God,
Heal Jonathan, who was hit by a baseball in a local little league game last night.
Amen.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Praying Proverbs 5: The Folly of Human Ways
Almighty God,
You can see all of my actions and you examine all of my paths, and you know that I sometimes succumb to the wickedness around me. Do not let it be said of me: "They die for lack of discipline, and because of their great folly they are lost."
Amen
You can see all of my actions and you examine all of my paths, and you know that I sometimes succumb to the wickedness around me. Do not let it be said of me: "They die for lack of discipline, and because of their great folly they are lost."
Amen
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
For our brave boys in space
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/05/27/space.toilet.ap/index.html
God,
A nation today prays for the broken toilet in space. While you made our bodies pefectly with waste systems, you also gave some of us the talent to fix toilets. We ask for your inspiration to come on our astronauts.
Amen.
God,
A nation today prays for the broken toilet in space. While you made our bodies pefectly with waste systems, you also gave some of us the talent to fix toilets. We ask for your inspiration to come on our astronauts.
Amen.
Praying Proverbs 5: Avoid Adulterous Intoxication
Almighty God,
Guide my relationships, O Lord, that I might remain pure, lest you question me: "Why should you be intoxicated, my son, by another woman and embrace the bosom of the adultress?" Nurture my relationships, that I may be honest and true with those I love.
Amen
Guide my relationships, O Lord, that I might remain pure, lest you question me: "Why should you be intoxicated, my son, by another woman and embrace the bosom of the adultress?" Nurture my relationships, that I may be honest and true with those I love.
Amen
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Praying Proverbs 5: Bad Students Made Bad Adults
Loving God,
Allow me to learn the lesson of your teaching, so that in my later days I cannot say the following: "I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. Now I am at the point of utter ruin in the public assembly." Teach me this day the lessons you would have me learn. Open my ears and my mind to your voice; open my hands and my heart to your will.
Amen
Allow me to learn the lesson of your teaching, so that in my later days I cannot say the following: "I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. Now I am at the point of utter ruin in the public assembly." Teach me this day the lessons you would have me learn. Open my ears and my mind to your voice; open my hands and my heart to your will.
Amen
Monday, May 26, 2008
On Memorial Day
Gracious God,
On this day, allow us to remember those who have sacrificed for us so that we may live as we do. Help us to recognize true bravery and courage and to honor those who have nobly served our country in the cause of liberty. Bless those, living and dead, who have served in the armed forces, and bless all of us as we seek to be worthy of our ancestors hopes that this nation might yet be a city on a hill.
Amen
On this day, allow us to remember those who have sacrificed for us so that we may live as we do. Help us to recognize true bravery and courage and to honor those who have nobly served our country in the cause of liberty. Bless those, living and dead, who have served in the armed forces, and bless all of us as we seek to be worthy of our ancestors hopes that this nation might yet be a city on a hill.
Amen
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Praying Proverbs 5:
Merciful God,
Teach me to avoid the seduction of gossip and false knowledge: "Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house." Allow me not to stray from your teaching, O God, and keep me in your protection always.
Amen
Teach me to avoid the seduction of gossip and false knowledge: "Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house." Allow me not to stray from your teaching, O God, and keep me in your protection always.
Amen
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Praying Proverbs 5: The Foolishness of Loose Lips
Gracious God,
Allow me to learn the lesson of the gossiping woman, whose "speech is smoother than oil": "Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol." Do not let me slip from the path of righteousness by departing from your teaching; protect me from my own worst impulses.
Amen
Allow me to learn the lesson of the gossiping woman, whose "speech is smoother than oil": "Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol." Do not let me slip from the path of righteousness by departing from your teaching; protect me from my own worst impulses.
Amen
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Praying Proverbs 5: Guarded Lips
Merciful God,
Help me to learn and understand your teaching, so that "[I] may hold on to prudence, and [my] lips may guard knowledge." Teach me when to speak and when to keep silent. Open my ears so that I may continue to grow in wisdom and understanding.
Amen
Help me to learn and understand your teaching, so that "[I] may hold on to prudence, and [my] lips may guard knowledge." Teach me when to speak and when to keep silent. Open my ears so that I may continue to grow in wisdom and understanding.
Amen
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Praying Proverbs 4: A Straight Gaze
Loving God,
Keep my eyes pointed in the right direction, as you have advised: "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you." Grant me vision to see the paths on which I travel, and keep me from being side-tracked on my spiritual journey.
Amen
Keep my eyes pointed in the right direction, as you have advised: "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you." Grant me vision to see the paths on which I travel, and keep me from being side-tracked on my spiritual journey.
Amen
Friday, May 16, 2008
Praying Proverbs 4: Straight Talk
Almighty God,
May the words of my mouth be acceptable to you, as I follow your teaching: "Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you." Remind me always to be straightforward when I speak instead of spouting lies and double-talk, so that my words may be pleasing to you and a good example to others.
