HERITAGE PRAYERS

            A hundred prayers gathered from across the centuries

and from many nations.

           

(Note:   This is part “A” of an unfinished collection. Over the years I jotted have down in my papers many prayers for my personal use. Because I never expected to be a published author, I did not always keep a record of the source. If I have wrongly attributed a prayer, please be forbearing.)

 

NO PRAISES ARE ADEQUATE.. 3

WAITING FOR JESUS.. 3

THIS EARTH OUR HOME.. 4

BROTHER AND SAVIOUR.. 4

THANK YOU THAT I HAVE LIVED.. 5

HAPPILY FIND YOU.. 6

BRIDLE OF WILD DONKEYS.. 6

PRAISE FOR CREATION.. 7

PLAYMATES?. 8

WHATEVER IS CLOSE TO YOUR HEART. 8

THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.. 8

WHEN GOING TO BED.. 9

FROM SCIENCE WITHOUT A SOUL. 9

THE ONE AND THE THREE  (Celtic adapted) 9

THE ENCIRCLING GOD  (Celtic inspired) 10

BEETHOVEN’S PRAYER.. 10

ABSORB MY SOUL. 10

HOW SHALL I LOVE YOU?. 11

OUR FULL HUMANITY.. 11

PERSUADER OF PEACE.. 12

GOD, MY FATHER AND FRIEND.. 12

MINISTERING TO THE SICK.. 12

SEXIST CLERGY.. 13

A GUIDING STAR ABOVE ME.. 14

SEVEN YEARS OLD.. 14

A MOST SWEET BARGAIN.. 14

EVERYWHERE YET UNIGUE.. 15

IN A DRY LAND.. 15

TREASURES.. 15

FOR OUR COUNTRY.. 16

YOU KNOW ME.. 16

HEAR, FORGIVE AND DO.. 16

THIS SMALL BOAT. 17

MOTIVES?. 17

JUST PLAIN OLD ME.. 18

JOY OF LOVING HEARTS.. 18

REVEAL YOURSELF. 18

ADORATION IS YOURS.. 19

WHEN CLOUDS HANG LOW... 19

A GOOD ENDING.. 20

GROWING OLD:  A NUN’S PRAYER.. 20

MY LORD, THE GOOD SAMARITAN.. 21

FOR A PURER LOVE.. 21

FOR DISCERNMENT. 21

MAKE US DELIGHTFUL. 22

GOD OF MANY NAMES.. 22

HAPPY TO BE OF SERVICE.. 23

FOR THOSE IN DISTRESS.. 23

FOR THE HUNGRY AND HOMELESS.. 24

NIGHT CARE & DAY CARE.. 24

WHEN I TRAVEL. 25

KEEPING ONE’S HEAD.. 25

PRAY THROUGH ME.. 26

TO SERVE WITH PASSSION.. 26

THE DEMON OF JEALOUSY.. 26

THE BEAUTY OF GOD.. 27

IN THIS HOUSE.. 27

TO SERVE YOU.. 28

WARM WIND OF SPRING.. 28

ASTRONOMICALLY SPEAKING.. 28

GRANT ME PEACE.. 29

REDEEMER, FRIEND AND BROTHER.. 29

WHEN ALL COMFORT FAILS.. 30

TO LOVE OTHERS MORE.. 30

FRIENDS OF GOD.. 30

DROWNED?. 31

GOD BE IN MY HEAD.. 31

LETTING THE GOSPEL GO COLD. 32

THE SKY ABOVE & THE EARTH BENEATH.. 32

YOU ARE WHAT WE ENJOY. 32

TOO LATE HAVE I LOVED YOU.. 33

OUR FIVE SENSES.. 33

OUR DARK SECRETS.. 34

TOUGH LOVE.. 34

AT LOW TIDE. 35

BLESS MY HOUSE.. 35

A REFORMER’S PRAYER.. 36

KEEP ALERT. 36

YOUR LIVING SYLLABLES.. 37

OPEN WIDE.. 37

FOR GARDENERS  (Celtic style) 37

WORD AND DEEDS.. 38

NO SCRAPING OF THE SOUL. 38

SHOW YOURSELF. 38

FAR OFF YET NEAR.. 39

MY TREMBLING HAND.. 39

GOD’S SHAPE.. 39

A MORNING PRAYER.. 40

JOURNEYING TOGETHER.. 40

TAKE CARE OF THE EARTH.. 40

NOT ALL UP TO ME.. 41

WHAT IS BEST FOR ME.. 41

A CREATOR GIVES PURPOSE.. 42

AS YOU THINK BEST. 42

SURELY THIS IS THE HOUSE OF GOD.. 42

WOW! I’M PREGNANT ! 43

AN EMPTY VESSEL. 44

MAY I BE ALL TO YOU. 44

THANKS FOR THE STARS.. 44

THANKS FOR YOUR NAME.. 45

WHAT THEN FOR OUR SPIRITS?. 45

 

 

NO PRAISES ARE ADEQUATE

* From an Egyptian inscription, about 4  B.C.

 

Who on earth

