Personal Prayers > Guidance Easter Glow of the Son Rising As I walked home across a field from getting the newspapers at 6:45 AM, I turned at a spot I can find next year to look back to the east at the sun rising. The sun had just broken through the horizon and the bounds of earth to light up a deck of clouds just above. In minutes the sun became so bright, I could look directly at it no more and shielded its radiance with my hand. As I turned for home, every place I looked had a glow from looking at the sun so intently. The world around me was lit up in hues of yellow, orange, red, and gold. The radiance of the sun was all around me. My world was made new. Lord, may the same be true for Easter this year. May the glow of the radiance of your resurrection, of breaking the bounds of death, of sharing the good news of life ever lasting, be part of our lives in the days, weeks, and months ahead. And just as I can find that same spot in the field next year on this day and at this time to see the sun rising, cause me to know that on Easter Day next year you will rise again with the radiance of your love and power. Amen (Submitted by Calhoun Wick) Prayer at the Beginning of a Pilgrimage Lord, we are about to embark on a pilgrimage and a journey to far off places. We are carrying with us messages of hope that people who are not well can become well - that people who are now sick can become healthy. We ask that you affirm our sense of anticipation and excitement. We ask that we can be a gift to those we meet along the way. We ask that you protect us with your safety and if we should meet adversity that we handle it with patience and good will. We ask that because of our trip we can return with healing stories that will provide encouragement to others and nourishing memories that can last a life time. In God’s name we ask this. Amen Cal Wick -- GreatPrayers.com Winter Prayer Lord: In the midst of Winter, when the days are cold and wind can pierce ….. remind us of the warmth of your love. In the midst of Winter, when days are short, dawn comes late, and dusk arrives early ….. remind us that in the darkness your light still shines. In the midst of Winter, when the flowers of spring still lie hidden in the earth, when leaves are off the trees, and the world can seem bleak ….. remind us that Easter is but a short time away. And when in our lives we feel as if we are experiencing a season of winter, reach out to us with the power of your resurrection so that we may feel the warmth of your love and see your light that alone can take away the darkness of our soul. Amen Cal Wick Redemption Lord, God, things have gone badly wrong. We have forgotten you, worshipping other gods and following our vain desires. Lord, forgive us our sin and folly and blindness. Teach us again that we are our brothers keeper and turn us back to yourself. Anonymous -- Forward Day By Day Feeling Poor Lord, I have just balanced my checkbook and now turn to you for calm and peace and dignity. The calm which I lose when my small income disappears and I have nothing left. The peace which I'm deprived of for fear of not getting through another month. The dignity which has been eroded because of the awful worry about making ends meet. What I fear, Lord, is not poverty, for I'll survive somehow. What I fear is degradation. I fear no longer thinking of anything but money. I fear making easy comparisons with others who earn more, and this a hundred times a day, in front of shop windows and at the counters of stores. Lord, I's also afraid of jealousy, of saying with scornful grin, "Some people are just lucky." I'm afraid of hatred. And I've discovered that I'm becoming greedy. That's why I'm talking to you, Lord, to ask you for the grace to keep my dignity. Paul Geres -- Forward Day By Day Benediction The Lord be with you in all the places where your go. Go then: go where there is ignorance; go where there is need; go where there is danger; go where there is pain; go where there is narrowness; go where there is fear; Go in courage; go in doubt. Go in the wisdom of knowing and the wisdom of not knowing.. Go in strength, and in the strength of weakness. Go in the joy which overcomes sorrow; and in the love which casts out fear. Go – and the blessing of God go with you. Amen Charles Price -- Virginia Theological Seminary Journal - Fall 2009 (Submitted by Calhoun Wick) A Prayer for the New Year Lord, as we begin a New Year we first give thanks for the year passed. Particularly we give thanks for times with family and friends, we give thanks for those who have helped us along the way, and opportunities to serve others in need. We ask in the year ahead, month by month, week by week, and day by day, that you protect us with your providence. We ask that you give us faith and hope to get us through the hard times. And we ask that by the power of your spirit we may live with cheerfulness and a happy heart. Amen Calhoun Wick (Submitted by Calhoun Wick) This Day Lord Our Father, Light of Life, we are thankful for this day By your Grace to live it fully, by your Light to find our way Sustain, protect, forgive us, as we turn to forgive Make us instruments of peace, by the Golden Rule to live Give lion