All Are Prayers

It’s such a sad world

Don’t we all get on with it though?

I, for example, am upset

because I’ve lost a shoe

and am tearing up

an almost clean house to find it

so I can run to the store for carrots.

I have everything else I need

for a chuck roast dinner,

went to the store last night

and bought half a dozen

unnecessary things, but forgot my carrots.

Can you believe it?

I’ve got a sister

saving up money she doesn’t have

for a divorce she doesn’t want,

another sister praying

‘cause she’s been there. My dad’s feet

are turning black from diabetes,

and about half the people I know

are recovering from an addiction.

The other half are in denial.

I’ve been trying to read

three chapters from the gospels every day.

I’m twenty-seven chapters behind.

But I believe

that all my poems are prayers,

that it’s OK to ask God for anything, anytime;

that it’s OK to sit down

in the middle of your floor and cry

because you’ve lost a shoe,

that it’s OK to ask Him

for a glimpse

of what it will feel like

stepping into that place

He’s promised to prepare.

~~Ginger Andrews (1956- )

Andrews, Ginger. An Honest Answer. Ashland, OR: Story Line Press, 1999. 49-50.

Inspirations

My God, I would remember that it is mostly from my inspirations that I conceive life. Take away hatred and vanity that keep me in faults, and awake in me the thoughts that are responsible for visions that lead to high ideals. 

Amen.

Monday Prayer: Suffering Animals

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering; for all that are overworked and underfed and cruelly treated; for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that are in pain or dying; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all mercy and pity, for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us ourselves to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful.


- A prayer from the Orthodox Church

Sunday Prayer: Epiphany 3

This day, every day, is holy
for the joy of God is our strength -
our rock and our life.

We give thanks for all the blessings of this life
for food and drink, for family and friends, for
neighbors and strangers, for those celebrating
birthdays and anniversaries, we give thanks.

This day is holy, and we give thanks,
for the joy of God is our strength,
our rock and our life.

We pray for those in need, those suffering,
those who need healing.Those struggling
 from any kind of distress. Be with
those who weep, be with the poor
in  mind, body, or spirit, and bring them hope.
Help us to be your hands and heart.
Help us to bring your love into world.

For you, O God are our strength,
our joy, our rock, and our life.
Amen.

The King of Love...

We give thanks for incredible organists, for voices weaving in and out together, for ancient melodies that make our souls sing...

a hurry prayer...

Oh God.
I am always in a hurry.
Except for the precious moments I take to breathe and meditate.
But then,
I start to hurry,
packing in more than I really ought to try to finish or get done,
and then I end up feeling
like I didn't get anything done.

I know this is a first-world, time-management kind of prayer, and in the midst of the rest of the concerns and cares of the world,  well, I know...

But it's the prayer I have for this moment, and all I am really asking is for your still silence and spirit to slow me down in my hurried-ness to get things done,
and to simply just Be, breathe, and live my thoughts and actions with mindfulness and care.
I think it is called Presence.  
Amen.

Monday Prayer: Lift Every Voice and Sing

Sunday Prayer: Epiphany 2, Ordinary Time 2

Holy One, O Divine Wisdom

You look deep into the world and see all the broken places.

And, yes, the world and our lives are very broken - 

foresaken and desolate, your people cry out.

But - 

You, O Lord, are steadfast in your love

You take delight in us, O builder of hope

And we rejoice that you are with us. Through 

you we can be made whole once more - 

like a newly married couple, renamed in love.

Holy One, O Divine Wisdom,

We thank you for all the gifts of this life

those known and those we have yet 

to discover. For family and friends,

And -

for all those who are a blessing 

in our lives, known and unknown gifts

of mercy and grace, all signs of You.

The many ways you show up and reveal

the Holy Spirit active, present in love.

Holy One, O Divine Wisdom

in you we celebrate and rejoice 

for you call us to this party of life

this wedding banquet of delight

For

you love life and love us and

call us to do like wise - love you

and love others. And this is hard to do -

loving is hard! Some days - what concern is this?

But you, O lover of souls never quit

loving.

And for that we give thanks. 

Amen.