can adequately sing your praises?

 

What can my eye see

with which I can liken you?

What music is there

with which to compare you?

You are above me, below me,

within me and without.

 

All exist in you,

all are from you,

you give us everything

you withhold nothing.

 

Who on earth

can sing your praises?

 

WAITING FOR JESUS

   * A prayer from Sudan, 21st C.

 

Lord Jesus,

many of us are waiting for you:

  the war-torn are waiting for peace,

  the hungry are waiting for bread.

  the refugees are waiting for a homeland, 

  the sick are waiting for healers.

Have you forgotten us?

O Lord, come quickly, we pray.

Amen.

 

THIS EARTH OUR HOME

   * Walter Rauschenbusch, USA, 1861-1918

 

O God we thank you for this earth, our home;

  for the wide sky and blessed sun,

  for the salt sea and running water,

  for the everlasting hills and the never-resting winds,

  and for trees and the common grass underfoot.

 

We thank you for our senses by which

  we hear the song of birds,

  see the splendour of the summer fields,

  taste the autumn fruits,

  rejoice in the feel of snow,

  and smell the breath of spring.

 

Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty,

  and save our souls from being so blind

  that we pass unseeing

  when even the common thornbush

  is aflame with your glory;

O God our creator,

who lives and reigns for ever and ever! 

Amen.

 

BROTHER AND SAVIOUR

* Inspired by an early Greek Hieratikan)

·             and Simeon, the New Theologian”’ 949-1022

           

Brother Jesus, Saviour and Master,

I know that all have sinned

as I have sinned,

and each has added to the net of evil

as I have done.

 

Yet one better thing I also know—

that the magnitude of human stumblings

can never extend beyond

the measure of God’s mercy.

 

With the medicine of divine compassion

you cleanse, forgive, regenerate and brighten

all those who sincerely turn back to you.

You deal with us not as servants

but speak with each as with a dearest friend.

 

O Master of light,

such saving grace is the one thing we need!

It makes me adventurous for you,

it gives me wings!

 

Encouraged by the wealth of your love

I will always celebrate life,

even though I am lost for words

or even for one adequate thought.

 

Therefore,

giving thanks in my mind,

giving thanks in my heart,

I exalt in you,

I praise you,

I adore you,

I glorify you!

 

You are the most holy,

the most beautiful,

my Brother, my Saviour my Master!

 

Amen and Amen!

 

THANK YOU THAT I HAVE LIVED

   * Countess Elizabeth, English, 18-19th Century

 

I thank you, God, that I have lived

in this great world and known its many joys:

 

The song of birds, the strong, sweet scent of hay

and cooling breezes in the secret dusk,

the flaming sunsets at the close of day;

Hills and the lonely, heather-covered moors,

music at night, and moonlight on the sea,

the beat of waves upon the rocky shores

and wild, white spray, flung high in ecstasy;

The faithful eyes of dogs, and treasured books,

the love of kin and fellowship of friends,

and all that makes life dear and beautiful.

