About Money

 

The Host of Heaven Worships You

 

Panis Angelicus

The Three That Seek My Heart

Bless to me, O God,

Each thing mine eye sees;

Bless to me, O God,

Each sound mine ear hears;

Bless to me, O God,

Each odor that goes to my nostrils;

Bless to me, O God,

Each taste that goes to my lips,

Each note that goes to my song,

Each ray that guides my way, 

Each thing I pursue, 

Each lure that tempts my will,

The zeal that seeks my living soul,

The Three that seek my heart,

The zeal that seeks my living soul,

The Three that seek my heart.

(a prayer from the Carmina Gadelica, III, a compendium of Celtic Christian prayers and songs; photo by @lundbergj via unsplash.com)

Glory in the Gray

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; photo by Jacek Dylag via unsplash.com)

Gracious Favor

 

For an Exact Faith

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.

(a prayer of Alcuin of York; photo by @jacksharp_photography via unsplash.com)

Everything to Me

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.

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.

(a prayer by Edward Henry Joy (verses), Arthur Smith Arnott (chorus), The Salvation Army Song Book; photo by FuuJ via unsplash.com)

Love Like You

 

Give Ear

Unnecessary Things

O God, teach me how to dispense with unnecessary things.

(a prayer of Toyohiko Kagawa)

In Restful Sincerity of Heart

Lord, I would trust you completely; I would be altogether yours; I would exalt you above all.

I desire that I may feel no sense of possessing anything outside of you.

I want constantly to be aware of your overshadowing Presence and to hear your speaking Voice.

I long to live in restful sincerity of heart.

I want to live so fully in the Spirit that all my thought may be as sweet incense ascending to you and every act of my life may be an act of worship.

Therefore I pray in the words of your great servant of old, “I beseech Thee so for to cleanse the intent of mine heart with the unspeakable gift of Thy grace, that I may perfectly love Thee and worthily praise Thee.”

And all this I confidently believe you will grant me through the merits of Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.

(a prayer by A.W Tozer in The Pursuit of God, updated slightly; photo via pixabay.com)

My God, My Rock

 

Placed

 

To be Remembered, and Forgiven

Beyond the gates of everlasting day, 
Up to the starry threshold of the heavens 

I lift my eyes. I lift my eyes and pray: 

I pray to be remembered, and forgiven. 

I look for you in longing and I wait 

Upon you as your servant. You have given 

Day-labour for your servant to complete, 

But nothing can be done without your grace 

Without your kindling spirit, so I wait 

Upon your mercy, till you turn your face

And bless my work. Then, let the world despise, 

And the sophisticated sneer, in my place 

However small, I have a role I prize 

As one scribe of the kingdom. I rejoice

And, with this psalmist, lift my grateful eyes. 

(a poem based on Psalm 123, from the book David's Crown: Sounding the Psalms by Malcolm Guite; photo by Alfred Aloushy (@musickid98) via unsplash.com)

They Go Back to School Soon

Lord, they go back to school soon. 

Watch over their going out and coming back. 

Make safe and straight paths for their feet. 

Shield them from danger. Protect them from bullies and predators.

Make them wise and help them make good decisions.

Give them friends as well as kind and able teachers. 

Show them classmates they can befriend and encourage.

Help them to focus on their work. 

Broaden and deepen their knowledge and skills, as you also strengthen their character. 

Open their eyes to their value and help them to resist all who devalue them. 

Make them respectful and kind to others. 

And let this school year make them better students and better people, 

in Jesus' name, amen. 

(photo by @notethanun via unsplash.com)

Healer of My Soul

Tracks

 

You Know I'm Growing Older

Lord, you know I'm growing older. Keep me from becoming overly talkative and possessed with the idea that I must express myself on every subject. 

Release me from the craving to straighten out everyone's affairs. 

Keep me from the recital of endless detail. Give me wings to get to the point. 

Seal my lips when I am inclined to tell of my aches and pains. They are increasing with the years and my love of speaking about them grows sweeter as the years go by.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong. Make me thoughtful but not nosey, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom and experience it does seem a pity not to use it at all. But you know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. 

Amen. 

(slightly revised version of "A Prayer for Those Growing Old," author unknown; photo by Nina Hill via unsplash.com)

Hiding in You

 

That We May Never Turn Here and There

Grant, Almighty God, that inasmuch as we are so disposed and inclined to all kinds of errors, to so many and so various forms of superstitions, and as Satan also ceases not to lay in wait for us, and spreads before us his many snares - O grant, that we may be so preserved in obedience to you by the teaching of your word, that we may never turn here and there, either to the right hand or to the left, but continue in that pure worship which you have prescribed, so that we may plainly testify that you are indeed our Father by continuing under the protection of your only-begotten Son, whom you have given to be our pastor and ruler to the end. Amen.

(a prayer of John Calvin, updated by me into modern English, from his Commentary on Hosea; photo by rhoda Alex via unsplash.com)

Dispose

How thou pleasest, God, dispose the day!

