Prayers

[phkrause]

Single Woman's Prayer

Author Unknown

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray for a man who's not a creep.

One who's handsome, smart and strong,
Who's not afraid to admit when he is wrong.

One who thinks before he speaks.
When he promises to call, he doesn't wait six weeks.

I pray that he is gainfully employed,
Won't lose his cool when he's annoyed.

Pulls out my chair and opens my door,
Massages my back and begs to do more.

Oh send me a man who will make love to my mind.
Know what to say when I ask "How fat is my behind?"

One who'll make love till my body's a' itchin'
He brings ME a sandwich too, when he goes to the kitchen.

I pray that this man will love me to no end,
And never compare me to my best friend.

Thank you in advance and now I'll just wait,
For I know you will send him before it's too late.

Amen

[phkrause]

Father, Behold Thy Child

Margaret Cropper (1886-1980)

Father, behold thy child; Creator, behold thy creature; Master, behold thy disciple; Saviour, behold thy redeemed one; Spirit, behold thy cleansed one; Comforter, behold one whom thou dost uphold; So I come to thee, O infinite and unimaginable, To worship thee.

[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]

Restore Our Fortunes

Psalms 126: 1-6

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
then were we like those who dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy.

Then they said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them."

The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are glad indeed.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses of the Negev.

Those who sowed with tears
will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

[phkrause]

Prayer for Those Suffering From Alzheimer’s

Vienna Cobb Anderson

O God of love,
hear our prayer
for all who suffer from Alzheimer’s.
In the days of changing memory,
be with them in their fears.
In the days when memory has gone,
bless their families who suffer.
Surround them with tender love
from family, friend, and stranger.
Grant them peace in their hearts,
a secure home environment,
and dignity in their lives.
May each day bring a blessing,
hope, and greater love.
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.

[Aliensanctuary]

10 hours ago, phkrause said:

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.

One of the great old hymns.

[phkrause]

To Put Others First

Jim & Kaye Johns

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

May they desire to have servant hearts, considering others better than themselves, putting others' needs above their own. (Philippians 2:3–4)

May they imitate Christ, who became a servant, humbling Himself to become human just like us, living a life of obedience even to death. Jesus came not to be served but to serve and to give His life. (1 Thessalonians 1:6; Philippians 2:6–8; Matthew 20:28)

May they serve one another in love, always wholeheartedly as though they are serving the Lord Jesus, not men. May they use the spiritual gifts they've received to serve others with the strength You provide, so that in all things You may be praised. (Galatians 5:13b; Ephesians 6:7; 1 Peter 4:10, 11b)

May they always be eager to serve, treating others as they would want to be treated. (1 Peter 5:2b; Matthew 7:12)

Help them to live for others, asking, "How would I want to be treated in this and every situation?"—and responding just that way.

In Jesus' name, amen.

[phkrause]

Thank You for My Life

Debbie Gisonni

Dear God, thank you for my life on this earth, however challenging or not.

Thank you for giving me free will to love and be loved, to make my own decisions, to learn from my mistakes, to laugh when I am happy, to cry when I am sad.

Thank you for my family, my friends, my pets, my colleagues, and for every other living creature I meet along my journey.

Thank you for giving me strength to overcome adversity, to do what's right for the benefit of the greater good, to rise above negativity.

Thank you for giving me hope for an end to world suffering, pain, and war, for a beginning of a world filled with light and everlasting love.

[phkrause]

Our Father

Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

[phkrause]

God Is Our Hope

Psalms 46: 1-4

God is our hope and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved,
and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof rage and swell,
and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.

There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

[phkrause]

Prayer for Hurricane Season

Fr. Al Volpe, Cameron Parish, LA

O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children.  The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude; you are still the Master of land and sea.  We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control.  The Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster.  During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father.  Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time.  O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a storm-less eternity awaits us. Amen.

Originally dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Audrey in 1957.

[phkrause]

Prayer to Experience Your Blessing

Jim & Kaye Johns

Father, I'm praying that (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends will be blessed in living for You...

May they live in such a way that they'll be blessed. Protect them from keeping company with those who openly sin or from following their advice. Help them find their pleasure in obeying You, in thinking of Your Word day and night. (Psalm 1:1–2)

May they seek You, finding their refuge in You, being willing to keep their hands clean and their hearts pure. May they worship You, giving You the glory due Your name and walking in the light of Your presence. May they fear You with reverence and awe, living upright lives in unity with others. (Psalm 119:2b; 2:12b; 24:4–5; 29:1–2; 89:15; 112:1–2; 133:1, 3)

Help them not to try deceiving themselves or anyone else about their sins—least of all You—but to confess them, knowing they'll be forgiven. Help them to trust You alone, living in humility, without loving or trusting anyone or anything more than You. (Psalm 32:1–2; 1 John 1:8–9; Psalm 40:4)

May they be kind and help the weak, choosing to live in Your presence, praising You, setting their hearts on finding You. (Psalm 41:1–2; 84:4, 5b)

Bless them for Your kingdom purpose and glory. In Jesus' name, amen.

