.
Do with me whatever you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
I offer it to you with all the love that is in my heart.
For I love you, Lord, and so want to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
Amen.
Father, I abandon myself into your hands.
Do with me whatever you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
I offer it to you with all the love that is in my heart.
For I love you, Lord, and so want to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
Amen.
Tired Prayer
Lord God, I'm tired.
But I thank you for the work that makes me tired.
Thank you for the breath to feel out of breath,
and for the consciousness to feel all but unconscious,
amen.
But I thank you for the work that makes me tired.
Thank you for the breath to feel out of breath,
and for the consciousness to feel all but unconscious,
amen.
My Maker and My King
My Maker and my King,
To Thee my all I owe;
Thy constant goodness is the spring
Whence all my blessings flow.
The creature of Thy hand,
On Thee alone I live;
Thy countless benefits demand
More praise than I can give.
O let Thy grace inspire
My soul with strength divine!
Let all my powers to Thee aspire,
And all my days be Thine.
(A hymn by Anne Steele)
To Thee my all I owe;
Thy constant goodness is the spring
Whence all my blessings flow.
The creature of Thy hand,
On Thee alone I live;
Thy countless benefits demand
More praise than I can give.
O let Thy grace inspire
My soul with strength divine!
Let all my powers to Thee aspire,
And all my days be Thine.
(A hymn by Anne Steele)
Needs
Abba, how can I possibly pray
for all the people I have to pray for?
How can I bring the great needs of the flock before you every day?
I need your grace just to be able to pray!
You know my need.
You know theirs.
Give grace to me to pray,
and Holy Spirit please intercede with me and for me
in my shortcomings, in Jesus' name, amen.
for all the people I have to pray for?
How can I bring the great needs of the flock before you every day?
I need your grace just to be able to pray!
You know my need.
You know theirs.
Give grace to me to pray,
and Holy Spirit please intercede with me and for me
in my shortcomings, in Jesus' name, amen.
Two Verses
My Lord God Adonai:
God of earth and sea and sky,
I lift my voice, I speak my prayer,
And cast on you my every care.
This day, Lord, now is past,
And I am much in need of rest.
I need your peace, I need your calm,
I beg your Spirit's healing balm.
God of earth and sea and sky,
I lift my voice, I speak my prayer,
And cast on you my every care.
This day, Lord, now is past,
And I am much in need of rest.
I need your peace, I need your calm,
I beg your Spirit's healing balm.
A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson
Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
A Prayer for Christmas Eve
(This prayer, written by a young Italian seminarian named Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in 1902 who would later become Pope John XXIII, has become a Christmas Eve tradition for me).
Night has fallen; the clear, bright stars are sparkling in the cold air; noisy, strident voices rise to my ear from the city, voices of the revelers of this world who celebrate with merrymaking the poverty of their Saviour. Around me in their rooms my companions are asleep, and I am still wakeful, thinking of the mystery of Bethlehem.
Come, come, Jesus, I await you. . . .
I am a poor shepherd; I have only a wretched stable, a small manger, some wisps of straw. I offer all these to you, be pleased to come into my poor hovel. I offer you my heart; my soul is poor and bare of virtues, the straws of so many imperfections will prick you and make you weep--but oh, my Lord, what can you expect? This little is all I have. . . . I have nothing better to offer you, Jesus, honour my soul with your presence, adorn it with your graces. Burn this straw and change it into a soft couch for your most holy body.
Jesus, I am here waiting for your coming. Wicked men have driven you out, and the wind is like ice. I am a poor man, but I will warm you as well as I can. At least be pleased that I wish to welcome you warmly, to love you and sacrifice myself for you.
Amen.
Night has fallen; the clear, bright stars are sparkling in the cold air; noisy, strident voices rise to my ear from the city, voices of the revelers of this world who celebrate with merrymaking the poverty of their Saviour. Around me in their rooms my companions are asleep, and I am still wakeful, thinking of the mystery of Bethlehem.
Come, come, Jesus, I await you. . . .
I am a poor shepherd; I have only a wretched stable, a small manger, some wisps of straw. I offer all these to you, be pleased to come into my poor hovel. I offer you my heart; my soul is poor and bare of virtues, the straws of so many imperfections will prick you and make you weep--but oh, my Lord, what can you expect? This little is all I have. . . . I have nothing better to offer you, Jesus, honour my soul with your presence, adorn it with your graces. Burn this straw and change it into a soft couch for your most holy body.
