One Prayer a Day

With Your Right Hand

Christ Our Lord,

You suffered and were tempted.

You are powerful to come to the aid

of those who are assailed by the devil,

for you are the support of Christian people.

O Lord, protect with your right hand

those who trust in your Name.

Deliver them from the Evil One,

and grant them everlasting joy. Amen.

(a prayer of St. Gregory of Khandzta; photo by joojoo41 via pixabay.com)

Savior, If My Feet Have Faltered

Savior, if my feet have faltered

on the pathway of the cross,

if my purposes have altered,

or my gold be mixed with dross.

O forbid me not your service,

keep my yet in your employ.

Pass me through a sterner cleansing,

if I may but bring you joy.

All my work is for you, Master,

you are all my heart's desire.

O, that you will count me faithful

in the day that tries by fire.

Have I worked for hireling wages?

Or as one with vows to keep,

with a heart whose love engages

life or death to save the sheep?

All is known to you, my Master,

all is known, and that is why

I can work and wait the verdict

of your kind but searching eye.

Let me love you, let love rule me,

springing up and flowing forth

from a childlike heart within me

or my work is nothing worth--

Love with passion, love with patience,

love with principle and fire,

Love with heart and mind and utterance

serving you my one desire.

In Jesus' name, amen.

(a hymn of Albert Orsborn, slightly revised; public domain image from pixabay.com)

For a Faith Like Abraham's

Lord, I know what your word says:

"Abraham believed God."

Not, "Abraham believed the text."

Not, "Abraham believed a set of precepts."

Not, "Abraham believed a list of propositions."

But "Abraham believed God."

I tend to be dangerously "nominal" in my faith, as A. W. Tozer puts it. But I want a faith like Abraham's, your friend, whose faith rested on your presence, personality, and character. And I sense you drawing me into the reality of your presence.

Help me to be your man, and not my own;

to trust you, and not myself or my own strength;

to think your thoughts after you, not my own;

to accomplish your will, not my own.

Not my own--let that phrase characterize me and my all, in Jesus' name, amen.

(illustration by Gustav Doré, Abraham Journeying into the Land of Canaan)

For Holding Me

Thank you, Lord, for loving me and keeping me and holding me together--even in those times (especially in those times) when I don't feel held together.

Lord, I trust your sovereign wisdom and love. I know that you alone are God, and there is none like you. There is none who holds me as you hold me.

Hold me now, Lord, in these changeful days. Keep me together, Lord, in your hand, and in your will, in Jesus' name, amen.

(detail from photo by qazyamyam0 via pixabay.com)

Prevail

Best Day Ever

Lord, thank you for "the best day ever," according to Calleigh.

Thank you for all the joys of time spent with grandkids,

in Jesus' name, amen.

Portion

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

You Have Broken My Chains in Pieces

O my God,

let me, with thanksgiving,

remember, and confess unto you

your mercies on me.

Let my bones be soaked with your love,

and let them say unto you,

Who is like you, O Lord?

You have broken my chains in pieces.

I will offer unto you the sacrifice of thanksgiving

And how you have broken them, I will declare;

and all who worship you, when they hear this, will say:

Blessed is the Lord in heaven and in earth!

Great and wonderful is his name!

(a prayer of St. Augustine; photo by shilmar via pixabay.com)

Heighten

On Aubrey's Birthday

It's my favorite daughter's birthday, Lord.

And not just any birthday, but a big one,

I still can't fathom,

can't even process,

that she is all she is.

I'm still and always amazed

at how kindly, fully, and generously

you've answered my prayers

and her mother's prayers

for her.

You have made her faithful like Ruth and regal like Esther,

fierce like Deborah and brilliant like Abigail,

industrious like Lydia and a leader like Junia.

I give you so much praise and thanks

for my only daughter,

my firstborn, my Blossom;

for the child you gave me,

the woman she is,

the love we share,

the pride and joy I feel in her,

the blessings you've given her,

and the blessings you've given me through her.

Please bless her abundantly today

and in all the days to come.

Keep her safe and well.

Keep her marriage strong and beautiful.

Prosper her and her husband,

answer their prayers,

supply their needs,

fulfill their dreams.

Let her children continue to grow in happiness, health, and holiness.

Reward Aubrey's love and faithfulness and diligence as a mom

with beauty and grace,

charm and wisdom,

health and wholeness,

integrity and strength in each of her children

as you have done for me in mine.

Show her every kindness,

grant her your favor,

use her,

bless her,

hold her,

in Jesus' name, amen.

The Nearness of You

It's not the music that excites me,

Nor the sermon that delights me--

Oh, no; it's just the nearness of you.

