Able

Saturday Psalm #92

It is good to praise you, LORD,
and sing songs to you, O Most High,
to start out my day with praise
and end it with thanks,
to sing songs that remind me of your
great love and faithfulness.

For praising you
is the best mood-lifter in the world,
and worship always screws my head back on right.

I will focus on your works, O LORD,
and try to think your thoughts after you!

I will not be distracted by the works of senseless men,
and fools who lack understanding,
for though their words and deeds may frustrate me,
they flourish only for a time,
and don't even know how soon their lives will end.

But you, O LORD, are exalted forever.
Your enemies will be scattered.
You have entrusted great things to me,
and have blessed me far, far beyond what I deserve.
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes,
time and time again, by your great mercy.

You will make me flourish like a palm tree,
you will cause me to grow like a cedar of Lebanon,
watered by worship,
sustained by fountains of blessing in the house of the LORD,
the courts of our God.

By your grace, I will still bear fruit in old age,
I will stay fresh and green,
always proclaiming, "The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and he has been nothing but good to me."

Amen.

For Baseball

Thank you, God, for baseball:
for outfields of green
and the crack of the ball on a wooden bat.
For pitchers with eccentric windups,
for stolen bases
and diving catches.
For double plays
and double steals,
bunts and brushbacks,
squeeze plays and home runs.
For "cold beer here!" and ballpark franks.
For the seventh inning stretch.
For day games and night games.
For OBPs and ERAs,
pickoff plays and headfirst slides,
for opening days and hope springing eternal.
Amen.

Cling to You


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

For Unconquerable Hearts

Give us, O Lord,
a steadfast heart,
which no unworthy affection may drag downwards;
give us an unconquered heart,
which no tribulation can wear out;
give us an upright heart,
which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.

Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God,
understanding to know you,
diligence to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(a prayer by Ignatius of Loyola; photo via everystockphoto.com)

Admiration

Lord,
Often I want others to respect me, so I emphasize my accomplishments. Still, I know that reflecting your love through faithful service is a more admirable quality. Open my eyes so that I may see others from your perspective, Lord. Soften my heart so I can love them as you do. And if others admire me, may it because of your work in me.  
(an excerpt from the book, 365 Pocket Prayers, by Ron Beers)

Saturday Psalm #91















I'm here, LORD, dwelling in the shelter of the Most High.
I rest in the shadow of your wings, Almighty God, my Savior.

You are my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.

Save me from the traps that surround me
and the sickness that pervades this sad world.

Cover me with your feathers,
and grant me refuge under your wings;
Your faithfulness is my shield and fortification.

Let not worries assail me at night,
nor stresses by day,
nor the darkness of discouragement,
and depression.

Though attacks may swirl around me
and the Enemy's presence seem oh, so near,
I trust in your protection..

Let me see clearly into the spirit realm,
and know that you are fighting for me.

You, Most High, are my home,
you are my defense,
and no harm will befall me,
no disaster will come near me.

Command your angels to surround me,
guard me in all my ways;
lift me up in their hands,
so that I won't even so much as stub a toe.

In your strength I can tread upon the lion and the cobra;
with you, my God, I will trample the great lion and the serpent.

Because I love you, I know you will rescue me;
you will protect me, for I acknowledge your name.

I call upon you, and you answer me;
you are with me in times of trouble,
and will deliver me and honor me.

With long and fruitful life, satisfy me, LORD,
and save me day by day. Amen.

Dispose


Jesus, my Savior,
you are the Sovereign Good;
here is my life and my will.

Dispose of me according to your good pleasure.

I acknowledge, Lord,
that of myself I can do nothing;
but, provided that after having given me
the grace of drawing me to you
and having given me the knowledge of the truth,
you do not withdraw from me,
nothing will be impossible to me.

Amen.

(from the Daily Prayer blog)

As Ready as the Robins

Father in the wind-blown heavens, we watch in wonderment as you set plumb again the axle of our greening earth.

Even at the sixth hour this morning we needed no lantern to attend those blessed yeaning things on the bright rye straw in the big red barn.

Now when the daytime gets as long as the night, God's new springtime is here surely enough.

Make us as ready as the robins are.

For whenever the time may come, we want to turn over to you more than five barley loaves and two little fishes.

Make us strong but humble; just but kind; and every day, rain or shine, smiling.

Amen.

(from the book, The Farmer Gives Thanks; photo via everystockphoto.com)

Spring Prayer

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

(by Robert Frost, from A Boy's Will)

For Aaron

Oh, Lord, my God,
gone are the days  
when my little boy  
could climb into my lap 
and melt my heart with a smile. 
Gone are the nights 
when I could read him a book 
and smile with joy 
at his plea for more. 

But oh, what a son he still is today.
Oh, how you've blessed me,
not only with a boy,
but with such a son,
and such a husband,
and 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.