Amen
May the words of my mouth be acceptable to you, as I follow your teaching: "Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you." Remind me always to be straightforward when I speak instead of spouting lies and double-talk, so that my words may be pleasing to you and a good example to others.
Amen
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Praying Proverbs 4: Finding Life
Giving God,
Raise my ear to your voice so that I may hear your teaching. "For your words are life to those who find them, and healing to their flesh." Inspire your wisdom within me, so that I may live abundantly on this earth.
Amen
Raise my ear to your voice so that I may hear your teaching. "For your words are life to those who find them, and healing to their flesh." Inspire your wisdom within me, so that I may live abundantly on this earth.
Amen
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Praying Proverbs 4: Life Like the Dawn
Loving God,
"The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." Guide me along this path, that I might grow in wisdom and faith, becoming an ever more shining example of your love and grace. Let me walk as a child of the light.
Amen
"The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." Guide me along this path, that I might grow in wisdom and faith, becoming an ever more shining example of your love and grace. Let me walk as a child of the light.
Amen
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Praying Proverbs 4: Sweet Sleep?
Almighty God,
Do not allow me to become like those who rejoice in wicked acts and the pain they cause others. "For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble." Allow my sleep to come from a life well lived. Make my waking hours a faithful tribute to you, your wisdom, and your love, O God.
Amen
Do not allow me to become like those who rejoice in wicked acts and the pain they cause others. "For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble." Allow my sleep to come from a life well lived. Make my waking hours a faithful tribute to you, your wisdom, and your love, O God.
Amen
Monday, May 12, 2008
Praying Proverbs 4: Sure-footed Faith
Loving God,
Send your wisdom into my heart that I may live appropriately in your sight. For you have taught me the way of wisdom and led me rightly. Keep your promise to me: "When you walk, your step will not be hampered; and if you run, you will not stumble." Help me to place my trust fully in you, that I might continue to grow in faith.
Amen
Send your wisdom into my heart that I may live appropriately in your sight. For you have taught me the way of wisdom and led me rightly. Keep your promise to me: "When you walk, your step will not be hampered; and if you run, you will not stumble." Help me to place my trust fully in you, that I might continue to grow in faith.
Amen
Sunday, May 11, 2008
A Pentecost Prayer
Gracious God,
On this day we remember your sending of the Holy Spirit into the world to inspire us and be with us. Fill me this day with your Holy Spirit, allow it to infuse my being so that in my actions and thoughts I am guided by you. Might it continue to inspire my joy, my hope, and my faith in you.
Amen
On this day we remember your sending of the Holy Spirit into the world to inspire us and be with us. Fill me this day with your Holy Spirit, allow it to infuse my being so that in my actions and thoughts I am guided by you. Might it continue to inspire my joy, my hope, and my faith in you.
Amen
Thank you for ending the semester
God,
Man (may I assume you're male just for this expression), I haven't kept up well on this prayer journal thing. Now that the semester's over, that I do not have to grade papers for a while, and that I am not rushing away from this prayer website--yes, my homepage--that I may take a moment to breathe and pause in your honor.
Amen.
Man (may I assume you're male just for this expression), I haven't kept up well on this prayer journal thing. Now that the semester's over, that I do not have to grade papers for a while, and that I am not rushing away from this prayer website--yes, my homepage--that I may take a moment to breathe and pause in your honor.
Amen.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Praying Proverbs 4: The Beginning
Gracious God,
Accept me into your warm embrace and teach me this day. Allow me to hear your words: "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever else you get, get insight." Lay this upon my heart and guide me, that I might obtain wisdom and insight from you.
Amen
Accept me into your warm embrace and teach me this day. Allow me to hear your words: "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever else you get, get insight." Lay this upon my heart and guide me, that I might obtain wisdom and insight from you.
Amen
Friday, May 9, 2008
Praying Proverbs 4: Got Wisdom?
Almighty God,
Sometimes your commands are simple and straightforward: "Get wisdom; get insight." Succinct and direct advice, I guess. Sometimes I imagine scriptures as parts of ad campaigns, and I can't help but imagine an advertisement for God a la the American Dairy Association: Got Wisdom? Or maybe even more to the point: Got God? In your mercy, O Lord, might you allow it to be so. Share yourself and your wisdom with me; inspire and enlighten me; raise me up in times of trouble and counsel me through hardships. And, in time, make me a part of your advertising campaign.
Amen
Sometimes your commands are simple and straightforward: "Get wisdom; get insight." Succinct and direct advice, I guess. Sometimes I imagine scriptures as parts of ad campaigns, and I can't help but imagine an advertisement for God a la the American Dairy Association: Got Wisdom? Or maybe even more to the point: Got God? In your mercy, O Lord, might you allow it to be so. Share yourself and your wisdom with me; inspire and enlighten me; raise me up in times of trouble and counsel me through hardships. And, in time, make me a part of your advertising campaign.