 

I thank you, too, that there has come to me

a little sorrow and, sometimes defeat,

a little heartache and the loneliness

that comes with parting, and the word, ‘Goodbye’;

dawn breaking after dreary hours of pain,

when I discovered that night’s gloom must yield

and morning light break through to me again.

 

Because of these and other blessings poured

unmasked upon my wondering head,

because I know there is yet to come

an even richer and more glorious life,

and most of all because your only Son

once sacrificed life’s loveliness for me—

I thank you, God, that I have lived.

 

HAPPILY FIND YOU

  * St Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1033-1109

 

Grant, O Lord, that we

may cling to you without parting,

worship you without wearying,

serve you without wavering,

faithfully seek you, happily find you,

and forever possess you,

the only God, blessed now and forever.

Amen.

 

 

BRIDLE OF WILD DONKEYS

   * Based on Clement of Alexandria, born about 150 AD

 

You, eternal Christ,

are all things to us.

 

You are

the Bridle of wild donkeys,

the supporting Wing of the eagle,

the firm Tiller of ocean ships,

and Shepherd of the King‘s lambs.

 

The Joy of the saints,

Word of the Most High,

the Prince of wisdom,

Workmate of those who toil,

and Joy of the human family.

 

You are the Singer of God,

the Milk of a nursing mother,

Fishman on the dangerous seas,

inexhaustible Light,

the Dew of the spirit,

and Pearl of great price.

 

Bridle, tiller, and bird wing,

shepherd, word and workmate,

singer, milk, and fisherman,

dew, pearl, light and joy!

 

And who are we?

 

We are your privileged retinue,

your choirs of peace,

the offshoots of your love.

With sincere hearts and minds

we celebrate the perfect ways

of you, our only Messiah.

 

Blessed is he who comes

in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!

 

AN OLD MAN’S SONG

 

What else can I do, a weak old man,

   but sing hymns of joy to God?

If I were a magpie,

   I would do it the magpie’s way.

If I were a brolga,

   I would do it with elegant dance.

But I am a rational creature,

   and I ought to praise God

   not just with my lips

   but with mind and heart and soul.

This is my chief service.

   I will do it, nor will I desert my post,

   so long as I am allowed to be here.

Why don’t you join me

    in this same song of joy?

 

                                                *Adapted from the Greek Stoic, Epictetus

 

PRAISE FOR CREATION

  * Slightly adapted from “Apostolic Constitutions”, Syria, circa 380 A.D.

 

All things are your gift, Eternal God. 

 

You have filled the universe and adorned it

  with plants for perfume and healing and food,

  animals strong and weak, tamed and wild,

  and serpents that hiss and birds that sing merrily.

 

You have given the universe the rhythm of the years, months and days;

  the changing seasons, the racing clouds

 that spread rain that fill up fruits and give aid to all living creatures.

 

You regulate the breath of the winds

 and at your command

 it ripples the grasses and sways the trees.

 

What is more wonderful, you place human beings here;

  In us you brought into existence a world within a world.

We emerge from nothingness

  to exercise reason and judgment, faith and love,

  within this paradise of delights.

 To you our praise,

to you our hymns,

to you all honour and glory—

  God and Father,

  through the Son

  and in the Holy Spirit

  for ever and ever!

Amen!

 

PLAYMATES?

 

  * Based on Mechtild of Magdeburg, German, 13th Century A.D.

 

O God, you have chosen

  to make us your playmates.

Please lead the child within each of us

  in your wonderful ways.

 

May we love mercy,

  doing it steadfastly,

and so become like you

  in your compassionate deeds.

 

Fuse us into one,

  you in us and we in you,

 until we could not be closer,

and remain so

  unwearied forever.

 

Amen.

 

 

WHATEVER IS CLOSE TO YOUR HEART

   *Bernard of Clairvaux, French, 960-1090

 

O my Lord Jesus, grant me a spark of that love which is your gift.