Jesus, I am here waiting for your coming. Wicked men have driven you out, and the wind is like ice. I am a poor man, but I will warm you as well as I can. At least be pleased that I wish to welcome you warmly, to love you and sacrifice myself for you.
Amen.
O Lord, I Will Delight in Thee
O Lord, I will delight in Thee
And on Thy care depend,
To Thee in every trouble flee,
My best, my only Friend.
When all created streams are dried,
Thy fullness is the same;
May I with this be satisfied
And glory in Thy Name.
No good in creatures can be found
But may be found in Thee;
I must have all things and abound
While God is God to me.
O Lord, I cast my care on Thee,
I triumph and adore;
Henceforth my great concern shall be
To love and please Thee more.
(A hymn by John Ryland)
And on Thy care depend,
To Thee in every trouble flee,
My best, my only Friend.
When all created streams are dried,
Thy fullness is the same;
May I with this be satisfied
And glory in Thy Name.
No good in creatures can be found
But may be found in Thee;
I must have all things and abound
While God is God to me.
O Lord, I cast my care on Thee,
I triumph and adore;
Henceforth my great concern shall be
To love and please Thee more.
(A hymn by John Ryland)
God of Ice
God of ice, God of cold, I praise you for your power
and creativity displayed
in frigid temperatures,
icy blasts,
gray skies,
frosting breaths,
in all the awesome array
of your ways in nature.
You are God of all:
arctic and tropic,
cold and heat,
ice and magma,
and you are worthy of praise
in all your ways,
amen.
Sunday Morning Prayer
O Lord, Abba, Father, at the beginning of another week I come to You for help and light. Please make this a sacred day of worship and service to you. Call forth wholehearted worship, joyful and effective service, and faith from all who gather. Make your praise glorious today. Make your servants joyful. Stir up the spiritual gifts that are in us. Call those who are lost out of darkness and into the light. Revive your church. Renew us all. Unite us with you and with each other as we worship. Tear down strongholds. Break through barriers. Cast out Satan. Fill us with the Holy Spirit, and build us up in our most holy faith, in Jesus' name, amen.
I Take the Blessing From Above
What am I, O Thou glorious God,
And what my father's house to Thee,
That Thou such mercies have bestowed
On me, the chief of sinners, me?
I take the blessing from above
And wonder at Thy boundless love.
Honor and might and thanks and praise,
I render Thee, O pardoning God,
Extol the riches of Thy grace
And spread Thy saving name abroad,
That only name to sinners given
Which lifts poor dying souls to Heaven.
Jesus, I bless Thy gracious power,
And all within me shouts Thy name;
Thy name let every soul adore,
Thy power let every tongue proclaim,
Thy grace let every sinner know
And find (with me) their Heaven below.
(from a hymn by Charles Wesley)
And what my father's house to Thee,
That Thou such mercies have bestowed
On me, the chief of sinners, me?
I take the blessing from above
And wonder at Thy boundless love.
Honor and might and thanks and praise,
I render Thee, O pardoning God,
Extol the riches of Thy grace
And spread Thy saving name abroad,
That only name to sinners given
Which lifts poor dying souls to Heaven.
Jesus, I bless Thy gracious power,
And all within me shouts Thy name;
Thy name let every soul adore,
Thy power let every tongue proclaim,
Thy grace let every sinner know
And find (with me) their Heaven below.
(from a hymn by Charles Wesley)
Yours
Abba, I am yours.
I am in your hands.
I ask nothing today except what you have in mind,
in your limitless mind,
for me to enjoy,
suffer,
discover,
learn,
endure,
realize,
acquire,
or lose.
Be it unto me according to your will,
in Jesus' name, amen.
I am in your hands.
I ask nothing today except what you have in mind,
in your limitless mind,
for me to enjoy,
suffer,
discover,
learn,
endure,
realize,
acquire,
or lose.
Be it unto me according to your will,
in Jesus' name, amen.
From A Diary of Private Prayer
O Thou whose eternal presence is hid behind the veil of nature, informs the mind of man, and was made flesh in Jesus Christ our Lord, I thank Thee that He has left me an example that I should follow in His steps.
