(A prayer of George Matheson)
O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
Rest
Lord, my God, my God, my gracious Friend,
as this long day comes to its end,
and as I sleep, I rest in you.
And in the morning, when I wake,
let me no less rest in you then, too.
as this long day comes to its end,
and as I sleep, I rest in you.
And in the morning, when I wake,
let me no less rest in you then, too.
Train My Hands for Warfare
Abba, I'm a pastor.
I was ordained as a pastor 27 years ago.
And yet I still haven't grown accustomed
to the Enemy's darts and daggers.
Please, Lord, either steel me against discouragement
or train my hands to fight.
Should I expect that every Sunday someone's going to tell me
that I disappointed them,
that I let them down,
that someone else is upset with me because I didn't do enough?
Should I anticipate, when I walk away from a celebration
thinking, "Wow, that was wonderful, Lord, thank you!"
that someone is gonna contact me
and say, "That was terrible, what're you gonna do about it?"
I know that sheep will bleat,
but will I never have a break from criticism
and fault-finding
and nit-picking
except when I am on vacation
or worshiping with someone else's flock?
I was ordained as a pastor 27 years ago.
And yet I still haven't grown accustomed
to the Enemy's darts and daggers.
Please, Lord, either steel me against discouragement
or train my hands to fight.
Should I expect that every Sunday someone's going to tell me
that I disappointed them,
that I let them down,
that someone else is upset with me because I didn't do enough?
Should I anticipate, when I walk away from a celebration
thinking, "Wow, that was wonderful, Lord, thank you!"
that someone is gonna contact me
and say, "That was terrible, what're you gonna do about it?"
I know that sheep will bleat,
but will I never have a break from criticism
and fault-finding
and nit-picking
except when I am on vacation
or worshiping with someone else's flock?
Breastplate
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.
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.
Hostage Prayer
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy, O Lord, on the family and friends
of the South Korean hostage
who was killed by the Taliban just recently.
Give wisdom, Lord, to those confronted with the choice
of inviting more kidnapping by paying ransom money to evil people
or inviting more killing by not paying ransom.
Give comfort, Lord, to those who mourn.
Mete justice to those who do such evil things.
Save the innocent.
Punish the guilty.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy, O Lord, on the family and friends
of the South Korean hostage
who was killed by the Taliban just recently.
Give wisdom, Lord, to those confronted with the choice
of inviting more kidnapping by paying ransom money to evil people
or inviting more killing by not paying ransom.
Give comfort, Lord, to those who mourn.
Mete justice to those who do such evil things.
Save the innocent.
Punish the guilty.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Weary Prayer
Abba, Father, I am overcome with weariness and fatigue
both of body and of spirit.
My energy is gone.
My creativity has drained.
My passion is depleted.
Help me, Lord.
Send ravens to feed me
or angels to minister to me.
Help me find a retreat center
or some kind of option
for a writing retreat in August.
Keep me as the apple of your eye
and hide me in the shadow of your wing.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and grant me once again a willing spirit,
to sustain me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
both of body and of spirit.
My energy is gone.
My creativity has drained.
My passion is depleted.
Help me, Lord.
Send ravens to feed me
or angels to minister to me.
Help me find a retreat center
or some kind of option
for a writing retreat in August.
Keep me as the apple of your eye
and hide me in the shadow of your wing.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and grant me once again a willing spirit,
to sustain me,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Flow
Lord God,
let there be rivers of blessing,
gullywashers of holiness,
flash floods of your kindness and beauty
flowing through my life.
Let the wells spring up!
Wash me clean,
and free me from all unbelief,
from anything that would hinder you
from bringing your kingdom to my family,
my church,
my community.
Let the river flow,
in Jesus' name, amen.
let there be rivers of blessing,
gullywashers of holiness,
flash floods of your kindness and beauty
flowing through my life.
Let the wells spring up!
Wash me clean,
and free me from all unbelief,
from anything that would hinder you
from bringing your kingdom to my family,
my church,
my community.
Let the river flow,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Search Me, O God
(A prayer of J. Edwin Orr)
Search me, O God,
And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior,
Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be
Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin
And set me free.
I praise Thee, Lord,
For cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word,
And make me pure within.
Fill me with fire
Where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire
To magnify Thy Name.
Lord, take my life,
And make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart
With Thy great love divine.
Take all my will,
My passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord
In me abide.
O Holy Ghost,
Revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival,
Start the work in me.
Thy Word declares
Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now,
O Lord, I humbly plead.
Search me, O God,
And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior,
Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be
Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin
And set me free.
I praise Thee, Lord,
For cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word,
And make me pure within.
Fill me with fire
Where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire
To magnify Thy Name.
Lord, take my life,
And make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart
With Thy great love divine.
Take all my will,
My passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord
In me abide.
O Holy Ghost,
Revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival,
Start the work in me.
Thy Word declares
Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now,
O Lord, I humbly plead.
Yahweh Yireh
Yahweh yireh, you provided
a ram for Abraham.
Please provide for Aaron
a job or jobs that will
meet his and Nina's needs
and fulfill your good, perfect, and pleasing
plans for them, in Jesus' name, amen.
a ram for Abraham.
Please provide for Aaron
a job or jobs that will
meet his and Nina's needs
and fulfill your good, perfect, and pleasing
plans for them, in Jesus' name, amen.
Pascal's Prayer
Lord, help me to do great things
as though they were little,
since I do them with your power,
and little things as though they were great,
since I do them in your name.
Amen.
(a prayer of Blaise Pascal)
as though they were little,
since I do them with your power,
and little things as though they were great,
since I do them in your name.
Amen.
(a prayer of Blaise Pascal)
Holiday Prayer
Father,
we who are rich and privileged,
thank you for the gift of leisure,
for time to unwind, reflect and plan,
to exercise or simply sit in quiet.
We thank you for the people who create our holiday
by working in the cockpit and control room,
in garage, signal box and harbor office;
for those in kitchens, dining rooms and bars,
those guiding tours and running sports and games;
may they too find time for rest and recreation...
May we be truly re-created in our recreation,
our lives enlarged with new enthusiasm
and a broader vision of your purpose.
(by Stephen Orchard, from The Doubleday Prayer Collection, p. 134)
we who are rich and privileged,
thank you for the gift of leisure,
for time to unwind, reflect and plan,
to exercise or simply sit in quiet.
We thank you for the people who create our holiday
by working in the cockpit and control room,
in garage, signal box and harbor office;
for those in kitchens, dining rooms and bars,
those guiding tours and running sports and games;
may they too find time for rest and recreation...
May we be truly re-created in our recreation,
our lives enlarged with new enthusiasm
and a broader vision of your purpose.
(by Stephen Orchard, from The Doubleday Prayer Collection, p. 134)
Variation on a Prayer by William Booth
Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame,
Send the fire.
Send the fire.
Send the fire.
My right as child of God I claim,
Send the fire.
Send the fire.
Send the fire
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring your light and glory in,
Another Pentecost begin,
Send the fire.
Send the fire.
Send the fire.
Amen.
Send the fire.
Send the fire.
Send the fire.
My right as child of God I claim,
Send the fire.
Send the fire.
Send the fire
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring your light and glory in,
Another Pentecost begin,
Send the fire.
Send the fire.
Send the fire.
Amen.
Skin Off Your Nose?
Abba, forgive my impudence,
but would it be so much skin off your nose
to give my son a clearer answer to his prayers?
Amen.
but would it be so much skin off your nose
to give my son a clearer answer to his prayers?
Amen.
My Psalm 50
Lord, Mighty One, Adonai,
you have spoken,
and have published your Word to all humanity
from where the sun rises to the place where it sets.
From Mount Zion, the apex of beauty,
you shine forth in glory and light.
You come,
and you speak.
Your unfiltered presence is a consuming fire,
and your wrath like the fury of a storm.
Your voice penetrates the heavens above and the earth below,
and you pronounce justice, summoning your people,
judging those (like me) who claim to worship you.
So, Lord, let the heavens proclaim your justice,
for you are always righteous in your judgments.
Let your people listen to your voice.
Let us all be convicted by your Spirit,
for you are God, you are OUR God!
Are you pleased with our sacrifices?
Do the offerings we give please you?
You do not need our singing
or our money,
for all the animals of the forest are yours,
and you can prompt praise from the mooing of cows
and the singing of every bird on the mountains;
your resources are limitless.
Are you made richer by our gifts? No.
Do you need what we offer? Of course not.
But you do enjoy hearing my thanks,
and my obedience makes you smile.
So I will call on you when I am in trouble,
and you will deliver me,
and I will give you glory.
About the wicked, Lord,
regarding those who recite your decrees
and pretend to obey your covenant,
and yet refuse your discipline
and treat your words like trash,
and admire and imitate dishonesty
and envy adulterers,
whose mouths overflow with wickedness,
and whose tongues are full of lies,
who badger and slander their brothers,
I ask you to rouse yourself,
and show that you care.
Rebuke them transparently and unequivocally,
so that they may repent,
and so avoid further and worse punishment.
But whatever others may do,
I will just focus on giving thanks to you,
and keeping to your path.
I will put one foot in front of the other,
and pray that my life and ministry will reveal the salvation of God.
you have spoken,
and have published your Word to all humanity
from where the sun rises to the place where it sets.
From Mount Zion, the apex of beauty,
you shine forth in glory and light.
You come,
and you speak.
Your unfiltered presence is a consuming fire,
and your wrath like the fury of a storm.
Your voice penetrates the heavens above and the earth below,
and you pronounce justice, summoning your people,
judging those (like me) who claim to worship you.
So, Lord, let the heavens proclaim your justice,
for you are always righteous in your judgments.
Let your people listen to your voice.
Let us all be convicted by your Spirit,
for you are God, you are OUR God!
Are you pleased with our sacrifices?
Do the offerings we give please you?
You do not need our singing
or our money,
for all the animals of the forest are yours,
and you can prompt praise from the mooing of cows
and the singing of every bird on the mountains;
your resources are limitless.
