let me mind the things of God
and not the things of man,
in Jesus' name, amen.
(based on Matt. 16:23, photo illustration via everystockphoto.com)
The Right Mind
let me mind the things of God
and not the things of man,
in Jesus' name, amen.
(based on Matt. 16:23, photo illustration via everystockphoto.com)
The Wings of the Morning
On Easter
It is only right, with all the powers of our heart and mind,
to praise You Father
and Your Only-begotten Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ:
Dear Father, by Your wondrous
condescension of loving-kindness toward us,
Your servants, You gave up Your Son.
Dear Jesus You paid the debt of Adam
for us to the Eternal Father by
Your Blood poured
fourth in loving-kindness.
You cleared away the darkness of sin
By Your magnificent and radiant Resurrection.
You broke the bonds of death
and rose from the grave as a Conqueror.
You reconciled heaven and earth.
Our life had no hope of eternal happiness
before You redeemed us.
Your Resurrection has washed away our sins,
restored our innocence and brought us joy.
How inestimable is the tenderness
of Your love!
(Saint Gregory the Great's Easter Prayer)
On Silent Saturday
Rest you well, beloved Jesus,
Caesar’s Lord and Israel’s King,
In the brooding of the Spirit,
In the darkness of the spring.
(N. T. Wright, from The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is)
On Good Friday
Am I a stone, and not a sheep,
That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy cross,
To number drop by drop Thy blood's slow loss,
And yet not weep?
Not so those women loved
Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee;
Not so fallen Peter weeping bitterly;
Not so the thief was moved;
Not so the Sun and Moon
Which hid their faces in a starless sky,
A horror of great darkness at broad noon--
I, only I.
Yet give not o'er,
But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock;
Greater than Moses, turn and look once more
And smite a rock.
(by Christina Rosetti)
A Prayer on Maundy Thursday
Lord, wash,
not my feet only,
but also
my hands
and
my head.
And
my heart.
And
my mind.
And
my life.
Amen.
(based on John 13:9).
On Holy Wednesday
Lord Jesus, gracious Savior, I come to you in this sacred week to ponder your great and wondrous love; love that led you to the cross that my sin might be blotted out and that I might be reconciled to my heavenly Father. O Christ, give me strength and grace to crucify my sinful desires and dedicate myself anew to you, who has loved me with an everlasting love and brought to me eternal salvation. I confess to You my sins. They are many, and You know them all. For each and every one of them you suffered the agony of the cross and shed your precious blood that I may be cleansed and made acceptable in your sight. Thank you for the forgiveness and cleansing that is mine. Thank you that none of the sins of yesterday cling to me. Humbly I come, grateful for your mercy. Daily let me fulfill the tasks and duties to which You have called me with joy, confessing you as my Lord and Savior, and being of service to my neighbor.
Grant that your suffering and death, proclaimed for the salvation of mankind, may by the power of the Holy Spirit awaken in many a deeper love to You. O Lord, have mercy upon me and all sinful mankind, and create in me and all that seek you a clean heart, holy desires, and an undying love. Hear my prayer, gracious Redeemer. Amen.
(borrowed and revised from http://scotkinnaman.com)
On Holy Tuesday
Lord Jesus,
it was on a Tuesday that you
spoke out against
abuse of power, collaboration with oppressors,
misuse of authority.
So today we pray,
comforter of the abused,
strengthen those burdened by corrupted rule
or injustice;
rescue the overwhelmed;
be present to those who call on your name,
to those we name on our lips,
and in the silence of our hearts,
those whose concerns are known only to you;
in Jesus’ name,
amen.
it was on a Tuesday that you
spoke out against
abuse of power, collaboration with oppressors,
misuse of authority.
So today we pray,
comforter of the abused,
strengthen those burdened by corrupted rule
or injustice;
rescue the overwhelmed;
be present to those who call on your name,
to those we name on our lips,
and in the silence of our hearts,
those whose concerns are known only to you;
in Jesus’ name,
amen.
On Holy Monday
God of love, My prayer is simple:
Your son, Jesus, suffered and died for me.
I know only
that I cannot have real strength
unless I rely on you.
I cannot feel protected
from my many weaknesses
until I turn to you
for forgiveness and your unalterable love.
Help me to share this
strength, protection and love with others.
(from One Prayer a Day for Lent)
On the First Day of Spring
Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today; And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.
Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.
And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.
For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.
(by Robert Frost, from A Boy's Will)
A Disciple's Prayer
my Abba so close,
your name is great; may it be kept holy in all I pray, all I say, and all I do.