Jesus Christ said, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Do good and lend, hoping for nothing again. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Love your enemies. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Fear not, only believe. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Except ye turn again and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Amen.
(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer)
Jesus Christ said, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Do good and lend, hoping for nothing again. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Love your enemies. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Fear not, only believe. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Except ye turn again and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Amen.
(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer)
Sabbath Gift
Lord, your Sabbath command,
your Sabbath gift,
is a boon to my soul.
Please forgive me for often
neglecting it,
and missing out on your best for me.
Thank you for the refreshment
it brings me
when I remember the Sabbath
and keep it holy.
Amen.
your Sabbath gift,
is a boon to my soul.
Please forgive me for often
neglecting it,
and missing out on your best for me.
Thank you for the refreshment
it brings me
when I remember the Sabbath
and keep it holy.
Amen.
Insight
Lord, you answered my prayer
for insight and understanding.
I don't like the insight,
but I thank you for the answered prayer!
for insight and understanding.
I don't like the insight,
but I thank you for the answered prayer!
A Prayer of Clement
You, Lord, through your works have revealed the everlasting structure of the world. You, Lord, created the earth.
You are faithful throughout all generations,
righteous in your judgments,
marvelous in strength and majesty,
wise in creating and prudent in establishing what exists,
good in all that is observed
and faithful to those who trust in you,
merciful and compassionate;
forgive us our sins and our injustices,
our transgressions and our shortcomings.
Do not take into account every sin of your servants,
but cleanse us with the cleansing of your truth,
and "direct our steps to walk in holiness and righteousness and purity of heart,"
and "to do what is good and pleasing in your sight"
and in the sight of our rulers.
Yes, Lord, "let your face shine upon us" in peace "for our good,"
that we may be sheltered "by your mighty hand"
and delivered from every sin "by your uplifted arm";
deliver us as well from those who hate us unjustly.
Give harmony and peace to us and to all who dwell on the earth,
just as you did to our fathers
when they reverently "called upon you in faith and trust,"
that we may be saved,
while we render obedience to your almighty and most excellent name,
and give harmony and peace to our rulers and governors on earth. Amen.
O Master, Let Me Walk With You
(A hymn by Washington Gladden, slightly revised)
O Master, let me walk with you
in lowly paths of service true;
Tell me your secret; help me bear
the strain of toil, the fret of care,
in Jesus' name, amen.
O Master, let me walk with you
in lowly paths of service true;
Tell me your secret; help me bear
the strain of toil, the fret of care,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Holding Fast
Lord, I hold fast to you.
I will not depart from following you,
but will keep your commandments,
by your grace.
Please be with me wherever I go,
prosper me,
for the sake of your kingdom,
and your flock,
in Jesus' name, amen.
(2 Kings 18:6-7)
I will not depart from following you,
but will keep your commandments,
by your grace.
Please be with me wherever I go,
prosper me,
for the sake of your kingdom,
and your flock,
in Jesus' name, amen.
(2 Kings 18:6-7)
Not Enough
Abba, I confess.
I am not smart enough to get through this day without you;
I need your knowledge and wisdom.
I am not strong enough;
I need your power and might.
I am not NEARLY righteous enough;
I need your holiness to course through me and flow from me.
I am not joyful;
I need your help to "rejoice always;"
I am no communicator;
I need you to empower my poor attempts at communication.
I am poor and needy, Abba,
and my poverty and need are all I have
to give you today--or any day.
I bring my emptiness to you
and ask for a fresh filling,
in Jesus' name, amen.
I am not smart enough to get through this day without you;
I need your knowledge and wisdom.
I am not strong enough;
I need your power and might.
I am not NEARLY righteous enough;
I need your holiness to course through me and flow from me.
I am not joyful;
I need your help to "rejoice always;"
I am no communicator;
I need you to empower my poor attempts at communication.
I am poor and needy, Abba,
and my poverty and need are all I have
to give you today--or any day.
I bring my emptiness to you
and ask for a fresh filling,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Enter
I will enter your gates with thanksgiving in my heart, Lord;
I will enter your gates
with praise.
I will enter with anticipation.
I will enter with faith.
I will enter humbly,
expectantly,
adoringly,
grateful simply for the privilege
of entering,
and hopeful of giving you the honor
that is due you,
and whatever I may receive from you
is added blessing.
