Saturday's prayer by Thomas Kempis

Give us steadfast hearts
by Thomas A Kempis

Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts that cannot be dragged down by false loves; give us courageous hearts that cannot be worn down by trouble; give us righteous hearts that cannot be sidetracked by unholy or unworthy goals. Give to us also, our Lord and God, understanding to know you, diligence to look for you, wisdom to recognize you, and a faithfulness that will bring us to see you face to face.

God alone is sufficient

Let nothing disturb you,
   Nothing frighten you.
All things are passing.
   God never changes.
Patient endurance
   attains all things.
Whoever possesses God
   lacks nothing.
God alone is sufficient.

—St. Teresa of Avila

Wednesday's Prayer

And the deepest scars of all
Which to humans are unseen
But the angel could see clearly
Were the scars upon the dreams

Like Belfast and Burundi
Rwanda, Palestine
The only decorations here
Had been awarded for their crimes

And in gardens where the children played
Now soldiers only trod
And stranger still, he heard some say
That they were killing for their god

Now the angel heard god speak many times
And he had always paid attention
But this killing of ones neighbor
Was something the Lord had never mentioned

But as he neared the earth
Of a recent battleground
From among the ruins
He once more heard the sound

It was a single cello playing
A forgotten Christmas song
And even on that battlefield
The song somehow belonged

And as he flew away
The angel did take note
That where he found this music played
One always could find hope

-- Trans-Siberian Orchestra, "Prince of Peace"


The Cellist of Sarajevo

Tuesday Prayer

All you big things, bless the Lord.
Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria
The Rift Valley and the Serengeti Plain
Fat baobabs and shady mango trees,
All eucalyptus and tamarind trees,
Bless the Lord.
Praise and extol him forever and ever.

All you tiny things, bless the Lord.
Busy black ants and hopping fleas,
Wriggling tadpoles and mosquito larvae,
Flying locusts and water drops,
Pollen dust and tsetse flies,
Millet seeds and dried dagga,
Bless the Lord.
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.

From Desmond Tutus book of African Prayers

God Rejoices in Us

And then our good Lord opened my spiritual eye, and showed me my soul in the midst of my heart. I saw the soul as wide as if it were an endless citadel, and also as if it were a blessed kingdom, and from the state which I saw in it, I understood that it is a fine city.

In the midst of that city sits our Lord Jesus, true God and true man, a handsome person and tall, highest bishop, most awesome king, most honourable lord. And I saw him splendidly clad in honours. He sits erect there in the soul, and he rules and guards heaven and earth and everything that is. The humanity and the divinity sit at rest, the divinity rules and guards, without instrument or effort. And the soul is wholly occupied by the blessed divinity, sovereign power, sovereign wisdom and sovereign goodness.

The place which Jesus takes in our soul he will nevermore vacate, for in us is his home of homes and his everlasting dwelling. And in this he revealed the delight that he has in the creation of [our] soul; for as well as the Father could create a creature and as well as the Son could create a creature, so well did the Holy Spirit want [our] spirit to be created, and so it was done. And therefore the blessed Trinity rejoices without end in the creation of [our] soul, for it saw without beginning what would delight it without end.

Julian of Norwich, Showings, Long Text, chapter 68.

(Paulist, 1978, tr. Colledge and Walsh, pp. 312-313).

Sunday Prayer

God of Sun and Moon, Star and Sky, your wonder is beyond our imagining. We thank you for the gift of this world we share, and for the common bonds that we share as your children.

Bless us God, as we seek to find a way toward the peace you invite us to share. Guide us God as we walk that delicate line between being faithful to our own relationship with you, and yet remain understanding of those whose path is vastly different from our own. Remind us often that being faithful does not require that we close ourselves off from the faith of others.

Gracious God, open our hearts, minds and spirits to people of every faith, creed and culture. May our own faith be so much a part of our being that it is not threatened by the faith practices of others. May the Mystery of your ways be the bridge that draws all of your people together in prayer for peace in our time.

God of Compassion, we pray for those who are in special need of your grace and healing today.

For those who live in fear of violence; for refugees everywhere; for political prisoners and for those who imprison them; God, we ask for peace.

For those who are grieving, or hungry, or in despair; for the lonely, and all who are ill or suffering, for any who struggle with addiction, and for all who live with chronic illness.

God, we trust in your power to be present with the suffering. We trust in your Spirit’s power to bring comfort, faith and strength where it is needed. We pray, bring your radical, scandalous peace into our midst, and touch us all with your love, for we ask it in the name of the One who calls us ever forward, Jesus Christ…

Saturday's prayer

A prayer against depression

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.

By Saint Ignatius of Loyola


picture taken from San Francisco Counseling website

Prayer For Autumn Days

God of the seasons, there is a time for everything; there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation process.

God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so.

God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.

God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we gain strength from this.

God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.

God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. We yearn for insight and vision.

God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons.

God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. For all this, we are grateful.

Amen.

from the Cathedral of St. Agnes, Rockville Centre, NY
Artwork: Untitled, by Mary Azarian

Act of Hope

For Your mercies' sake, O Lord my God,
tell me what You are to me.
Say to my soul: "I am your salvation."
So speak that I may hear, O Lord;
my heart is listening;
open it that it may hear You,
and say to my soul: "I am your salvation."
After hearing this word,
may I come in haste to take hold of you.
Hide not Your face from me.
Let me see Your face even if I die,
lest I die with longing to see it.
The house of my soul is too small to receive You;
let it be enlarged by You.
It is all in ruins;
do You repair it.
There are thing in it,
I confess and I know,
that must offend Your sight.
But who shall cleanse it?
Or to what others besides You shall I cry out?
From my secret sins cleanse me, O Lord,
and from those of others spare your servant.

Amen.

—Saint Augustine of Hippo

Evening Prayer

Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded to us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow;
for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies
that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Tuesday Prayer

In the name of the Spirit of God
who hovered over the primal waters.
In the name of the Word of God
who parted the waters for Earth to appear.
In the name of the Wisdom of God,
who filled the deep with amazing designs. Amen

Holy! Holy! Holy!
The oceans are filled with God’s presence.

Christ, we come into your presence, today,
to worship in this sanctuary called Earth,

Holy! Holy! Holy!
Earth is filled with your presence.


From Season of Creation Liturgy: Week One, Ocean

This is what your God asks of you, only this:

To act justly,

To love tenderly,

And to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6

Sunday Prayer

Wondrous Creator, Source of Life and Goodness, hear our prayers this day. Hear the yearning that pours out of us with every beat of our hearts - a yearning to live in ever-deepening relationship with you - a yearning to bring your light and love into our world.

Thank you God for the beauty and majesty of this planet we share, and for the trust you place in us to care for it. Forgive us when we have fallen short of that responsibility, and build up our desire to preserve and care for all of creation.

We thank you for one another – for communities of faith in which the Spirit inspires creativity, laughter and a sense of shared ministry.

God of Compassion, we pray for all of your children in every corner of the world…
…for those who are hungry, fearful or dying because of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and the effects of polluted drinking water.
…for those who live in fear as war and oppression rob their lives of joy and freedom.
…for those who are grieving the loss of someone dear to them.
…for those whose best potentials cannot be reached because of poverty, addiction, abuse or social policies.
…for those who are ill or facing surgery or treatments.
…for children and teens who are growing up in an often confusing world.

God, may all of these, and all who suffer in body, mind or spirit find peace in your presence with them. May your Spirit bring comfort, healing and peace, for we ask it in Jesus’ name. And now we pray as he taught his friends to pray when they gathered together…

Saturday's Prayer: Walking with Beauty

As I Walk with Beauty

As I walk, as I walk
The universe is walking with me
In beauty it walks before me
In beauty it walks behind me
In beauty it walks below me
In beauty it walks above me
Beauty is on every side
As I walk, I walk with Beauty.

Traditional Navajo Prayer

Picture taken of a covered road in Cooper Country between Freda and Atlantic Mine. Cooper Country is in the wonderful state of Michigan.

The Ultimate "Thank You"

I think that the dying pray at the last not 'please', but 'thank you', as a guest thanks his host at the door. -- Annie Dillard

Muslim - Jewish - Christian Prayer for Peace

O God, You are the source of life and peace,
Praised be Your name forever.
We know it is You who turn our minds to thoughts of peace.
Hear our prayer in this time of war.

Your power changes the hearts.
Muslims, Christians and Jews remember
and profoundly affirm
that they are followers of the One God,
Children of Abraham,
brothers and sisters;
Enemies begin to speak to one another.
Those who were estranged join hands in friendship.
Nations seek the way of peace together.

Strengthen our resolve to give witness
to these truths by the way we live.

Give to us:
Understanding that puts an end to strife.
Mercy that quenches hatred.
Forgiveness that overcomes vengeance.

Empower all people to live in Your law of love.
Amen.