May everything close to your heart be my chief concern also.

Let me have some surety that I am giving myself entirely

To whatever you ask of me, and wherever my duty to you takes me.

For your love’s sake.

Amen.

 

THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

     *The origin of this famous prayer belongs to Reinhold Niebuhr, Theologian, USA, 1892-1971

 

O God, grant me the courage

  to change the things I can change,

 the serenity to accept what I cannot change,

 and the wisdom to know the difference.

For your love’s sake.

Amen.

 

WHEN GOING TO BED

   * Bruce Prewer, Australia, B. 1931.

 

Loving God,

as we go to our rest,

    renew not only tired bodies

    but also the hidden depths

    of our complex being,

where hope and compassion,

faith, wisdom and love,

    are made and nurtured.

Let us rise tomorrow,

    rejuvenated and eager.

Amen.

 

FROM SCIENCE WITHOUT A SOUL

*This prayer might be inspired by a speech

by Mahatma Gandhi. India, 1868-1948

 

Deliver your people, God,

   from politics without principles,

from wealth without work,

   from pleasure without conscience,

from knowledge without character,

   from commerce without ethics,

from worship without sacrifice,

   and from science without a soul.

Amen.

 

THE ONE AND THE THREE (Celtic adapted)

 

The One above me,

the Three below me,

the One beside me here,

the Three waiting for me yonder,

the One the ground beneath my feet,

the Three the breath by which I live,

the One whose grace is beyond price,

the Three whose love’s in every place.

 

 

THE ENCIRCLING GOD (Celtic inspired)

 

The encircling God and his right arm

steady my shaky mortal frame.

The pilgrim God with shoulders broad

support the burden of my load.

 

The encircling Christ with healing hands

mend my many battle wounds.

The wounded Christ searching for me

hear my cry at end of day.

 

The encircling Spirit, Breath of life,

fill my chest and fix belief.

The strong spirit of truth and light

guide my steps when I am late.

 

Encircling God, the Holy Three,

Holy Lord, the Only One.

Encircling Joy in all I see,

I shall never be alone.

 

 

BEETHOVEN’S PRAYER

   *  Attributed to Beethoven when he knew his deafness was permanent.

 

O God, give me victory over myself,

that nothing may imprison my life.

Be the guiding light of my spirit,

lift me up from the dark troughs.

 

May my soul, ‘rapt by your wisdom,

fight its way upwards in fiery flight.

For you alone understand me,

and only you can give me

the inspiration to keep going.

 

ABSORB MY SOUL

    * St Francis of Assisi, Italian, 1182-1226

 

Lord Jesus,

may the sweet yet fiery passion of your love

absorb my soul completely,

and make it a stranger to anything

that is not of you or for you.

For your Name’s sake.

Amen

 

HOW SHALL I LOVE YOU?

    * Elizabeth Browning, England, 1806-1861

 

Lord,

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways,

I love thee to the depth, and breadth and height

my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

for the ends of being and of ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

with my lost saints I love thee with the breath,

smiles, tears, of all my life!

And, God, if thou doest choose

I shall love thee better after death.  

 

OUR FULL HUMANITY

From “Man” by Jurgen Moltmann, Tubingen, Germany, 20th-21st Century

 (Slightly adapted from prose to prayer.)

 

Loving God,

  in you alone we find our full humanity.

In spite of our inhumanity

  we have been loved by you,

in spite of our many faults

  we have been called to your likeness,

in spite of the aggressive kingdoms of the world

 we have been taken into the fellowship of the Son of Man.

 

Your love has made a loved being

  out of an unloved being.

Your call has made a creative life

  out of a desolate life.

 

You give us the will to hope

  when there seems nothing left to hope for,

the power to love others

  even when we feel unlovely.

 

You are our joy and salvation!

Amen! 