It isn't stained glass or a big screen,

Or drum roll or fog machine--

Oh, no; it's just the nearness of you.

When you stir my heart and draw me so close to you,

You make all of my dreams come true.

I need no candles to enchant me

If you would only grant me the grace

To gaze in awe on your face,

And to feel just a trace

Of the nearness of you.

(a churchgoer's riff on Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You"; photo by jaefrench via pixabay.com)

Wonderful Are Your Works

Another Day to Live

O, good God, good morning!

You've given me another day to live, Lord:

a day to shape into something beautiful,

a day to serve others, a day to give you thanks,

a day in the life of you and me, Lord.

How would you have me spend this day?

With whom would you have me share it?

Along what path will your Spirit draw me?

Close to whose heart will your heart lead me?

What word would you have me speak today?

What quiet time together have you planned for us to share?

What tears might I cry today

And with what joy will you touch my soul?

When I'm tired today give me strength, Lord.

When I'm moving too fast, slow me down.

When I'm saying too much, let me know.

When I need to speak, give me words to say.

Give me patience with this day's routine, Lord,

and open my eyes to see what is fresh and new.

Because this day comes from your hand, it's blessed

and because I can offer it back to you, it's a gift.

O, good God, good morning!

Keep me safe until I say good night...

(from A Concord Pastor Comments; photo by KimDaejeung via pixabay.com)

I Will Make Room for You

Steer the Ship of My Life

Steer the ship of my life, good Lord,

to your quiet harbor,

where I can be safe

from the storms of sin and conflict.

Show me the course I should take.

Renew in me the gift of discernment,

so that I can always see

the right direction in which I should go.

And give me the strength and the courage

to choose the right course,

even when the sea is rough and the waves are high,

knowing that through enduring hardship and danger,

in your name we shall find comfort and peace. Amen.

(a prayer of Basil of Caesarea; photo by StarFlames via pixabay.com)

Before All Else

Today, O Lord--
let me put right before interest;
let me put others before self;
let me put the things of the Spirit before the things of the body;
let me put the attainment of noble ends above the enjoyment of present pleasures;
let me put principle above reputation;
let me put Thee before all else.
Amen.

(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer; photo by brenkee via pixabay.com)

Mighty Savior

You are a mighty Savior,
Your love--it never wavers;
You will be mine forever,
And yours alone I'll be.

(slightly updated from the hymn by George S. Smith; photo detail from a photo by andreas160578 via pixabay.com)

Who Like Me?

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven;

Who like me your praise should sing?

(from the hymn by Henry F. Lyte, "Praise, my Soul, the King of Heaven"; photo by JillWellington via pixabay.com)

Shining to the Perfect Day

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

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

Shield

Still Everything

Deliver Us

Let it be thy good pleasure to deliver us from impudent men, and from impudence: from an evil man and an evil chance; from an evil affection, an evil companion, and an evil neighbor: from Satan the destroyer, from a hard judgment, and a hard adversary.

(attributed to Rabbi Judah ben Tema; photo by NickyPe via pixabay.com)

Till One Draws Near

The well is deep and I require

A draught of the water of life,

But none can quench my soul's desire

For a draught of the water of life;

Till One draws near who the cry will heed--

Helper of men in their time of need--

And I, believing, find indeed

That You are the Water of Life.

(from "Life Is a Journey; Long Is the Road," by General Albert Orsborn of The Salvation Army, slightly revised; photo by taliesin via everystockphoto.com)

Laudate Pueri Dominum

I praise you, LORD.

I have been so blessed

by men and women who fear you

and find great delight in your commands.

I am blessed to be among them now,

to be one of those who fears you

and loves your Word.

Oh, Lord, please

make my children and grandchildren mighty in the land;

let these next generations be blessed

beyond my wildest dreams.

Grant them true wealth

and enduring riches;

let the walls of their homes be adorned

with righteousness.

Let your light dawn in their lives,

and dispel all darkness for them.

Make them gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Make them generous and anxious to give.

Make them just in all their affairs.

Let them never be shaken;

give them a sterling reputation.

Save them from rumor and gossip.

Make their hearts steadfast, always trusting in you.

Make them confident and fearless.

Give them victory over every enemy, every obstacle.

Bless their efforts on behalf of the poor

and needy

and sick.

And give them influence and honor,

for your name's sake.

Let the wicked look at them and be vexed,

wondering at the blessings of the righteous,

in Jesus' name, amen.

(based on Psalm 112)

Number

Order My Steps

Grace to Understand and Endure

(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer)

Jesus, Thou Art Everything to Me

For More Than I Can Do

Oh that mine eyes might closèd be

To what becomes me not to see;

That deafness might possess mine ear,

To what concerns me not to hear;

That Truth my tongue might always tie,

From ever speaking foolishly;

That no vain thought might ever rest,

Or be conveived in my breast;

That by each word, each deed, each thought,

Glory may to my God be brought.