Amen.
A Prayer for Safe Travel
Lord, I know there are millions of travellers on the roads (and in the skies) today, and you love and care for them all. But please keep an eye out for a black 2004 Mazda Tribute heading home from Kenosha. Grant us Godspeed, in Jesus' name, amen.
Unbroken Thanks
Sleepwakingcomfortablemattresscomfortablechairwarmhomelovingfamilyphonecallsfromkidshealthcleanclothesgoodbooksnewspaperscoffeecinnamonrollsbreadturkeystuffingpumpkinpiecomputeriphonecleanwaterbeautifulwifesafetraveldishwashersunlightfaithcomfortlaughtermusictoothbrushfriendshopehairsightabilitytowalkplantsandflowersmoneytobuygiftshappymarriageprayerandsososomuchmore!Thankyou,inJesus'name,amen.
No Need to Wait
Abba, there is of course no need to wait
for tomorrow to give thanks
for all you are
and all you've given
to me.
How can I possibly
thank you
adequately,
let alone generously,
for all your grace and mercy
and manifold blessings to me?
I who am so rich
in blessings
must unavoidably
be so poor
in thanks.
I can no more thank you sufficiently
than I can repay you.
But I give you thanks nonetheless:
Please forgive my poverty of thanksgiving
even as you have blessed me far,
far,
far,
far,
beyond my deserving,
in Jesus' name, amen.
for tomorrow to give thanks
for all you are
and all you've given
to me.
How can I possibly
thank you
adequately,
let alone generously,
for all your grace and mercy
and manifold blessings to me?
I who am so rich
in blessings
must unavoidably
be so poor
in thanks.
I can no more thank you sufficiently
than I can repay you.
But I give you thanks nonetheless:
Please forgive my poverty of thanksgiving
even as you have blessed me far,
far,
far,
far,
beyond my deserving,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Just Like Jeremiah
Lord God Adonai, by your great grace
make me, like Jeremiah,
"a fortified city, an iron pillar, bronze walls,"
in Jesus' name, amen.
make me, like Jeremiah,
"a fortified city, an iron pillar, bronze walls,"
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer of Columba of Iona
Be thou a bright flame before me,
Be thou a guiding star above me,
Be thou a smooth path below me,
Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,
Today - tonight - and for ever.
Be thou a guiding star above me,
Be thou a smooth path below me,
Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,
Today - tonight - and for ever.
Dawn on Us
The Lord lives! Blessed is the rock,
exalted is the horn of my salvation!
You, Lord, have done great things for me.
You have given triumph over the Enemy.
You have granted strength to your people.
You have helped us this far;
now, today, dawn on your people like the morning light,
like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning,
like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth (2 Sam. 23:4),
in Jesus' name, amen.
exalted is the horn of my salvation!
You, Lord, have done great things for me.
You have given triumph over the Enemy.
You have granted strength to your people.
You have helped us this far;
now, today, dawn on your people like the morning light,
like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning,
like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth (2 Sam. 23:4),
in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 78
O Lord, bless my teaching today;
grant me words worth listening to.
In parable,
in mystery,
new insights or old,
let me speak what
the testimony that will make you glad.
Let my words be accessible
to young and old;
let everyone grasp the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
your power, and the wonders you have done.
The statutes decreed to your people,
the law you established in Israel,
which you commanded them
to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Let my flock put their trust in you
as they did in their best moments,
and not forget your deeds
but follow you passionately.
Let us not be like our predecessors,
and like so many these days,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts are not loyal to you,
whose spirits are not faithful to you.
Let us not
turn back on the day of battle;
Let us not
forsake our covenant with you
and refuse your guidance.
Let us not
forget what you have done,
the wonders you have shown us.
Let us not
forget your miracles,
both in ancient times
and the ones we have seen with our own eyes.
Seas divided,
walls of water,
a cloud by day
and fire by night.
Water from rocks in the desert
and manna every morning.
But they continued to sin against you,
rebelling against the Most High.
They willfully put you to the test
by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against you, saying,
"Can God spread a table in the desert?
When water gushed from a rock,
and streams flowed abundantly,
they kept complaining,
demanding meat from your hand.
Save us from such complaining and faithlessness, Lord God.
Save us from your anger.
Bread of heaven, feed us till we want no more!