hearts of courage for the challenges we face Understanding heard of wisdom for the choices we embrace. Help us treasure sacred Now, on day of life enthroned Let us love and laugh and labor…This day can not be postponed May these precious hours glow with luster finely made From the radiance of others and solitude’s sweet shade Keep us ever mindful of how richly we are blessed Help us care for those in need, in harms way, in pain, oppressed The good we can accomplish let us do without delay No kindness be neglected… we’ll not pass again this way Too quickly comes the darkness, too surely the unknown Too soon today’s a shadow of times for ever flown Sam Wagner I Don't Know How to Ask Lord, I pray for so much when I have so much. We are trying so hard to correct our financial mistakes but we are at a point now where Your intervention is critical. Please provide for all Your children, and give us ability to right ourselves, correct our problems and walk closer in Your Light. (Submitted by Kathryn ) Guidance and Strength Dear God please contnue to bless me. Please help me to not become overwhelmed in my mission to become debt free. In your name I pray. (Submitted by j pearson) Hear my prayer, Lord Jesus Empty me of all that is not of God and fill me with the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Clear my mind and open my heart to comprehend the knowledge of Your Word. Guide me with Your wisdom and truth. Cleanse me with Your Heavenly love. Be the keeper of my heart and the forgiver of my soul. May my light shine forth with the radiance of Your love. Hear my prayer, Lord Jesus Breathe in the love and trust! Breathe out the fear! none (Submitted by Gail Phillips) May the strength of God pilot us May the strength of God pilot us, May the power of God preserve us, May the wisdom of God instruct us, May the hand of God protect us, May the way of God direct us, May the shield of God defend us, May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world. (When used to pray for an individual, the person's name can be substituted for "us".) Patrick, The Complete Book of Christian Prayer, p. 290 (Submitted by The Rev. Gary Parker) I AM SO GRATEFUL My Lord has been so gracious to me for which I am Grateful. Even though they were times when I didn't realize you were there and I continued to do and say what I wanted. I can see you smiling saying 'One day she's going to ask me what I think.' Well, Lord you are right, I'm finally coming to you. To find out what Your plan, Your will and Your way is for my life. So, now Lord I am back on the path that You have chosen for me before the foundation of the world. No, I don't know where I am going or where I will end up in this life, but I do know by faith You are preparing me for eternity to be with You. So let me practice Your PRESENCE, Let me practice Your LOVE, JOY AND PEACE, Let me practice Your GENTLENESS, KINDNESS AND MERCY, Let me practice Your GRACE, TRUST AND FAITHFULNESS, And let me practise Your GOODNESS, While I am here, so I can be more like you in every area and aspect of my life. I AM SO GRATEFUL for Your Purpose for me is to LOVE, PRAISE and WORSHIP YOU THROUGH OUT ETERNITY.... Denise E. Royster (Submitted by Denise Royster) For the Opportunity to Lead Like Jesus Upon Arising in the Morning God, while I know not what today will bring, Please give me the opportunity and help this day To Lead Like Jesus. Upon Going to Bed God, I thank you for the opportunity this day To have led like Jesus: * * * Calhoun Wick Serenity Prayer God grant me The serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will. That I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen. Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr At Noontime O God, who has taught us to come apart from the world and rest awhile, help us to set aside all our cares and concerns that we may look upon the brightness of your Being, and think only of your power and love. Ease the tension of our bodies and set our minds at rest, that we may be ready to receive that which you are ready to give. Help us to lose ourselves in the wonder of your presence that we may find ourselves renewed to do your will. Ted Ferris -- Prayers, Rector of Trinity Church, Boston Teach me, O Lord, not to hold on to life too tightly Teach me, O Lord, not to hold on to life too tightly. Teach me to hold it lightly; not carelessly, but lightly, easily. Teach me to take it as a gift, to enjoy and cherish while I have it, and to let it go gracefully and thankfully when the time comes. The gift is great, but the Giver is greater still. Thou, O God, art the Giver and in thee is the Life that never dies. Ted Ferris -- Prayers, Rector of Trinity Church, Boston My Prayer Oh, that I could talk less and pray more, I should be better prepared to live, and better prepared to die. Edward Hick -- Memoirs (1851), p 157 Guidance Before a Meeting Almighty God, give us grace to be Not only hearers, but also doers of thy holy word, Not only to admire, but to obey thy doctrine Not only to profess, but to practice my religion, Not only to love, but to live the gospel. So grant that what we learn of thy glory we may receive in our hearts and show forth in our