In the Hour of Your Advent

I’ve begun to understand something I have known for a long time: You are still in the process of your coming. Your appearance in the form of a slave was only the beginning of your coming, a beginning in which you chose to redeem men by embracing the very slavery from which you were freeing them. And you can really achieve your purpose in this paradoxical way, because the paths that you tread have a real ending, the narrow passes which you enter soon open out into broad liberty, the cross that you carry inevitably becomes a brilliant banner of triumph.

It is said that you will come again, and this is true. But the word again is misleading. It won’t really be “another” coming, because you have never really gone away. In the human existence that you made your own for all eternity, you have never left us.

But still you will come again, because the fact that you have already come must continue to be revealed ever more clearly. It will become progressively more manifest to the world that the heart of all things is already transformed, because you have taken them all to your heart.

Behold, you come. And your coming is neither past nor future, but the present, which has only to reach its fulfillment. Now it is still the one single hour of your Advent, at the end of which we too shall have found out that you have really come.

O God who is to come, grant me the grace to live now, in the hour of your Advent, in such a way that I may merit to live in you forever, in the blissful hour of your eternity.

(from Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas)

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As Decay Creeps

Keep me, O Lord, from waxing mentally and spiritually dull and stupid. Help me to keep the physical, mental, and spiritual fiber of the athlete, of the man who denies himself daily and takes up his cross and follows Thee. Give me success in my work, but hide pride from me. Save me from the self-complacency that so frequently accompanies success and prosperity. Save me from the spirit of sloth, of self-indulgence, as physical infirmities and decay creep upon me.

(a prayer of Samuel Logan Brengle, recorded in Portrait of a Prophet by Clarence Hall; please feel free to share this prayer with others using the Twitter, Facebook, and other buttons below. You can also subscribe to this blog in your blog reader or enter your email address at top right to receive posts via email)

My Little Vessel Is As Full As It Can Be

O My God,
Thou fairest, greatest,
first of all objects,
my heart admires,
adores,
loves thee,
for my little vessel
is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out
all that fullness before thee
in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with thee
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless thee for the soul thou hast created,
for adorning it, for sanctifying it,
though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body thou hast given me,
for preserving its strength and vigour,
for providing senses to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.

I love thee above the powers of language to express,
for what thou art to thy creatures.

Increase my love, O my God,
through time and eternity.

(from The Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan prayers, edited by Arthur Bennett; please feel free to share this prayer with others using the Twitter, Facebook, and other buttons below. You can also subscribe to this blog in your blog reader or enter your email address at top right to receive posts via email)

More Thanks Than I Can Give

My Maker and my King,
To you my all I owe;
Your sovereign bounty
is the spring
Whence all my blessings flow.

The creature of your hand,
On you alone I live;
My God, your benefits demand
More praise than I can give.

Lord, what can I impart
When all is yours before?
Your love demands a thankful heart;
My gift, alas! how poor.

O! let your grace inspire,
My heartfelt thanks outpour;
Let every word and each desire
And all my days be yours.
Amen.

(A prayer by hymnwriter Anne Steele, slightly updated; please feel free to share this prayer with others using the Twitter, Facebook, and other buttons below. You can also subscribe to this blog in your blog reader or enter your email address at top right to receive posts via email)

On the Day Before a Feast

For you, who fed the hungry,

May we so break our bread

In constant, costly giving

That others may be fed. 

Amen.

(by Lillian Cox)

For the Commonplace

Lord, help me not take for granted
the simplest of gifts and blessings...

Make me grateful for the everyday, the commonplace,
what's right at hand, always there and at my fingertips...

Help me see what I often miss:
the gift of life itself and the blessing of your love...

(from A Concord Pastor Comments)

Steer

Steer the ship of my life, good Lord,
to your quiet harbor,
where I can be safe
from the storms of sin and conflict.
Show me the course I should take.
Renew in me the gift of discernment,
so that I can always see
the right direction in which I should go.
And give me the strength and the courage
to choose the right course,
even when the sea is rough and the waves are high,
knowing that through enduring hardship and danger,
in your name we shall find comfort and peace. Amen.