Bring your kingdom to full fruition in my life and in this world;
have your way here and now, just as you do in heaven.
Give us the things we need today.
Forgive our sins,
as we forgive those who have hurt us.
And lead us—
not into temptation—
but deliver us from evil and from the Evil One, for you are our King,
and we welcome your reign,
and we exalt you forever and ever.
Amen.
(this version of the Lord's Prayer appears in The Red Letter Life)
On My Son's Birthday
Oh, my Lord, what a gift you gave me in my son.How I thank you for him,
and for his thirty-three years of life so far.
Today, and on every day that is to come,
please bless him and keep him.
Smile on him and be gracious to him.
Show him your favor and give him your peace.
Continue and increase the good work you've begun in him.
Make him strong and courageous,
Make him bold and energetic.
Fill his heart, mind, and life with all that is true,
honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
Answer his prayers.
Fulfill his dreams.
Supply all his needs.
Keep his marriage strong and beautiful.
Make his home safe and happy.
Give him wisdom in parenting,
blessing in his work,
responsibility and generosity in his finances,
sweetness in worship,
focus in study,
and enjoyment in his relationships.
Reward all his love and faithfulness
with beauty and grace,
prosperity and plenty,
in Jesus' name, amen.
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(photo via everystockphoto.com)
a terrible strength,
invoking the Trinity,
confessing the Three,
with faith in the One
as I face my Maker.
New Touch of Power
Send it now, Lord; send it now, Lord.
Touch my lips with a coal from Thine altar, Lord;
Send a new touch of power on my soul.
(a prayer by Lelia Morris; photo via everystockphoto.com)
But Here I Go
If I want complete certainty, I cannot expect to be led by your Spirit. I cannot know what will happen next, nor demand control. And I know that following you is the only way I can make a great and beautiful difference in the world.
I cannot control what happens outside, but by your grace I can increasingly know myself. Help me to master who I am and how I give meaning to actions and events around me. May my wealth, power, and wisdom enable others to achieve extraordinary success. I know I can give freely of myself because in the economy of the Spirit, you always replenish my jar of oil.
I know when I am listening to you because your Spirit encourages me, points to the truth, lets me decide, and holds me accountable. And somehow you always make it work out. You provide the necessary resources: wisdom, strength, time, helpers, money, skills, and all the unanticipated things that I never could have planned for anyway. More wonderfully, you redeem my mistakes. You weave beauty out of my broken, mixed-up threads, not for my reputation or ego, but for the common good....
Is there anything else you want to tell me? It is time to act. I hope this is right for everyone involved. Now it is all up to you.
I am not sure what to do, God, but here I go. Please make it all work out right.
(a prayer by Richard Kriegbaum, from Leadership Prayers, pp. 26-27)
Another Psalm 20
Adonai, answer me in my distress;
God of Jacob, protect me.
Send me help from your sanctuary
and grant me favor from your very throne.
I have given you little
and you have given me so much;
I take that as a clear signal of your gracious willingness
to answer my pleas.
Grant my heart’s desire
and prosper my plans,
that I may shout for joy
and praise your glorious name.
Fulfill my petitions.
and give victory to me
from the endless supply of your heavenly hoard,
by the matchless strength of your right hand.
I trust in you, Lord God Adonai,
not in any earthly thing,
least of all myself.
My resources are paltry and passing;
your favor is all I need.
Grant victory, Adonai!
Answer my humble cry.
Amen.
Plans
May your purpose prevail in my life this week.
As I put together plans for the short-term projects I must complete at work, the talks I must give, the budget I must manage, and the business meetings and social events I will attend, let me keep your purpose always in mind. As I put together strategic plans for the future and prepare myself to serve and lead, let me remember: None of this will matter if you aren't in it.
I submit my plans to you. Shape them and change them however you want. Even more, shape and change me however you want. You are the potter; I am the clay. May your purpose and plans prevail.
I pray in the name of Christ, who always lived a purpose-driven life. Amen.
Precipice
that they may recover their footing.
I pray for those standing firm,
that they may not be tempted to their downfall.
I pray for those who have fallen,
that they may admit the gravity of their sin
and realize that it calls for a serious remedy,
in Jesus' name, amen.
(a prayer of Cyprian of Carthage, revised)
On Ecclesiastes 3
have included so many births, and so few deaths;
more times to plant, than times of plucking up that which is planted;
No times to kill, and many times to heal;
infrequent times to break down, and frequent times to build up;
Fewer times to weep than times to laugh;
Fewer times to mourn than times to dance.