Let us never forget that you are our Rock,
that God Most High is our Redeemer.
Let our hearts remain loyal to you,
whatever our outward circumstances.
Teach us to measure our success
by your mercy,
your forgiveness,
your constant forbearance and goodness to us.
What you have done before,
do again, Adonai!
Lead us like sheep through a desert.
Guide us safely, and teach us to be unafraid.
Drive out our enemies before us,
and give us the fulfillment of your every good promise.
You have given your people a sanctuary,
like Zion,
you have established even more
than you had before.
You have anointed fine servant leaders,
and brought together many skilled hands to serve your people.
Make this flock like Israel of old,
and our leaders like David the shepherd king. Amen.
grant me words worth listening to.
In parable,
in mystery,
new insights or old,
let me speak what
the testimony that will make you glad.
Let my words be accessible
to young and old;
let everyone grasp the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
your power, and the wonders you have done.
The statutes decreed to your people,
the law you established in Israel,
which you commanded them
to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Let my flock put their trust in you
as they did in their best moments,
and not forget your deeds
but follow you passionately.
Let us not be like our predecessors,
and like so many these days,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts are not loyal to you,
whose spirits are not faithful to you.
Let us not
turn back on the day of battle;
Let us not
forsake our covenant with you
and refuse your guidance.
Let us not
forget what you have done,
the wonders you have shown us.
Let us not
forget your miracles,
both in ancient times
and the ones we have seen with our own eyes.
Seas divided,
walls of water,
a cloud by day
and fire by night.
Water from rocks in the desert
and manna every morning.
But they continued to sin against you,
rebelling against the Most High.
They willfully put you to the test
by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against you, saying,
"Can God spread a table in the desert?
When water gushed from a rock,
and streams flowed abundantly,
they kept complaining,
demanding meat from your hand.
Save us from such complaining and faithlessness, Lord God.
Save us from your anger.
Bread of heaven, feed us till we want no more!
Let us never forget that you are our Rock,
that God Most High is our Redeemer.
Let our hearts remain loyal to you,
whatever our outward circumstances.
Teach us to measure our success
by your mercy,
your forgiveness,
your constant forbearance and goodness to us.
What you have done before,
do again, Adonai!
Lead us like sheep through a desert.
Guide us safely, and teach us to be unafraid.
Drive out our enemies before us,
and give us the fulfillment of your every good promise.
You have given your people a sanctuary,
like Zion,
you have established even more
than you had before.
You have anointed fine servant leaders,
and brought together many skilled hands to serve your people.
Make this flock like Israel of old,
and our leaders like David the shepherd king. Amen.
A Fenced Wall
Let your angels be a fenced wall around us against all our enemies,
amen.
(part of a prayer by Martin Luther)
amen.
(part of a prayer by Martin Luther)
I Choose Peace
I choose peace today, Lord, in all I do,
in all my prayer and work,
in every contact and conversation,
in what gets done and what doesn't.
You are my peace, Jehovah-Shalom. Amen.
in all my prayer and work,
in every contact and conversation,
in what gets done and what doesn't.
You are my peace, Jehovah-Shalom. Amen.
A Morning Prayer by John Baillie
Here am I, O God,
of little power and of mean estate,
yet lifting up heart and voice to Thee
before whom all created things are as dust and a vapour.
Thou art hidden behind the curtain of sense,
incomprehensible in Thy greatness,
mysterious in Thine almighty power;
yet here I speak with Thee familiarly
as child to parent, as friend to friend.
If I could not thus speak to Thee,
then were I indeed without hope in the world.
For it is little that I have power to do or to ordain.
Not of my own will am I here,
not of my own will shall I soon pass hence.
Of all that shall come to me this day,
very little will be such as I have chosen for myself.
It is Thou, O hidden One, who dost appoint my lot
and determine the bounds of my habitation.
It is Thou who hast put power in my hand to do one work
and hast withheld the skill to do another.
It is Thou who dost keep in Thy grasp the threads of this day's life
and who alone knowest what lies before me to do or to suffer.
But because Thou art my Father, I am not afraid.
Because it is Thine own Spirit that stirs
within my spirit's inmost room,
I know that all is well.
What I desire for myself I cannot attain,
but what Thou desirest in me Thou canst attain for me.
The good that I would I do not,
but the good that Thou willest in me,
that Thou canst give me power to do.