Amen
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Praying Proverbs 4: Listening as a Child
Loving God,
Teach me your ways, as a father instructs his son. And help me to year your voice, saying, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live." Help me to listen to you as a young child, rather than as a teenager who already knows better or rather than as an adult who doesn't have the time. Grant to me this day life everlasting through you.
Amen
Teach me your ways, as a father instructs his son. And help me to year your voice, saying, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live." Help me to listen to you as a young child, rather than as a teenager who already knows better or rather than as an adult who doesn't have the time. Grant to me this day life everlasting through you.
Amen
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Praying Proverbs 3: Do Not Envy the Violent
Almighty God,
Sometimes I imagine how different my life would be if I were less honest, lest nice. Wouldn't I get further ahead, make more money, have more control over my life? But you remind me, O Lord, "Do not envy the violent, and do not choose any of their ways."
Amen
Sometimes I imagine how different my life would be if I were less honest, lest nice. Wouldn't I get further ahead, make more money, have more control over my life? But you remind me, O Lord, "Do not envy the violent, and do not choose any of their ways."
Amen
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Praying Proverbs 3: Good Neighbors
Almighty God,
In an age where we know our neighbors less, because we are less trusting, remind me again of your timeless truth: "Do not plan harm against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you." Do not allow me to become part of the problem, but through faith might I be part of the solution -- reaching out to others rather than shying away.
Amen
In an age where we know our neighbors less, because we are less trusting, remind me again of your timeless truth: "Do not plan harm against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you." Do not allow me to become part of the problem, but through faith might I be part of the solution -- reaching out to others rather than shying away.
Amen
Monday, May 5, 2008
Praying Proverbs 3: The Source of Sweet Sleep
Loving God,
Allow me to place my confidence in you, O Lord, so that I am not afraid. You promise that if I keep your wisdom in my sight, I will not be afraid and "when [I] lie down, [my] sleep will be sweet." When I panic, O God, remind me of your presence and your teaching; in good times and bad, allow me to glimpse and understand your ways.
Amen
Allow me to place my confidence in you, O Lord, so that I am not afraid. You promise that if I keep your wisdom in my sight, I will not be afraid and "when [I] lie down, [my] sleep will be sweet." When I panic, O God, remind me of your presence and your teaching; in good times and bad, allow me to glimpse and understand your ways.
Amen
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Praying Proverbs 3: In the Beginning
Creator God,
Before you created the heavens and the earth, O God, you alone existed. And then, "by wisdom, you founded the earth [and] by understanding you established the heavens." The goodness of your creation, and its ordering, all stem from your eternal knowledge. Looking around this day, might I see your wisdom the created world around me -- in the blooming of the flowers, the whistling of the wind, and the chattering of your creatures -- and wonder at it all.
Amen
Before you created the heavens and the earth, O God, you alone existed. And then, "by wisdom, you founded the earth [and] by understanding you established the heavens." The goodness of your creation, and its ordering, all stem from your eternal knowledge. Looking around this day, might I see your wisdom the created world around me -- in the blooming of the flowers, the whistling of the wind, and the chattering of your creatures -- and wonder at it all.
Amen
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Praying Proverbs 3: Wisdom is the Tree of Life
Creator God,
You teach that wisdom "is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her." May you who created me and wisdom teach me to love your word, to be refreshed by it, and to see the wonderfully full blossoming of wisdom in the world. Instill in my heart that wisdom's "ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."
Amen
You teach that wisdom "is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her." May you who created me and wisdom teach me to love your word, to be refreshed by it, and to see the wonderfully full blossoming of wisdom in the world. Instill in my heart that wisdom's "ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."
Amen
Friday, May 2, 2008
Praying Proverbs 3: Precious Wisdom
Loving God,
You remind me again and again the value of your teaching. Thank you for the blessing of your wisdom in my life. Wisdom "is more precious than jewels, and nothing [I] desire can compare with her." Thank you for this precious gift, which continues to pay dividends in my life and makes my days immeasurably richer.
Amen
You remind me again and again the value of your teaching. Thank you for the blessing of your wisdom in my life. Wisdom "is more precious than jewels, and nothing [I] desire can compare with her." Thank you for this precious gift, which continues to pay dividends in my life and makes my days immeasurably richer.
Amen
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Praying Proverbs 3: Discipline Me
Gracious God,
I know that if I am to grow in my faith, you must teach me. And I know that sometimes, I will make mistakes. Allow me not to chafe at your disciplining of me at such times. Instead fill my heart with the understanding that "the Lord reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights."
Amen
I know that if I am to grow in my faith, you must teach me. And I know that sometimes, I will make mistakes. Allow me not to chafe at your disciplining of me at such times. Instead fill my heart with the understanding that "the Lord reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights."
Amen
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