God, as J.D. Greear says,
give me the head of a Baptist,
the heart of a Pentecostal,
and the feet of a Jehovah’s Witness.
And I add, please give me the hands of a Salvationist,
the joy of the Church of God in Christ,
and the commitment of a Mormon.
Give me please the integrity of Billy Graham,
the generosity of Rick Warren,
the prayer life of Hudson Taylor,
the servant heart of Mother Theresa.
Help me also to work like an Arminian
and sleep like a Calvinist,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Betrayal and Desertion
Lord Jesus, I've never thanked you
for enduring the betrayal and desertion
of your closest friends.
But I thank you now.
It means something to know
that you know
that pain,
and you forgive.
for enduring the betrayal and desertion
of your closest friends.
But I thank you now.
It means something to know
that you know
that pain,
and you forgive.
Morning Prayer
Whatever comes my way today,
whatever men may do or say,
have your way in me
so everyone may see
I belong to you.
In all my hands may find to do,
let all the glory go to you,
give grace and peace I pray,
let all my actions say
I belong to you.
In waking and in sleeping, Lord,
give what strength your will affords,
and keep me through it all,
make sure I do not fall,
for I belong to you.
(copyright 2005, Bob Hostetler )
whatever men may do or say,
have your way in me
so everyone may see
I belong to you.
In all my hands may find to do,
let all the glory go to you,
give grace and peace I pray,
let all my actions say
I belong to you.
In waking and in sleeping, Lord,
give what strength your will affords,
and keep me through it all,
make sure I do not fall,
for I belong to you.
(copyright 2005, Bob Hostetler )
On My Son's Birthday
Abba, Father, how I thank you for my son, Aaron, and all the good things you have placed in him.
On this, his twenty-sixth birthday,
please bless him and keep him,
make your face shine upon him and be gracious to him,
smile on him and give him peace,
in the name of Jesus, your Son, amen.
The Lorica, or St. Patrick's Breastplate
I arise today Through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength
of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength
of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength
of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength
of his descent for the judgment of Doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches
and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison,
against burning,
Against drowning,
against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.
People Pleaser's Prayer
Abba, Father, please save me from the error
of believing I can please everyone;
and grant me the wisdom
to be satisfied if you are pleased.
Amen.
of believing I can please everyone;
and grant me the wisdom
to be satisfied if you are pleased.
Amen.
Prayer for Church Finances
Lord, I lift up our church finances. May we sow generously into our church without reluctance or compulsion. Make all grace abound so we have all we need for every good work You’ve assigned us. Make us rich in ways that result in generosity on our part so You will be praised. Keep reminding us of your promise to throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessing on all who bring the whole tithe into Your house (2 Cor. 9:6-11; Mal. 3:10).
(A prayer from http://prayerleader.com)
(A prayer from http://prayerleader.com)
Prayer for Cobblestone
Lord, for your church,
my family, Cobblestone, I pray.
Inspire our worship,
empower John's speaking,
inhabit the praises of your people,
show your glory,
make the fellowship of the saints glorious,
and let the distant be drawn close,
and the close be drawn closer,
in Jesus' name, amen.
my family, Cobblestone, I pray.
Inspire our worship,
empower John's speaking,
inhabit the praises of your people,
show your glory,
make the fellowship of the saints glorious,
and let the distant be drawn close,
and the close be drawn closer,
in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 84
I love your dwelling place,
Lord God Adonai!
I hunger to worship you,
I thirst to gather with your people,
and commune with you.
Like a sparrow in its nest,
or a swallow sheltering in a chimney,
I am utterly at home in your presence,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
I love your house;
I love your people.
I love being around those whose strength is in you,
who enter your house intent on worship.
Thank you for those who worship you
wherever you show up,
in a tiny chapel or a majestic cathedral,
in a desert or a rainforest.
You lead such true worshipers from strength to strength,
you show yourself to them without fail.
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Look upon us, Lord God;
look with favor on your servants and ministers.
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand anywhere else;
I would rather sweep your floors, O Lord,
than be exalted in the palaces of the wicked.
For you, LORD God, are a sun and shield;
you bestow favor and honor;
you withhold no good thing
from those who walk with you.
O LORD Almighty,
I am thrilled and honored to trust in you
and call you mine.
Lord God Adonai!
I hunger to worship you,
I thirst to gather with your people,
and commune with you.
Like a sparrow in its nest,
or a swallow sheltering in a chimney,
I am utterly at home in your presence,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
I love your house;
I love your people.
I love being around those whose strength is in you,
who enter your house intent on worship.
Thank you for those who worship you
wherever you show up,
in a tiny chapel or a majestic cathedral,
in a desert or a rainforest.
You lead such true worshipers from strength to strength,
you show yourself to them without fail.
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Look upon us, Lord God;
look with favor on your servants and ministers.
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand anywhere else;
I would rather sweep your floors, O Lord,
than be exalted in the palaces of the wicked.
For you, LORD God, are a sun and shield;
you bestow favor and honor;
you withhold no good thing
from those who walk with you.
O LORD Almighty,
I am thrilled and honored to trust in you
and call you mine.
The Magnificent
(A prayer of U2, believe it or not)
I was born to sing for you
I didn't have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise...
Justified till [I] die....I will magnify
The Magnificent.
I was born to sing for you
I didn't have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise...
Justified till [I] die....I will magnify
The Magnificent.
A Prayer of Clement XI
O my God, I believe in Thee; do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee; do Thou secure them. I love Thee; teach me to love Thee daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended Thee, do Thou increase my sorrow.I adore Thee as my first beginning; I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon Thee as my sovereign protector.
Vouchsafe, O my God! To conduct me by Thy wisdom, to restrain me by Thy justice, to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power.
To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think of Thee, speak of Thee, refer all my actions to Thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shalt appoint.
Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will may be done because it is Thy will, and in the manner that Thou willest.
I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul.
Give me strength, O my God! To expiate my offenses, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state of life.
Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness, hatred of my faults, love of my neighbor, and contempt of the world.
May Thy grace help me to be submissive to my superiors, [gracious] to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies.
Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion.
O my God! Make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in affliction, and humble in prosperity.
Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my employments, and constant in my resolutions.
Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my comportment regular.
Assist me, that I may continually labor to overcome nature, to correspond with Thy grace, to keep Thy commandments, and to work out my salvation.
Make me realize, O my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of Heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity.
Grant that I may prepare for death; that I may fear Thy judgments, and in the end obtain Heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today is the Day
(A prayer of Lincoln Brewster)
I'm casting my cares aside,
I'm leaving my past behind,
I'm setting my heart and mind on You, Jesus,
I'm reaching my hands to Yours,
Believing there's so much more,
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good,
It's good.
Today is the day You have made;
I will rejoice and be glad in it,
And I won't worry about tomorrow,
I'm trusting in what You say,
Today is the day.
I'm putting my fears aside,
I'm leaving my doubts behind,
I'm giving my hopes and dreams to You, Jesus,
I'm reaching my hands to Yours,
Believing there's so much more,
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good,
It's good.
I will stand upon Your truth
And all my days I'll live for You.
Amen.
I'm casting my cares aside,
I'm leaving my past behind,
I'm setting my heart and mind on You, Jesus,
I'm reaching my hands to Yours,
Believing there's so much more,
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good,
It's good.
Today is the day You have made;
I will rejoice and be glad in it,
And I won't worry about tomorrow,
I'm trusting in what You say,
Today is the day.
I'm putting my fears aside,
I'm leaving my doubts behind,
I'm giving my hopes and dreams to You, Jesus,
I'm reaching my hands to Yours,
Believing there's so much more,
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good,
It's good.
I will stand upon Your truth
And all my days I'll live for You.
Amen.
To My Dread Warrior
Lord God Adonai, Dread Warrior,
please shield me and mine
from the Enemy's attacks.
Please defend us
and mend us
and superintend us,
in Jesus' name, amen.
please shield me and mine
from the Enemy's attacks.
Please defend us
and mend us
and superintend us,
in Jesus' name, amen.
God You Reign
(A prayer of Lincoln Brewster)
You paint the night,
you count the stars and call them by name;
the skies proclaim:
God, you reign!
Your glory shines;
you teach the sun when to bring a new day;
Creation sings: God, you reign!
God, you reign,
God, you reign,
forever and ever,
God, you reign!
You part the seas,
you move the mountains with the words that you say;
my song remains:
God, you reign!
You hold my life,
you know my heart and you call me by name;
i live to say: God, you reign!
You paint the night,
you count the stars and call them by name;
the skies proclaim:
God, you reign!
Your glory shines;
you teach the sun when to bring a new day;
Creation sings: God, you reign!
God, you reign,
God, you reign,
forever and ever,
God, you reign!
You part the seas,
you move the mountains with the words that you say;
my song remains:
God, you reign!
You hold my life,
you know my heart and you call me by name;
i live to say: God, you reign!
What Trials
Lord God, you know what trials afflict me,
and what trials await me.
You know all things.
In your wisdom, love, and power,
come to my assistance;
make haste to help me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
and what trials await me.
You know all things.
In your wisdom, love, and power,
come to my assistance;
make haste to help me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord of the Starfields
(A prayer by Bruce Cockburn)
Lord of the starfields,
Ancient of Days,
Universe Maker,
Here's a song in your praise.
Wings of the storm cloud,
Beginning and end,
You make my heart leap
Like a banner in the wind.
O love that fires the sun,
Keep me burning.
Lord of the starfields,
Sower of life,
Heaven and earth are
Full of your light.
Voice of the nova,
Smile of the dew,
All of our yearning
Only comes home to you.
O love that fires the sun,
keep me burning.
Lord of the starfields,
Ancient of Days,
Universe Maker,
Here's a song in your praise.
Wings of the storm cloud,
Beginning and end,
You make my heart leap
Like a banner in the wind.
O love that fires the sun,
Keep me burning.
Lord of the starfields,
Sower of life,
Heaven and earth are
Full of your light.
Voice of the nova,
Smile of the dew,
All of our yearning
Only comes home to you.
O love that fires the sun,
keep me burning.
Small Thanks
God, thanks so much for the things in my life--
big and small--
that give me pleasure.
Help me to notice all of the ways that you've blessed me. Amen.
big and small--
that give me pleasure.
Help me to notice all of the ways that you've blessed me. Amen.
Visit
Abba, visit your people Cobblestone today with your love and power. Send a mighty rushing wind, in Jesus' name, amen.
Morning Prayer
Lord, let my every thought, movement, word, and deed today be guided and inspired and approved by you, in Jesus' name, amen.
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