For My Son on His Birthday
gone are the days
when my little boy
could climb into my lap
and melt my heart with a smile.
Gone--long gone!--are the nights
when I could read him a book
and smile with joy
at his plea for more
or sing him a lullaby
without knowing he could do it far better.
But oh, what a son he still is today.
Oh, Lord, how you've blessed me,
not only with a son,
but with such a son,
such a husband,
such a father,
and such a friend as he is.
And though I know it is selfish
to ask more when you have given so much already,
I ask.
Lord, I ask.
Please make his every dream come true.
Please.
Please continue making him like Enoch, who walked with you,
like Noah, who found grace in your sight,
like Abraham, who walked by faith,
like Joseph, a dreamer and doer,
like Moses, who walked on holy ground,
like his namesake Aaron, who led your people into your presence,
like Caleb and Joshua, who saw with eyes of faith,
like Elijah, who received food from your hand,
like Elisha, who was given a double portion,
like David, who danced before you, a man after your own heart,
like Jehoshaphat, who trusted in you,
like Hosea, who forgave largely,
like John, a beloved disciple,
like Barnabas, a mentor and encourager.
Make him more than anything, like Jesus, lover of souls.
Bless him, Lord, on his birthday,
and every day to come,
as you have so blessed me with him,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Breastplate
a terrible strength
invoking the Trinity
confessing the Three
with faith in the One
as I face my Maker.
Today I put on the power
of Christ's birth and baptism,
of his hanging and burial,
His resurrection, ascension,
and descent at the Judgement.
Today I put on the power
of the order of the Cherubim,
angels' obedience,
archangels' attendance,
in hope of ascending
to my reward;
patriarchs' prayers,
prophets' predictions,
apostles precepts,
confessors' testimony,
holy virgins' innocence
and the deeds of true men.
Today I put on
the power of Heaven,
the light of the Sun,
the radiance of the Moon,
the splendour of fire,
the fierceness of lightning,
the swiftness of wind,
the depth of the sea,
the firmness of earth
and the hardness of rock.
Today I put on
God's strenghth to steer me,
God's power to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye for my vision,
God's ear for my hearing,
God's word for my speech,
God's hand to protect me,
God's pathway before me,
God's shield for my shelter,
God's angels to guard me
from ambush of devils,
from vice's allurements,
from traps of the flesh,
from all who wish ill,
whether distant or close,
alone or in hosts.
I summon these powers today
to take my part against every implacable power
that attacks my body and soul,
the chants of false prophets,
dark laws of the pagans,
false heretics' laws,
entrapments of idols,
enchantments of women
or smiths or druids,
and all knowledge that poisons
man's body or soul.
Christ guard me today
from poison, from burning,
from drowning, from hurt,
that I have my reward.
Christ beside me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ within me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me.
Christ on my right hand,
Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie,
Christ where I sit,
Christ where I rise.
Christ in the hearts of all who think of me,
Christ in the mouths of all who speak to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Today I put on
a terrible strength,
invoking the Trinity,
confessing the Three,
with faith in the One
as I face my Maker.
(a prayer attributed to St. Patrick; photo by rgohery via pixabay.com)
For Women Who Have Taught, Pastored, Inspired, and Led Me
(photo by Belinda Fewings via unsplash.com)
I Renew
By the love that never ceased to hold me,
By the blood which Thou didst shed for me,
Whilst Thy presence and Thy power enfold me,
I renew my covenant with Thee.
Amen.
(a prayer by Salvationist hymnwriter Will Brand; photo by Samuel Martins via unsplash.com)
From an Autograph
Lord, thank you for instructing me and teaching me in the way which I should go. Please continue to keep your eye on me (drawn from Psalm 32:8).
Dull Imaginings
that we have imagined true humanness,
after the Enlightenment model,
to mean being successful,
having it all together,
knowing all the answers,
never making mistakes,
striding through the world as though we owned it.
(a prayer of N. T. Wright, from The Challenge of Jesus, p. 193; photo by Amazos7 via pixabay.com).
Teach Me
Teach me your ways, Lord.
Teach me your Word.
Teach me your wit.
Teach me your winsomeness.
Teach me your wiles.
Teach me your will.
Teach me your wealth of creativity,
resources,
variety,
and beauty.
Teach me your wonders,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Praise Belongs to You
Praise belongs to you, Lord,
Mighty God,
Transcendent,
Righteous,
Merciful,
and Just.
I praise you for being a mighty fortress,
a kind, forgiving Father,
a gentle, nursing mother,
a friend,
a king,
a warrior,
a shepherd,
a rose of Sharon,
a morning star,
a sun, and shield, a shelter,
all that I need, and all I aspire to be.
Amen.
(photo by Damian Markutt via unsplash.com)
The Canaan of Your Perfect Love
Which shall from age to age endure,
Whose word, when Heaven and earth shall pass,
Remains and stands forever sure,
That I your mercy may proclaim,
That all humanity truth may see,
Hallow your great and glorious name,
And perfect holiness in me.
Purge from me every sinful blot;
My idols all be cast aside;
Cleanse me from every sinful thought,
From all the filth of self and pride.
Give me a new, a perfect heart,
From doubt and fear and sorrow free;
The mind that is in Christ impart
And let my thoughts unblemished be.
O that I now, from sin released,
Your word may to the utmost prove,
Enter into your promised rest,
The Canaan of your perfect love. Amen.
(a hymn by Charles Wesley, slightly revised; photo by Dyana Wing So via unsplash.com)
Mozart's Laudate Dominum
English translation:
Praise the Lord, all nations;
Praise Him, all people.
For He has bestowed
His mercy upon us,
And the truth of the Lord endures forever.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and forever,
and for generations of generations.
Amen.
Love and Hate
to love what I ought to love,
to praise what delights you most,
to value what is precious in your sight,
and to hate what is offensive to you. Amen.
(a prayer by Thomas à Kempis; photo illustration by Brett Jordan via unsplash.com)
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