Prayers

[phkrause]

Child's Prayer of Thanks

Anonymous

Thank you for the world so sweet.
Thank you for the things we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing.
Thank you, God, for everything.

[phkrause]

Spirit of Light and Love

anonymous

Spirit of light and love, Creator and Sustainer, God of many names, Sometimes the burdens I shoulder feel like more than I can bear. I am terrified I shall break under their pressure, My wallet flattened, My hopes broken, My dreams in dust, My mind staggering, Under the crushing weight of uncertainty. As I struggle with my fears, And work to hold my creditors at bay, As I fight to regain a financial foothold And hope against hope To reverse my fall, Uplift my heart, oh God. Rekindle my faith. Make me mindful of thy many gifts, Lest, overwhelmed by the threats to my well-being, I forget them, And I forget you. This is my prayer: to pray for what I have, To pray for health, if I am graced with health; To pray for love, if blessed with loved ones, Who offer me the priceless gift of love's embrace. Remind me to pray, if I am blessed to be a parent, for the treasure of children; To pray for the wealth of friends, who stand beside me through my bleakest days, And share my pain. In this veil of tears and trouble, Raise my sights to look out upon the many beacons, Shining their light upon my life. Remind me to give thanks for those, Who reach out to take my hand, Who walk with me and stand by me, Who raise my spirits by their presence, Whose smile brightens my view, And lifts my heart, And gives me joy. For if I pray for the wonders that are mine To savor this very day, These, the most precious, of my prayers will come true. I shall again unwrap the present, Give thanks for thy many gifts. My lifeline will be strengthened, My perspective widened, And for one brief, shining moment, The shadows will lift from my heart. So it is I offer up my thanks. So it is I utter forth, oh God, From the depth of my soul, This grateful prayer of gratitude and praise.

[phkrause]

To Have Generous Hearts

Jim & Kaye Johns

Father, I pray for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends to be generous people...

May their generosity begin with You as they give You their tithes and offerings, believing Your promise that as they do, You will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that they'll not have room enough for it. (Malachi 3:8–10)

Help them grow in the grace of giving, giving to others as much as they are able, willing to give even beyond their ability because they trust in You and have given themselves to You according to Your will. May they be generous, always willing to hear the cry of the poor and willing to share. (2 Corinthians 8:7b; Romans 12:6, 8b; 2 Corinthians 8:2–5; Proverbs 21:13; 22:9; 1 Timothy 6:18)

May they sow generously and reap generously—pressed down, shaken together, and running over! Help them be cheerful givers to those in Christian service, and then supply all their needs from Your riches in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 9:6; Luke 6:38; Philippians 4:15–19)

Help them to give beyond their means. In Jesus' name, Amen.

[phkrause]

Bless Our Relationship

Heather Kopp

Dear God,
You have defined my desire: to be of immeasurable value to my spouse. Guide me in the ways that lead to this richness in relationship, and be glorified in my every effort.

I want to honor my spouse--and you--through my behavior. How can I do that today? Please show me and empower me.
Amen.

[phkrause]

Angel Blessing at Bedtime

Anonymous

Angels bless and angels keep
Angels guard me while I sleep
Bless my heart and bless my home
Bless my spirit as I roam
Guide and guard me through the night
and wake me with the morning's light.
Amen

[phkrause]

Prayer for the Troops in Iraq

Beliefnet member tngrandma

Dear Lord, please hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them, Father, as they protect us. When they are tired, give them strength and rest. If they are wounded, Father, give them comfort. When they are lonely, may they feel you near them. Grant them strength, courage, and wisdom for their tasks. And, Lord, uplift and strengthen the families and loved ones who wait for their return. Please, Father, bring a quick end to all this conflict. I pray in the name of Jesus, our Saviour. Amen.

[phkrause]

Entering Into the Gate of Heaven

John Donne

Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening,
into the house and gate of heaven,
to enter into that gate, and dwell in that house where there shall be
no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light;
no noise nor silence, but one equal music;
no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession;
no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity;
in the habitation of thy glory and dominion,
world without end. Amen.

[phkrause]

Save the Afflicted

Clement of Rome (1st Century)

We beseech thee, Master, to be our helper and protector.
Save the afflicted among us; have mercy on the lowly;
raise up the fallen; appear to the needy; heal the ungodly;
restore the wanderers of thy people;
feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners;
raise up the sick; comfort the faint-hearted.

[phkrause]

I Cannot Do This Alone

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.

[phkrause]

Prayer for Women With Breast Cancer

Beliefnet member charity1

Father, for the strength you have given me I thank you. For the health you have blessed me with, I thank you. For the women who are going through breast cancer and their families I ask you to strengthen and to heal as you see fit. Lord we know you want us to be in good health and to prosper. Lord use us to do the work you have for us to do. For we know time is getting short on this earth. Lord be with every woman who is sick and encourage them as only you can. I know how faithful you are. You have shown yourself to be everything you say you are in your Holy Word. I praise you for you made this body and you can heal this body. In Jesus Name I pray.

[phkrause]

Prayer on Being Made Redundant

anonymous

Redundant’ – the word says it all - ‘useless, unnecessary, without purpose, surplus to requirements.’ Thank you, Heavenly Father, that in the middle of the sadness, the anger, the uncertainty, the pain, I can talk to you. Hear me as I cry out in confusion, help me to think clearly, and calm my soul. As life carries on, may I know your presence with me each and every day. And as I look to the future, help me to look for fresh opportunities, for new directions. Guide me by your Spirit, and show me your path, through Jesus, the way, the truth and the life. Amen.