Dear Father, take this day's life into Thine own keeping.
Control all my thoughts and feelings.
Direct all my energies.
Instruct my mind.
Sustain my will.
Take my hands and make them skillful to serve Thee.
Take my feet and make them swift to do Thy bidding.
Take my eyes and keep them fixed upon Thine everlasting beauty.
Take my mouth and make it eloquent in testimony to Thy love.
Make this day a day of obedience,
a day of spiritual joy and peace.
Make this day's work a little part
of the work of the Kingdom of my Lord Christ,
in whose name these my prayers are said,
Amen.
(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer, Ninth Day, Morning)
of little power and of mean estate,
yet lifting up heart and voice to Thee
before whom all created things are as dust and a vapour.
Thou art hidden behind the curtain of sense,
incomprehensible in Thy greatness,
mysterious in Thine almighty power;
yet here I speak with Thee familiarly
as child to parent, as friend to friend.
If I could not thus speak to Thee,
then were I indeed without hope in the world.
For it is little that I have power to do or to ordain.
Not of my own will am I here,
not of my own will shall I soon pass hence.
Of all that shall come to me this day,
very little will be such as I have chosen for myself.
It is Thou, O hidden One, who dost appoint my lot
and determine the bounds of my habitation.
It is Thou who hast put power in my hand to do one work
and hast withheld the skill to do another.
It is Thou who dost keep in Thy grasp the threads of this day's life
and who alone knowest what lies before me to do or to suffer.
But because Thou art my Father, I am not afraid.
Because it is Thine own Spirit that stirs
within my spirit's inmost room,
I know that all is well.
What I desire for myself I cannot attain,
but what Thou desirest in me Thou canst attain for me.
The good that I would I do not,
but the good that Thou willest in me,
that Thou canst give me power to do.
Dear Father, take this day's life into Thine own keeping.
Control all my thoughts and feelings.
Direct all my energies.
Instruct my mind.
Sustain my will.
Take my hands and make them skillful to serve Thee.
Take my feet and make them swift to do Thy bidding.
Take my eyes and keep them fixed upon Thine everlasting beauty.
Take my mouth and make it eloquent in testimony to Thy love.
Make this day a day of obedience,
a day of spiritual joy and peace.
Make this day's work a little part
of the work of the Kingdom of my Lord Christ,
in whose name these my prayers are said,
Amen.
(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer, Ninth Day, Morning)
Thanks for a Car
Thank you, Lord, for a faithful car,
a dependable little Ford Focus
that still serves me well
after 125,000 miles
and asks very little
besides regular doses of fuel
and oil
and an occasional pat on the hood.
Amen.
a dependable little Ford Focus
that still serves me well
after 125,000 miles
and asks very little
besides regular doses of fuel
and oil
and an occasional pat on the hood.
Amen.
Due
Praise is due you, Lord,
for a glorious day
in which you honored
the labor and worship
and prayers and dedication
and sacrifice and commitment
and willingness and submission
and repentance and servanthood
of your people.
You have done great things.
You have been faithful.
You have done marvelously.
You have answered prayer.
You have certainly, and abundantly, blessed me,
and I give you praise and thanks and honor,
to which you are abundantly due, amen.
for a glorious day
in which you honored
the labor and worship
and prayers and dedication
and sacrifice and commitment
and willingness and submission
and repentance and servanthood
of your people.
You have done great things.
You have been faithful.
You have done marvelously.
You have answered prayer.
You have certainly, and abundantly, blessed me,
and I give you praise and thanks and honor,
to which you are abundantly due, amen.
Te Deum
We praise thee, O God
: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee
: the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud
: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim
: continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy
: Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty
: of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world
: doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man
: thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death
: thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants
: whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people
: and bless thine heritage.
Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
Day by day : we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us
: as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted
: let me never be confounded.
(From the Book of Common Prayer)
: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee
: the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud
: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim
: continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy
: Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty
: of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world
: doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man
: thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death
: thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants
: whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people
: and bless thine heritage.
Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
Day by day : we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us
: as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted
: let me never be confounded.
(From the Book of Common Prayer)
Crush
God of peace, Jehovah Shalom,
please crush Satan under my feet (Romans 16:20),
in Jesus' name, amen.
please crush Satan under my feet (Romans 16:20),
in Jesus' name, amen.