—Pax Christi, USA
Offered as our Muslim brothers and sisters begin Ramadan, while our Jewish brothers and sisters observe Rosh Hashana

Tuesday, September 11

From a Litany of Remembrance, Penitence and Hop
(National Council of Churches)

God of the ages, before your eyes all empires rise and fall yet you are changeless. Be near us in this age of terror and in these moments of remembrance. Uphold those who work and watch and wait and weep and love. By your Spirit give rise in us to broad sympathy for all the peoples of your earth. Strengthen us to comfort those who mourn and work in large ways and small for those things that make for peace. Bless the people and leaders of this nation and all nations so that warfare, like slavery before it, may become only a historic memory. We pray in the strong name of the Prince of Peace. Amen

We dream, hope, and live with, by, and through the heart....Jesus also responded to the prophetic call because his heart was moved. He ministered with heart and even ends up de facto on the cross because of his living out the fullness of his heart. When we live with heart, we cannot remain immune to the other. The other's suffering becomes my suffering, his/her joy my joy in a relationship that is often but not necessarily that of reciprocity. If we do not have heart, we do not have life.

Wohnee Anne Joh, Heart of the Cross: A Postcolonial Christology
(Westminster John Knox, 2006), pp. 117-118.

Sunday Prayer

God of Creation, God of Wonder, hear this offering of prayer and praise as a gift from our thankful hearts. We thank you for the wonders all around us. For grains of sand, the smell of rain falling on dry ground, for the shifting of the seasons and the sound of laughter. We thank you God for one another – for the joys and struggles of relationships that nurture us and help us to grow.

God, we thank you for your eternal presence in our midst and for the good news of your deep abiding love for all of creation.

Even as we give thanks, we lift up the concerns that burden us this day. We ask your peace and blessing on all those we have named in this place today and all whose names and circumstances remain in the safe sanctuary of your Spirit’s care.

We pray for all who are suffering in body, mind or spirit and for all who provide care for the needs of others. We pray for the lonely and the despairing…for those who struggle with addiction…for those who feel trapped in situations of abuse…for those who making difficult decisions in life…

God we pray for your church and its mission in the world. We pray for the United Church of Canada, and especially for our Moderator David Giuliano as he recovers from his radiation treatments.

Bless all of your children God, and pour your Spirit upon us, bringing healing, comfort and strength wherever it is needed. All this we ask in the name of the One who calls us forward in faith, Jesus…who taught us to pray singing…

Amen.

Saturday's prayer by Maya Angelou

Father, Mother, God,

Thank you for your presence

during the hard and mean days.

For then we have you to lean upon.

Thank you for your presence

during the bright and sunny days,

for then we can share that which we have

with those who have less.

And thank you for your presence

during the Holy Days, for then we are able

to celebrate you and our families

and our friends.

For those who have no voice,

we ask you to speak.

For those who feel unworthy,

we ask you to pour your love out

in waterfalls of tenderness.

For those who live in pain,

we ask you to bathe them

in the river of your healing.

For those who are lonely,

we ask you to keep them company.

For those who are depressed,

we ask you to shower upon them

the light of hope.

Dear Creator, You, the borderless

sea of substance, we ask you to give to all the world

that which we need most—Peace.

prayer - maya angelou

(Photo of Crabtree Falls, North Carolina)

Lord, take me where You want me to go;
Let me meet who You want me to meet;
Tell me what You want me to say; and
Keep me out of your way.

Father Mychal Judge

True prayer

Pure love and prayer are learned in the hour when prayer has become impossible and your heart has turned to stone.
—Thomas Merton

Tuesday Prayer

...Lift up your eyes upon
The day breaking for you.

Give birth again
To the dream.

Women, children, men,
Take it into the palms of your hands.

Mold it into the shape of your most
Private need. Sculpt it into
The image of your most public self.
Lift up your hearts
Each new hour holds new chances
For new beginnings.

Do not be wedded forever
To fear, yoked eternally
To brutishness.

The horizon leans forward,
Offering you space to place new steps of change...

Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister's eyes, into
Your brother's face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope
Good morning.

Inaugural Poem Maya Angelou

Sunday Prayer

For several years now, I've had the same pre-worship ritual. I close the door to my office and put on my alb and my stole and I pray.

I pray that the preparation I have done for this time of prayer and praise has been good and honourable. I pray that the Spirit will pick up the pieces where I have failed to bring my "A" game. I assure God that I know the Spirit has my back and that I trust in her presence with us all through this time of worship.

Then I use the words of Edwards Hays, saying, "Gracious God, may this act of holiness I am about to perform bring forth from within me more and more personal holiness."

Three deep cleansing breaths, an "Amen", and I'm out the door.

May you and yours be blessed this day.

A Prayer for Labor Day Weekend

Gracious heavenly Father/Mother

as the United States pauses to contemplate the freedom to work and the employment opportunities that are available to us, may we never lose sight of the fact that it is only because of your grace and favor that we are able to work. Thank you, Lord, for the blessings of employment and work that I have had in the past and at present. May all that I do at work give glory to you and your precious name. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whom I love and serve. Amen.

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Painting of
Rosie the Riveter

from Encarta