lives: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Prayer before a Lambeth Conference God's Guidance May I become at all times, both now and forever A protector for those without protection A guide for those who have lost their way A ship for those with oceans to cross A bridge for those with rivers to cross A sanctuary for those in danger A lamp for those in need of light A place of refuge for those in need of shelter And a servant for those in need. The Dalai Lama -- Uncommon Prayers for the Third Millennium, Alan Houghton For Guidance O God, help us not to despise or oppose What we do not understand. William Penn -- Uncommon Prayers for the Third Millennium, Alan Houghton God's Guidance Give up something -- which hurts Let go of something – which hinders Take up something – which heals Get something going – which helps. A Lenten Rule -- Uncommon Prayers for the Third Millennium, Alan Houghton Act With Greatest Simplicity We ought to act with God in the greatest simplicity, Speaking to Him frankly and plainly, And imploring His assistance in our affairs Just as they happen. Brother Lawrence -- Uncommon Prayers for the Third Millennium, Alan Houghton Guidance for Today Lord, for tomorrow and its needs, I do not pray; But keep me, guide me, love, Lord, just for today. Anonymous -- Uncommon Prayers for the Third Millennium, Alan Houghton Teach Me Teach me, O God, not to torture myself, Not to make a martyr out of myself Through stifling reflection, but rather Teach me to breathe deeply in faith. Soren Kierkegaard -- Uncommon Prayers for the Third Millennium, Alan Houghton Begin Where You Are Begin where you are. Give what you've got; Step out in faith. Expect God to act in your life. Ben Campbell Johnson -- Uncommon Prayers for the Third Millennium, Alan Houghton For Guidance I asked for strength that I might achieve. He made me weak that I might obey. I asked for heath that I might do greater things I was given grace that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I received nothing that I asked for And all that I hoped for. My prayer was answered. Found on the body of a Confederate soldier Uncommon Prayers for the Third Millennium, Alan Houghton. Guidance Be you perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect. O God, we would not settle for low things, but reach for high things. Let not the disappointments that have hurt us lead into the temptations of thinking that we are not able to do the things that our Lord Jesus Christ has asked of us. When we hear his call, when we are aware of his confidence in us, give us the grace to respond, and do the best we can to care as much as we can for as many as we can. Ted Ferris -- page 84, Book of Prayers for Everyman Guidance Lord, if it be you, bid me to come unto you on the water. And Jesus said, come. O God, give us the will and the desire to launch out into deep waters, and to aim for goals that are high and difficult; make us responsive to great things when they call us; when our own powers are inadequate, show us where to turn for the help we need. These things we ask in trust and confidence in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Ted Ferris -- page 97, Book of Prayers for Everyman Guidance As we become aware, O God, of our deepest needs and our inability to meet them by ourselves, give us the courage as well as the humility to reach out to your infinite resources. Make us not ashamed or afraid to cry to you, our Father, and to ask for the things which we sincerely desire, know that you can not always give them to us, and wishing above all thing that your will may be done, not ours. Ted Ferris -- page 103, Book of Prayers for Everyman In Uncertainty Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord And the children of Israel walked upon the dry land in the midst of the sea. O God, who often leads us by way of the wilderness toward uncertain difficulties and futures of which we can not be sure, help us to trust always in your guiding purpose and in the plan that rules our lives. When we are fearful and inclined to go back, give us the courage to stand still and then go forward, knowing that the strength we need is the strength we will be given. Ted Ferris -- page 116, Book of Prayers for Everyman For Guidance O God, guide us through the dark places in life. Grant that we may not fear the loss of thee, knowing that you are always by our side, and that life will renew itself in us if we give it time and are willing to wait. And as we rise out of the low places through which we sometimes must walk, help us to be thankful for them, because through them and by them we may be able to help someone else through the darkness into light. Ted Ferris -- Rector of Trinity Church, Boston For Guidance O God, when we feel helpless in situations that look hopeless, give us the honesty to say what we feel and think, and then lead us to the place where we may find strength; guide us to you as you have made yourself known to us in Christ Jesus: and in him who is both power and love may we find the strength we need to live our lives in the spirit of our Lord. Ted Ferris -- Prayers, Rector of Trinity Church, Boston
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