Absences
Thank you, Abba, for the absences I enjoy today.
Thank you for the absence of pain in my body;
for the absence of hatred in my heart;
for the absence of hunger in my belly;
and the absence of fear in my soul.
Thank you for no sniffles and no tears,
no bruises, no splinters,
no pulls or strains or breaks.
Thank you that I have no onerous duty awaiting me--
no friend to bury,
no loved one to correct,
no one to reprove.
Thank you for the void
of tragedy and calamity
I enjoy right now,
and use it please to rest me
and strengthen me
for the day when that void is filled,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Thank you for the absence of pain in my body;
for the absence of hatred in my heart;
for the absence of hunger in my belly;
and the absence of fear in my soul.
Thank you for no sniffles and no tears,
no bruises, no splinters,
no pulls or strains or breaks.
Thank you that I have no onerous duty awaiting me--
no friend to bury,
no loved one to correct,
no one to reprove.
Thank you for the void
of tragedy and calamity
I enjoy right now,
and use it please to rest me
and strengthen me
for the day when that void is filled,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Dread Warrior
Dread Warrior,
today strike my Enemy "hip and thigh" (Judges 15:8).
Let him and his work be crushed before my very eyes.
And split open "the hollow place"
and send waters of refreshing and revival
for me and all your people (Judges 15:19),
in Jesus' name, amen.
today strike my Enemy "hip and thigh" (Judges 15:8).
Let him and his work be crushed before my very eyes.
And split open "the hollow place"
and send waters of refreshing and revival
for me and all your people (Judges 15:19),
in Jesus' name, amen.
Yahweh Yireh
Abba, give me the faith
to believe in you as Yahweh-Yireh,
God my Provider.
Give me faith to see you
at work
at all times,
achieving my good,
in Jesus' name, amen.
to believe in you as Yahweh-Yireh,
God my Provider.
Give me faith to see you
at work
at all times,
achieving my good,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Teach Me
Lord, teach me to pray (Luke 11:1). Teach me again. Teach me your ways. Teach me to love your Word, and to experience your presence, and to hear your voice. Teach me to say no to sin. Teach me to trust you. Teach me to rest. Teach me to cast all my cares on you. Teach me to preach. Teach me to lead. Teach me to write. Teach me to be all you call me to be, in Jesus' name, amen.
Privilege
Lord God, thank you for the powerful reminder you sent yesterday of the awesome privilege you've granted me of being a laborer in your vineyard, a teacher of your Word, of making known the manifold wisdom of God. Completely restore to me the joy and excitement of this ministry, in Jesus' name, amen.
All Things Bright and Beautiful, Slightly Revised
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
You, Lord God, made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
You made their glowing colors,
You made their tiny wings.
The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky,
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
You made them every one.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.
You gave me eyes to see them,
And lips that I might tell
How great you are, my Father,
Who has made all things well.
(from the hymn by Cecil Frances Alexander)
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
You, Lord God, made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
You made their glowing colors,
You made their tiny wings.
The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky,
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
You made them every one.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.
You gave me eyes to see them,
And lips that I might tell
How great you are, my Father,
Who has made all things well.
(from the hymn by Cecil Frances Alexander)
Praise for Hard Workers
Lord God, I praise you with my whole heart
for hard workers
who stick with a job
and get things done
and make things happen
and spend every last ounce
of energy and industry
for the sake of the flock.
Reward them all, Lord,
with restoration and renewal,
prospering them in every way,
in Jesus' name, amen.
for hard workers
who stick with a job
and get things done
and make things happen
and spend every last ounce
of energy and industry
for the sake of the flock.
Reward them all, Lord,
with restoration and renewal,
prospering them in every way,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Arise, O Lord
Arise, O Lord,
and defend your people today.
Deliver us!
Hosanna!
Exalt yourself,
frustrate your enemies,
and satisfy your people,
in Jesus' name, amen.
and defend your people today.
Deliver us!
Hosanna!
Exalt yourself,
frustrate your enemies,
and satisfy your people,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer for All Saints' Day
How shining and splendid are your gifts, O Lord
which you give us for our eternal well-being
Your glory shines radiantly in your saints, O God
In the honour and noble victory of the martyrs.