(William Shakespeare, Henry V, Act 4, Scene 3)

Never Afraid of Broken Things

 

When You Speak

Today's Prayer for My Children and Grandchildren

Today's prayer from the "31 Ways to Pray for Your Kids" app for iPhone and iPad...and my prayer today for my kids and my grandkids.

Hiding in You

 

Benedic, Anima Mea

(from the book David's Crown: Sounding the Psalms by Malcolm Guite) 

Still Good

 

To Be Like Thee

 

What My Heart's Already Singing

 

(from the book David's Crown: Sounding the Psalms by Malcolm Guite) 

Perfect Peace

 

Thy Loving Kindness

In the Waiting

A Litany for Farmers and Their Farms, Families, and Communities

Lord, hear our prayer (at the link). 

(photo by @gozhanet via unsplash.com) 

Strength in My Weakness

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have power over life and death.

You know what is uncertain and obscure,

and our thoughts and feelings

are no secret from you.

Cleanse me from my hidden faults,

for I have done evil and you have seen it.

Day by day my life draws nearer to its end.

You know how frail I am, in soul and in body.

Give me strength, Lord, in my weakness

and uphold me in my sufferings.

Amen.

(a prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian; photo by visuals via unsplash.com)

Be My Continued Reminder

 

What is That Love

What is that love when I love you, my God? 

It is a certain light that I love 

and melody and fragrance and embrace 

that I love when I love you--

a light, melody, fragrance, food, 

embrace of the God-within, 

where, for my soul, 

that shines which space does not contain; 

that sounds which time does not sweep away; 

that is fragrant which the breeze does not dispel; 

and that tastes sweet which, fed upon, is not diminished; 

and that clings close which no satiety disparts--

that is what I love when I love you, my God. 

(from The Confessions of St. Augustine, slightly reworded; photo by Augustine Wong via unsplash.com)

Deluge

Lord, thank you for 

winds of refreshing, 

showers of blessing, 

streams of mercy, 

and peace like an ocean. 

Now, Lord, please unleash 

a monsoon of your glory; 

deluge me and mine, 

in Jesus' name, amen.

Tremble

Breathe

Jesus, breathe Thy Spirit on me, 

Teach me how to breathe Thee in, 

Help me pour into Thy bosom 

All my life of self and sin. 

I am breathing out my own life, 

That I may be filled with Thine; 

Letting go my strength and weakness, 

Breathing in Thy life divine. 

Breathing out my sinful nature, 

Thou hast borne it all for me; 

Breathing in Thy cleansing fullness, 

Finding all my life in Thee. 

I am breathing out my sorrow, 

On Thy kind and gentle breast; 

Breathing in Thy joy and comfort, 

Breathing in Thy peace and rest. 

I am breathing out my longings, 

In Thy list’ning loving ear, 

I am breathing in Thy answers, 

Stilling every doubt and fear. 

I am breathing every moment, 

Drawing all my life from Thee; 

Breath by breath I live upon Thee, 

Blessed Spirit, breathe in me. 

(a prayer of A. B. Simpson, founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance; photo by @averieclaire via Unsplash.com)

I Recline

O Lord and Savior, I recline
On that eternal love of Thine.
Thou art my rest, and Thou alone
Remainest when all else is gone.

(from a hymn by Mrs. G. Helyar, slightly revised) 

Birthday Prayer for Robin

Abba, you have granted me the loveliest bride,
the perfect woman for me, and I am grateful.
Bless her abundantly, extravagantly, today, on her birthday.
As your beauty and grace lives in her
and exudes from her,
let her feel your approval in every way
on this day and in all the days to come.
Smile on her. Rejoice over her. 

Thrill her and fill her with the awareness of your pleasure
and the rich appreciation of her husband, family, and many friends,
in Jesus' name, amen.

The Gift of Little Lives

O my God, 

Thou hast permitted us 

through the gift of little lives such as these 

to discern spiritual truths which thou hast hid 

from the wise and prudent 

and revealed unto babes, 

that so we might enter into the Kingdom of Heaven as little children. 

Grant unto me this, O my Father, 

that I shall hold so fast to Thine Hand 

that the journey that would otherwise be impossible 

shall be possible for me, 

and the task that would have been too great 

may be accomplished through thy strength. 

For I can do all things through Him that strengtheneth me 

and if I hold Thy Hand 

I can run and not be weary, 

and walk and not faint. 

(a prayer by William E. Barton, in the book, Safed and Keturah)

A Prayer for Every Day

 

Help Me Never to Expect Any Happiness from the World

O Lord,
help me never to expect any happiness
from the world, but only in Thee.
Let me not think that I shall be more happy
by living to myself,
for I can only be happy if employed for Thee,
and if I desire to live in this world
only to do and suffer what Thou dost allot me.

Teach me
that if I do not live a life that satisfies Thee,
I shall not live a life that will satisfy myself.

Help me to desire the spirit and temper of angels
who willingly come down to this lower world
to perform Thy will,
though their desires are heavenly,
and not set in the least upon earthly things;
then I shall be of that temper I ought to have.

