Praying Proverbs 3: The Honor of First Fruits

Giving God,

Help me to honor you by dedicating the first fruits of my work to you. Make my gifts tangible and useful in the world. And teach me that by such giving, my own blessings are increased and my life "will be filled with plenty."

Amen

Praying Proverbs 3: Heal My Flesh

Almighty God,

You warn me not to become wise in my own eyes, but to seek your wisdom and teaching for my life. Allow me to "trust in the Lord with all my heart," so that through my trust I may turn away from evil. This "will be a healing for my flesh and a refreshment for my body." Refresh me this day, O Lord, and always.

Amen

Praying Proverbs 3: Write Faithfulness on My Heart

O God,

Help me to continue in faithfulness and loyalty to you -- "write them on the tablet of my heart." For faithfulness in you is an acceptance of your wisdom, a fitting response to your faithfulness to me. Grant me favor in your sight and allow me to become an example of faithfulness for your people.

Amen

Praying Proverbs 3: Let Me Not Forget

Gracious God,

Do not allow me to stray from you and forget your teaching, "but let my heart keep your commandments" all the days and years of my life. In you teaching, I know I will find abundance and grace, and through your wisdom I am protected and cared for by you, O God.

Amen

Praying Proverbs 2: Number Me Among the Upright

Gracious God,

Help me to learn your wisdom and to act well with this knowledge. Let me "walk in the way of the good, and keep the paths of the just" that I may be among the upright who abide in the land. Do not count me among the wicked or the treacherous, who will be evicted from the chosen land.

Amen

Praying Proverbs 2: Seeking Righteousness and Justice

Gracious God,

You promise that I "will understand righteousness and justice...for wisdom will come into [my] heart." Allow wisdom to find a place in my heart, make it pleasing to my soul, that I might grow not only in knowledge, but in understanding of your righteousness and justice. And from this understanding, set me against the evil of the world, that I might be more a solution to evil than a contributing problem.

Amen

Praying Proverbs 2: God is My Shield

Almighty God,

You are the great teacher, giving wisdom to those who are faithful. Number me among those who are upright and become a shield to me. "Guard the paths of justice and preserve the way of your faithful ones." Teach me your wisdom and protect me in your mercy.

Amen

Praying Proverbs 2: Raising an Attentive Ear

Loving God,

Teach me to treasure your commandments and embrace your teaching. Make my ear attentive to your voice. As I seek to learn your wisdom, O God, help me to "seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasures." And through such graced seeking, help me to glimpse the knowledge of God.

Amen

Rest is Good

Rest is good, God. But I guess you already knew that...and mentioned something about it some time ago. Thanks for reminding me that I need to listen every now and then.

Praying Proverbs 1: The Security of God's Wisdom

Gracious God,

You have warned me not to ignore your teaching -- not to plead simplicity or foolishness. "For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but those who listen to God will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster." Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may enjoy the comfort and security of your wisdom. Save me from the time of trial; keep me from being my own worst enemy.

Amen

Praying Proverbs 1: Preparing for the Time of Crisis

O Lord,

Help me to accept your wisdom that you freely offer to me this day. Do not allow me to ignore your counsel or turn a deaf ear toward your reproof. For when the calamity comes at me like a whirlwind, I need your love and support. Teach me so that you may not say of me, "You hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord."

Amen

A Fertile Season

Thank you, God, for this time of intellectual and spiritual fertility, such as I have not experienced in a long time. I'm energized by your presence in the books I read, the conversations I share, the people I meet, and the thoughts I have. Help me to embrace this moment and make the most of it, for your sake and for mine. Amen.

Praying Proverbs 1: Am I Simple?

Giving God,

Am I simple instead of wise? Or am I a scoffer instead of a believer? "Wisdom cries out in the street...'How long, O simple ones will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in scoffing and fools hate knowledge?'" Teach me to appreciate and love your wisdom, O God, and help me to avoid hiding in simplicity or ignorance of foolishness. Help me to hear the voice of wisdom calling out in the street.

Amen

Praying Proverbs 1: Do Not Consent to Sin

Loving God,

Teach me to walk in the ways of righteousness and to stand firm against the wicked. When sinners approach me, "keep [my] foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood." You teach that the consequence of wickedness and greed is pain; those who rob eventually only rob themselves, and those who would ambush another ambush most fully themselves. Grant me wisdom to see that my viciousness and deviousness unlimately harms me more than anyone else. Help me to be patient and open and true, a faithful servant to you.

Amen

Praying Proverbs 1: The Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

Gracious God,

Inspire me as I study your word. Grant wisdom to me in matters of justice and righteousness and faithfulness. Remind me more fully again that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Might I not despise your wisdom and your instruction.

Amen

Discipline

Dear God, why do I suck so bad at discipline? Why can't I make a commitment and stick with it? Help me to focus my thoughts and actions on my goals, goals that I think you support and have directed me to. Amen.