Forgotten Prayer

It is Saturday, and I forgot about posting a prayer on Thursday. So I hope your attitude is that "it is better late than never!" So I looked up "forgetting prayer" on Google and found this "forgotten prayer" by Paul Coelho:

Lord, protect our doubts, because Doubt is a way of praying. It is Doubt that makes us grow because it forces us to look fearlessly at the many answers that exist to one question. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect our decisions, because making Decisions is a way of praying. Give us the courage, after our doubts, to be able to choose between one road and another. May our YES always be a YES and our NO always be a NO. Once we have chosen our road, may we never look back nor allow our soul to be eaten away by remorse. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect our actions, because Action is a way of praying. May our daily bread be the result of the very best that we carry within us. May we, through work and Action, share a little of the love we receive. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect our dreams, because to Dream is a way of praying. Make sure that, regardless of our age or our circumstances, we are capable of keeping alight in our heart the sacred flame of hope and perseverance. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, give us enthusiasm, because Enthusiasm is a way of praying. It is what binds us to the Heavens and to Earth, to grown-ups and to children, it is what tells us that our desires are important and deserve our best efforts. It is Enthusiasm that reaffirms to us that everything is possible, as long as we are totally committed to what we are doing. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect us, because Life is the only way we have of making manifest Your miracle. May the earth continue to transform seeds into wheat, may we continue to transmute wheat into bread. And this is only possible if we have Love; therefore, do not leave us in solitude. Always give us Your company, and the company of men and women who have doubts, who act and dream and feel enthusiasm, and who live each day as if it were totally dedicated to Your glory.


Amen

By Paul Coelho

The Worker's Prayer

In the sense that all our work is ministry, I offer this prayer by Mike Stevens at GutenBlog.. Please visit this link to read more about it and to print a beautiful pdf copy for your workspace, if you wish. Thanks, Mike! 

The Worker’s Prayer

Lord, I thank you for this job and
the blessings it provides.
May you watch over me this day
and keep me safe from harm.
Create in me a willing spirit
and happy heart.
Grant me the ambition to work hard
and give me the strength to finish
what I have started.
May my hands always be prepared
to help lighten another’s load.
And finally, Lord, remind me that
the quality of my work is a reflection
of you to those around me.

Amen.

Monday Prayer: Do Not Forget Me

Lord, thou knowest how busy I must be today. 
If I forget thee, do not thou forget me. Amen. 

- Lord Astley

Sunday Prayer: Baptism of Jesus

Holy God, before time you named us

Beloved.
Through time you redeem us

Forgiven.
You call us, precious,

baptized 

in your Spirit

your fire!
May we love as you love. 

 

Holy One, through the turbulent waters

Hold us.
Make us steady, your hands

caring.
Holding strong the fragile and weak
May we love as you love.

 

Gracious God, may the fruits of our lives

Become  

food for the hungry and clothing.

Offering

shelter, fire, water, to those in need.
May we love as you love.

 

God of justice, remove the chaff
Of our lives that keep us from
Hearing, following, Your call
May we love as you love.

 

Loving God, take this day our fears our
Worries, distractions, and all
Turn them into wheat, heart food
May we love as you love.

May we tend all in need.

May our hearts be informed by You

May our actions reveal Your grace

May our words reveal Your mercy.

May our prayer today be Your prayer.

Amen.

 

The Murmuring of Grace

Gracious and loving God,
Mother Hen,
Abba,
who was made known to us in the body of a babe,
born into poverty and despised by the state -
Our parent and brother
Help us
recognize the stranger as our kin.
Help us
listen attentively to our lives.
Help us
discern the murmuring of grace
planted by you in our hearts.
Help us
hear the the deep pain and soaring joy of others.
Help us
see our interdependence with others
Help us
to be your hands and feet in the world.

Amen

- Kimberly Knight

Monday Prayer: Ring Out, Wild Bells

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light;

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,

For those that here we see no more,

Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out thy mournful rhymes,

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,

The larger heart the kindlier hand;

Ring out the darkness of the land,

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Sunday Prayer: Epiphany

Bright Star, Holy One
Hear our prayer.

Bright Star, Holy One
Be with those who suffer
struggle, cry out, weep
are in pain of heart
or soul or mind
From the darkness
may the glory of God arise!

Bright Star, Holy One
Fill the hearts of
leaders, nations,
cities, and
faith communities
With wisdom and grace
may the glory of God arise!

Bright Star, Holy One
Lead our leaders in
your way, your hope
your love and
your peace
enlighten the pathways
with the Glory of God, arise!

Bright Star, Holy One
laugh with those who
laugh this day, lift up
our joys, our hope
is found in You,
May the Glory of God arise.

Bright Star, Holy One
help us in all we
do, and say, and are
to be your love
shining forth -
may the glory of God arise.

Bright Star, Holy One
hear our prayer.
Amen.

May There Be Peace Within

May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be...
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you...
May you be content knowing you are a child of God...
Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to
sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you...

--Author Unknown

(Found in an email received from the Cenacle Retreat House in Houston, TX.)

New

Thank you for new days
In a new year

New starts...
Any day will do

Thank you for the gift of love
More opportunities each day

To show your love
To each other