[phkrause]

September 11th Prayer

Beliefnet member Ed

Lord, help us to use this tragedy to see beyond our divisions of religion, race, and nationality and to embrace our common humanity. May we learn to see that of you in our neighbors, and even in our enemies. May love overcome hate, peace overcome violence, and faith overcome despair. Amen

[phkrause]

To Be Humble in Spirit

Jim & Kaye Johns

Father, I'm praying for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family or friends to know the importance of humbling themselves...

May they choose to humble themselves before You and before Christ, for we know You detest the proud of heart. You live in a high and holy place and with those who are contrite and humble. (Daniel 10:12; James 4:10; Proverbs 16:5a; Isaiah 57:15)

May they desire to be like Christ, gentle and humble in heart, living in harmony with one another, compassionate and sympathetic, loving each other—not trying to pay back hurts or insults but instead responding with blessings. May they be willing to submit to You and each other out of reverence for Christ. (Matthew 11:29b; 1 Peter 3:8–9; James 4:7; Ephesians 5:21)

May they be willing to humble themselves before You, for if they will, Your Word says You will guide them in what is right and teach them Your way, giving them grace and esteeming them in Your sight. Help them to show true humility toward all people, to clothe themselves with humility. (Psalm 25:9; Proverbs 3:34; Isaiah 66:2b; Titus 3:2b; 1 Peter 5:5b)

Make them daily more sensitive to pride in their lives, that they may confess it as the sin it is. In the power of the Spirit, may they choose humility over pride at every turn. In Jesus' name, Amen.

[phkrause]

Bless Your Little Lamb Tonight

Anonymous

Jesus tender
Shepherd hear me
Bless your little lamb tonight
Through the darkness
Be thou near me
Keep me safe till morning's light.

[phkrause]

Prayer for the Sick

Anonymous

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve thy sick servants, and give thy power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that those for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in thy loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

[phkrause]

To Be Content Alone

Jim & Kaye Johns

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

For these who are not married and may find it troubling, I ask You to help them learn to be content with being single, as well as with any other issues or circumstances of life they find themselves in. (Philippians 4:11b)

Help them delight in You, for You have said when we do, You'll give us the desires of our heart. May their desires match Your desires, Your will and plan for their lives; then fulfill Your purpose for them. (Psalm 37:4; 57:2; 138:8)

If Your plan is for them to be married, give them the grace to wait on You, to be strong and take heart. As they wait, help them to keep Your ways, discerning what is best, keeping pure and blameless in Your sight. (Psalm 27:14; 37:34; Philippians 1:10)

I ask Your special touch on those who are single parents, because managing a home without a spouse can be difficult. May they put their hope in You, continuing night and day in prayer. May others in the body of Christ respond to their needs as they would want to be helped if they were alone. (1 Timothy 5:5; Matthew 7:12)

May they be fulfilled in Christ. In Jesus' name, amen.

[phkrause]

The Sinner's Prayer

Augustus Toplady

Try me, O God, and search the ground of my heart: prove me and examine my thoughts. Look well if there be any wickedness in me, any root of bitterness yet undiscovered; and lead me in the way everlasting. Show me the true state of my soul. Bring me out from every false refuge. Strip off every deceitful covering, every covering that is not of Thy Spirit. Forbid that the anchor of my hope should be cast, or the house of my dependence built, on any but Christ, the Rock of Ages. Forbid that I should rest short of that repentance which is Thy gift, and is connected with life eternal: and forbid, O forbid, that I should sit down without aspiring to that conformity unto Thee in righteousness and true holiness, abstracted from which repentance is false and faith is dead.

[phkrause]

I Have All in God

Julian of Norwich

God of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are sufficient for me... If I were to ask anything less I should always be in want, for in you alone do I have all.

[phkrause]

Prayer for Sleep

Anonymous

O heavenly Father, you give your children sleep for the refreshing of soul and body: Grant me this gift, I pray; keep me in that perfect peace which you have promised to those whose minds are fixed on you; and give me such a sense of your presence, that in the hours of silence I may enjoy the blessed assurance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 Ash Wednesday

Anonymous

God of the desert, as we follow Jesus into the unknown, may we recognise the tempter when he comes; let it be your bread we eat, your world we serve and you alone we worship.

[phkrause]

Prayer for Divine Guidance

Psalms 51

Open my lips, O Lord,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence
and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought
us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty
power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by
adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your
purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[phkrause]

Child's Prayer for Protection

Anonymous

Angel of God, my Guardian dear,
To whom God's love commits me here;
Ever this day, be at my side
To light and guard
To rule and guide.