Daily Prayer

that we might love

"Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may." -John Wesley

We need you Holy Spirit that we might look past our differing opinions and see into our hearts. We need you Father that we might love others as ourselves. We need you Jesus to understand that love involves giving and sacrificing ourselves for others. Come Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We need you. Amen

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help us to be faithful

Father, help me to recognize that you have called me to be faithful not successful. Cause me to focus my efforts in pleasing You alone and not people.

Aid me in not taking on more responsibility than You intend for me. Give me opportunities to humble myself as a faithful steward whatever the outcome.

I ask these things in the glorious name of the Faithful One.

Amen

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for those who are struggling during the holidays

As we prepare for Christmas it is always good to remember that this is a very difficult time for many among us. People are, for the first time, celebrating Christmas without their loved ones. So in this time when the nights are the longest, I find myself thinking about this meditation (posted below), written in 2001 by Rev. Diane Hendricks. As you read it please think about and pray for those who are hurting so much this season.

Longest Night Meditation

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Only it's not.

Not for everyone.

Not when there is an empty chair at the table.

Not when your body is ravaged with illness.

Not when the depression is too much to bear.

Not without her voice joining yours on the Christmas carols.

Not when you feel all alone even in a crowd.

Not when you are not sure you can even afford the rent or mortgage,
let alone the presents.

Not when they are trying their best to the best of you.

Not when another Christmas party means he will come home drunk again.

It's the most wonderful time of the year?

No, it's not.

And trying to smile and say Merry Christmas is more than difficult.

It's pretty near impossible.

C.S. Lewis once wrote:

"No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning..."

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Only it's not.

Not after he has died.

Not after the doctor gave you the news.

Not after they told you they would be downsizing.

Not after... you fill in the blank.

Not after September 11.

Not when there is so much violence and destruction in the world.

In truth, it has never been the most wonderful time of the year. Certainly not in the days surrounding that first Christmas so long ago. The story of the birth of Jesus is not to be told with a jolly voice and a merry ho-ho-ho.

It is the story of a teenage girl, pregnant with a child that is not her husband's.

It is the story of a child born in a dirty animal stall.

It is the story of a family of refugees who had to flee their homeland so that their child would not be killed.

It is the story of one sent into the world in peace who was condemned to death.

It is the story of a light sent to shine in the darkness, which the world snuffed out.

It is the story of God's never-ending, self-giving mercy which was rejected and condemned.

In the great work the Messiah, Handel quotes the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming that Jesus was "despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." One great theologian reminds us that we cannot come to the manger without acknowledging that it lays in the shadow of the cross.

It is not the most wonderful time of the year.

Only it is! It is:

If we forget about the tinsel and the trees.

If we forget about the holly jolly tidings.

If we forget about the presents and the ornaments and the trappings.

And remember. Remember the story.

Mary was alone and afraid.
But God was with her and exalted her among women.

Joseph was disgraced.
But God revealed in Joseph's cause for disgrace God's plan to save the world.

The world was in darkness.
But God sent the light of life to shine.

The lowly were imprisoned.
But Jesus set them free.

The blind wandered aimlessly.
But Christ gave them eyes to see.

The lame were rejected.
But through the Holy One they were made to leap and dance.

The deaf were confined to the silence.
But the song of life unstopped their ears.

The sorrowful grieved.
But God wipes away our tears.

We were alone.
But in Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God is with us.

The people rejected God.
But God embraces us.

The world crucified Christ.
But God would not allow that to be the last word, and gave us the sure hope of the resurrection.

It is the most wonderful time of the year, not because you have to be cheery and happy and merry.

But because you don't.

You can have heavy spirits and shattered dreams. Broken hearts and deep wounds.

And still God comes to be with you.

To comfort you.

To redeem you.

To save you.

To restore you.

To empower you.

To strengthen you.

To grant you peace.

To be raised for you.

To hold you in the communion of saints with those whom you have loved and lost.

To store your tears in his bottle.

To offer you eternal life.

It is the most wonderful time of the year.
For Christ is born.
Love has come.
God is with us!
Thanks be to the Lord our God.

Amen

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when our days don’t go as we plan

Dear Lord,

Help us to remember that when our days don’t go as we plan that you are still at work in life’s events.

Help us to trust you throughout each day and be mindful that you are present in our struggles.

Open our inner eyes to eternal things, like love and hope, that are unnoticed and ignored.

In all things teach us to be spiritual seekers and followers of your ways. Amen

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When it seems...

We sometimes wonder if our prayers are being heard.

One thing we can be assured of is this.... when we are Children of God, He hears. He cares. He responds.