Are you made richer by our gifts? No.
Do you need what we offer? Of course not.
But you do enjoy hearing my thanks,
and my obedience makes you smile.
So I will call on you when I am in trouble,
and you will deliver me,
and I will give you glory.
About the wicked, Lord,
regarding those who recite your decrees
and pretend to obey your covenant,
and yet refuse your discipline
and treat your words like trash,
and admire and imitate dishonesty
and envy adulterers,
whose mouths overflow with wickedness,
and whose tongues are full of lies,
who badger and slander their brothers,
I ask you to rouse yourself,
and show that you care.
Rebuke them transparently and unequivocally,
so that they may repent,
and so avoid further and worse punishment.
But whatever others may do,
I will just focus on giving thanks to you,
and keeping to your path.
I will put one foot in front of the other,
and pray that my life and ministry will reveal the salvation of God.
Great Day
Thank you, Lord, for a great day.
This morning's celebration in the park
was a blessing:
blessed by fine weather,
smooth setup,
rich fellowship,
great coordination,
and excellent execution.
You were kind to us today,
and I hope you were blessed
by our worship and testimony,
in Jesus' name, amen.
This morning's celebration in the park
was a blessing:
blessed by fine weather,
smooth setup,
rich fellowship,
great coordination,
and excellent execution.
You were kind to us today,
and I hope you were blessed
by our worship and testimony,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Sixth Century Prayer
O boundless Wisdom, God most high,
O Maker of the earth and sky,
Who bid’st the parted waters flow
In heaven above, on earth below.
The streams on earth, the clouds in heaven,
By Thee their ordered bounds were given,
Lest ’neath the untempered fires of day
The parchèd soil should waste away.
E’en so on us who seek thy face
Pour forth the waters of thy grace;
Renew the fount of life within,
And quench the wasting fires of sin.
Let faith discern the eternal Light
Beyond the darkness of the night,
And through the mists of falsehood see
The path of truth revealed by Thee.
O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.
O Maker of the earth and sky,
Who bid’st the parted waters flow
In heaven above, on earth below.
The streams on earth, the clouds in heaven,
By Thee their ordered bounds were given,
Lest ’neath the untempered fires of day
The parchèd soil should waste away.
E’en so on us who seek thy face
Pour forth the waters of thy grace;
Renew the fount of life within,
And quench the wasting fires of sin.
Let faith discern the eternal Light
Beyond the darkness of the night,
And through the mists of falsehood see
The path of truth revealed by Thee.
O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.
I Turn to You for Protection
I turn to you for protection,
Lord God Adonai.
I call on you for protection
from attacks of the enemy,
from witchcraft and sorcery,
from weakness of faith,
from compromise of conviction,
from ungrace and unlove,
from unconfronted lies,
from unconfessed agendas,
from doubts and suspicions,
from confusion and stupidity,
from fear and worry,
from weariness and hopelessness,
from living too much in the past or in the future,
from demons,
and deceit,
and all the power of Hell,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord God Adonai.
I call on you for protection
from attacks of the enemy,
from witchcraft and sorcery,
from weakness of faith,
from compromise of conviction,
from ungrace and unlove,
from unconfronted lies,
from unconfessed agendas,
from doubts and suspicions,
from confusion and stupidity,
from fear and worry,
from weariness and hopelessness,
from living too much in the past or in the future,
from demons,
and deceit,
and all the power of Hell,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Te Deum: Novus Infantia
Praise to you, Lord,
for Miles Jacob.
Praise to you, Lord,
for his safe arrival.
Praise to you
for your gracious timing.
Praise to you
for your protection,
while he was in the womb,
the cord wrapped around his neck,
the placenta detached,
six weeks before his due date.
Praise to you for acting,
for watching,
for caring.
Praise to you, Lord,
for Miles Jacob.
Praise for his mother's safety
and health.
Praise for his father's wisdom
and diligence.
Praise to you, Lord,
from a grateful heart, amen.
for Miles Jacob.
Praise to you, Lord,
for his safe arrival.
Praise to you
for your gracious timing.
Praise to you
for your protection,
while he was in the womb,
the cord wrapped around his neck,
the placenta detached,
six weeks before his due date.
Praise to you for acting,
for watching,
for caring.
Praise to you, Lord,
for Miles Jacob.
Praise for his mother's safety
and health.
Praise for his father's wisdom
and diligence.
Praise to you, Lord,
from a grateful heart, amen.
My Psalm 49
Lord, let everyone hear,
let all who live in this world pay attention,
both low and high,
rich and poor alike,
when I speak your words of wisdom;
when from my heart I relay your message.
Turn my ears to your wisdom;
Turn my songs into true psalms from you.
Teach me (again) not to fear when evil days come,
when naysayers surround me,
when mistrust and arrogance—
mine or someone else’s—
seem to confuse everything.
You have redeemed me, O Lord,
the only One who could give a ransom for me—
and so costly, no gift of gratitude could ever be enough,
even if I should live forever
and try to repay you every day.
Everyone can see that the wisest men die;
the foolish and the senseless alike perish
and leave their wealth to others.
The rich leave their opulent houses,
and take up residence in eternity,
though they had buildings and institutions
named after themselves.
Likewise, my best and most passionate efforts today
will pass away, like so many moths in a flame.
So let me not trust in myself,
and get worked up over the approval or disapproval of men.
Those around me are destined for the grave just like me.
But though my efforts will perish,
your works—through me, as well as others—
will endure,
and you will redeem my life and take me to yourself
whether I succeed or fail.
I belong to you
even if all my plans and hopes and dreams
come to naught.
Remind me that my times are in your hands:
the timing of my plenty or scarcity,
the timing of my success or failure,
the timing of who follows and who leaves,
the timing of my own coming or going,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
let all who live in this world pay attention,
both low and high,
rich and poor alike,
when I speak your words of wisdom;
when from my heart I relay your message.
Turn my ears to your wisdom;
Turn my songs into true psalms from you.
Teach me (again) not to fear when evil days come,
when naysayers surround me,
when mistrust and arrogance—
mine or someone else’s—
seem to confuse everything.
You have redeemed me, O Lord,
the only One who could give a ransom for me—
and so costly, no gift of gratitude could ever be enough,
even if I should live forever
and try to repay you every day.
Everyone can see that the wisest men die;
the foolish and the senseless alike perish
and leave their wealth to others.
The rich leave their opulent houses,
and take up residence in eternity,
though they had buildings and institutions
named after themselves.
Likewise, my best and most passionate efforts today
will pass away, like so many moths in a flame.
So let me not trust in myself,
and get worked up over the approval or disapproval of men.
Those around me are destined for the grave just like me.
But though my efforts will perish,
your works—through me, as well as others—
will endure,
and you will redeem my life and take me to yourself
whether I succeed or fail.
I belong to you
even if all my plans and hopes and dreams
come to naught.
Remind me that my times are in your hands:
the timing of my plenty or scarcity,
the timing of my success or failure,
the timing of who follows and who leaves,
the timing of my own coming or going,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
Though Dark Be My Way
(A prayer of John Newton, excerpted and revised from the hymn, "Begone, Unbelief")
Though dark be my way,
Since you are my guide,
'Tis mine to obey,
And yours to provide;
Though cisterns be broken
And creatures all fail,
The word you have spoken
Will surely prevail.
Though dark be my way,
Since you are my guide,
'Tis mine to obey,
And yours to provide;
Though cisterns be broken
And creatures all fail,
The word you have spoken
Will surely prevail.
Father Jesus Spirit
Father, you are my Sovereign; I bow to you.
Jesus, you are my King; I kiss your feet.
Spirit, you are my counselor; I listen for you.
Jesus, you are my King; I kiss your feet.
Spirit, you are my counselor; I listen for you.
A Prayer of Sir Francis Drake
Bob Hostetler
Disturb us, Lord,
when we are too well pleased with ourselves,
when our dreams have come true
because we have dreamed too little,
when we arrived safely
because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord,
when with the abundance of things we possess
we have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
having fallen in love with life,
we have ceased to dream of eternity,
and in our efforts to build a new earth,
we have allowed our vision
of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord,
to dare more boldly,
to venture on wider seas
where storms will show your mastery;
where losing sight of land,
we shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back
the horizons of our hopes;
and to push into the future
in strength, courage, hope, and love.
(attributed to Sir Francis Drake)
Disturb us, Lord,
when we are too well pleased with ourselves,
when our dreams have come true
because we have dreamed too little,
when we arrived safely
because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord,
when with the abundance of things we possess
we have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
having fallen in love with life,
we have ceased to dream of eternity,
and in our efforts to build a new earth,
we have allowed our vision
of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord,
to dare more boldly,
to venture on wider seas
where storms will show your mastery;
where losing sight of land,
we shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back
the horizons of our hopes;
and to push into the future
in strength, courage, hope, and love.
(attributed to Sir Francis Drake)
Compline Hymn
Lord, save us,
Save us while we are awake;
Protect us while we are asleep,
That we may keep our watch with Christ,
And when we sleep, rest in his peace.
Save us while we are awake;
Protect us while we are asleep,
That we may keep our watch with Christ,
And when we sleep, rest in his peace.
My Psalm 48
You are great, Lord,
and you deserve the greatest possible praise
here where I live
as well as in that beautiful city of God,
on your holy mountain.
I see it in my mind’s eye, Lord:
Beautiful in elevation,
the joy of the whole earth,
Mount Zion, at the pinnacle
of the city of David, the city of the great King.
You have made yourself known there, Lord;
your presence is palpable on that hill.
Make me like that city, Lord.
Make me a walking Jerusalem,
that causes people—high and low—to sing your praise,
that multitudes passing by might be amazed,
that doers of wickedness might be dismayed,
and run away from your might displayed in my life.
As you have established the city of God,
establish your work in me: firm, fast, forever.
I remember your lovingkindness, O God,
I praise you among worshiping throngs.
Your name is great, O God;
so let your praise be great, to the ends of the earth.
Your hand sows blessings all around.
Let Mount Zion be glad.
Let peace enter that city again.
Let the residents of Judah rejoice,
and acknowledge your wisdom and justice.
I remember fondly walking about Zion,
walking on her mighty walls,
and marveling at her bustling beauty.
As you established Zion, Lord,
please establish the work of my hands,
my eternal God;
be my guide through my life,
all the way to my death,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
and you deserve the greatest possible praise
here where I live
as well as in that beautiful city of God,
on your holy mountain.
I see it in my mind’s eye, Lord:
Beautiful in elevation,
the joy of the whole earth,
Mount Zion, at the pinnacle
of the city of David, the city of the great King.
You have made yourself known there, Lord;
your presence is palpable on that hill.
Make me like that city, Lord.
Make me a walking Jerusalem,
that causes people—high and low—to sing your praise,
that multitudes passing by might be amazed,
that doers of wickedness might be dismayed,
and run away from your might displayed in my life.
As you have established the city of God,
establish your work in me: firm, fast, forever.
I remember your lovingkindness, O God,
I praise you among worshiping throngs.
Your name is great, O God;
so let your praise be great, to the ends of the earth.
Your hand sows blessings all around.
Let Mount Zion be glad.
Let peace enter that city again.
Let the residents of Judah rejoice,
and acknowledge your wisdom and justice.
I remember fondly walking about Zion,
walking on her mighty walls,
and marveling at her bustling beauty.
As you established Zion, Lord,
please establish the work of my hands,
my eternal God;
be my guide through my life,
all the way to my death,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
Evening Prayer
(A prayer of Jacqueline Seewald, from Bedside Prayers, compiled by June Cotner)
Forgive me the mistakes I've made,
the wrong deeds done this day.
Love me most
when I love myself least.
Forgive me the mistakes I've made,
the wrong deeds done this day.
Love me most
when I love myself least.
O Man of Galilee
(A prayer of Robert Hoggard)
O Man of Galilee,
Stay with and strengthen me;
Walk Thou through life with me,
O Man of Galilee.
O Man of Galilee,
Stay with and strengthen me;
Walk Thou through life with me,
O Man of Galilee.
Accepted
Lord God, my King,
please open my eyes so I may know you accept me.
I renounce the lies of Satan that make me question
your unconditional love and gracious acceptance of me.
I choose to believe that I am accepted by you.
I choose to believe that I am a new creation.
I choose to believe that I am a child of God and an heir of your kingdom.
I choose to believe that I am your masterpiece.
I choose to believe that I am a citizen of heaven.
I choose to believe that I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.
I choose to believe that I am a child of light and not darkness.
I choose to believe that I am part of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a special family that belongs to God.
I choose to believe that I share the divine nature.
I choose to believe that I have the mind of Christ.
I choose to believe that I am complete in Christ,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
(Scripture references: Romans 15:7, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:14-17, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:5, 1 Peter 2:9-10, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Colossians 2:10).
please open my eyes so I may know you accept me.
I renounce the lies of Satan that make me question
your unconditional love and gracious acceptance of me.
I choose to believe that I am accepted by you.
I choose to believe that I am a new creation.
I choose to believe that I am a child of God and an heir of your kingdom.
I choose to believe that I am your masterpiece.
I choose to believe that I am a citizen of heaven.
I choose to believe that I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.
I choose to believe that I am a child of light and not darkness.
I choose to believe that I am part of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a special family that belongs to God.
I choose to believe that I share the divine nature.
I choose to believe that I have the mind of Christ.
I choose to believe that I am complete in Christ,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
(Scripture references: Romans 15:7, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:14-17, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:5, 1 Peter 2:9-10, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Colossians 2:10).
Prayer Before an Appointment
O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you this day, and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man, in Jesus' name, amen (based on Nehemiah 1:5-6, 11).
My Psalm 47
I clap my hands, God of all nations;
I shout to you, Lord, with joyful phrases.
You are awesome, LORD Most High,
you are the great King over all the earth!
In Christ, whole nations are under my feet;
seated with him, I am more than conqueror.
You chose a great inheritance for me,
greater even than Jacob, whom you loved, knew in his day.
Ascend with shouts of joy, Lord God;
let your kingdom come in like the noisiest royal procession.
I sing praises to you, God, I sing praises;
I sing praises to my King, and will sing even more praises.
For you, O God, are the King of everything there is;
I sing to you my psalm of praise.
You reign over Hamilton and Oxford;
you look down on Ohio from your holy throne.
There is no nobility or significance
apart from you, Lord God,
apart from my position in the people of the God of Abraham,
for even kings and presidents and prime ministers belong to you;
you are exalted high above the highest of the high.
I shout to you, Lord, with joyful phrases.
You are awesome, LORD Most High,
you are the great King over all the earth!
In Christ, whole nations are under my feet;
seated with him, I am more than conqueror.
You chose a great inheritance for me,
greater even than Jacob, whom you loved, knew in his day.
Ascend with shouts of joy, Lord God;
let your kingdom come in like the noisiest royal procession.
I sing praises to you, God, I sing praises;
I sing praises to my King, and will sing even more praises.
For you, O God, are the King of everything there is;
I sing to you my psalm of praise.
You reign over Hamilton and Oxford;
you look down on Ohio from your holy throne.
There is no nobility or significance
apart from you, Lord God,
apart from my position in the people of the God of Abraham,
for even kings and presidents and prime ministers belong to you;
you are exalted high above the highest of the high.
Wonder
Abba, when I compare your goodness
to my gratitude,
your faithfulness
to my mindfulness,
your blessings
to my praise,
I wonder that you
regard me at all.
to my gratitude,
your faithfulness
to my mindfulness,
your blessings
to my praise,
I wonder that you
regard me at all.
New Psalm 86
Hear, O Lord, and quickly answer me,
Guard my life, for you are what I need.
Hear my prayer, hear my cry,
You, O Lord, you’re the Lord of my life.
Save my life, my God I trust in you,
Show me grace, I throw myself on you,
Hear my prayer, hear my cry,
You, O Lord, you’re the Lord of my life.
Every day, every night,
You, O Lord, you’re the Lord of my life.
When I cry, your mercy comes to me,
When I call, you always answer me,
You bring joy to my life,
You, O Lord, you’re the Love of my life.
Every day, every night,
You, O Lord, you’re the Love of my life.
Among the gods, O Lord, there’s none like you,
No one else can do the things you do,
Let me walk in your light,
You, O Lord, you’re the Light of my life.
Every day, every night,
You, O Lord, you’re the Light of my life.
Every day, every night,
You alone are the Lord of my life.
Guard my life, for you are what I need.
Hear my prayer, hear my cry,
You, O Lord, you’re the Lord of my life.
Save my life, my God I trust in you,
Show me grace, I throw myself on you,
Hear my prayer, hear my cry,
You, O Lord, you’re the Lord of my life.
Every day, every night,
You, O Lord, you’re the Lord of my life.
When I cry, your mercy comes to me,
When I call, you always answer me,
You bring joy to my life,
You, O Lord, you’re the Love of my life.
Every day, every night,
You, O Lord, you’re the Love of my life.
Among the gods, O Lord, there’s none like you,
No one else can do the things you do,
Let me walk in your light,
You, O Lord, you’re the Light of my life.
Every day, every night,
You, O Lord, you’re the Light of my life.
Every day, every night,
You alone are the Lord of my life.
Timing
Your timing, O Lord,
touches my heart.
You break through
just when I need you to.
Thank you, amen.
touches my heart.
You break through
just when I need you to.
Thank you, amen.
My Symphony
by William Ellery Channing (from Bedside Prayers)
Dear God,
Help me
To live content with small means,
to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion,
to be worthy, not respectable,
and wealthy, not rich,
to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly,
to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart,
to bear all cheerfully,
do all bravely,
await occasions,
hurry never--
in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.
Amen.
Dear God,
Help me
To live content with small means,
to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion,
to be worthy, not respectable,
and wealthy, not rich,
to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly,
to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart,
to bear all cheerfully,
do all bravely,
await occasions,
hurry never--
in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.
Amen.
A Prayer of John Bunyan
He that is down needs fear no fall,
He that is low, no pride.
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much;
And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because thou savest such.
Amen.
(From John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress)
He that is low, no pride.
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much;
And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because thou savest such.
Amen.
(From John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress)
My Psalm 46
God, you are my refuge and strength;
you are always present to help when I am in trouble.
So why do I so often fear, as though the earth might give way
and the mountains might crumble into the heart of the sea?
Why do I react to troubles as though the sea is going to roar and foam
and the earth might run away and cower in fear?
At such times, remind me of the spring that waters the city of God,
the holy place where you, Most High, have repeatedly shown yourself.
Remind me that just as you are within those walls,
so you will surround me and not let me fall;
You will come to help as surely as the sun rises in the morning.
When people around me get all "up in arms,"
When the wheels seem to be coming off the car,
remind me: you need only to lift your voice, and the whole earth would melt.
LORD Almighty, you are with us;
God of Jacob, you are our fortress.
Let others see the works of the LORD,
let them notice the things you are doing on the earth.
Break down barriers and heal divisions, Lord;
defeat those who are weapons in the Enemy's arsenal.
Stop us in our tracks, and remind us of your sovereign power and love;
Be exalted among those who don't know you;
Be exalted in us and all around us.
LORD Almighty, you are with us;
God of Jacob, you are our fortress. Amen.
you are always present to help when I am in trouble.
So why do I so often fear, as though the earth might give way
and the mountains might crumble into the heart of the sea?
Why do I react to troubles as though the sea is going to roar and foam
and the earth might run away and cower in fear?
At such times, remind me of the spring that waters the city of God,
the holy place where you, Most High, have repeatedly shown yourself.
Remind me that just as you are within those walls,
so you will surround me and not let me fall;
You will come to help as surely as the sun rises in the morning.
When people around me get all "up in arms,"
When the wheels seem to be coming off the car,
remind me: you need only to lift your voice, and the whole earth would melt.
LORD Almighty, you are with us;
God of Jacob, you are our fortress.
Let others see the works of the LORD,
let them notice the things you are doing on the earth.
Break down barriers and heal divisions, Lord;
defeat those who are weapons in the Enemy's arsenal.
Stop us in our tracks, and remind us of your sovereign power and love;
Be exalted among those who don't know you;
Be exalted in us and all around us.
LORD Almighty, you are with us;
God of Jacob, you are our fortress. Amen.
Dying and Living
Risen Christ,
your resurrection saves me from the fear of dying.
Make it also free me from the fear of living,
Amen.
your resurrection saves me from the fear of dying.
Make it also free me from the fear of living,
Amen.
God of Hope
God of Hope,
I don't know why I so often let circumstances and words and attitudes of others get me down. I let my enemy rob me of hope and optimism. But you, O Lord God, are a God of hope. In you I put my trust. Let me not be put to shame, in Jesus' name, amen.
I don't know why I so often let circumstances and words and attitudes of others get me down. I let my enemy rob me of hope and optimism. But you, O Lord God, are a God of hope. In you I put my trust. Let me not be put to shame, in Jesus' name, amen.
A Killing Prayer
Lord God, Adonai,
kill in me
the need to control
and manage
and manipulate.
Kill my tendency
to think I am in control
(when I never am)
and that you are not in control
(when you always are).
Kill my unbelief,
my ignorance
and waywardness,
my prayerlessness
and haste,
in Jesus' name,
amen.
kill in me
the need to control
and manage
and manipulate.
Kill my tendency
to think I am in control
(when I never am)
and that you are not in control
(when you always are).
Kill my unbelief,
my ignorance
and waywardness,
my prayerlessness
and haste,
in Jesus' name,
amen.
Thanks
Lord God, Adonai, thank you.
Thank you for such wonderful weather on Sunday,
for our groundbreaking,
and for the response of your people! Hallelujah!
Thank you for music,
for rhythm,
for melody and harmony.
Thank you for allergy medicine.
Thank you for clear lungs,
and full breaths.
Thank you for Spring, and baseball,
and grilled hot dogs and screen doors and windows.
Thank you for friends,
for giving me children I can't get enough of.
Thank you for the ability
to give you thanks,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Thank you for such wonderful weather on Sunday,
for our groundbreaking,
and for the response of your people! Hallelujah!
Thank you for music,
for rhythm,
for melody and harmony.
Thank you for allergy medicine.
Thank you for clear lungs,
and full breaths.
Thank you for Spring, and baseball,
and grilled hot dogs and screen doors and windows.
Thank you for friends,
for giving me children I can't get enough of.
Thank you for the ability
to give you thanks,
in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 45
Lord God, my heart is stirred by a noble theme.
I recite these verses for you, my King;
make my tongue like the pen of a skillful writer.
You are the most excellent of kings,
and your lips are anointed with grace;
you are blessed forever, O Lord, O King of the Universe.
Gird your sword upon your side, O Mighty One;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;
let your right hand display your awesome deeds.
Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of your enemies;
let all peoples and races fall beneath your feet.
I praise you because your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom.
I praise you because you love righteousness and hate wickedness;
you are exalted above all kingdoms and powers,
you are the anointed King of Kings.
I will reach out in prayer and worship to touch your robe,
all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
I will look to your glorious throne
and sing music to make you glad.
You bestow honor on your bride, the Church;
may you bedeck your royal bride as with gold of Ophir.
Let your Church consider and give ear:
Let us forget where we came from;
give us eyes only for you.
I will bring you my gift, Lord;
with my whole heart I will seek your favor.
This weekend, Lord, we break ground for The Loft;
glorify yourself in your church as we do this;
let this structure be like a gown of woven gold adorning your church.
Let it glorify you as our king;
and let all your church’s companions,
all our friends in the community,
all who see,
be brought closer to you.
Lead us in with joy and gladness,
and make this place a palace for our king,
and one that pleases you because of the willing servants
to be added to your kingdom within its walls.
Let this weekend be memorable for this and future generations,
for sons who will take the place of their fathers;
Let us perpetuate your memory through all generations;
that the nations may praise you for ever and ever.
I recite these verses for you, my King;
make my tongue like the pen of a skillful writer.
You are the most excellent of kings,
and your lips are anointed with grace;
you are blessed forever, O Lord, O King of the Universe.
Gird your sword upon your side, O Mighty One;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;
let your right hand display your awesome deeds.
Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of your enemies;
let all peoples and races fall beneath your feet.
I praise you because your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom.
I praise you because you love righteousness and hate wickedness;
you are exalted above all kingdoms and powers,
you are the anointed King of Kings.
I will reach out in prayer and worship to touch your robe,
all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
I will look to your glorious throne
and sing music to make you glad.
You bestow honor on your bride, the Church;
may you bedeck your royal bride as with gold of Ophir.
Let your Church consider and give ear:
Let us forget where we came from;
give us eyes only for you.
I will bring you my gift, Lord;
with my whole heart I will seek your favor.
This weekend, Lord, we break ground for The Loft;
glorify yourself in your church as we do this;
let this structure be like a gown of woven gold adorning your church.
Let it glorify you as our king;
and let all your church’s companions,
all our friends in the community,
all who see,
be brought closer to you.
Lead us in with joy and gladness,
and make this place a palace for our king,
and one that pleases you because of the willing servants
to be added to your kingdom within its walls.
Let this weekend be memorable for this and future generations,
for sons who will take the place of their fathers;
Let us perpetuate your memory through all generations;
that the nations may praise you for ever and ever.
A Prayer of Wendell Berry
Teach me work that honors Thy work,
the true economies of goods and words,
to make my arts compatible
with the songs of the local birds.
Teach me the patience beyond work
and, beyond patience, the blest
Sabbath of Thy unresting love
which lights all things and gives rest.
(by Wendell Berry, from Given (New Poems), 2005).
the true economies of goods and words,
to make my arts compatible
with the songs of the local birds.
Teach me the patience beyond work
and, beyond patience, the blest
Sabbath of Thy unresting love
which lights all things and gives rest.
(by Wendell Berry, from Given (New Poems), 2005).
First Speaker
First Speaker,
you whispered your love to me
in my mother's womb.
First Knower,
you knew me
long before I knew you.
First Finder,
you found me
before I looked for you.
First Lover,
you loved me
before I had the first chance to love you back.
And you are still speaking,
knowing,
finding,
and loving me
first,
every day,
every moment;
you are always
speaking,
knowing,
finding,
and loving
me first.
Thank you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
you whispered your love to me
in my mother's womb.
First Knower,
you knew me
long before I knew you.
First Finder,
you found me
before I looked for you.
First Lover,
you loved me
before I had the first chance to love you back.
And you are still speaking,
knowing,
finding,
and loving me
first,
every day,
every moment;
you are always
speaking,
knowing,
finding,
and loving
me first.
Thank you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer in Spring
(by Robert Frost, from A Boy's Will)
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.
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.
Steer Me
(A prayer of Basil of Caesarea)
Steer the ship of my life, O 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.
Steer the ship of my life, O 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.
Pastor's Prayer
Lord, why have you dealt ill with your servant?
And why have I not found favor in your sight,
that you lay the burden of all this people on me?
(Numbers 11:11, ESV).
And why have I not found favor in your sight,
that you lay the burden of all this people on me?
(Numbers 11:11, ESV).
My Psalm 44
Oh, I have heard with my ears, O God;
my parents told me from my earliest years
what you did in their days,
in long ago days.
I have heard: with your hand you kept my family alive
through dust storms and snow storms;
you provided jobs in times of want
and gave us work to do and food to eat.
It was not by their power or ingenuity that they made it through,
nor did they raise three boys alone;
it was your right hand, your arm,
and the light of your face, for you loved us all.
You are my King and my God,
who decrees victories for me as you once did for Jacob.
Through you and you alone can I hope to push back my Enemy;
through your name I will trample my Foe.
I do not trust in my brain,
my creativity does not bring me victory;
I do not trust in my church,
in my coworkers,
in my leadership team,
in my volunteers;
they do not bring victory;
but you give victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.
In You I will make my boast all day long,
and I will praise your name forever.
You have brought us through a time of testing,
a stretch where you allowed confusion
and bickering
and misunderstanding
and division to beset us.
We were ripe for the picking, and exposed to the Enemy.
You could have made us a byword in our community,
a laughingstock.
Even still, we are just a foolish decision
or sinful step from shame.
But we have not forgotten you
or been false to your calling.
We will not be turned back;
I myself recommit to you and your path.
to my calling and your purpose for me and mine.
Even if I face death all day long;
if I am led like a sheep to be slaughtered,
I will cry out to you
until you spring into action once again.
Rise up and help us;
redeem us because of your unfailing love,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
my parents told me from my earliest years
what you did in their days,
in long ago days.
I have heard: with your hand you kept my family alive
through dust storms and snow storms;
you provided jobs in times of want
and gave us work to do and food to eat.
It was not by their power or ingenuity that they made it through,
nor did they raise three boys alone;
it was your right hand, your arm,
and the light of your face, for you loved us all.
You are my King and my God,
who decrees victories for me as you once did for Jacob.
Through you and you alone can I hope to push back my Enemy;
through your name I will trample my Foe.
I do not trust in my brain,
my creativity does not bring me victory;
I do not trust in my church,
in my coworkers,
in my leadership team,
in my volunteers;
they do not bring victory;
but you give victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.
In You I will make my boast all day long,
and I will praise your name forever.
You have brought us through a time of testing,
a stretch where you allowed confusion
and bickering
and misunderstanding
and division to beset us.
We were ripe for the picking, and exposed to the Enemy.
You could have made us a byword in our community,
a laughingstock.
Even still, we are just a foolish decision
or sinful step from shame.
But we have not forgotten you
or been false to your calling.
We will not be turned back;
I myself recommit to you and your path.
to my calling and your purpose for me and mine.
Even if I face death all day long;
if I am led like a sheep to be slaughtered,
I will cry out to you
until you spring into action once again.
Rise up and help us;
redeem us because of your unfailing love,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
The Praise of Maimonides
Praise be to him who is such
that when our minds try to visualize his essence,
their power of apprehending becomes imbecility;
when they study the connection between his works and his will
their knowledge becomes ignorance;
and when our tongues desire
to declare his greatness by descriptive terms,
all eloquence becomes impotence and imbecility.
Amen.
that when our minds try to visualize his essence,
their power of apprehending becomes imbecility;
when they study the connection between his works and his will
their knowledge becomes ignorance;
and when our tongues desire
to declare his greatness by descriptive terms,
all eloquence becomes impotence and imbecility.
Amen.
A Prayer of St. Augustine
Lord Jesus, don't let me lie when I say that I love you...
and protect me today, for I could betray you.
and protect me today, for I could betray you.
Storehouses of Snow
Lord, you have entered
the storehouses of the snow;
you send ice on the earth
and give birth to the frost from the heavens.
At your command the waters harden like stone,
and the surface of the deep is frozen.
Even as I long for Spring,
I wonder at your winter.
I praise you for your glory
displayed in snow and ice,
cold and frost, amen.
Valentine
Bob Hostetler
Like summer snow
floating from a sun-filled sky,
draping airy-white on flowered fields,
Your love astonished me.
No frilly show,
no assorted-chocolate pledge,
no candy hearts or silver kisses
disclosed your care for me;
But unsparing,
cross-bearing, thorn-wearing love
that opened hands and feet and side
to spill your heart for me,
To recreate,
inundate my longing soul
with giving, holding, accepting,
enfolding love for me.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:25, 26).
Like summer snow
floating from a sun-filled sky,
draping airy-white on flowered fields,
Your love astonished me.
No frilly show,
no assorted-chocolate pledge,
no candy hearts or silver kisses
disclosed your care for me;
But unsparing,
cross-bearing, thorn-wearing love
that opened hands and feet and side
to spill your heart for me,
To recreate,
inundate my longing soul
with giving, holding, accepting,
enfolding love for me.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:25, 26).
From Silly Devotions
(A prayer of Teresa of Avila)
From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, spare us, O Lord.
From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, spare us, O Lord.
A Prayer of Brennan Manning
Grazie, Signore...
for judging me not by my shabby good deeds
but by Your love that is Your gift to me,
for Your unbearable forgiveness
and infinite patience with me,
for other people who have greater gifts than mine,
and for the honesty to acknowledge that I am a ragamuffin.
(Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel, p. 121).
for judging me not by my shabby good deeds
but by Your love that is Your gift to me,
for Your unbearable forgiveness
and infinite patience with me,
for other people who have greater gifts than mine,
and for the honesty to acknowledge that I am a ragamuffin.
(Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel, p. 121).
A Prayer of Austin Farrar
My God, I wish to give you the gift you so much desire;
I wish to commit myself to you once and for all,
so there shall be no taking back.
I cannot commit myself into your hands, O God,
I cannot do it;
but yet I can commit myself into your hands;
for though I cannot keep myselfthere,
your fingers can hold me there,
your strong, gentle fingers
always giving way and never letting go;
your wise subtle fingers,
wrestling so gently against my puny rebellions,
that I tire myself trying to climb out of your hands,
and come to rest at last in those wounded palms.
I wish to commit myself to you once and for all,
so there shall be no taking back.
I cannot commit myself into your hands, O God,
I cannot do it;
but yet I can commit myself into your hands;
for though I cannot keep myselfthere,
your fingers can hold me there,
your strong, gentle fingers
always giving way and never letting go;
your wise subtle fingers,
wrestling so gently against my puny rebellions,
that I tire myself trying to climb out of your hands,
and come to rest at last in those wounded palms.
A Prayer of Charles Foucald
Bob Hostetler
Abba, I abandon myself into your hands.
Do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you.
I am ready for all:
I accept all.
Let your will be done in me and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and I give myself,
surrender myself into your hands without reserve,
with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.
Amen.
Abba, I abandon myself into your hands.
Do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you.
I am ready for all:
I accept all.
Let your will be done in me and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and I give myself,
surrender myself into your hands without reserve,
with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.
Amen.
A Prayer While Reading Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl
Bob Hostetler
Lord God, I thank you that I am richer
even than King Henry VIII.
I am married to the love of my life,
the wife of my youth,
and she has no competitor and no equal.
I have no throne, but I have heirs,
a happy and healthy
daughter and son.
I need fear no kings or popes.
I have friends I can trust,
who will tell me the truth
even when I don't like hearing it.
I am warm on the coldest winter nights.
I drink coffee every morning.
I can eat fresh fruits or vegetables any time,
I can take hot baths or showers every day,
I can travel faster and farther than he could dream.
And I can lay my head on my pillow each night
clean in conscience,
grateful for blessing,
and safe among my own.
Lord God, I thank you that I am richer
even than King Henry VIII.
I am married to the love of my life,
the wife of my youth,
and she has no competitor and no equal.
I have no throne, but I have heirs,
a happy and healthy
daughter and son.
I need fear no kings or popes.
I have friends I can trust,
who will tell me the truth
even when I don't like hearing it.
I am warm on the coldest winter nights.
I drink coffee every morning.
I can eat fresh fruits or vegetables any time,
I can take hot baths or showers every day,
I can travel faster and farther than he could dream.
And I can lay my head on my pillow each night
clean in conscience,
grateful for blessing,
and safe among my own.
New Canticle
Bob Hostetler
Cold and wind chill, bless the Lord.
Snowflake and icicle, bless the Lord.
Frost and freeze, bless the Lord.
Firewood and flame, bless the Lord.
Cloud and clear sky, bless the Lord.
Cold and wind chill, bless the Lord.
Snowflake and icicle, bless the Lord.
Frost and freeze, bless the Lord.
Firewood and flame, bless the Lord.
Cloud and clear sky, bless the Lord.
Canticle
Bob Hostetler
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord.
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord.
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord.
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord.
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord.
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord.
A Prayer of Nikos Kazantzakis
I am a bow on your hands, Lord.
Draw me, lest I rot.
Do not overdraw me, Lord, I shall break.
Overdraw me, Lord, and who cares if I break?
Draw me, lest I rot.
Do not overdraw me, Lord, I shall break.
Overdraw me, Lord, and who cares if I break?
Get Glory
Bob Hostetler
"I will get glory over Pharoah and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen" (Exodus 14:17, ESV).
Get glory, Lord,
over all the forces that pursue,
oppress,
and attack,
in Jesus' name, amen.
"I will get glory over Pharoah and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen" (Exodus 14:17, ESV).
Get glory, Lord,
over all the forces that pursue,
oppress,
and attack,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Prayer of My Heart
Jesus, thou art everything to me,
Jesus, thou art everything to me,
All my lasting joys are found in thee,
Jesus, thou art everything to me.
Jesus, thou art everything to me,
All my lasting joys are found in thee,
Jesus, thou art everything to me.
Little to Offer
Bob Hostetler
I have nothing to offer, Lord;
I have little left to give.
But I can get up again tomorrow morning.
I can put one foot in front of the other.
I can persevere.
I can do what I know to do.
I can lay myself down.
I can let you decide when to pick me up.
I have nothing to offer, Lord;
I have little left to give.
But I can get up again tomorrow morning.
I can put one foot in front of the other.
I can persevere.
I can do what I know to do.
I can lay myself down.
I can let you decide when to pick me up.
A Prayer of Thomas a Kempis
Bob Hostetler
Lord, make possible for me by grace what is impossible to me by nature. You know that I am not able to endure very much, and that I am downcast by the slightest difficulty. Grant that for your sake I may come to love and desire any hardship that puts me to the test, for salvation is brought to my soul when I undergo suffering and trouble for you.
Lord, make possible for me by grace what is impossible to me by nature. You know that I am not able to endure very much, and that I am downcast by the slightest difficulty. Grant that for your sake I may come to love and desire any hardship that puts me to the test, for salvation is brought to my soul when I undergo suffering and trouble for you.
Always Near
Bob Hostetler
As the dawn
mists
over the horizon
and the sun
closes
its evening shade,
it's with such
certainty
I know
You are always near.
(by June Cotner Graves, in the book Bedside Prayers, San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1997).
As the dawn
mists
over the horizon
and the sun
closes
its evening shade,
it's with such
certainty
I know
You are always near.
(by June Cotner Graves, in the book Bedside Prayers, San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1997).
Prayer of W. H. Aitken
Bob Hostetler
Lord, take my lips and speak through them;
take my mind and think through it;
take my heart and set it on fire.
Amen.
Lord, take my lips and speak through them;
take my mind and think through it;
take my heart and set it on fire.
Amen.
Shine Your Light
Bob Hostetler
Lord, shine your light into my confusion.
Please show me what I need to see.
Save me from suspicion or misunderstanding,
and let me see with your eyes,
let me read whatever message you want me to read,
and make me discerning beyond my ability or insight,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, shine your light into my confusion.
Please show me what I need to see.
Save me from suspicion or misunderstanding,
and let me see with your eyes,
let me read whatever message you want me to read,
and make me discerning beyond my ability or insight,
in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 43
Bob Hostetler
Stick up for me, O God,
and be my hero, my defender,
from deceitful,
or unjust,
or ignorant people.
You are my safe place,
the One I run to for protection;
though sometimes you seem oblivious to my needs,
I know (on my best days)
that I don’t need to be afraid of my enemy.
Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me into your presence,
and into the mountain of your holiness.
Let me bow before you
as a priest at your altar,
God my exceeding joy.
Let me praise you with beautiful music,
O God, my God.
Moods will come and go, Lord,
but let me never be cast down in my heart
like those who have no hope.
I hope in you, Lord God;
I find renewal in praising you,
my salvation and my God.
Stick up for me, O God,
and be my hero, my defender,
from deceitful,
or unjust,
or ignorant people.
You are my safe place,
the One I run to for protection;
though sometimes you seem oblivious to my needs,
I know (on my best days)
that I don’t need to be afraid of my enemy.
Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me into your presence,
and into the mountain of your holiness.
Let me bow before you
as a priest at your altar,
God my exceeding joy.
Let me praise you with beautiful music,
O God, my God.
Moods will come and go, Lord,
but let me never be cast down in my heart
like those who have no hope.
I hope in you, Lord God;
I find renewal in praising you,
my salvation and my God.
I Fast
Bob Hostetler
Lord, I fast.
I fast to submit my will to yours.
I fast to tell you I acknowledge your primacy, your preeminence.
I fast to demonstrate--to myself, I suppose, more than you--
that there are things I value more than food,
more than my body,
more than myself,
and today (and for the duration of this fast)
I fast to intercede for the marriages of my friends and flock.
You know, Lord, how desperate and deep is our need.
You know we need not just one miracle, but many,
miracle upon miracle.
I know you hate divorce.
I know that, apart from you, our condition is hopeless.
So I fast to say, "Maranatha," come quickly, Lord Jesus;
come to our assistance, and make haste to help us, in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, I fast.
I fast to submit my will to yours.
I fast to tell you I acknowledge your primacy, your preeminence.
I fast to demonstrate--to myself, I suppose, more than you--
that there are things I value more than food,
more than my body,
more than myself,
and today (and for the duration of this fast)
I fast to intercede for the marriages of my friends and flock.
You know, Lord, how desperate and deep is our need.
You know we need not just one miracle, but many,
miracle upon miracle.
I know you hate divorce.
I know that, apart from you, our condition is hopeless.
So I fast to say, "Maranatha," come quickly, Lord Jesus;
come to our assistance, and make haste to help us, in Jesus' name, amen.
Seek You
Bob Hostetler
God, you are my God,
and I seek you this morning;
let my prayers rise before you
like the morning sacrifice.
Please grant that I may seek you wholeheartedly,
which I confess I do not now.
Grant that I may seek you only,
which I do not now.
Grant that I may seek you moment-by-moment,
consistently, and constantly,
which I do not now,
for I confess my need of you
constantly and completely and only,
in Jesus' name, amen.
God, you are my God,
and I seek you this morning;
let my prayers rise before you
like the morning sacrifice.
Please grant that I may seek you wholeheartedly,
which I confess I do not now.
Grant that I may seek you only,
which I do not now.
Grant that I may seek you moment-by-moment,
consistently, and constantly,
which I do not now,
for I confess my need of you
constantly and completely and only,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Willing to Be Made Willing
Bob Hostetler
Lord God, I confess that I am not often willing
to make you my all, to seek you first...
but I am willing to be made willing.
Please, Father, transform me to seek you first,
to content myself in you,
to make you my all,
to concentrate my hopes,
desires,
aims,
and aspirations,
on you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord God, I confess that I am not often willing
to make you my all, to seek you first...
but I am willing to be made willing.
Please, Father, transform me to seek you first,
to content myself in you,
to make you my all,
to concentrate my hopes,
desires,
aims,
and aspirations,
on you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
In this New Year, 2007
Lord God Adonai,
in this new year, 2007, I pray,
give me grace to experience more of you,
to learn your ways,
to drink more deeply of your presence and power.
Make me more fully your man,
increase my devotion to you,
make me more prayerful still,
and more a man of your Word.
Please give me victory over the sin of faithlessness,
that habitually leads me to lust, gluttony, worry, and stress.
Please help me to walk through 2007 in faith,
calmly and confidently seeking you
and trusting you,
making wise decisions,
holding on to the right things,
letting go of the right things,
delegating the right things,
ignoring the right things,
taking a stand on the right things,
and giving in on the right things.
Help me to care, and not to care.
Please make 2007 a year of blessing for Robin,
a year in which she more fully owns and believes
in her own beauty, intelligence, and capability.
Please grant her success in her studies;
honor and empower her plans to finish classes in December,
and please set in motion the machinery
that will open to her a multitude of first-job options after graduation.
Prosper the work of her hands and mind and heart, Lord.
Please help us to pay our debts,
and avoid new ones.
Help us this year to live within our means,
and to do better than that once Robin graduates.
Continue to draw my children to you
with cords of lovingkindness.
Please let 2007 be a year in which
a fresh and powerful passion for you is ignited
within Aaron and Aubrey, Nina, and Kevin.
Please bring my first grandchild safely into this world.
Please enable Aaron and Nina to buy a home this year.
Please give Aaron and Aubrey both new jobs,
jobs that fulfill their dreams and “float their boats.”
Provide for Nina as the baby’s arrival approaches;
provide work for Aaron that makes a lengthy—even permanent—
maternity leave possible for Nina.
Prosper my children financially,
and may their souls prosper and be in health
even as I also ask you to keep their bodies healthy.
Please make 2007 truly a year of breaking new ground for Cobblestone.
Please help us early in the year to structure for effectiveness and efficiency
as we go through the rest of the year.
Please bring together the financing,
the construction,
and everything else in such a way
that we will once again say, in late 2007 or early 2008,
when we occupy “The Loft,”
“Wow! Look what God has done.”
While all that is going on, Lord,
please keep us focused on pleasing you,
worshiping you wholeheartedly,
reaching out effectively,
loving people into life-changing encounters with God.
Make Cobblestone, as a church,
and me as a leader,
more like what we say we are.
For my writing, Lord, I hardly know what to pray.
If it pleases you for me to keep writing,
then prosper that part of my ministry.
Bring to me projects that please you;
please grant that I may stop writing for money in 2007,
and reject all projects that fail to capture my imagination
and reflect your will.
You have been so kind and so gracious to me, Father.
Please keep me (and mine) as the apple of your eye,
and hide us all under the shadow of your wings,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
in this new year, 2007, I pray,
give me grace to experience more of you,
to learn your ways,
to drink more deeply of your presence and power.
Make me more fully your man,
increase my devotion to you,
make me more prayerful still,
and more a man of your Word.
Please give me victory over the sin of faithlessness,
that habitually leads me to lust, gluttony, worry, and stress.
Please help me to walk through 2007 in faith,
calmly and confidently seeking you
and trusting you,
making wise decisions,
holding on to the right things,
letting go of the right things,
delegating the right things,
ignoring the right things,
taking a stand on the right things,
and giving in on the right things.
Help me to care, and not to care.
Please make 2007 a year of blessing for Robin,
a year in which she more fully owns and believes
in her own beauty, intelligence, and capability.
Please grant her success in her studies;
honor and empower her plans to finish classes in December,
and please set in motion the machinery
that will open to her a multitude of first-job options after graduation.
Prosper the work of her hands and mind and heart, Lord.
Please help us to pay our debts,
and avoid new ones.
Help us this year to live within our means,
and to do better than that once Robin graduates.
Continue to draw my children to you
with cords of lovingkindness.
Please let 2007 be a year in which
a fresh and powerful passion for you is ignited
within Aaron and Aubrey, Nina, and Kevin.
Please bring my first grandchild safely into this world.
Please enable Aaron and Nina to buy a home this year.
Please give Aaron and Aubrey both new jobs,
jobs that fulfill their dreams and “float their boats.”
Provide for Nina as the baby’s arrival approaches;
provide work for Aaron that makes a lengthy—even permanent—
maternity leave possible for Nina.
Prosper my children financially,
and may their souls prosper and be in health
even as I also ask you to keep their bodies healthy.
Please make 2007 truly a year of breaking new ground for Cobblestone.
Please help us early in the year to structure for effectiveness and efficiency
as we go through the rest of the year.
Please bring together the financing,
the construction,
and everything else in such a way
that we will once again say, in late 2007 or early 2008,
when we occupy “The Loft,”
“Wow! Look what God has done.”
While all that is going on, Lord,
please keep us focused on pleasing you,
worshiping you wholeheartedly,
reaching out effectively,
loving people into life-changing encounters with God.
Make Cobblestone, as a church,
and me as a leader,
more like what we say we are.
For my writing, Lord, I hardly know what to pray.
If it pleases you for me to keep writing,
then prosper that part of my ministry.
Bring to me projects that please you;
please grant that I may stop writing for money in 2007,
and reject all projects that fail to capture my imagination
and reflect your will.
You have been so kind and so gracious to me, Father.
Please keep me (and mine) as the apple of your eye,
and hide us all under the shadow of your wings,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
From the Apple of Your Eye
Bob Hostetler
Abba, one prayer (among others) that I have prayed
roughly 365 times in 2006:
Keep me as the apple of your eye,
and hide me under the shadow of your wings.
Hallelujah, Lord! You have answered.
In spite of my frequent waywardness,
my stubbornness,
my habitual insensitivity to you,
you have answered;
you keep me as the apple of your eye,
you have hid me under the shadow of your wings.
Thank you, faithful God,
Abba Father,
thank you, in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, one prayer (among others) that I have prayed
roughly 365 times in 2006:
Keep me as the apple of your eye,
and hide me under the shadow of your wings.
Hallelujah, Lord! You have answered.
In spite of my frequent waywardness,
my stubbornness,
my habitual insensitivity to you,
you have answered;
you keep me as the apple of your eye,
you have hid me under the shadow of your wings.
Thank you, faithful God,
Abba Father,
thank you, in Jesus' name, amen.
Give Me Yourself
Bob Hostetler
God, give me yourself--nothing less
than your salvation,
your holiness,
your mercy,
your kindness,
your magnanimity,
your love,
your goodness,
your purity,
your integrity,
your grace,
your glory will do for me.
I confess, Lord, that I sin,
and in so doing
I say that you are not enough for me,
that you can't be trusted,
that I must have something other than you...
but that's a lie,
and I beg your forgiveness for how often I tell it,
in Jesus' name, amen.
God, give me yourself--nothing less
than your salvation,
your holiness,
your mercy,
your kindness,
your magnanimity,
your love,
your goodness,
your purity,
your integrity,
your grace,
your glory will do for me.
I confess, Lord, that I sin,
and in so doing
I say that you are not enough for me,
that you can't be trusted,
that I must have something other than you...
but that's a lie,
and I beg your forgiveness for how often I tell it,
in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 42
Like a deer panting for streams of water,
so my soul yearns for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for you, my God, living God, Abba Father.
I long to plunge into you,
to thrust my head into the cool waters of your presence.
Tears are my diet, Lord,
while those around me are ignoring you
and doubting you.
But I pour out my soul to you,
remembering better days,
chapels filled with your praises,
concert halls filled with shouts of joy and thanksgiving,
prayer meetings that touched angels' wings.
Why do I get so downcast?
Why am I so easily disturbed?
My hope is in you, God,
no less than ever.
You are my Savior and my God.
When my spirits spiral downward,
point my memory to your victories,
to the wonderful places you've taken me, Lord.
Let your "deep" reach into my depths,
thunder in my heart like a mighty waterfall,
sweep over me like waves and breakers of the sea.
By day, LORD, you send your love to me,
at night your song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
God my Rock, I know you have not forgotten me.
I know you will not let my enemies triumph over me.
Whatever momentary agony I suffer,
whatever taunts I endure,
whatever doubts surround me,
I put my hope in you, God,
and I will praise you,
with my shouts,
with my songs,
with my whispers,
with my silence,
my Savior and my God.
so my soul yearns for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for you, my God, living God, Abba Father.
I long to plunge into you,
to thrust my head into the cool waters of your presence.
Tears are my diet, Lord,
while those around me are ignoring you
and doubting you.
But I pour out my soul to you,
remembering better days,
chapels filled with your praises,
concert halls filled with shouts of joy and thanksgiving,
prayer meetings that touched angels' wings.
Why do I get so downcast?
Why am I so easily disturbed?
My hope is in you, God,
no less than ever.
You are my Savior and my God.
When my spirits spiral downward,
point my memory to your victories,
to the wonderful places you've taken me, Lord.
Let your "deep" reach into my depths,
thunder in my heart like a mighty waterfall,
sweep over me like waves and breakers of the sea.
By day, LORD, you send your love to me,
at night your song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
God my Rock, I know you have not forgotten me.
I know you will not let my enemies triumph over me.
Whatever momentary agony I suffer,
whatever taunts I endure,
whatever doubts surround me,
I put my hope in you, God,
and I will praise you,
with my shouts,
with my songs,
with my whispers,
with my silence,
my Savior and my God.
Praise and Petition
Bob Hostetler
To God be glory;
to the angels honor;
to Satan confusion;
to the cross reverence;
to the church exaltation;
to the departed quickening;
to the penitent acceptance;
to the sick and infirm recovery and healing;
and to the four quarters of the world great peace and tranquility;
and on us who are weak and sinful may the compassion and mercies of our God comes, and may they overshadow us continually, amen.
(Prayer from the Old Syriac, used by Christians in Turkey, Iran, and South India)
To God be glory;
to the angels honor;
to Satan confusion;
to the cross reverence;
to the church exaltation;
to the departed quickening;
to the penitent acceptance;
to the sick and infirm recovery and healing;
and to the four quarters of the world great peace and tranquility;
and on us who are weak and sinful may the compassion and mercies of our God comes, and may they overshadow us continually, amen.
(Prayer from the Old Syriac, used by Christians in Turkey, Iran, and South India)
A Prayer of Ignatius
Bob Hostetler
Loving God, teach us to be generous
Teach us to serve You as You deserve.
To give, and not count the cost
To fight, and not heed the wounds,
To toil, and not look for rest,
To labor and not ask for reward,
Save that of knowing that we are following Your desires for us.
Amen.
Loving God, teach us to be generous
Teach us to serve You as You deserve.
To give, and not count the cost
To fight, and not heed the wounds,
To toil, and not look for rest,
To labor and not ask for reward,
Save that of knowing that we are following Your desires for us.
Amen.
The Feast of Stephen
Bob Hostetler
Father, on this feast of Stephen,
the first martyr of your church,
I pray for all those
among my brothers and sisters
who today face persecution, even martyrdom.
Give them strength, Lord,
and stamina.
Lift their eyes to their Lord,
as you did for Stephen,
and give them love for their persecutors
and hope for themselves and their families,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Prayer for Christmas
Bob Hostetler
The day of joy returns,
Father in Heaven,
and crowns another year with peace and good will.
Help us rightly to remember
the birth of Jesus,
that we may share
in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and the worship of the wisemen.
Close the doors of hate and open the doors of love
all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clean hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy
to be thy children, and the Christmas evening
bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake, amen.
(A prayer by Henry Van Dyke)
A Psalm for December 24
Bob Hostetler
Swing wide, O you gates;
be lifted up, you great doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD small and helpless,
the LORD, lying in a manger.
Swing wide, O you gates;
be lifted up, you great doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
the babe of Bethlehem—
he is the King of glory.
Amen.
(based on Psalm 24:7-10)
Swing wide, O you gates;
be lifted up, you great doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD small and helpless,
the LORD, lying in a manger.
Swing wide, O you gates;
be lifted up, you great doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
the babe of Bethlehem—
he is the King of glory.
Amen.
(based on Psalm 24:7-10)
Nativity Approaches
Lord Jesus, the day of your nativity approaches,
the day on which we commemorate your birth,
your condescension,
your humble incarnation.
Please help me and mine to approach that day on tiptoe,
with reverence and awe,
mindful of your holiness and beauty,
and grateful for the privilege
of approaching
and kneeling
at your manger, amen.
the day on which we commemorate your birth,
your condescension,
your humble incarnation.
Please help me and mine to approach that day on tiptoe,
with reverence and awe,
mindful of your holiness and beauty,
and grateful for the privilege
of approaching
and kneeling
at your manger, amen.
Prayer for a Grandchild
Abba, on this child growing inside my dear daughter-in-law, Lord, have mercy.
On this child, whom you are forming and fashioning as you formed and fashioned me, Lord, show your favor.
On this child, who existed only in your foreknowledge eleven weeks ago, Lord, grant health and healthy growth in every way.
On this child's parents, my precious boy and his lovely wife, Lord, have mercy.
On this child's parents, Lord, show your favor.
On this child's parents, Lord, grant health, and a healthy, comfortable, and successful pregnancy for Nina.
On this child's grandparents, Lord have mercy.
On me and my wife, and on Nina's parents, show your favor.
To us all, Lord, grant the wisdom and faith to bless Aaron, Nina, and the baby with how we wait, rejoice, worry (or not), and in the things we do and don't do for them in these coming seven months, in Jesus' name, amen.
Daily Discovery
Bob Hostetler
Give us this day our daily discovery, in Jesus' name, amen.
(Prayer often used by Dr. Rendell Harris)
Give us this day our daily discovery, in Jesus' name, amen.
(Prayer often used by Dr. Rendell Harris)
A Poor Pastor's Prayer
Bob Hostetler
A prayer of a pastor, from the George McDonald book, The Curate's Awakening:
Yes, master, when you come you shall find
A little faith on earth, if I am here.
You know how often I turn to you in my mind,
How sad I wait until your face appear!
Have you not ploughed my thorny ground full sore,
And from it gathered many stones and sherds?
Plough, plough and harrow till it needs no more--
Then sow your mustard seed, and send your birds.
I love you, Lord: and if I yield to fears,
And cannot trust with triumph that doubt defies,
Remember, Lord, 'tis nearly two thousand years,
And I have never seen you with my eyes.
And when I lift them up from the wondrous tale,
See, all about me so strange, so beautiful a show!
Is that your river running down the vale?
Is that your wind that through the pines does blow?
Couldn't you appear again,
The same who walked the paths of Palestine;
And here in [this land] teach your trusting men,
In church and field and house, with word and sign?
Here are but lilies, sparrows, and the rest!
My hands on some dear proof would light and stay!
But my heart sees John leaning on your breast,
And sends them forth to do what you did say.
A prayer of a pastor, from the George McDonald book, The Curate's Awakening:
Yes, master, when you come you shall find
A little faith on earth, if I am here.
You know how often I turn to you in my mind,
How sad I wait until your face appear!
Have you not ploughed my thorny ground full sore,
And from it gathered many stones and sherds?
Plough, plough and harrow till it needs no more--
Then sow your mustard seed, and send your birds.
I love you, Lord: and if I yield to fears,
And cannot trust with triumph that doubt defies,
Remember, Lord, 'tis nearly two thousand years,
And I have never seen you with my eyes.
And when I lift them up from the wondrous tale,
See, all about me so strange, so beautiful a show!
Is that your river running down the vale?
Is that your wind that through the pines does blow?
Couldn't you appear again,
The same who walked the paths of Palestine;
And here in [this land] teach your trusting men,
In church and field and house, with word and sign?
Here are but lilies, sparrows, and the rest!
My hands on some dear proof would light and stay!
But my heart sees John leaning on your breast,
And sends them forth to do what you did say.
Kingdom Come
Bob Hostetler
Lord, help me to receive your kingdom--daily--as a little child.
Help me to trust you explicitly,
love you passionately and supremely,
and come to you simply, plainly, and intimately, every day,
helpless, dependent, wide-eyed for your wisdom, blessing, and presence.
In that, let me be satisfied, in Jesus' name, amen.
Lord, help me to receive your kingdom--daily--as a little child.
Help me to trust you explicitly,
love you passionately and supremely,
and come to you simply, plainly, and intimately, every day,
helpless, dependent, wide-eyed for your wisdom, blessing, and presence.
In that, let me be satisfied, in Jesus' name, amen.
Prayer Suggested by Mary Oliver
Bob Hostetler
Lord of honeysuckle,
Lord of melons;
Lord of sweetness,
Lord of starfire,
Lord of wheatfield,
Lord of desert,
Lord of plenty,
Lord of want,
Lord of mystery,
Lord of me,
have mercy,
Lord, have mercy.
(Prayer suggested by Mary Oliver; the first two lines are phrases used in separate poems in her collection, Thirst).
Lord of honeysuckle,
Lord of melons;
Lord of sweetness,
Lord of starfire,
Lord of wheatfield,
Lord of desert,
Lord of plenty,
Lord of want,
Lord of mystery,
Lord of me,
have mercy,
Lord, have mercy.
(Prayer suggested by Mary Oliver; the first two lines are phrases used in separate poems in her collection, Thirst).
Baruch atah Adonai
Bob Hostetler
Blessed art Thou, O Lord,
who didst create the firmament of heaven,
the heavens and the heaven of heavens,
the heavenly powers,
angels, archangels,
cherubim, seraphim;
the waters above the heavens,
mists and vapors,
for showers, dew, hail, snow as wool,
hoar frost as ashes, ice as morsels,
clouds from the ends of the earth;
lightnings, thunders,
winds out of thy treasuries, storms;
the waters beneath the heavens,
water to drink,
water to wash in.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord,
amen.
(from the prayers of Lancelot Andrewes)
Blessed art Thou, O Lord,
who didst create the firmament of heaven,
the heavens and the heaven of heavens,
the heavenly powers,
angels, archangels,
cherubim, seraphim;
the waters above the heavens,
mists and vapors,
for showers, dew, hail, snow as wool,
hoar frost as ashes, ice as morsels,
clouds from the ends of the earth;
lightnings, thunders,
winds out of thy treasuries, storms;
the waters beneath the heavens,
water to drink,
water to wash in.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord,
amen.
(from the prayers of Lancelot Andrewes)
Sleep and Surrender
Bob Hostetler
Abba, I lie down tonight.
As I surrender to sleep,
let me surrender to you,
wholly,
wholly,
wholly,
Lord God almighty,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Abba, I lie down tonight.
As I surrender to sleep,
let me surrender to you,
wholly,
wholly,
wholly,
Lord God almighty,
in Jesus' name, amen.
My Psalm 41
Bob Hostetler
Bless me, LORD, with regard for the weak,
so I may know your deliverance in times of trouble.
Protect me, LORD, and preserve my life;
bless me in the land
and do not surrender me to the desire of my foes.
Sustain me through times of sickness,
and restore me to health and vigor.
I have pleaded for your mercy;
I have begged for your healing, while confessing my sinfulness.
I know my enemy maliciously seeks my destruction,
my shame.
I know he whispers lies to me,
and spreads lies about me
like so many thistle seeds in a plowed field.
I know there are those who whisper together against me,
and imagine the worst for me.
I know even former friends, whom I trusted,
who shared my bread,
want to see me fail.
But you, O LORD, have mercy on me;
lift me up,
not that I may repay them,
but that everyone will know you are merciful and gracious.
Let me know that you are pleased with me,
and then whatever my enemy does will amount to nothing.
Uphold me, give me integrity,
and grant me your constant presence.
I praise you, LORD, the God of Israel,
who is from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.
Bless me, LORD, with regard for the weak,
so I may know your deliverance in times of trouble.
Protect me, LORD, and preserve my life;
bless me in the land
and do not surrender me to the desire of my foes.
Sustain me through times of sickness,
and restore me to health and vigor.
I have pleaded for your mercy;
I have begged for your healing, while confessing my sinfulness.
I know my enemy maliciously seeks my destruction,
my shame.
I know he whispers lies to me,
and spreads lies about me
like so many thistle seeds in a plowed field.
I know there are those who whisper together against me,
and imagine the worst for me.
I know even former friends, whom I trusted,
who shared my bread,
want to see me fail.
But you, O LORD, have mercy on me;
lift me up,
not that I may repay them,
but that everyone will know you are merciful and gracious.
Let me know that you are pleased with me,
and then whatever my enemy does will amount to nothing.
Uphold me, give me integrity,
and grant me your constant presence.
I praise you, LORD, the God of Israel,
who is from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.
Prayer for Concentration
Bob Hostetler
God help my thoughts! They stray from
me, setting off on the wildest journeys.
When I am in church, they run off like
naughty children, quarreling, making
trouble.
When I read the Bible, they fly to a distant
city, filled with beautiful women.
My thoughts can cross an ocean with
a single leap; they can fly from earth to
heaven, and back again, in a single
second.
They come to me for a fleeting moment, and
then away they flee.
No chains, no locks can hold them back; no
threats of punishment can restrain them,
no hiss of a lash can frighten them.
They slip from my grasp like tails of eels;
they sweep hither and thither like
swallows in flight.
Dear, chaste, Christ, who can see into every
heart and read every mind, take hold of
my thoughts. Bring my thoughts back to
me, and clasp me to yourself.
(Thanks to Holly Davis, via Cindy Boyll, who recommended this anonymous Celtic prayer to me).
God help my thoughts! They stray from
me, setting off on the wildest journeys.
When I am in church, they run off like
naughty children, quarreling, making
trouble.
When I read the Bible, they fly to a distant
city, filled with beautiful women.
My thoughts can cross an ocean with
a single leap; they can fly from earth to
heaven, and back again, in a single
second.
They come to me for a fleeting moment, and
then away they flee.
No chains, no locks can hold them back; no
threats of punishment can restrain them,
no hiss of a lash can frighten them.
They slip from my grasp like tails of eels;
they sweep hither and thither like
swallows in flight.
Dear, chaste, Christ, who can see into every
heart and read every mind, take hold of
my thoughts. Bring my thoughts back to
me, and clasp me to yourself.
(Thanks to Holly Davis, via Cindy Boyll, who recommended this anonymous Celtic prayer to me).
WOW
Bob Hostetler
Wow, Lord.
Wow.
You are amazing.
You have done marvelous things.
You make pathways in the wilderness,
and lead your people from glory TO glory.
Thank you.
Wow, Lord.
Wow.
You are amazing.
You have done marvelous things.
You make pathways in the wilderness,
and lead your people from glory TO glory.
Thank you.
Teach Me to Care, and Not to Care
Bob Hostetler
Lord, Adonai, in Eugene Peterson's words,
"Teach us to care, teach us to use all these occasions of need that are the agenda of our work as access to God, as access to neighbor. Teach us to care by teaching us to pray, to pray so that human need becomes the occasion for entering into and embracing the presence and action of God in this life. Teach us to care by teaching us to pray so that those with whom we work are not less human through our caring but become more human. Teach us to care so that we do not become collaborators in self-centeredness, but rather companions in God-exploration. Teach us to use each act of caring as an act of praying so that this person in the act of being cared for experiences dignity instead of condescension, realizes the glory of being in on the salvation, and blessing and healing of God, and not driven further into neurosis and the wasteland of self.
"And, not to care. Teach us to be reverential in all these occasions of need that are the agenda of our work, aware that you were long beforehand with these people, creating and loving, saving and wooing them. Teach us the humility of not caring, so that we do not use anyone's need as a workshop to cobble together makeshift, messianic work that inflates our importance and indispensability. Teach us to be in wonder and adoration before the beauties of creation and the glories of salvation, especially as they come to us in these humans who have come to think of themselves as violated and degraded and rejected. Teach us the reticence and restraint of not caring, so that in our eagerness to do good, we not ignorantly interfere in your caring. Teach us not to care so that we have time and energy and space to realize that all our work is done on holy ground and in your holy name, that people and communities in need are not a wasteland where we feverishly and faithlessly set up shop, but a garden, a rose garden in which we work contemplatively.
Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehood.
Teach us to care and not to care,"
in Jesus' name, amen.
(from Subversive Spirituality, by Eugene Peterson, pp. 167-168).
Lord, Adonai, in Eugene Peterson's words,
"Teach us to care, teach us to use all these occasions of need that are the agenda of our work as access to God, as access to neighbor. Teach us to care by teaching us to pray, to pray so that human need becomes the occasion for entering into and embracing the presence and action of God in this life. Teach us to care by teaching us to pray so that those with whom we work are not less human through our caring but become more human. Teach us to care so that we do not become collaborators in self-centeredness, but rather companions in God-exploration. Teach us to use each act of caring as an act of praying so that this person in the act of being cared for experiences dignity instead of condescension, realizes the glory of being in on the salvation, and blessing and healing of God, and not driven further into neurosis and the wasteland of self.
"And, not to care. Teach us to be reverential in all these occasions of need that are the agenda of our work, aware that you were long beforehand with these people, creating and loving, saving and wooing them. Teach us the humility of not caring, so that we do not use anyone's need as a workshop to cobble together makeshift, messianic work that inflates our importance and indispensability. Teach us to be in wonder and adoration before the beauties of creation and the glories of salvation, especially as they come to us in these humans who have come to think of themselves as violated and degraded and rejected. Teach us the reticence and restraint of not caring, so that in our eagerness to do good, we not ignorantly interfere in your caring. Teach us not to care so that we have time and energy and space to realize that all our work is done on holy ground and in your holy name, that people and communities in need are not a wasteland where we feverishly and faithlessly set up shop, but a garden, a rose garden in which we work contemplatively.
Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehood.
Teach us to care and not to care,"
in Jesus' name, amen.
(from Subversive Spirituality, by Eugene Peterson, pp. 167-168).
Risk
Bob Hostetler
Lord, you know the risk I take.
You know how risk-averse I am.
You know I come, trembling, to your altar,
and I give you more than I am capable of giving,
because it's little enough
compared to what you deserve,
and large enough
to force me to depend on you.
So here. I give. I risk. I jump.
Catch me.
Lord, you know the risk I take.
You know how risk-averse I am.
You know I come, trembling, to your altar,
and I give you more than I am capable of giving,
because it's little enough
compared to what you deserve,
and large enough
to force me to depend on you.
So here. I give. I risk. I jump.
Catch me.
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