But what are wishes! Lord, mine eye

On thee is fix'd, to thee I cry;

Oh purge out all my dross, my tin,

Make me more white than snow within;

Wash Lord, and purify my heart,

And make it clean in every part;

And when 'tis clean, Lord keep it too,

For that is more than I can do.

(a prayer of Thomas Elwood)

In Which I am Blessed to Speak

O Lord,
I place myself in Your hands.
I will be tempted,
on this day in which I am blessed to speak to others,
to do so in my own strength,
as though I have any word to say,
and wisdom to offer,
anything of my own.

Forgive me now, Lord,
and forgive me then,
and turn me quickly
to remember you and rely on you,
my only Source,
my only Word,
my only wisdom,
my all,
in Jesus' name, amen.

The Great Parade of Livestock and of Life

For meat to eat, we thank thee.

For tasseled corn and purple grapes, for bluegrass green again and pullets laying, for mellow hides and silken hair, for our proper place in the great parade of livestock and of life, we praise thee.

Beloved Ringmaster, planets and protons alike march in array at thy gentle command.

May we, thy children, walk humbly, our hand in thine, do justly, love mercy evermore, our Father.

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

In the Autumn

Good and generous Lord, You have once more brought the year full circle, through planting and growing and ripening to harvest time, and autumn.

We thank You for the sun and the wind, the rain and the dew, the minerals of the earth and all the plants that grow and all the beasts and birds of farm and field. We marvel at Your wonderful ways of bringing food from the earth for man’s good.

Dear God, help us to use Your rich gifts as You want us to. Teach us to share them with our neighbor when he is in need. Make us see, in the marvelous succession of seasons, and in the growth and ripening of our crops, the merciful, generous hand of Your divine providence.

Help us to realize, too, that if we keep Your commandments and live according to the inspirations of Your grace, we shall also reap a plentiful harvest in the autumn of our lifetime: a harvest that we will be able to enjoy for ever and ever, where no rust can destroy, nor blight spoil any least part of it. Amen.

(from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference; photo by jbom411 via pixabay.com)

Today for Me

Take Root

Thou O Lord

So Blessed

Lord God,
thank you
that neither my children
nor my grandchildren
have yet known
the horrors of war,
the deprivation of poverty,
or the ache of true hunger,
in Jesus' name,
amen.

The Door of My Heart

O God, make the door of my heart

wide enough to receive

all who need human love and fellowship;

narrow enough to shut out

all envy, pride, and strife.

Amen.

(adapted from a prayer at St. Stephen's Walbrook in London)

Hasten the Day

(a prayer of John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer)

Entrance

O God, if still the holy place
Is found of those in prayer,
By all the promises of grace
I claim an entrance there.

Give me a self-denying soul,
Enlarged and unconfined;
Abide within me, and control
The wanderings of the mind.

Give me the strength of faith that dares
To die to self each day,
That bravely takes the cross, nor cares
To find an easier way.

Help me to make more sacrifice,
To walk where Christ would lead,
That in my life He may arise
To hallow every deed.

Amen.

(a prayer of General Albert Orsborn of The Salvation Army)

For Salvation

Before

Before I wound a single soul today,

before I get in someone's way,

before I lead a soul astray,

dear Lord, stop me cold.

Your Wings

Your Consolation

Refuge

Perfect Peace

Expectantly

Constructive Relationships

Jesus, thank you for the vivid example you provided of circles of constructive relationships that foster spiritual vitality.

Please make me alert to people who share my personality, purpose, values, and goals. Point me to them, and them to me.

And please grant me wisdom and sensitivity to cultivate friendships—especially close friendships—that will be catalytic in my quest to draw closer to you, amen.

For Good and Honest Work

O God, creator of the world,
of sun and moon and stars,
you chose to fashion us, your own,
your handiwork of love.

Indeed, we are your hands’ own work
and yet into our hands
you give the care
of every living thing.

In more ways than we can count
our work builds up
or tears apart what came
from your own hand.

Keep us faithful in preserving
all you’ve given
lest we harm the smallest part
of all you’ve made.

Give us good and honest work to do
and rest at each day’s end.
Give a fair and good day’s wage
for a good day’s work well done.

Give us work that nurtures and sustains
the ones who serve and those they serve.
Let those who labor work in peace,
in freedom without fear.

Give those in need a job to do
and to the tired well earned rest.
Let all our work and toil, Lord,
give glory to your name.

Amen.

(From A Concord Pastor Comments blog; photo by skeeze via pixabay.com)