As I looked back over some prayer journals from 2 years ago, I could see all the things that I had been crying out to God for. I could see all the hurts and frustrations that were embedded deep in my soul. I could see the pain and turmoil of some horrible situations.

But then...

I could see the answers that had come. I could see God working. I could see His Hand in so many ways.....

Just because God is silent.... it doesn’t mean He isn’t working.

Keep believing. Keep trusting.

Keep praying.

Amen

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a prayer beyond our worry

Lord,

In a season when every heart should be happy and light, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life—burdens that steal our joy. Our inner voice whispers,

"I am not enough!”
"I must do better!"
"My sin is so big."
"I wish I was more like..."
"Why can't I overcome...?"

We need your peace, Jesus. We confess that our hearts are too often filled with wonder of a different kind: wondering when when things will get better, when we will be better. In a world where worry prevails, stir up that good news again. Make it real in our hearts. We need Your joy and peace more than ever, right now.

Thank You for the gift of Jesus, God with us, the Word made flesh. We not only need Your peace and joy; Lord, we desire it. You’ve promised rest for the weary, victory for the battle-scarred, peace for the anxious, and acceptance for the brokenhearted—not just at Advent, but every day of every year.

Your name is still called
“Wonderful,”
“Counselor,”
“The Mighty God,”
“The Everlasting Father,”
and
“Prince of Peace.”

We know that peace on earth can only come when hearts find peace with You. You are still our Joy. You are still our Peace. You are Lord of lords and King of kings. Keep our minds and our hearts on You alone.

Amen

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when we are struggling

Today I am struggling, Lord
Today it is not so easy to believe
Today the voices of the world ring loud
Today the center of my life is ‘Me’

Today will you be the strength I need
Today will you be the hope I desire
Today will you be the voice I hear
Today be the center of all I yearn to be

Amen

... with attribution to the authors at the Faith and Worship site.

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let us find our rest in thee

Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

Amen

United Methodist Hymnal, 1989

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as we prepare for Christmas

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Prayer to the God of Hope

God of hope, who brought love into this world,

be the love that dwells between us.

God of hope, who brought peace into this world,

be the peace that dwells between us.

God of hope, who brought joy into this world,

be the joy that dwells between us.

God of hope, the rock we stand upon,

be the centre, the focus of our lives
always, and particularly this Advent time.

Amen

- from the Faith and Worship site.

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for a change in attitude

O Father,

Give us the humility which realizes its ignorance,

Admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice,

Accepts rebuke.

Help us always to praise rather than to criticize,

To sympathize rather than to discourage,

To build rather than to destroy,

And to think of people at their best rather than at their worst.

This we ask for thy name's sake.

Amen

... a prayer of William Barclay

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a prayer for waiting and hope

Loving Father,

As we enter this season of celebration, may we remember to wait. May we be expectant of the joy you bring us, and the wisdom you will give us. May we hope for all that you have promised in Jesus. All that you have promised for us. We wait because you ask us to to be still and wait.

For in our waiting we can find hope.

In our waiting we open our hearts to who you are.

In our waiting we seek your face.

In our waiting we look for your redemption.

In our waiting we remember all that you have done... and all that you promise you will do.

We wait to celebrate the birth of your Son. And we wait for his return to earth, where he will reign forever.

Your kingdom come, your will be done.

Amen

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to guard our hearts

Help us Lord to care for our hearts.

When we are hungry and dry,
encourage us to eat good spiritual food.

When we are weak,
help us to spiritually stretch and exercise.

Each day motivate us to give and receive love.

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DECEMBER AND LUKE

Live in the Scriptures, and you will be Kissed by God

Can you believe it's December? Didn't we just finish off the turkey and dressing? The older I get the faster the clocks ticks, and like the cartoon the pages of the calendar just seem to fly off constantly.
One good way to reflect on the Reason for the Season (Our Lord Jesus Christ) is to read about His life on a daily basis.

Several of my friends are going to join me and many others, reading one chapter a day in the book of Luke. This will take us to Christmas Eve, and we will have seen our Savior from Birth to Ascension. I can't think of a better way to Celebrate Christmas.

Father God, as we read of your life during the Christmas Season from the pen of Dr. Luke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I pray you will do something new in our hearts. May we see You in deeper and more personal ways. Lord, look deep into our hearts, and show us by your life how we can be victorious and over-comers by following your example, and by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. You have so much for us to meditate on and contemplate during this Season. Father God, thank you for Your mercy, Your grace, Your forgiveness and Salvation. Thank You for your Holy Word to show us Yourself! I love You. Amen

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