Lord,
You reached out to me; help me to reach out to others.
Give me eyes to see those in need of connection.
Empower me with the courage to speak or serve as you lead me.
Remove my pride, fear, and hesitation.
Use me to reflect your love, whether I am offering help or asking for it.
Let me be a bridge of your grace.
Amen
Almighty God,
who alone can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful people,
grant unto your people,
that they may love what you command, a
nd desire what you promise,
so that, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world,
our hearts may surely there be fixed,
where true joys are to be found— in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(ADAPTED BY DOUGLAS MCKELVEY FROM THE GELASIAN SACRAMENTARY, 492 (ALTERED IN 1662)
Lord of All Provision,
I confess that I have often been discontent with where I am in life.
I struggle with feelings of weariness and am overwhelmed by pain.
Help me to find joy in the middle of this struggle.
Bless me to be aware and know that you are working in my life.
Teach me to be content in your love and where I am.
Give me the patience to endure this challenging season.
Help me to overcome the temptation to give up.
Open my inner eyes that I might see you clearly in my life.
Cause me to always be grateful for what I have been given.
To you belongs all honor and praise.
Amen.
Write your blessed name,
O Lord,
upon my heart,
there to remain so indelibly engraved,
that no prosperity,
no adversity
shall ever move me from your love.
Be to me a strong tower of defense,
a comforter in tribulation,
a deliverer in distress, a very present help in trouble.
Shepherd me through the many temptations and dangers of this life. Lead me to your kingdom.
Amen.
(THOMAS À KEMPIS (1379-1471) ADAPTED BY DOUGLAS MCKELVEY FROM PRAYERS ANCIENT AND MODERN (1900)
Provider of food, Outfitter of lilies, Painter of sunsets, you offer us joy in the simplicity of your creation, and peace in your presence. Protect us from the allure of abundance. Help us find contentment, not in things, but in our relationship with you. Draw our attention to those who are in need and we can help. Give us today our daily bread, and help us to be thankful for it. Amen.
Faithful Lord,
Grant me the courage to step out of my comfort zone.
Lead me as I adapt to new situations and challenges.
Bless me as I pursue the dreams and passions you have placed in my heart.
Help me trust you, overcome fear, and take risks as I walk with you.
May I find strength in knowing that you are with me.
I give you praise and honor as I walk with you.
Amen.
Dear Father God,
Thank you for the new mercies that I experience each day.
Teach me to be a vessel and conduit of your divine spirit.
Praise you for new strength that you give each morning.
Help me to use that strength to bless others today.
I am in awe of the way that you have forgiven me.
By your grace, cause me to be a reconciler and a healer.
May your name be glorified in all I say and do today.
Amen
Lord of all creation, I thank you for the gift of life and the many blessings you've given me. I sometimes feel overwhelmed and distracted by earthly demands and forget what truly matters.
Help me, Lord, to seek first your kingdom and trust you for good outcomes. Give me the wisdom to discern what is urgent from what is truly important, and the strength to focus on Your will for my life.Align my heart with Yours, so my priorities reflect your will. Help me honor you and grow spiritually. Guard my mind from distractions, and remind me to find peace and joy in the life you've given me.Thank you for being my heart, my guide and my strength in hard times. Help me to simplify my life as I love you with my whole heart, mind and strength. To you belongs all glory. In Jesus' name, Amen
Lord Jesus, you promised that you would be with your people when they
meet together. We claim that promise right now.
We know that you are with us, but even so, Lord, we pray, that you will
give us a sense of your presence all together and individually, that we may
have a fresh experience of the living God.
We worship you for rescuing us from death and condemnation, for giving
us Christ, for life, peace, and your eternal love.
May we hear your voice speaking clearly to us today.
Make us more sensitive to you, and to the awfulness of turning away from
you.
Lead us into a deeper joy as we look to you.
Bring life to your people; purify your church, cleanse us from our sin
as we turn back to you; revive us spiritually. Renew us, not so that we become
even busier people, at church still more evenings in the week, but so that we
become more involved with people in our community.
Spirit of God, give us a burden for souls, Lord, souls who without you
are perishing.
Lord, we pray for the church, your people, that we will truly become the
people you intend us to be, that we will really look upward to you, and that we
will look outward to others, not simply look to ourselves.
Lord, make us a distinctive people, to bring you our praise, worship,
and adoration, and to lead lives of godly consistency and integrity.
May we all pull together, working as one strong and resilient team, to
bring you a symphony of worship and praise and to take you to the community and
the wider world.
May our energies be clearly focused and our lives inspired and directed
by your power at this time.
We pray in Christ’s name.
Prayer is much more
than the words of our lips;
it is the desires of our hearts,
and our hearts are constantly
"desiring" before Him,
even if we never speak a word.