(a prayer of Basil of Caesarea; please feel free to share this prayer with others using the Twitter, Facebook, and other buttons below. You can also subscribe to this blog in your blog reader or enter your email address at top right to receive posts via email)

Sure

Listening

Dear Jesus,
Teach me to be a better listener. Soften my heart so that I may receive counsel willingly and with gratitude. When I stumble or make mistakes, give me the humility to accept godly correction so that I may grow in understanding. As I learn to be a good listener, I pray that you would bring me the blessings of spiritual maturity.

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

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Wit's End

Thank you
that you are never
at your wit's end.

Bring Them Home

God on high,
Hear my prayer;
In my need
You have always been there.

Make their skies
Smooth and clear,
Get them all
Safely here.
Bring them home.
Bring them home.
Bring them home.

(based on lines from "Bring Him Home," from Les Miserables)

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Please

Forgive me for so often acting
as though it should please you to please me.
May it please me to please you.

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Incautious

God, make me incautious in my dealings with you,

like a little child,

amen.

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Abilities

Abba, Father,
thank you that I can throw a ball and climb steps.
Thank you that I can chop wood and drive a car.
Thank you that I can read a book and chew my food,
sleep through the night and remember my name,
make my wife laugh,
hug my grandchildren,
sing, kneel, taste,
vote, and write.
Thank you that I can dress myself,
earn a living,
tie my shoes,
breathe deeply,
and laugh often.
Amen.

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I Remember

Not Giving Up

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Another Psalm 10

Sometimes, Lord, you do seem far away,
as if you are hiding yourself in these troubling times.
Such wickedness,
so many atrocities,
so much suffering.
It sure would be nice
if you would intervene, visibly and decisively.
It would be great
if you would stop the wicked in their tracks.
Do you see what's going on in Iraq and Syria,
where the works of your hands are being oppressed and brutalized?
Will you not hold the wicked accountable?
Will you let them continue to spread evil,
speaking and acting as if you don't exist?

And what of those who enrich themselves
on the misfortune of others,
the corrupt, the swindlers, the abusers?
They seem to do whatever they want, without resistance.

They spew blasphemy, curses, lies, and hatred.
They deceive well-meaning and gullible people.
They take advantage of others,
preying on the hopeful,
devouring the conscientious,
and exploiting the weak and poor,
as though you are missing in action,
unconcerned,
even blind.

Arise, Lord!
Act, please!
Move!

Show yourself.
Show your concern.
Show the world that you are alive, awake, and in control.

Show up for the helpless.
Show up for the orphan.
Show up for the beaten, suffering, despairing ones.

Strike down the wicked.
Beat back their poisonous ways.
Obliterate their progress and profits.

Assert yourself.
Establish justice.
Restore peace.

Amen.

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A Prayer for Our Prayers

Lord, accept our prayers,
but judge us not through our prayers;
grant them with mercy.

(first century Jewish prayer)

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Wild Grapes

Grant, Almighty God, that as you train us up with so much diligence and assiduous care, and regard us as dear and precious like an hereditary vine--O, grant that we may not bring forth wild grapes, and that our fruit may not be bitter and unpleasant to you, but that we may strive to so form our whole life in obedience to your law, that all our actions and thoughts may be pleasant and sweet fruits to you. And as there is ever some sin mixed up with our works, even when we desire to serve you sincerely and from the heart, grant that all stains in our works may be so cleansed and washed away by the sacrifice of your Son, that they may be sweet-smelling sacrifices to you, through the same, even Christ Jesus, who has so reconciled us to you as to obtain pardon even for our works. Amen.

(a prayer of John Calvin, in his Commentary on Hosea, translated into English in 1846 and updated by me into modern English)

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Veterans Day Prayer

G-d of compassion,
G-d of dignity and strength,
Watch over the veterans of the United States
In recognition of their loyal service to our nation.
Bless them with wholeness and love.
Shelter them.
Heal their wounds,
Comfort their hearts.
Grant them peace.

G-d of justice and truth,
Rock of our lives,
Bless our veterans,
These men and women of courage and valor,
With a deep and abiding understanding
Of our profound gratitude.
Protect them and their families from loneliness and want.
Grant them lives of joy and bounty.

May their dedication and honor
Be remembered as a blessing
From generation to generation.

Blessed are You,
Protector and Redeemer,
Our Shield and our Stronghold.

© 2011 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

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