[phkrause]

Spouses' Prayer

Anonymous

O Lord, omnipotent and eternal God, we give you thanks and we bless your holy name. You created man and woman in your image and blessed their union, so that each would be for the other a help and support. Remember us today. Protect us and grant that our love may be in the image of the devotion and love of Christ for his Church. Grant us a long and fruitful life together, in joy and in peace, so that, through your Son and in the Holy Spirit, our hearts may always rise to you in praise and goods works.

[phkrause]

Change Us, Day by Day

Soren Kirkegaard (1813-1855)

Our Father, you called us and saved us in order to make us like your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Change us, day by day, by the work of your Holy Spirit so that we may grow more like him in all that we think and say and do, to his glory. Amen.

[phkrause]

Prayer for Advent

Anonymous

Oh, come, Oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

[phkrause]

In the Way of the Cross

Anonymous

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

[phkrause]

Psalm of Protection

Psalms 27: 1-3

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

[phkrause]

At the Start of Day

Psalms 118: 24

This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

[phkrause]

A Thankful Yet Fretful Heart

anonymous

Dear Lord, I come with a thankful, yet fearful heart; thankful for your generous provision in the past, yet fearful of the uncertainty that surrounds me today. In the midst of this trial I ask not only for my daily bread, but also for my spiritual bread – the faith to wait patiently when your timing is not my timing – the wisdom to know the difference between my wants and my needs – and the gratitude that flows from remembering that every good and perfect gift I’ve ever received has come from your hand.

[phkrause]

Prayer When Making the Bed

Anonymous

This bed I make
In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit;
In the name of the night we were conceived
In the name of the day we were baptized;
In the name of every night, every day, every season,
And of every angel that is in Heaven.

[phkrause]

A Heart to Love Thee

Ambrose of Milan (c. 339-97)

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins,
and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone,
and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore thee,
a heart to delight in thee,
to follow and to enjoy thee,
for Christ's sake.

[phkrause]

Prayer for the New Year

Edgar A. Guest

Grant me the strength from day to day
To bear what burdens come my way.
Grant me throughout this bright New Year
More to endure and less to fear.
Help me live that I may be
From spite and petty malice free.

Let me not bitterly complain
When cherished hopes of mine prove vain,
Or spoil with deeds of hate and rage
Some fair tomorrow's spotless page.
Lord, as the days shall come and go
In courage let me stronger grow.

...

Lord, as the New Year dawns today
Help me to put my faults away.
Let me be big in little things;
Grant me the joy which friendship brings.
Keep me from selfishness and spite;
Let me be wise in what is right.

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye.
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.

Edited June 13, 2015 by phkrause

[phkrause]

To Know God's Will

Jim & Kaye Johns

Father, I'm praying that (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends will know Your will...

Help them know Your will through the spiritual wisdom and understanding that comes from the Spirit so they may live lives worthy of You, pleasing You in every way. Help them to bear fruit, to influence others' lives in every good thing they do. May they constantly be growing in their understanding of who You are and in their awareness of how You work in the world. (Colossians 1:9, 1 John 2:28; Colossians 1:10)

Help them offer themselves as living sacrifices, desiring not to live like those who are giving in to the ways of the world but to be totally changed by the renewing of their minds. Then they will be able to know Your will—Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. (Romans 12:1–2)

May they yield their will to Yours and set their hearts on doing Your will. Help them set aside their own desires, seeking only Your will, standing firm and keeping on in Your strength. Help them be strong and not give up no matter what happens— filled with joy and thanksgiving. (Matthew 6:10; Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 4:12; Hebrews 10:36; Colossians 1:11–12a)

May they have no other desire than Yours. In Jesus' name, amen.

Edited June 13, 2015 by phkrause

[phkrause]

Prayer for Those That Are Alone

Jim & Kaye Johns

Father, I'm praying for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends who are feeling very much alone...

Sometimes they must wonder where You are. I know You're with them because You've promised You will never leave us nor forsake us, that You'll be with us always—but sometimes when they can't sense Your presence, they must feel terribly alone. (Psalm 10:1; Hebrews 13:5b; Matthew 28:20b)

When their hearts fail and their spirits fall, help them determine to live in Your presence—praising You, knowing You inhabit the praise of Your people. May they set their hearts to seek You, to be strong and take heart as they wait for You. (Psalm 27:4; 22:3; Colossians 3:1; Psalm 27:8, 14)

Hide them in the shelter of Your presence and show them Your wonderful love. Help them hope in You, and let Your unfailing love rest upon them. Help them to fix their eyes on You, to take refuge in You, to set You before them, constantly thinking about You, confident that You're with them—then they won't be shaken. (Psalm 31:20a, 21b; 33:22; 141:8a; 16:8)

Help them believe that You won't leave them, that You'll come to them no matter how alone they feel. (John 14:18)

In Jesus' name, amen.

[phkrause]

Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace

St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.

[phkrause]

Prayer for Wise Governance

Harvey Barnes

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the democracy alive in our country and for the freedom to worship You. Help the elected government and all in positions of power and authority to govern wisely and for the common good of all. Amen.