Make him like Enoch, who walked with you.
Make him like Noah, who found grace in your sight.
Make him like Abraham, who walked by faith.
Make him like Joseph, a dreamer and doer.
Make him like Moses, who walked on holy ground.
Make him like his namesake Aaron, who led your people into your presence.

Make him like Caleb and Joshua, who saw with eyes of faith.
Make him like Elijah, who received food from your hand.
Make him like Elisha, who was given a double portion.
Make him like David, who danced before you, a man after your own heart.
Make him like Jehoshaphat, who trusted in you.
Make him like Hosea, who forgave largely.

Make him like John, a beloved disciple.
Make him 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.


Lorica

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, here is the famous prayer attributed to St. Patrick, called The Lorica, or Breastplate of St. Patrick: 

Today I put on
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.

(photo via everystockphoto.com)

Saturday Psalm #90

Lord, you have been my shelter
and that of my family for many generations.

Long before that,
before the mountains were born,
before matter existed,
from everlasting to everlasting,
from eternity past to eternity future,
you are God.

You will pick the day
when my heart stops beating.
You know just how many steps remain
along my way.

For you, it is already accomplished,
for a thousand years are like a single day to you;
in you there is no difference between now and then.

You must laugh at my daily stresses,
for you know that in the grand scheme of your plan,
they are not so much as a blip on a radar screen.

And yet, I know you care.
I know your heart breaks when mine does,
and you long to carry my burdens
as you have carried my sins far away.

Only you know how long I have left,
to love and serve my family,
my church,
my community and world.

But whether my earthly future
will be measured in hours or decades,
I know this is the only time in history
that I get to partner with you in bringing your kingdom.

So teach me to use my time wisely,
and passionately.

Satisfy me each morning with your unfailing love,
and hear my songs of joy each night,
for the rest of my days.

Let my joys outnumber my sorrows,
and let your deeds be shown among my people,
your splendor to us and all our children.

May your favor, Lord God, rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Amen.

I Plead Thyself

Jesus, Lord God from all eternity,
Whom love of us brought down to shame,
I plead Thy life with Thee,
I plead Thy death, I plead Thy name.

Jesus, Lord God of every living soul,
Thy love exceeds its uttered fame,
Thy will can make us whole,
I plead Thyself. I plead Thy name.

(a prayer of Christina Rossetti)

Circumstances

Teach me, O God,
to use all the circumstances of my life to-day
that they may bring forth in me
the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin.
Let me use disappointment as material for patience:
Let me use success as material for thankfulness:
Let me use suspense as material for perseverance:
Let me use danger as material for courage:
Let me use reproach as material for long-suffering:
Let me use praise as material for humility:
Let me use pleasures as material for temperance:
Let me use pains as material for endurance.
Amen.


(a prayer of John Baillie from his book, A Diary of Private Prayer)

Pure Hearts


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

Blessed Forever













May You be blessed forever, LORD,
for not abandoning me when I abandoned You.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,
for offering Your hand of love
in my darkest, most lonely moment.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,
for putting up with such a stubborn soul as mine.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,
for loving me more than I love myself.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,
for continuing to pour out Your blessing upon me,
even though I respond so poorly.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,
for drawing out the goodness in all people,
even including me.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,
for repaying our sin with Your love.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,
for being constant and unchanging,
amidst all the changes of the world.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,
for Your countless blessings on me
and on all Your creatures.

(a prayer of Teresa Of Avila, 1515-1582)

Adapt

Dear Jesus,
My ability to adapt to life's changes goes hand in hand with trusting you. When the road of life takes a sudden sharp turn, I can adapt willingly and quickly because I know that you love me, and I trust that you have the best plans for my life. Thus I'm able to move forward in faith and obedience to you.

(an excerpt from the book, 365 Pocket Prayers, by Ron Beers)

Saturday Psalm #89

I will sing of your great love forever, LORD;
I will not shy from telling of your faithfulness.
I will testify to your firm, steadfast love,
and your utter faithfulness to me and mine.
You make a covenant; you keep it.

Reveal your faithfulness among your people
as your wonders sprinkle the night sky.
Let your splendor shine like the stars,
your sufficiency like the light of the day.


Teach me to court your favor, Lord,
and no one else’s.
O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
Roll over me like the mighty waves of the surging sea;
scatter our enemies like the Canaanites before Joshua,
and the Philistines before David.

Heaven and earth are yours alike;
all the plenty of this world came from you and belongs to you.
You created the north and the south;
the highest heights sing for joy at your name.
Your arm is mighty in strength;
your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
Your sovereign rule is characterized by righteousness and justice,
all your wonderful acts show your love and faithfulness.

I am so blessed, Lord, to be among those who have learned to praise you,
who walk in the light of your presence.
I am so grateful for the privilege of rejoicing with your people,
and exulting in the midst of the great assembly.
You are my glory and strength, and no one else.
Your favor you is my foremost desire.
You are my shield,
and I belong to you, the Holy One of Israel.
You give me the strength of a warrior;
you keep me young in my spirit.
Your hand sustains me;
your arm strengthens me.
You deliver me from my enemy,
and save me from oppression.
Crush my foe, Lord God;
strike down my adversary.
Focus my sight on your faithful love for me,
and raise or lower me as you wish.
You are my Father, my God, my Rock, my Savior.
Your promises will never fail.
Your presence will never leave me.
Correct me in your kindness and wisdom,
but let me and mine follow your ways forever.

You have broken me;
you have seemed hard to reach at times.
But your sternest discipline
is sweeter than the favor of men.
Remember how fleeting is my life,
and teach me to make the most of your great gifts to me
in whatever time I have left.

I praise you, LORD;
I will praise you forever! Amen and Amen.

(image by manfredrichter on Pixabay)

Visit Now This Soul

Christ, Whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only Light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Triumph o’er the shades of night;
Dayspring from on high be near;
Day-star, in my heart appear.

Visit now this soul of mine,
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, Radiancy divine,
Scatter all my unbelief;
More and more Yourself display,
Shining to the perfect day.

(from a hymn by Charles Wesley; photo via everystockphoto.com)

The Winds of March

Who shall rebuke the winds of March or calm the raging snow waters?

Who but Thee, O Lord, who slept in the hinder part of the ship and commanded us to be not fearful.

And told the storm: be still.

Give us that same great faith, O God, as we come into the new spring.

Bless our plows, and our harrows too.

Let our grass seed fall on good ground, rot naturally in the moist earth, and live again in the warmth of the sun.

Bless every suckling on this place, our Father.

Strengthen the mothers, and spread their tender spirit of love and sacrifice into the hearts of men the world around.

We saw the wild geese in echelon flying, O God, and we are thankful.

Amen.

(from the book, The Farmer Gives Thanks; photo via everystockphoto.com)

Ash Wednesday

Ruler of the Night, Guarantor of the day . . .
This day — a gift from you.
This day — like none other you have ever given, or we have ever received.
This Wednesday dazzles us with gift and newness and possibility.
This Wednesday burdens us with the tasks of the day,
for we are already halfway home
halfway back to committees and memos,
halfway back to calls and appointments,
halfway on to next Sunday,
halfway back, half frazzled, half expectant,
half turned toward you, half rather not.

This Wednesday is a long way from Ash Wednesday,
but all our Wednesdays are marked by ashes —
we begin this day with that taste of ash in our mouth:
of failed hope and broken promises,
of forgotten children and frightened women,
we ourselves are ashes to ashes, dust to dust;
we can taste our mortality as we roll the ash around on our tongues.

We are able to ponder our ashness with
some confidence, only because our every Wednesday of ashes
anticipates your Easter victory over that dry, flaky taste of death.

On this Wednesday, we submit our ashen way to you —
you Easter parade of newness.
Before the sun sets, take our Wednesday and Easter us,
Easter us to joy and energy and courage and freedom;
Easter us that we may be fearless for your truth.
Come here and Easter our Wednesday with
mercy and justice and peace and generosity.

We pray as we wait for the Risen One who comes soon.

(from Prayers for a Privileged People by Walter Brueggemann)

Ah Holy Jesus



Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended
That we to judge thee have in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected
O most afflicted

For me, kind Jesus, was thine incarnation
Thy mortal sorrow, and thy life's oblation
Thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion
For my salvation

Saturday Psalm #88

O LORD, God of my salvation;
Morning and evening I lay my needs before you.
Listen, please, Lord.
Hear what I'm saying.
My soul is in need, as always.
My moods are too changeful.
While I feel renewed in your Spirit
and my mind and heart are hungrier than ever,
and I feel like I've come through a dark valley
into fields of green and gold,
I am still far too easily brought down
by the negativity of others
and the awareness of people's disapproval.
I am not a victim of circumstance...
but I too often act like one,
as though the pit is always a step or two ahead of me.

But, Lord, I say to you now,
while I have strength to say it,
let my companions shun me;
let people misunderstand me,
let the uninformed be ungracious toward me!
I rely upon you, O LORD;
I spread out my hands to you.
Your steadfast love is my food,
your faithfulness is my drink.
As long as you continue to reveal your wonders to me
and to your church,
I will trust you to teach me
not to care what others say or believe about me.

You know my heart.
Every morning my prayer comes before you.
Though it may feel like it at times, you never cast me away
or hide your face from me.
I am nothing without you.
I am helpless without you.
Whatever attacks you allow to come my way
I will do my best, by your grace, to withstand,
and to remember that even when former companions
believe lies or tell lies about me,
that every affliction you allow me to suffer
is an opportunity to learn and grow and conquer! Hallelujah! Amen.

Author

Abba, teach me to pray.
Save me from "making" prayers.
Save me from "saying" prayers.
Help me to know how to pray,
what to pray,
for whom to pray.
Prompt my praying.
Guide my praying.
Be the author of my prayers,
from beginning to end, amen.

(photo via pixabay.com)