Shelter and Shield

 


All the Sense and Meaning I Need


Jesus, I love you, I love you! 

Cleanse me of anything that is not love for you, even though the world will think me preposterous and my friends— some of whom are your disciples— will not be able to make sense of me. You are all the sense and meaning I need. I love you. Amen

(a prayer of Walter Wangerin from Reliving the Passion, p. 44; photo by Joshua Earle via unsplash.com)

Can't Wait

 

Oh, Lord, thank you for kids and grandkids I can't wait to spend time with, though it always passes too quickly, in Jesus' name, amen. 

Cousins

 

Oh, Lord, thank you for grandkids who love their cousins so much. Amen. 

For Mia


Lord, watch over my amazing, wonderful granddaughter, Mia, 
especially today on her 14th birthday.
Bless and guide her wherever she is,
everywhere she goes, 
keeping her as lovely and kind as she is today 
even as you increase her in wisdom, learning, and skill. 
Continue to make her strong in faith and conduct. 
Comfort her when she's sad or discouraged. 
Lift her when she stumbles. 
Surround her with friends and family
who respect, value, and love her. 
And may the peace that passes understanding 
and joy unspeakable 
fill her heart and her days, 
both now and ever more, 
in Jesus' name, amen.

In Sensitive Agreement

Thank you, Lord God Almighty, 
that I never pray alone: 
Thank you for the Spirit's intercession
and for my Lord Jesus,
who "ever liveth" to intercede for me
and with me.
Please let me pray in concert with you
and in sensitive agreement
with your will. Amen.

(photo via everystockphoto.com)

Generosity

My prayer today for my kids and my grandkids, from the "31 Ways to Pray for Your Kids" app for iPhone and iPad:

Loves

 


Give us this day our daily loves, in Jesus' name, 
amen.

A Prayer of Irenaeus


Give perfection to beginners, O Father; 
give intelligence to the little ones; 
give aid to those who are running their course. 
Give sorrow to the negligent; 
give fervor of spirit to the lukewarm. 
Give to the perfect a good consummation; 
for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord.

(a prayer of Irenaeus; photo by Janosch Lino via unsplash.com)

For the Grace to Praise You

Abba, Father, Mighty God, Adonai, I praise you: for the grace to praise you. I praise you: for the symphony of seasons, four movements, winterspringsummerfall. I praise you: for the marvelous variety of tastes you've placed in this world, grapes, apples, bread, potato, cheese, milk, asparagus, peas, egg yolk and white, chocolate, coffee, salt and pepper, beef and chicken, pork and fish, cinnamon, sugar, and so much more. I praise you: for your endless creativity, your awesome majesty, your thundering power, your gentle caresses, your incredible patience, your immeasurable condescension to listen to me praise you.