Help me not to think of living to Thee
in my own strength,
but always to look and rely on Thee
for assistance.

Teach me that there is no greater truth than this,
that I can do nothing of myself.
Lord, this is the life that no unconverted man
can live,
yet it is an end that every godly soul
presses after;

Let it be then my concern to devote myself
and all to Thee.
Make me more fruitful and more spiritual,
for barrenness is my daily affliction and load.
How precious is time, and how painful to see it fly
with little done to good purpose!

I need Thy help:
O may my soul sensibly depend upon Thee
for all sanctification,
and every accomplishment of Thy purposes
for me, for the world,
and for Thy kingdom.

(from The Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan prayers, edited by Arthur Bennett)

The Pleiades and Orion

Sing in the Shadow

 

Your Heart

 

The Myth of More

God, I confess my desire to acquire and repent of my consumerism. I confess that I sometimes believe that having more things will make me happier, more important, or more secure. Please teach me to be grateful for what I have instead of always wanting something new or something more. Teach me to defy the myth of more and set my mind and heart on eternal things instead of material things. Teach me to keep my life free from the love of money and possessions and be content with what I have, in Jesus’ name, amen. 

 (the prayer that closes chapter two, "The eBay Attitude," in my book, American Idols)

I Lift My Empty Cup

I come to this day, Lord,
and lift my empty cup
to the overflowing fountain
of your strength
and sufficiency.

You are more than enough
for all I need this day.

Fountain

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom,

you know my necessities before I ask

and my ignorance in asking:

Have compassion on my weakness,

and mercifully give me those things which

for my unworthiness I dare not,

and for my blindness I cannot ask;

through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ my Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever. Amen.

(from the morning office; photo by dennis von westburg via unsplash.com)

July 4th Prayer

Lord my God,
I worship you today,
on this 246th birthday of this nation,
these wonderful United States of America
in which I live.

I thank you for the freedom
to worship you publicly...
even as I ask you to show kindness and mercy
to those who lack that freedom
because they live elsewhere.

Thank you for all those
who have sacrificed for my freedom,
for those who risked
(and some who gave) their lives
to make this a free and independent nation,
for those in my nation's armed services, past and present,
and for all who have served the cause of liberty in other ways...
even as I pray for those who even now
are in harm's way,
far from home,
in this nation's service.
Please meet their needs,
watch over them and their loved ones,
and grant them your favor in every way.

And, Father, on this Independence Day 2022,
I pray for the people in this land
and every land
who have not yet discovered the freedom
that is offered to them in your Son, Jesus Christ.
Draw them to you,
set them free
from sin and sadness and strife,
and grant them the eternal freedom
that is found only in trusting you,
in Jesus' name, amen.

Heal Our Broken Land

Hear, O Hear My Prayer

Unto thee will I cry,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Poor and needy am I,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Deep is calling unto deep,
Rugged are the heights, and steep:
Guide my steps and keep;
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Hear, O hear my prayer!

Where the tempest is loud,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
'Mid the darkness and cloud,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Let me hear thy voice afar,
Coming with the morning star,
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Hear, O hear my prayer!

Let the foe not prevail,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
My resources would fail,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Order all my steps aright,
Carry me from height to height;
Yonder shines the light!
Shepherd, lead me there!
Lead me safely there!

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

Consolation

Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in your fatherly care, that, casting all their grief on you, they may fully know the consolation of your love.

Amen.

(revised slightly from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer)

Tell My Soul

Lord, my God, you gave me life and restored it when I lost it. Tell my soul that so longs for you what else you are besides what it has already understood, so that it may see you clearly. It stands on tiptoe to see more, but apart from what it has seen already, it sees nothing but darkness. Of course it does not really see darkness, because there is no darkness in you, but it sees that it can see no further because of the darkness in itself.

Surely, Lord, inaccessible light is your dwelling place, for no one apart from yourself can enter into it and fully comprehend you. If I fail to see this light, it is simply because it is too bright for me. Still, it by this light that I do see all that I can, even as weak ees, unable to look straight at the sun, see all they can by the sun’s light.

The light in which you dwell, Lord, is beyond my understanding. It is so brilliant that I cannot bear it, I cannot turn my mind’s eye toward it for any length of time. I am dazzled by its brightness, amazed by its grandeur, overwhelmed by its immensity, bewildered by its abundance.

(a prayer of Anselm)

Fast

 

Ten Times More

I love Thy skies, Thy sunny mists,
   Thy fields, Thy mountains hoar,
Thy wind that bloweth where it lists--
   Thy will, I love it more.

I love Thy hidden truth to seek
   All round, in sea, on shore;
The arts whereby like gods we speak--
   Thy will to me is more.

I love Thy men and women, Lord,
   The children round Thy door;
Calm thoughts that inward strength afford--
   Thy will than these is more.

But when Thy will my life doth hold
   Thine to the very core,
The world, which that same will doth mould,
   I love, then, ten times more!

(a prayer by George MacDonald, from Poetical Works, Vol. 1)