 

 

PERSUADER OF PEACE

    * Johannes Ludovicus Vives, Spain, 1492-1540

 

O Lord,

the author and persuader of peace, love and goodwill,

soften our hard and steely hearts,

warm our icy and frozen hearts,

   that we may wish well to one another,

   and may be true disciples of Jesus Christ.

Give us grace even no to show forth the heavenly life,

  wherein there is neither disagreement nor hatred,

  but peace and love on all hands

  one towards another. Through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

 

GOD, MY FATHER AND FRIEND

·         Ashton Oxendon, Canada, 1808-1892

 

God, my Father and Friend,

   I praise you for all you have given me,

   and for all you have taken away from me;

For all my trials ands sorrows

   as well as my joys

You are indeed are most gracious and glorious,

a Father of mercies and a God of love.

 

Be with me, Lord for the time to come.

   I do not know what is before me, but you know.

Choose my portion for me;

   lead me by your own hand,

and keep me close to you,

   day by day and night by night.

 

I wish to love and obey you;

   take my heart for I cannot give it without your help.

Put away from me everything that hinders me

   from being altogether yours.

Amen.

 

 

MINISTERING TO THE SICK

  *Attributed to Mother Teresa, India, 20th Century

 

Dearest Lord, may I see you today and every day

In the presence of your sick ones,

and while I am nursing them

may I minister unto you.

 

Though you hide yourself behind the unattractive disguise

of the irritable, the exacting, and the unreasonable,

may I still recognise You and say:

“Jesus, my patient, how sweet it is to serve you.”

 

Lord, give me this seeing faith,

then my work will never be monotonous,

and I will find joy in humouring

the idiosyncrasies and gratifying the wishes

of all poor sufferers.

Amen.

 

 

SEXIST CLERGY

    Magda Christopher, Australia, 1964--

 

Let Christ’s peace guide all your decisions. It is to peace that you have been called by God into one body. Be thankful for it.

                                                                                           Colossians 3:15

 

Thanks, loving God, for all the ministers and priests who over the years, have enriched my faith and life.

 

On this Sunday morning, I come to you asking that I may be open to your ministry through this man whom you have recently sent to our congregation.

 

You know, God, I have already been put off by his sexist attitudes. One problem is, he does not realise it. Another problem is that I am becoming uptight, and impervious to your Word in and through him.

 

Please, inhibit this knee-jerk reaction of mine. Make me more relaxed and vulnerable, more eager to receive your blessing through him.

 

As I work in your church beside this man, give me the discipline to discover the most creative way to help him understand the pain he causes some of us.

 

Fill me with your Spirit, that I may be wiser than I am and much more graceful than is my nature. I commit him and myself into your healing hands.

To your glory. Amen.

 

 

A GUIDING STAR ABOVE ME

   * St Columba, Iona, 521-597.

 

Be to me, O God,

a bright flame before me,

a guiding star above me,

a smooth path beneath me,

and a kindly shepherd behind me,

today, tonight, and forever.

 

SEVEN YEARS OLD

    *  Christine P, Australia, written when aged 7 years,

                                    (Her spelling replicated!).                                                .

 

 O God, why is there so much riots and destruction?

 Why are people greedy for money and other things?

 If people gave, the world would be a better place.

If war stopped, people would not be killed.

 

The world needs people to go out as Jesus did.

Hospitables, schools, collerges,

and other bildings have to be bilt in lands

that is not established.

Old people’s homes need to be bilt.

 

O God, we admit that the world we live in is bad.

God help us to help others.

Amen.

 

A MOST SWEET BARGAIN

   * Gertrude More, English nun, 1606-1663

 

O my dear God, help me to walk in the way of that true love

   which does not know how to seek for self in anything.

Let me love you for yourself,

   and love nothing else but in and for you.

To give all for love is a most sweet bargain.

   Let me love you only as you want me to love you.

 Amen.

 

EVERYWHERE YET UNIGUE

  * Adapted from Govind Singh, Sikh, 17th Century A.D.

 

Holy One, you are

  the Persian, