Lord God, thank you for the catastrophes that did NOT happen this year:
the tsunami that never struck,
the cancer I didn't get,
the accident my child avoided,
the reversal my budget didn't suffer,
the attacks that never came,
the sin that was avoided,
all the tragedy I and my loved ones
and this world could have suffered
but somehow,
by your great mercy,
didn't.
Thank you,
in Jesus' name,
for the "didn't."
Amen.
A Prayer of Julian of Norwich
God, of your goodness,
give me yourself,
for you are enough for me,
and I can ask for nothing which is less
which can pay you full worship.
And if I ask anything which is less,
always I am in want;
but only in you do I have everything.
Julian of Norwich, Showings: Classics of Western Spirituality (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1978), p. 184.
For This Day
Abba, thank you for this day:
its health and nourishment,
its encouragement and productivity,
its warmth and comfort.
Thank you for the grace you've given me
to trust you and live in you
and let you take care of the rest,
in Jesus' name, amen.
its health and nourishment,
its encouragement and productivity,
its warmth and comfort.
Thank you for the grace you've given me
to trust you and live in you
and let you take care of the rest,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Need
Lord God Adonai, I need you today. I would say "I need you more than ever," or "especially" today, but I know my need of you, being utter and complete, never changes. But I feel my need of you today, keenly. I need you. Oh God, come to my assistance; oh Lord, make haste to help me. Amen.
Help and Helplessness
Lord, it stinks to be called to help people, to lead them to you, and yet to be so powerless and ineffectual to help them! Lord God, please help, because I am helpless. Oh, God, come to our assistance; oh Lord, make haste to help us.
Late Have I Loved You
Late have I loved you, O Beauty so ancient, and so new. Late have I loved you! You were within me but I was outside myself, and there I sought you! In my weakness I ran after the beauty of the things you have made — the things which would have no being unless they existed in you! You have called, you have cried, and you have pierced my deafness. You have radiated forth, you have shined out brightly, and you have dispelled my blindness. You have sent forth your fragrance, and I have breathed it in, and I long for you. I have tasted you, and I hunger and thirst for you. You have touched me, and I ardently desire your peace. Amen.A prayer of St. Augustine of Hippo, from his Confessions
On What Everybody Else Ought to Do
Lord God, everybody seems to know
what everybody else needs to do!
Oh, please, save me from that attitude,
and help me not to accept it from others.
what everybody else needs to do!
Oh, please, save me from that attitude,
and help me not to accept it from others.
A Prayer from Paul
Lord, your gracious favor is all I need.
Your power works best in my weakness.
Let the power of Christ work in me
through weakness
by your gracious favor.
Amen.
(based on 2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT)
Your power works best in my weakness.
Let the power of Christ work in me
through weakness
by your gracious favor.
Amen.
(based on 2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT)
Glory in the Grey
Almighty God...
Sun behind all suns...
Soul behind all souls...
show to us in everything we touch
and in everyone we meet
the continued assurance of thy presence round us,
lest ever we should think thee absent.
In all created things thou art there.
In every friend we have
the sunshine of thy presence is shown forth.
In every enemy that seems to cross our path,
thou art there within the cloud to challenge us to love.
Show to us the glory in the grey.
Awake for us thy presence in the very storm
till all our joys are seen as thee
and all our trivial tasks emerge as priestly sacraments
in the universal temple of thy love.
(George MacLeod, The Whole Earth Shall Cry Glory, pp. 13-14)
A Prayer of Alcuin of York
Give me grace, O Lord,
to be in all things strong, prudent and just
with a wise restraint at need.
Grant me an exact faith,
unshakeable trust in thee,
and perfect charity.
Fill me with the spirit of intelligence and wisdom.
Let me be always thoughtful for others and courageous,
with loyalty and reverence.
O Light, perfect and eternal, enlighten me.
Everything
Jesus, tender lover of my soul,
Pardoner of my sins, and friend indeed,
Keeper of the garden of my heart,
Jesus, thou art everything to me.
Chorus
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.
What to me are all the joys of earth?
What to me is every sight I see,
Save the sight of thee, O Friend of mine?
Jesus, thou art everything to me.
Here I lay me at thy bleeding feet,
Deepest homage now I give to thee;
Hear thy whispered love within my soul;
Jesus, thou art everything to me.
Authors: Edward Henry Joy (1871-1949) (verses),
Arthur Smith Arnott (1870-1941) (chorus)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 600
Pardoner of my sins, and friend indeed,
Keeper of the garden of my heart,
Jesus, thou art everything to me.
Chorus
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.
What to me are all the joys of earth?
What to me is every sight I see,
Save the sight of thee, O Friend of mine?
Jesus, thou art everything to me.
Here I lay me at thy bleeding feet,
Deepest homage now I give to thee;
Hear thy whispered love within my soul;
Jesus, thou art everything to me.
Authors: Edward Henry Joy (1871-1949) (verses),
Arthur Smith Arnott (1870-1941) (chorus)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 600
Enoch Prayer
Lord God,
let it be said of me
that I "walked with God."
Let me entertain no delusions
and seek no other plaudits
except those that come
from walking humbly with my God.
Show me your ways.
Let it be enough for me
to walk with you,
in Jesus' name,
amen.
let it be said of me
that I "walked with God."
Let me entertain no delusions
and seek no other plaudits
except those that come
from walking humbly with my God.
Show me your ways.
Let it be enough for me
to walk with you,
in Jesus' name,
amen.
Caedmon's Hymn, Revised
Now, Lord, I honor you, Guardian of heaven,your might as an architect, and your purpose,
your work, O father of glory,
for you, the Eternal Lord,
established each wonder from the beginning.
You, the Holy Creator,
first fashioned the heavens as a roof for the children of men.
Then, Guardian of mankind, Eternal Lord,
you adorned the middle earth,
the lands, for men.
I praise you, Almighty King of Heaven.
A Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola
O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
With Thy Spirit, Fill Me
With thy Spirit, fill me.
Make me wholly Thine, I pray:
With thy Spirit, fill me.
Make me wholly Thine, I pray:
With thy Spirit, fill me.
The Hiding of Thy Face
(A prayer of George Macdonald)
O Father, help us to know that the hiding of Thy face is wise love. Thy love is not fond, doting and reasonless. Thy bairns must often have the frosty cold side of the hill, and set down both their bare feet among the thorns: Thy love hath eyes, and in the meantime is looking on. Our pride must have winter weather.
O Father, help us to know that the hiding of Thy face is wise love. Thy love is not fond, doting and reasonless. Thy bairns must often have the frosty cold side of the hill, and set down both their bare feet among the thorns: Thy love hath eyes, and in the meantime is looking on. Our pride must have winter weather.
Half Measures
Lord, save me from half measures.
Keep me from taking shortcuts,
like Abram with Hagar (Gen. 16),
or from trying to "help" you
with puny compromises.
Give me the courage
to dive in,
headfirst,
rather than trying to tiptoe into your presence
and promises.
Grant me a faith even greater
than Abram in Genesis 16,
and be my shield
and my very great reward,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Keep me from taking shortcuts,
like Abram with Hagar (Gen. 16),
or from trying to "help" you
with puny compromises.
Give me the courage
to dive in,
headfirst,
rather than trying to tiptoe into your presence
and promises.
Grant me a faith even greater
than Abram in Genesis 16,
and be my shield
and my very great reward,
in Jesus' name, amen.
For Open-Handedness
(A prayer of Archbishop Helder Camara)
Lord,
isn't your creation wasteful?
Fruits never equal
the seedling's abundance.
Springs scatter water.
The sun gives out
enormous light.
May your bounty teach me
greatness of heart.
May your magnificence
stop me being mean.
Seeing you a prodigal
and open-handed giver
let me give unstintingly
like a king's son
like God's own.
Lord,isn't your creation wasteful?
Fruits never equal
the seedling's abundance.
Springs scatter water.
The sun gives out
enormous light.
May your bounty teach me
greatness of heart.
May your magnificence
stop me being mean.
Seeing you a prodigal
and open-handed giver
let me give unstintingly
like a king's son
like God's own.
Make Us Dangerous
God, turn my eyes upon Jesus.
Focus me intently on him.
Make my church a dangerous church,
a church that is focused on Jesus,
a church that is constantly looking for him,
finding him,
waiting for him,
expectantly hoping,
fervently seeking him,
joyfully sharing him,
effectively serving him,
our Savior,
our King,
our Alpha and Omega,
the author and finisher of our faith,
the Lamb of God,
the Prince of Peace,
the Son of God and Son of Man,
our Jesus,
our Savior,
our King….
amen.
Focus me intently on him.
Make my church a dangerous church,
a church that is focused on Jesus,
a church that is constantly looking for him,
finding him,
waiting for him,
expectantly hoping,
fervently seeking him,
joyfully sharing him,
effectively serving him,
our Savior,
our King,
our Alpha and Omega,
the author and finisher of our faith,
the Lamb of God,
the Prince of Peace,
the Son of God and Son of Man,
our Jesus,
our Savior,
our King….
amen.
A Father's Thanks
Abba, thank you for ever drawing my children to you,
ever more deeply into your heart,
each in his or her own way.
I thank you that you are always working,
in Jesus' name, amen.
ever more deeply into your heart,
each in his or her own way.
I thank you that you are always working,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Leave Me As I Am
Abba, you are great, and greatly to be praised.
Thank you that I am not rich,
or powerful,
or influential,
for I could not handle those things.
As it is, I am too mindful of money,
so having more would surely distract me from you.
As it is, I am too controlled and controlling,
so having more power would probably
deform me more.
And, as it is, I care far too much what people think,
so being more influential would certainly
be far too dangerous--and stressful.
So leave me as I am....
except to make me more as you are,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Thank you that I am not rich,
or powerful,
or influential,
for I could not handle those things.
As it is, I am too mindful of money,
so having more would surely distract me from you.
As it is, I am too controlled and controlling,
so having more power would probably
deform me more.
And, as it is, I care far too much what people think,
so being more influential would certainly
be far too dangerous--and stressful.
So leave me as I am....
except to make me more as you are,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Chaos of Uncalculating Love
(A prayer by George MacLeod)
It was your custom,
to go to the temple,
to the noisome temple
sometime to the scandalised temple
listening to the mumbo jumbo,
but it was your custom to go.
...
Give us grace in our changing day
to stand by the temple that is the present church,
the noisome temple
the sometime scandalised temple that is the present church,
listening sometime to what again seems mumbo jumbo.
Make it our custom to go
till the new outline of your Body for our day
becomes visible in our midst.
(George MacLeod, The Whole Earth Shall Cry Glory, p. 39)
It was your custom,to go to the temple,
to the noisome temple
sometime to the scandalised temple
listening to the mumbo jumbo,
but it was your custom to go.
...
Give us grace in our changing day
to stand by the temple that is the present church,
the noisome temple
the sometime scandalised temple that is the present church,
listening sometime to what again seems mumbo jumbo.
Make it our custom to go
till the new outline of your Body for our day
becomes visible in our midst.
(George MacLeod, The Whole Earth Shall Cry Glory, p. 39)
A Prayer of Karl Rahner
You
who are love itself,
give me
the grace of love,
give me
yourself,
so that all my days
may finally empty
into the one day
of your eternal life.
A Prayer for the Jewish People
God of our fathers,
you chose Abraham and his descendants
to bring Your name to the nations:
we are deeply saddened
by the behavior of those
who in the course of history
have caused these children of Yours to suffer
and asking Your forgiveness
we wish to commit ourselves
to genuine brotherhood
with the people of the Covenant.
A prayer of Pope John Paul II,
at the Western Wall, Jerusalem,
March 26, 2000.
you chose Abraham and his descendants
to bring Your name to the nations:
we are deeply saddened
by the behavior of those
who in the course of history
have caused these children of Yours to suffer
and asking Your forgiveness
we wish to commit ourselves
to genuine brotherhood
with the people of the Covenant.
A prayer of Pope John Paul II,
at the Western Wall, Jerusalem,
March 26, 2000.
Early Morning Prayer of Thanks
O God, early in the morning I cry to you.Help me to pray and gather my thoughts to you;
I cannot do it alone.
In me it is dark, but with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not desert me;
My courage fails me, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace;
in me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
but you know the way for me.
Father in Heaven, praise and thanks be to you
for the night’s rest,
Praise and thanks be to you for the new day.
Praise and thanks be to you for all your lovingkindness
and faithfulness in my past life.
You have shown me so much goodness;
let me also accept what is hard to bear from your hand.
You will not lay a heavier burden on me than I can carry.
You make all things serve for the best for your children.
Lord, whatever this day brings, your name be praised.
( A prayer by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, written in Tegel prison, Berlin)
Give Them
Lord God, give them joy.
Give them safety.
Give them laughter.
Give them beauty.
Give them intimacy.
Give them health.
Give them unity.
Give them fulness.
Give them rest.
Give them harmony.
Give them cooperation.
Give them breathtaking moments.
Give them them the making of wonderful memories.
Give them a blessed start,
a perfect honeymoon,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Give them safety.
Give them laughter.
Give them beauty.
Give them intimacy.
Give them health.
Give them unity.
Give them fulness.
Give them rest.
Give them harmony.
Give them cooperation.
Give them breathtaking moments.
Give them them the making of wonderful memories.
Give them a blessed start,
a perfect honeymoon,
in Jesus' name, amen.
How?
Lord God, tomorrow is my daughter's wedding day.
How am I supposed to "give her away?"
Can't I just keep her?
How am I supposed to "give her away?"
Can't I just keep her?
A Prayer at Breaking a Fast
Lord God, I break my fast today--or pray that I do--
for the same reasons I started it six days ago:
to remind myself that you are God, and I am not;
to tell you that I love you and bow before you with all my soul and body;
to crucify my flesh and subdue my desires and cravings
and tell myself (and you)
that your lovingkindness means more to me than life,
your blessing more than food and fulness in my belly.
Lord, please take my pitiful offering,
my small sacrifice,
my tiny faithfulness in small things,
and use it to refine me and glorify you...
and, if you will, to bless your church, Cobblestone,
in Jesus' name, amen.
for the same reasons I started it six days ago:
to remind myself that you are God, and I am not;
to tell you that I love you and bow before you with all my soul and body;
to crucify my flesh and subdue my desires and cravings
and tell myself (and you)
that your lovingkindness means more to me than life,
your blessing more than food and fulness in my belly.
Lord, please take my pitiful offering,
my small sacrifice,
my tiny faithfulness in small things,
and use it to refine me and glorify you...
and, if you will, to bless your church, Cobblestone,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Praise for Answered Prayer
Lord God, I praise you again
because you answer prayer.
I praise you for answering prayer for Bill.
I praise you for answering prayer for Amy's mother.
I praise you for answering prayer for the outreach last Saturday,
and for the baptisms on Sunday.
I praise you for answered prayer for our worship last weekend.
I praise you because you deign to answer prayer.
I praise you because you love to answer prayer.
Amen.
because you answer prayer.
I praise you for answering prayer for Bill.
I praise you for answering prayer for Amy's mother.
I praise you for answering prayer for the outreach last Saturday,
and for the baptisms on Sunday.
I praise you for answered prayer for our worship last weekend.
I praise you because you deign to answer prayer.
I praise you because you love to answer prayer.
Amen.
Ungrace, Certitude and Conviction
Abba, Father, save me from the ungrace
that too often accompanies
certitude and conviction.
Grant me the humility to pray (and live),
"I believe; help my unbelief."
Amen.
that too often accompanies
certitude and conviction.
Grant me the humility to pray (and live),
"I believe; help my unbelief."
Amen.
For Miracles of Grace
Abba, God of miracles,
I call on you today;
please do miracles of grace,
salvation,
and faith and generosity
and renewal and commitment
and joy and worship
and prayer and warfare
and outwardness and surrender
among your people
before our eyes
as we gather to worship you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
I call on you today;
please do miracles of grace,
salvation,
and faith and generosity
and renewal and commitment
and joy and worship
and prayer and warfare
and outwardness and surrender
among your people
before our eyes
as we gather to worship you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer of Herbert Booth
I bring to Thee my heart to fill;I feel how weak I am, but still
To Thee for help I call.
In joy or grief to live or die,
For earth or Heaven, this is my cry:
Be thou my all in all.
I've little strength to call my own,
And what I've done before Thy Throne
I here confess, is small;
But on Thy strength, O God, I lean,
And through the Blood that makes me clean,
Thou art my all in all.
No tempest can my courage shake,
My love from Thee no pain can take,
No fear my heart appal;
And where I cannot see I'll trust,
For then I know Thou surely must
Be still my all in all.
A Variation on a Theme by Nehemiah
Remember me with favor, O my God (Nehemiah 5:19),
not for anything I have done,
but for the sake of all Jesus has done for me,
in whose name I pray, amen.
not for anything I have done,
but for the sake of all Jesus has done for me,
in whose name I pray, amen.
My Psalm 73
Surely, God, you are good to your people,
to those who are pure in heart,
and even to me, though my feet are prone to slip,
and I am frequently on the edge.
I admit my envy of the arrogant
and my frustration at the easy lives of the wicked.
They have no struggles;
they sow bitterness and reap sweetness.
They seem free from the burdens I bear;
they don't have to put up with the crap I do.
They adorn themselves with pride
and clothe themselves with discord.
They expect perfection from others
while they are blind to the darkness of their own hearts.
They treat others with ungrace and unforgiveness,
while they condemn the best intentions of others.
They talk as if they are wise
and everyone else is stupid.
And of course people listen to them,
lapping up their lies and distortions like thirsty dogs.
Do they really believe you don't see,
that you the Most High lack knowledge?
They must: and not without reason, apparently,
for you seem happy to let them prosper.
It all makes me feel at times like I have kept my heart pure for no good reason,
like I have devoted myself to your will and work in vain.
I am plagued by complainers and critics.
Every morning someone says "we need to meet."
I can't even be honest with them, Lord,
for that would simply add offense to offense
and cause them to call me defensive or recalcitrant.
No matter how hard I try to get a godly perspective on all this,
it oppresses me,
until I turn my eyes on you
and focus on "this one thing I do."
I'm not here for man's approval, Lord,
and I know enough to assume there will be opposition and misunderstanding.
As a dream when one awakes,
so when you arise in my heart and mind, O Lord.
You alone can assuage my loneliness;
your presence is a balm to my hurting heart.
Therefore I turn to you once more;
hold me by my right hand.
Guide me with your counsel,
and show me your glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And I desire nothing on earth besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but you are the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Those who are far from you--
they are your problem, not mine.
Those who taunt and attack your servants
will be called before your court.
But as for me, I will focus on staying near you, God.
I will make the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will boast only in you.
Amen.
to those who are pure in heart,
and even to me, though my feet are prone to slip,
and I am frequently on the edge.
I admit my envy of the arrogant
and my frustration at the easy lives of the wicked.
They have no struggles;
they sow bitterness and reap sweetness.
They seem free from the burdens I bear;
they don't have to put up with the crap I do.
They adorn themselves with pride
and clothe themselves with discord.
They expect perfection from others
while they are blind to the darkness of their own hearts.
They treat others with ungrace and unforgiveness,
while they condemn the best intentions of others.
They talk as if they are wise
and everyone else is stupid.
And of course people listen to them,
lapping up their lies and distortions like thirsty dogs.
Do they really believe you don't see,
that you the Most High lack knowledge?
They must: and not without reason, apparently,
for you seem happy to let them prosper.
It all makes me feel at times like I have kept my heart pure for no good reason,
like I have devoted myself to your will and work in vain.
I am plagued by complainers and critics.
Every morning someone says "we need to meet."
I can't even be honest with them, Lord,
for that would simply add offense to offense
and cause them to call me defensive or recalcitrant.
No matter how hard I try to get a godly perspective on all this,
it oppresses me,
until I turn my eyes on you
and focus on "this one thing I do."
I'm not here for man's approval, Lord,
and I know enough to assume there will be opposition and misunderstanding.
As a dream when one awakes,
so when you arise in my heart and mind, O Lord.
You alone can assuage my loneliness;
your presence is a balm to my hurting heart.
Therefore I turn to you once more;
hold me by my right hand.
Guide me with your counsel,
and show me your glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And I desire nothing on earth besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but you are the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Those who are far from you--
they are your problem, not mine.
Those who taunt and attack your servants
will be called before your court.
But as for me, I will focus on staying near you, God.
I will make the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will boast only in you.
Amen.
Gossip
Abba, Father, save me from gossip.
From hearing it.
From speaking it.
From suffering it.
In Jesus' name, amen.
From hearing it.
From speaking it.
From suffering it.
In Jesus' name, amen.
A Pastor's Whine
Father, recent weeks--have they been as full of spiritual attack as I think? Or have I forgotten how to trust...how to rest...how to obey? Please tell me things will get better--no, not things, tell me I will get better. Please tell me I will yet learn to command my schedule (instead of vice versa). Please tell me I will yet figure out my own rhythms so I'm not always straining to get through a day, to get to a sabbath, to dread the end of a day(s) off! Please tell me I will become wise enough not to be ruled by worry and fear, and not to be so unhealthily affected by the moods and judgments of those who seem to live in ungrace and unhappiness. I really do want to please you, Lord, and I want to trust you completely and constantly. I long to walk in peace, in confidence, in abandonment. I long to truly shepherd the flock and feed the lambs, to do it effectively. Even as I write this, I sense you urging me to see myself and my ministry with more gracious eyes than I do. So, okay. I will rest in you, Lord, and seek to walk in the awareness that you will build your church, as you have promised. I will just be faithful, as you enable me, by your grace, in Jesus' name, amen.
Presence Prayer
Lord God, I am happy in your presence tonight.
I sit at your feet.
I gaze on your beauty.
I feel your closeness.
You are here, and I am here, amen.
I sit at your feet.
I gaze on your beauty.
I feel your closeness.
You are here, and I am here, amen.
Remember Me
Lord God, remember me.
Remember me in my poverty.
Remember me in my weariness.
Remember me in my sadness and ennui.
Remember me in my lowliness.
Remember me in my extremity.
Lord God, remember me, in Jesus' name, amen.
Remember me in my poverty.
Remember me in my weariness.
Remember me in my sadness and ennui.
Remember me in my lowliness.
Remember me in my extremity.
Lord God, remember me, in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer from Psalm 112
Lord God, I fear you; I find great delight in your commandments. Therefore, my children will be mighty in the land, and even the generation after them will be blessed. Wealth and riches will fill my house. Even in the dark, light will dawn for me. Good will come to me because I am generous and lend freely. I will not fear bad news, because my heart steadfastly trusts in you. I will look in triumph on my foes because my heart is secure. I will even be honored by you, because I honor you! My detractors will be vexed and all their longing for my embarrassment will come to nothing. Thank you, in Jesus' name, amen.
Never Alone
Thank you, Lord God Almighty,
for today's reminder
that I never pray alone:
Thank you for the Spirit's intercession
and for my Lord Jesus,
who "ever liveth" to intercede for me
and with me.
Please let me pray in concert
with you
and in sensitive agreement
with your will.
Amen.
for today's reminder
that I never pray alone:
Thank you for the Spirit's intercession
and for my Lord Jesus,
who "ever liveth" to intercede for me
and with me.
Please let me pray in concert
with you
and in sensitive agreement
with your will.
Amen.
Save me From "Making" Prayers
Abba, teach me to pray.
Save me from "making" prayers.
Help me to know how to pray,
what to pray,
for whom to pray.
Prompt my praying.
Guide my praying.
Be the author of my prayers,
from beginning to end, amen.
Save me from "making" prayers.
Help me to know how to pray,
what to pray,
for whom to pray.
Prompt my praying.
Guide my praying.
Be the author of my prayers,
from beginning to end, amen.
A Prayer of Christina Rosetti
O Lord, who art as the shadow
of a great rock
in a weary land,
who beholdest thy weak creatures,
weary of labor,
weary of pleasure,
weary of hope deferred,
weary of self:
In thine abundant compassion
and unutterable tenderness,
bring us, we pray thee, unto thy rest. Amen.
Stuff
Father, I confess:
Sometimes I make up stuff.
I do stuff for show.
I pretend to know stuff.
I even act like I'm made of stuff I'm not.
But I thank you that, by your grace,
I am becoming less of a sham
and more of a man.
Amen.
Sometimes I make up stuff.
I do stuff for show.
I pretend to know stuff.
I even act like I'm made of stuff I'm not.
But I thank you that, by your grace,
I am becoming less of a sham
and more of a man.
Amen.
Contentment
Lord God, please teach me contentment.
Teach me to be satisfied in the now,
and grant me the grace to anticipate the not-yet
without pining or worrying,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Teach me to be satisfied in the now,
and grant me the grace to anticipate the not-yet
without pining or worrying,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Attentive
Holy Spirit, please make me less attentive
to my own desires
and more attentive
to yours,
in Jesus' name, amen.
to my own desires
and more attentive
to yours,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer for the Lord's Day
Abba, Father,
please grant me energy today beyond my resources.
Grant that your people may truly worship you.
Grant that all may be drawn closer to you.
Tear down strongholds.
Route the Enemy.
Convict of sin.
Inspire.
Save.
Be glorified,
in Jesus' name, amen.
please grant me energy today beyond my resources.
Grant that your people may truly worship you.
Grant that all may be drawn closer to you.
Tear down strongholds.
Route the Enemy.
Convict of sin.
Inspire.
Save.
Be glorified,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer of Arthur Hays Sulzberger
(This prayer by the late chairman of the board of the New York Times was reportedly inspired by a passage from Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis; it has been revised slightly)
God give me clear eyes and freedom from haste!
God give me anger against all pretence!
God keep me looking for my own mistakes!
God keep me at it till my results are proven!
God give me strength to trust the strength of God!
God give me clear eyes and freedom from haste!
God give me anger against all pretence!
God keep me looking for my own mistakes!
God keep me at it till my results are proven!
God give me strength to trust the strength of God!
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your servant who calls upon you, and grant that I may know and understand what things I ought to do, and that I also may have the grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Variation on Lord Astley
Lord, Thou knowest
I shall be verie busie this day.
Let me not forget Thee.
Let Thee not forget me.
Amen.
I shall be verie busie this day.
Let me not forget Thee.
Let Thee not forget me.
Amen.
Cleanliness
Abba, Father,
reading the book Infidel today
drove me to prayer,
to say thank you for the cleanliness
I take for granted in my life:
clean floors,
clean air,
clean streets,
restaurants,
sidewalks,
toilets,
water,
yards,
public places,
and more,
so much so that our most public places
would resemble Disney World to an immigrant
from Somalia or Kenya or many other nations in the world.
So I thank you,
even as I pray for those living in opposite circumstances,
and say Lord, have mercy on them,
in Jesus' name, amen.
reading the book Infidel today
drove me to prayer,
to say thank you for the cleanliness
I take for granted in my life:
clean floors,
clean air,
clean streets,
restaurants,
sidewalks,
toilets,
water,
yards,
public places,
and more,
so much so that our most public places
would resemble Disney World to an immigrant
from Somalia or Kenya or many other nations in the world.
So I thank you,
even as I pray for those living in opposite circumstances,
and say Lord, have mercy on them,
in Jesus' name, amen.
I Lay Down
I lay down tonight, Lord. I lay down in peace, in the knowledge that you are sovereign, loving, and utterly trustworthy. I lay down my need to do, and surrender anew to you. I lay down my fears, and rest in your wakeful care. I lay down my agenda for tomorrow and say, "your will be done." I lay down my drive to please man and ask you for the simple--but great--privilege of pleasing you. I lay down. Goodnight.
In Your Hands
Abba, I am in your hands.
Do with me--
and in me, and through me--
what you will,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Do with me--
and in me, and through me--
what you will,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Confession
Abba, you have helped me to realize that one of the reasons I so love solitude is that there, by myself, I get my way! How stubborn is my selfish nature. Please forgive me. Amen.
My Psalm 72
Endow this pastor with your wisdom, O God,
your servant and son with your guidance.
Help me lead your people in righteousness,
and comfort your suffering children with compassion.
Bring prosperity to your people,
let their lives reflect your nature
as surely as the earth and sky around them.
Defend the afflicted among your people
and save the poor and needy;
crush the oppressor.
Grant that I may live and serve you as long as I am useful,
and then anoint my successor.
Let your hand be upon us like rain falling on a field of fresh-mown hay,
like showers refreshing the soil.
Make the righteous flourish, O Lord;
send prosperity to your people that lasts until the moon disappears.
Exert your rule from end to end in our community,
and show yourself strong throughout the “metroplex!”
Let your foes fall down before you;
press your Enemy’s face into the dust.
Let the powers of this earth,
the mighty, moneyed kings of academia,
bring you tribute and present you gifts.
Let the best and brightest bow down to you,
and all nations and tongues serve you,
because you rescue the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no help.
You take pity on the weak and the poor
and save the destitute.
You rescue them from oppression and violence,
for you watch over them with care and concern.
Lord, strengthen this pastor,
your servant and son.
May your people be faithful in praying for me,
and bless me and my coworkers with their prayerful support.
Protect, preserve, and prosper
your church;
cause it to flourish like Lebanon;
cause it to thrive like the Shephelah.
May our efforts for you endure forever;
may they continue as long as the sun.
May all nations be blessed through us,
and may the names of your saints live on.
Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
for you alone do marvelous deeds.
Praise be to your glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with your glory.
Amen and Amen.
your servant and son with your guidance.
Help me lead your people in righteousness,
and comfort your suffering children with compassion.
Bring prosperity to your people,
let their lives reflect your nature
as surely as the earth and sky around them.
Defend the afflicted among your people
and save the poor and needy;
crush the oppressor.
Grant that I may live and serve you as long as I am useful,
and then anoint my successor.
Let your hand be upon us like rain falling on a field of fresh-mown hay,
like showers refreshing the soil.
Make the righteous flourish, O Lord;
send prosperity to your people that lasts until the moon disappears.
Exert your rule from end to end in our community,
and show yourself strong throughout the “metroplex!”
Let your foes fall down before you;
press your Enemy’s face into the dust.
Let the powers of this earth,
the mighty, moneyed kings of academia,
bring you tribute and present you gifts.
Let the best and brightest bow down to you,
and all nations and tongues serve you,
because you rescue the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no help.
You take pity on the weak and the poor
and save the destitute.
You rescue them from oppression and violence,
for you watch over them with care and concern.
Lord, strengthen this pastor,
your servant and son.
May your people be faithful in praying for me,
and bless me and my coworkers with their prayerful support.
Protect, preserve, and prosper
your church;
cause it to flourish like Lebanon;
cause it to thrive like the Shephelah.
May our efforts for you endure forever;
may they continue as long as the sun.
May all nations be blessed through us,
and may the names of your saints live on.
Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
for you alone do marvelous deeds.
Praise be to your glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with your glory.
Amen and Amen.
Freedom Prayer
Almighty God, help me to honor the freedom you have given me
by offering it to you
and using it for you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
by offering it to you
and using it for you,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer by Saint Benedict
O Lord, I place myself in Your hands
and dedicate myself to You.
I pledge myself to do Your will in all things:
To love the Lord God with all my heart,
all my soul,
all my strength.
Not to kill,
not to steal,
not to covet,
not to bear false witness,
to honor all persons.
Not to do to another what I should not want done to myself.
Not to seek after pleasures.
To love fasting.
To relieve the poor.
To clothe the naked.
To visit the sick.
To bury the dead.
To help those in trouble.
To console the sorrowing.
To hold myself aloof from worldly ways.
To prefer nothing to the love of Christ.
Not to give way to anger.
Not to foster a desire for revenge.
Not to entertain deceit in the heart.
Not to make a false peace.
Not to forsake charity.
Not to swear, lest I swear falsely.
To speak the truth with heart and tongue.
Not to return evil for evil
To do no injury, indeed,
even to bear patiently any injury done to me.
To love my enemies.
Not to curse those who curse me but rather to bless them.
To bear persecution for justice's sake.
Not to be proud.
Not to be given to intoxicating drink.
Not to be an overeater.
Not to be lazy.
Not to be slothful
Not to be a detractor.
To put my trust in God.
To refer the good I see in myself to God.
To refer any evil I see in myself to myself
To fear the day of judgment.
To be in dread of hell.
To desire eternal life with spiritual longing.
To keep death before my eyes daily.
To keep constant watch over my actions.
To remember that God sees me everywhere.
To call upon Christ for defense
against evil thoughts that arise in my heart.
To guard my tongue against wicked speech.
To avoid much speaking.
To avoid idle talk.
Not to seek to appear clever.
To read only what is good to read.
To pray often.
To ask forgiveness daily for my sins,
and to seek ways to amend my life.
To obey my superiors in all things rightful.
Not to desire to be thought holy, but to seek holiness.
To fulfill the commandments of God by good works.
To love chastity.
To hate no one.
Not be jealous or envious of anyone.
Not to love strife.
Not to love pride.
To honor the aged.
To pray for my enemies.
To make peace after a quarrel,
before the setting of the sun.
Never to despair of your mercy, O God of mercy.
All I Ask
Father, if I could,
all I would ask for from this life
would be a quiet place to live,
books to read,
time with my wife,
time with my family,
time to think,
space to write,
a church to love,
and all my bills paid.
If you wanted to make me really happy,
I would let you throw in
an occasional visit with friends,
a nice steak once in a while,
and every year a trip to someplace new.
That would do it,
that would more than do it.
So why, Lord, why did you go and make me a pastor?
all I would ask for from this life
would be a quiet place to live,
books to read,
time with my wife,
time with my family,
time to think,
space to write,
a church to love,
and all my bills paid.
If you wanted to make me really happy,
I would let you throw in
an occasional visit with friends,
a nice steak once in a while,
and every year a trip to someplace new.
That would do it,
that would more than do it.
So why, Lord, why did you go and make me a pastor?
When Many Are Coming and Going
When many are coming and going and there is little leisure, give us grace, O heavenly Father, to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who knew neither impatience of spirit or confusion of work, but in the midst of his labors held communion with you, and even upon earth was still in heaven; where he now reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
(A prayer by C. J. Vaughan, 1816-1897)
(A prayer by C. J. Vaughan, 1816-1897)
Prayer for my Grandson
Abba, Father, God,I pray that as he grows,
Miles will have a heart that is tender toward you;
a heart that beats to please you;
that from his first awareness of you,
his hands won't hesitate to lift toward heaven in praise and worship;
and as he grows up,
that those hands will be used to reach out
in service to you
and comfort those who are hurting
and help for those in need.
May the first step he takes be one of many
on the path that you have planned and laid out before him,
and ultimately, may his countenance reflect a man who has come
to know and love his Savior, Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in whose name I ask,
amen.
All the Afflictions I've Never Had
Abba, Father,
Mighty God,
my Healer and Sustainer,
I thank you for the health and vitality I enjoy,
for the energy and ability that characterizes my daily life.
I thank you with my whole heart
for all the afflictions I've never had,
all the sufferings I've never had to face:
from AIDS to anemia,
arthritis and meningitis,
autism and muscular dystrophy,
from botulism to mad cow disease,
ALS,
cancer and carpel tunnel,
cerebral palsy and cholera,
kidney stones and diabetes,
diphtheria and ebola,
salmonella,
typhoid,
epilepsy,
epstein-barr,
necrotizing faciitis,
gout,
heart disease,
hepatitis,
high cholesterol and high blood pressure,
malaria,
lupus,
lyme disease,
Hodgkins,
polio,
SARS,
shingles,
smallpox,
stroke,
tuberculosis,
tetanus,
Tourette's,
multiple sclerosis,
yellow fever,
and more,
and more,
and more.
I thank you for every danger and affliction I have escaped,
even as I pray for those who have not,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Mighty God,
my Healer and Sustainer,
I thank you for the health and vitality I enjoy,
for the energy and ability that characterizes my daily life.
I thank you with my whole heart
for all the afflictions I've never had,
all the sufferings I've never had to face:
from AIDS to anemia,
arthritis and meningitis,
autism and muscular dystrophy,
from botulism to mad cow disease,
ALS,
cancer and carpel tunnel,
cerebral palsy and cholera,
kidney stones and diabetes,
diphtheria and ebola,
salmonella,
typhoid,
epilepsy,
epstein-barr,
necrotizing faciitis,
gout,
heart disease,
hepatitis,
high cholesterol and high blood pressure,
malaria,
lupus,
lyme disease,
Hodgkins,
polio,
SARS,
shingles,
smallpox,
stroke,
tuberculosis,
tetanus,
Tourette's,
multiple sclerosis,
yellow fever,
and more,
and more,
and more.
I thank you for every danger and affliction I have escaped,
even as I pray for those who have not,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Waiting for the Fire
In full and glad surrender,
I give myself to Thee,
Thine utterly and only
And evermore to be.
My all is on the altar,
I'm waiting for the fire,
Waiting, waiting, waiting,
I'm waiting for the fire.
A Thin Place
O God,
make of my heart,
and of my church,
and of the Loft,
and of Oxford,
a thin place.
Amen.
(Based on an incident related to Evelyn Underhill by a friend who had been to the Isle of Iona and there heard a local gardener say, “Iona is a very thin place.” She asked, “What do you mean?” The gardener, a Scotsman, said, “Its a thin place, because there is not much between Iona and the Lord”)
For a Braveheart's Prayer Life
GOD, GIVE ME A BRAVEHEART’S PRAYER LIFE!
Make me a man of prayer.
Make my church a house of prayer.
Grant us the joy and exhilaration of partnering with you
through prayer
to bring about things that we can’t imagine
can scarcely even dream,
as we not only see the needs around us
and feel them,
but learn to submit them to you
in faith,
day by day
and moment by moment, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Make me a man of prayer.
Make my church a house of prayer.
Grant us the joy and exhilaration of partnering with you
through prayer
to bring about things that we can’t imagine
can scarcely even dream,
as we not only see the needs around us
and feel them,
but learn to submit them to you
in faith,
day by day
and moment by moment, in Jesus’ name, amen.
For a Braveheart's Passion
GOD, GIVE ME A BRAVEHEART’S PASSION!
God, give my church a braveheart’s passion.
Please fill us with excitement not just for moving into a building
but for moving out into our community!
Please give us passionate hearts that beat in tune with yours,
that see the needs and FEEL the needs around us,
and respond with compassion
and enthusiasm
and exertion, in Jesus’ name, amen.
God, give my church a braveheart’s passion.
Please fill us with excitement not just for moving into a building
but for moving out into our community!
Please give us passionate hearts that beat in tune with yours,
that see the needs and FEEL the needs around us,
and respond with compassion
and enthusiasm
and exertion, in Jesus’ name, amen.
For a Braveheart's Perspective
GOD, GIVE ME A BRAVEHEART’S PERSPECTIVE!
I want to serve a cause greater than myself,
I’m ready to get out of myself,
I’m going to make a difference in this world.
Keep my mind so focused,
please,
in Jesus' name, amen.
I want to serve a cause greater than myself,
I’m ready to get out of myself,
I’m going to make a difference in this world.
Keep my mind so focused,
please,
in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer for the First Day of Summer
Abba, thank you for summer,for green grass
and honeysuckle,
leafy trees
running streams
bare feet
balmy days
singing birds
laughing children
baseball games
cookouts
sunshine
clear skies
the smell after a summer rain
beauty
and fecundity
everywhere
I turn.
Amen.
My Psalm 71
O Lord, I run into your arms;don’t let me be discouraged.
Save me and rescue me in this low place,
for you do what is right.
Put your ear close to my heart
and hear the murmurs I can’t put into words.
Be my mountain fortress,
my crag of safety.
Command my deliverance,
for you are my Mighty Rescuer.
O God, save me from this recurring depression;
I am so tired of being in the line of fire,
of shouldering the problems of others
(as if mine aren’t enough!).
I’m sick of being second-guessed,
and of others who think they have the answers,
without even seeking to understand the question.
O Lord, you alone are my hope.
You’ve had my heart from childhood.
You’ve guided me from birth;
year after year you have been my shelter.
No wonder I am always praising you!
Make my life an example to many,
an encouragement to others to find strength and protection in you.
Even in my depression, I can’t stop praising you;
I declare your glory with my whole heart, all day long.
Now that I am old, don’t set me aside.
My stamina may be gone, but let my experience count for something.
Answer those who whisper against me.
Defend me against those who think I’m stupid.
Save me from those who nurse resentment against me.
O God, don’t be coy.
My God, please hurry to help me.
Bring disgrace and destruction on my Enemy.
Humiliate and shame him and his divisive plans.
I will keep on hoping for your help;
I will praise you no matter what others do.
I will faithfully tell everyone about your righteousness;
I will preach the Word, season after season.
I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord.
I will do all I can to lead others to you.
O God, you’ve had my heart from childhood.
I will trust you and follow you for the rest of my days.
Let me proclaim your power to a new generation,
your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.
You have done wonders.
Who can compare with you?
Who can even come close to you?
I know I bring much hardship on myself,
and you let me suffer through it,
but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.
Then I will praise you with songs in the sanctuary,
I will lift up your praise in the midst of your people,
I will stand up against every foe,
because you are faithful to your promises, O my God,
you have ransomed me,
and you lift me higher than I have any right to be,
higher than I have any reason to expect.
Teaching Me to Pray
Thank you, Lord, for what you're teaching me about prayer:
to ask,
ask boldly,
ask loudly,
ask bluntly,
ask dangerously;
to listen;
to persevere.
to ask,
ask boldly,
ask loudly,
ask bluntly,
ask dangerously;
to listen;
to persevere.
Lost Friendships
Abba, Father, my loving Daddy, I give to you my lost friendships, those relationships I have treasured and now mourn. Save me from self-pity and self-loathing. Save me from repeating past mistakes and sins. Save me from resentment and bitterness toward those who turn away from me. Save me from unwillingness to trust and be honest with friends in the future. Save me, and heal me, in Jesus' name, amen.
God of Abraham
God of Abraham, and Moses, God of Exodus and Easter, God of wonders, I muse upon your mighty works and plead: do it again! Bring me through discouragement once more, to victory. Sort through the afflictions of your church and bring about a culture of unity and grace and encouragement. Restore our marriages, heal the hurting, soothe the afflicted, comfort the grieving, shield the joyous, and all for your love's sake, amen.
From the Book of Common Prayer
Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who cares for us: Preserve me from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from me the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, and for ever. Amen.
Sunday Gratitude
Father, what a day this has been! Sweet worship, rich fellowship, encouragement, and blessing, in spite of feeling physically poor and needy. How quick I am to turn to weariness and ingratitude, in the midst of all you do for me and for my flock. I am blessed beyond words, Lord, and am too often an ungrateful servant. But not right now. Thank you.
Daily Bread
"I have food to eat that you know nothing about" (John 4:32).
Give me that food, Lord,
that nourishment your disciples knew nothing about;
give it to me daily,
momently,
now,
that sustenance that comes from communion with the Father,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Give me that food, Lord,
that nourishment your disciples knew nothing about;
give it to me daily,
momently,
now,
that sustenance that comes from communion with the Father,
in Jesus' name, amen.
From a Desk Piled High
Abba, just when I think I'm going to clear my desk and get down to where I need to be, down to a manageable to-do list, something intrudes, and I'm behind again! Do you want me to be behind? Do you want me--ever--to catch up? Or is even that hope unrealistic? Do I need to thank you for full schedules, and rejoice that my work is never done? Or should I ask for wisdom to plan my workload so as to become more manageable?
This much I can do: I thank you for my demanding job. You place way too much confidence in me, from my perspective at least! Help me to be wise and diligent and discerning in the work you've given me to do. Amen.
This much I can do: I thank you for my demanding job. You place way too much confidence in me, from my perspective at least! Help me to be wise and diligent and discerning in the work you've given me to do. Amen.
Metaphorical God
My God, my God, thou art a direct God, may I not say a literal God, a God that wouldst be understood literally and according to the plain sense of all that thou sayest? but thou art also (Lord, I intend it to thy glory, and let no profane misinterpreter abuse it to thy diminution), thou art a figurative, a metaphorical God too; a God in whose words there is such a height of figures, such voyages, such peregrinations to fetch remote and precious metaphors, such extensions, such spreadings, such curtains of allegories, such third heavens of hyperboles, so harmonious elocutions, so retired and so reserved expressions, so commanding persuasions, so persuading commandments, such sinews even in thy milk, and such things in thy words, as all profane authors seem of the seed of the serpent that creeps, thou art the Dove that flies. Oh, what words but thine can express the inexpressible texture and composition of thy word, in which to one man that argument that binds his faith to believe that to be the word of God, is the reverent simplicity of the word, and to another the majesty of the word; and in which two men equally pious may meet, and one wonder that all should not understand it, and the other as much that any man should....Neither art thou thus a figurative, metaphorical God in thy word only, but in thy works too. The style of thy works, the phrase of thine actions, is metaphorical. The institution of thy whole worship in the old law was a continual allegory; types and figures overspread all and figures flowed into figures, and poured themselves out into farther figures; circumcision carried a figure of baptism, and baptism carries a figure of that purity which we shall have in perfection in the new Jerusalem. Neither didst thou speak and work in this language only in the time of thy prophets; but since thou spokest in thy Son it is so too. How often, how much more often, doth thy Son call himself a way, and a light, and a gate, and a vine, and bread, than the Son of God, or of man? How much oftener doth he exhibit a metaphorical Christ, than a real, a literal? This hath occasioned thine ancient servants, whose delight it was to write after thy copy, to proceed the same way in their expositions of the Scriptures....[A]s thou wast pleased to speak to them, in a figuratice, in a metaphorical language, in which manner I am bold to call the comfort which I receive now in this sickness in the indication of the concoction and maturity thereof, in certain clouds and recidences [i.e., subsidings], which the physicians observe, a discovering of land from sea after a long and tempestuous voyage....None of thy indications are frivolous, thou makest thy signs seals, and thy seals effects, and thy effects consolation and restitution, wheresoever thou mayest receive glory by that way.(by John Donne, Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, Chapter 19, Expostulation)
On Miles's Birthday
Abba, Father, thank you for my grandson,
Miles Jacob Hostetler,
who turns one year old today.
Oh, Lord, what a joy he is to me.
What a personality you've planted in him!
What health and happiness,
what determination and energy,
what laughter and vigor.
I thank you with all my heart
for every throaty giggle,
for every reaching grasp,
for every wakeful syllable,
for every hungry cry,
every step,
every breath,
every bite,
every swallow,
every smile,
nod,
snort,
squirm,
gesture,
every moment of health
and happiness
and wonder
he enjoys
and brings to me
and mine.
Thank you for him.
Thank you for his parents.
Thank you for his aunts and uncles.
Thank you for his grandparents.
Thank you for every day
and every moment
of his first year of life,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Trees
Our Father, we thank Thee for trees! We thank Thee for the trees of our childhood in whose shade we played and read and dreamed; for the trees of our schooldays, the trees along the paths where friendship walked. We thank Thee for special trees which will always stand large in our memory because for some reason of our own they became our trees. We thank Thee for the great stretches of trees which make the forests. May we always stand humbly before Thy trees and draw strength from them as they, in their turn, draw sustenance from Thy bounties of earth and sun and air. (by Margueritte Harmon Bro, in Graces, by June Cotner, 1994, Harper San Francisco; photo taken by Bob Hostetler)
Confession
O me of little faith.
I confess, Lord,
to not believing you as I ought,
not trusting you as I ought,
not loving you as I ought,
not following you as I ought.
O sinful man that I am,
save me from my sin,
amen.
I confess, Lord,
to not believing you as I ought,
not trusting you as I ought,
not loving you as I ought,
not following you as I ought.
O sinful man that I am,
save me from my sin,
amen.
Wall
Abba, Almighty God,
like the wall around the Abbey of Gethsemani,
erect a perimeter of protection around your church, Cobblestone,
this weekend...and always.
Save us from our enemies.
Defend us with your heavenly armies,
and teach us to leave our camp
to storm the gates of hell, in Jesus' name, amen.
like the wall around the Abbey of Gethsemani,
erect a perimeter of protection around your church, Cobblestone,
this weekend...and always.
Save us from our enemies.
Defend us with your heavenly armies,
and teach us to leave our camp
to storm the gates of hell, in Jesus' name, amen.
Set My Head Aflame
God, you say I am light,
the light of the world,
with all who believe in Jesus
and follow him.
Set my head aflame, then,
and let me burn bright.
Blow on my tiny faith
and consume me,
Consuming Fire.
Amen.
the light of the world,
with all who believe in Jesus
and follow him.
Set my head aflame, then,
and let me burn bright.
Blow on my tiny faith
and consume me,
Consuming Fire.
Amen.
Good Gifts
For rosy apples, juicy plums,
And yellow pears so sweet,
For hips and haws on bush and hedge,
And flowers at our feet,
For ears of corn all ripe and dry,
And colored leaves on trees,
We thank you, Heavenly Father God,
For such good gifts as these.
(Author unknown, in Graces, by June Cotner, 1994, Harper San Francisco; photo taken by Bob Hostetler, May 2008, at the Abbey of Gethsemani)
And yellow pears so sweet,
For hips and haws on bush and hedge,
And flowers at our feet,
For ears of corn all ripe and dry,
And colored leaves on trees,
We thank you, Heavenly Father God,
For such good gifts as these.
(Author unknown, in Graces, by June Cotner, 1994, Harper San Francisco; photo taken by Bob Hostetler, May 2008, at the Abbey of Gethsemani)
Anniversary Prayer
God, I praise you for this,my thirty-first wedding anniversary.
What an unspeakable blessing
you've bestowed on me
in the lovely Robin.
Thank you.
Thank you.
A million times, thank you.
Amen.
Come
Come, Father, come to me, a poor sinner.
Come, Lord Jesus, come anew to my heart.
Come, Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus, come anew to my heart.
Come, Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Amen.
God of Breaking Through
Lord, you are my Baal Perizim,
the "God of Breaking Through"--
and my God of breakthrough.
You are always and ever breaking through for me.
Thank you for the victory over sin you're giving me.
Help me to rely on you more, and better.
Keep me in the hollow of your hand,
the cleft of the rock,
in Jesus' name, amen.
the "God of Breaking Through"--
and my God of breakthrough.
You are always and ever breaking through for me.
Thank you for the victory over sin you're giving me.
Help me to rely on you more, and better.
Keep me in the hollow of your hand,
the cleft of the rock,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Go Before
Almighty God, my Father,
like the psalm (68) says,
go out before your people
and lead the march that will bring abundant rains
and refreshment to your inheritance in Oxford,
in Jesus' name, amen.
like the psalm (68) says,
go out before your people
and lead the march that will bring abundant rains
and refreshment to your inheritance in Oxford,
in Jesus' name, amen.
As for Me
As for me, I trust in you, Lord.
As for me, I will listen to your voice.
As for me, I will bow down to you.
As for me, I will believe you are looking out for me
and taking care of me.
As for me, I will rely on you and on your timing.
As for me, I trust in you (Psalm 55:23).
As for me, I will listen to your voice.
As for me, I will bow down to you.
As for me, I will believe you are looking out for me
and taking care of me.
As for me, I will rely on you and on your timing.
As for me, I trust in you (Psalm 55:23).
Spring Praise
We give you everlasting thanks, O God,For the marvels of your great creation.
As the flowers blossom and bloom around us
We lift our hearts in joy and celebration.
Amen.
(by Joyce Blakney Duerr, in Graces, by June Cotner, 1994, Harper San Francisco; photo taken by Bob Hostetler, May 2008, at the Abbey of Gethsemani)
Prone to Thorns and Brambles
Abba, like Thomas Merton,
I confess that I am a sheep prone
to thorns and brambles.
Please don't tire of looking for me
and lifting me out of the messes
I get myself into, in Jesus' name, amen.
I confess that I am a sheep prone
to thorns and brambles.
Please don't tire of looking for me
and lifting me out of the messes
I get myself into, in Jesus' name, amen.
Inhabit
Be pleased, Lord, today
to fulfill your promise
to inhabit the praises of your people.
Come,
bless,
move,
in Jesus' name, amen.
to fulfill your promise
to inhabit the praises of your people.
Come,
bless,
move,
in Jesus' name, amen.
Your Ways
Abba, I want to know your ways
like a sailor knows his knots,
like a true horseman his horse,
like a lover knows his loved one's face.
Teach me your ways, Lord, in Jesus' name, amen.
like a sailor knows his knots,
like a true horseman his horse,
like a lover knows his loved one's face.
Teach me your ways, Lord, in Jesus' name, amen.
All Things
Abba, without you, I can do nothing.
But if and as you are with me,
and enable me,
I can do all things
through Christ, my strength.
Amen.
But if and as you are with me,
and enable me,
I can do all things
through Christ, my strength.
Amen.
According to Your Will
Abba, you are answering my prayers with frequency, regularity. But why is it that the requests which I KNOW to be according to your will (like ___'s salvation, for which I've prayed long and hard) are the ones you seem willing to delay in answering? I know you are "always working," yes. And I know that requests like that, more than most, involve a person's will. But nothing is hard for you. You are not even delayed by the difficulty of a task, right? So I pray again, Lord: save. Hosanna. Save. Save now. Save him. Save her. And him. And him. And her. And him, in Jesus' name, amen.
A Prayer of Soren Kierkegaard
My Lord God,
give me once more
the courage to hope;
merciful God,
let me hope once again,
fructify my barren and infertile mind.
Amen.
give me once more
the courage to hope;
merciful God,
let me hope once again,
fructify my barren and infertile mind.
Amen.
God of All Grace
God of all grace,
give us your peace that passes understanding,
that the quietness that comes from friendliness with human beings,
and true divine friendship with you may possess our soul;
that we, withdrawn awhile from the turmoil of the world,
may gather the strength that we have lost,
and established and strengthened by your grace,
pass on through all the troubles of this earthly life,
safe into the haven of eternal rest,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.
(by George Dawson, Communion of the Saints: Prayers of the Famous)
give us your peace that passes understanding,
that the quietness that comes from friendliness with human beings,
and true divine friendship with you may possess our soul;
that we, withdrawn awhile from the turmoil of the world,
may gather the strength that we have lost,
and established and strengthened by your grace,
pass on through all the troubles of this earthly life,
safe into the haven of eternal rest,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.
(by George Dawson, Communion of the Saints: Prayers of the Famous)
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