Thank you for those times to cast away stones, and times of gathering stones together;
thank you for times of embracing, and times to refrain from embracing;
Thank you for so many times to get, and so few times to lose,
so many times to keep, and so few times to cast away.
Make me wise to recognize times to rend, and times to sew;
times to keep silence, and times to speak;
times to love, and times to hate;
times of war, and times of peace,
in Jesus' name, amen
(based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, KJV; photo via everystockphoto.com).
Agendae
my
agenda
decrease
while
joy
for
your
agenda
matures
in
me.
(a prayer of G. K. Chesterton; photo via everystockphoto.com)
In the Faith
A Prayer of Someone Who Is Rich
(photo of a home I visited in a Peruvian pueblo)
The Economics of Enough
the economics of enough.
If in greed I ask too much of you.
If in fear I ask too little.
Measure daily my bread.
Amen.
(from http://twitter.com/twitturgies; photo courtesy of everystockphoto.com)
Lift Up
(a prayer from The Imitation of Christ (Classic Devotions in Today's Language, by Thomas à Kempis, compiled and edited by James N. Watkins)
To the Holy Spirit
O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me,
O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart,
O Holy Spirit,
that I love only what is holy.
Strengthen me,
O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then,
O Holy Spirit,
that I may always be holy.
Amen
(a prayer of Augustine of Hippo, H/T the Daily Prayer blog; photo via everystockphoto.com)
To Write Like Me
It's tempting, Lord, to ask for the grace
of being able to write
like Annie Dillard
or Frederick Buechner
or Eugene Peterson.
Or even,
throwing caution to the wind,
like Paul
or John
or Isaiah
or David.
But I will ask instead,
humbly but wholeheartedly:
Please let me write
like Me,
the best Me of all possible Mes,
in Jesus' name, amen.
I Speak Today
no preacher succeeds by the multitude of his gifts.
Relying on man's approval is a vain hope, a stupid goal;
despite all its allure it cannot save.
My hope is on your unfailing love, Lord;
I hope for your deliverance.
(based on Psalm 33:16-17)
For Servant Hearts
My prayer today for my kids and my grandkids, from the "31 Ways to Pray for Your Kids" app for iPhone and iPad:
My Psalm 140
Save me, LORD, from dark hearts,
protect me
from graceless men and women,
who devise evil plans in their hearts
and are utterly blind to the darkness of their own ways.
They speak out of both sides
of their mouths,
and spread poison
wherever they go.
Keep me, O LORD, out of the hands of the wicked;
protect me from people who find fault so freely with others
and have no insight into the deceit and hypocrisy of their own actions.
People are constantly trying to trap me,
criticizing every step I make
as though they always knew so much better...
though they said nothing,
and offer no wisdom when asked.
O LORD, I say to you, "You are my God."
Hear, O LORD, my cry for mercy.
O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer,
who shields my head in the day of battle-
do not grant the wicked their desires, O LORD;
do not let their plans succeed,
for the sake of your people,
for the sake of your righteousness,
for the sake of your reputation.
Let the heads of those who convene to condemn me
and slander your servants
be slandered by their own hypocrisy.
Let them taste their own medicine;
let their own judgment be meted back to them.
Let slanderers not be established in the land;
may disaster hunt down men and women who wreak havoc.
I know that you secure justice for the poor
and uphold the cause of the needy;
do it now,
do it here,
do it, please,
that the righteous may praise your name
and the upright will live before you.
Against Contempt for Thy Love
Preserve me, Lord, from the sin which I fear so much: contempt for thy love. May I never sin against the Holy Spirit who is love and union, harmony and peace. May I never be separated from thy Spirit, from the unity of thy peace, by committing the sin which can never be forgiven, neither here nor in the world to come. Keep me, O Lord, among my brothers and kinsfolk that I may proclaim thy peace. Keep me among those who preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(a twelfth-century prayer of Archbishop Baldwin)
(a twelfth-century prayer of Archbishop Baldwin)
Audience
thank you
that there are still
people who are
naive enough
or kind enough
to listen to me
speak.
Amen.
To Persevere
teach me please
to hang on
when things
heat up
when others
give in
when I alone
remain.
Amen.
Incline My Heart
Jesus Christ said, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Do good and lend, hoping for nothing again. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Love your enemies. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Fear not, only believe. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Except ye turn again and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Jesus Christ said, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. O God, incline my heart to follow in this way.
Amen.
(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer; photo via freeimages.com)
This Very Day
You are the peace of all things calm.You are the place to hide from harm.
You are the light that shines in dark.
You are the heart's eternal spark.
You are the door that's open wide.
You are the guest who waits inside.
You are the stranger at the door.
You are the calling of the poor.
You are my Lord and with me still.
You are my love, keep me from ill.
You are the light, the truth, the way.
You are my Savior this very day.
Lover of My Soul
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand, dying, and behold, I live.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.
(a prayer of Charles Wesley)
Multiple Blessings
Lord God, I don't deserve
this life you've given me,
much less the affluence
you allow me to enjoy.
I have multiples of things
many of your children
on this earth go without.
I have multiple children and grandchildren,
friends and loved ones.
I have multiple pairs of shoes.
Multiple shirts, pants,
and other clothes,
some of which I seldom wear;
multiple bank accounts,
multiple rooms in my home,
multiple cars,
computers,
Bibles,
books,
plates to eat from,
cups to drink from,
chairs to sit on,
televisions,
toothbrushes,
and inkpens.
I have multiple pleasures,
multiple luxuries,
multiple memories,
all, all, all from your hand,
for out of your store of infinite treasure,
you have given, and given, and given again.
Thank you, Lord,
my God and my King,
amen.
this life you've given me,
much less the affluence
you allow me to enjoy.
I have multiples of things
many of your children
on this earth go without.
I have multiple children and grandchildren,
friends and loved ones.
I have multiple pairs of shoes. Multiple shirts, pants,
and other clothes,
some of which I seldom wear;
multiple bank accounts,
multiple rooms in my home,
multiple cars,
computers,
Bibles,
books,
plates to eat from,
cups to drink from,
chairs to sit on,
televisions,
toothbrushes,
and inkpens.
I have multiple pleasures,
multiple luxuries,
multiple memories,
all, all, all from your hand,
for out of your store of infinite treasure,
you have given, and given, and given again.
Thank you, Lord,
my God and my King,
amen.
On Ash Wednesday
fast from discontent and feast on gratitude;
fast from anger and feast on patience;
fast from bitterness and feast on forgiveness;
fast from self-concern and feast on compassion;
fast from discouragement and feast on hope;
fast from laziness and feast on commitment;
fast from complaining and feast on acceptance;
fast from lust and feast on respect;
fast from prejudice and feast on understanding;
fast from resentment and feast on reconciliation;
fast from lies and feast on the truth;
fast from wasted time and feast on honest work;
fast from grimness and feast on joy;
fast from suspicion and feast on trust;
fast from idle talk and feast on prayer and silence;
fast from guilt and feast on the mercy of God.
(based on lines attributed to William Arthur Ward)
Prayer In An Election Year
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country,
and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity,
especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.
We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live your love,
and keep in the ways of your truth
as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
(a prayer of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
For True Repentance
(a prayer from The Imitation of Christ (Classic Devotions in Today's Language, by Thomas à Kempis, compiled and edited by James N. Watkins)
Value
How I compare to others isn't important.
The only thing that matters--and the only way to avoid my insecurities--
is to find my value as a creation of almighty God.
When I reflect on how much you love me, I find the courage to be myself,
and I realize I might be more valuable than I give myself credit for.
(an excerpt from the book, 365 Pocket Prayers, by Ron Beers)
A Life of Love
From a Hill I Know
When shall I come unto the healing waters?
Lifting my heart, I cry to Thee my prayer.
Spirit of peace, my Comforter and Healer,
In whom my springs are found, let my soul meet Thee there.
From a hill I know,
Healing waters flow;
O rise, Emmanuel's tide,
And my soul overflow.
Wash from my hands the dust of earthly striving,
Take from my mind the stress of secret fear;
Cleanse Thou the wounds from all but Thee far hidden,
And when the waters flow let my healing appear.
Light, life and love are in that healing fountain;
All I require to cleanse me and restore;
Flow through my soul, redeem its desert places,
And make a garden there for the Lord I adore.
(A hymn of General Albert Orsborn)
Glad to Belong to You
You speak words of promise,
and we answer.
A thousand times we answer,
in a thousand tongues--
we answer in hymns of praise,
we answer in songs of thanksgiving,
we answer in lyrics of gladness,
we answer in candor about hurt,
we answer in abrasive anger,
we answer in deep abandonment.
We answer and draw close to you.
And in answering we are changed:
given freedom,
come to truth,
bound in obedience.
We answer and are yours, all yours,
not our own,
yours, and
glad that we belong to
you our faithful savior.
(a prayer by Walter Brueggemann, from his book, Prayers for a Privileged People, p. 169)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)