The white-robed company follow you,
bright with their abundant faith;
They scorned the wicked words of those with this world's power.
For you they sustained fierce beatings, chains, and torments,
they were drained by cruel punishments.
They bore their holy witness to you
who were grounded deep within their hearts;
they were sustained by patience and constancy.
Endowed with your everlasting grace,
may we rejoice forever
with the martyrs in our bright fatherland.
O Christ, in your goodness,
grant to us the gracious heavenly realms of eternal life.
(Unknown author, 10th century)
which you give us for our eternal well-being
Your glory shines radiantly in your saints, O God
In the honour and noble victory of the martyrs.
The white-robed company follow you,
bright with their abundant faith;
They scorned the wicked words of those with this world's power.
For you they sustained fierce beatings, chains, and torments,
they were drained by cruel punishments.
They bore their holy witness to you
who were grounded deep within their hearts;
they were sustained by patience and constancy.
Endowed with your everlasting grace,
may we rejoice forever
with the martyrs in our bright fatherland.
O Christ, in your goodness,
grant to us the gracious heavenly realms of eternal life.
(Unknown author, 10th century)
A Prayer for All Hallows' Eve
From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!
(Traditional Scottish Prayer)
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!
(Traditional Scottish Prayer)
A Prayer of St. Gregory of Khandzta
Christ Our Lord
You suffered and were tempted.
You are powerful to come to the aid
of those who are assailed by the devil,
For you are the support of Christian people.
O Lord, protect with Your Right Hand
those who trust in Your Name.
Deliver them from the Evil One,
and grant them everlasting joy. Amen.
(St. Gregory of Khandzta, 759-861)
You suffered and were tempted.
You are powerful to come to the aid
of those who are assailed by the devil,
For you are the support of Christian people.
O Lord, protect with Your Right Hand
those who trust in Your Name.
Deliver them from the Evil One,
and grant them everlasting joy. Amen.
(St. Gregory of Khandzta, 759-861)
Blessèd Lord, in Thee is Refuge
Blessèd Lord, in Thee is refuge, Safety for my trembling soul;
Pow’r to lift my head when drooping
’Midst the angry billows’ roll.
I will trust Thee, I will trust Thee;
All my life Thou shalt control.
In the past, too, unbelieving,
’Midst the tempest I have been,
And my heart has slowly trusted
What my eyes have never seen.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Teach me on Thine arm to lean.
O, for trust that brings the triumph
When defeat seems strangely near;
O, for faith that changes fighting
Into vict’ry’s ringing cheer!
Faith triumphant, faith triumphant,
Knowing not defeat nor fear.
Amen.
(from the hymn by Herbert Booth)
Kyrie Eleison
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven,
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.
Amen.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven,
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.
Amen.
A Prayer of John Baillie
Today, O Lord-- let me put right before interest;
let me put others before self;
let me put the things of the Spirit before the things of the body;
let me put the attainment of noble ends above the enjoyment of present pleasures;
let me put principle above reputation;
let me put Thee before all else.
Amen.
(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer, Day 14, Morning)
Plunder
Lord God Adonai,
plunder our enemies.
Take captive men, women, and children
from the camps of our enemies,
and their gifts and talents and treasure,
for the sake of what you plan to do in Oxford
and our surroundings.
Bring to us more and more souls
who will enable us to reach out to more and more souls,
in Jesus' name, amen.
plunder our enemies.
Take captive men, women, and children
from the camps of our enemies,
and their gifts and talents and treasure,
for the sake of what you plan to do in Oxford
and our surroundings.
Bring to us more and more souls
who will enable us to reach out to more and more souls,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer by John Newton
Your love in time pastForbids me to think
You'll leave me at last
In trouble to sink;
Each sweet Ebenezer
I have in review
Confirms your good pleasure
To help me quite through.
(from a hymn by John Newton, slightly revised)
Psalm 36:11
Let me not be crushed under the heels of the proud,
nor disheartened by the works of the wicked,
in Jesus' name, amen.
nor disheartened by the works of the wicked,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Mighty Savior
Thou art a mighty Savior,
Thy love doth never waver;
Thou shalt be mine forever,
And Thine alone I'll be.
(from the hymn by George S. Smith)
Thy love doth never waver;
Thou shalt be mine forever,
And Thine alone I'll be.
(from the hymn by George S. Smith)
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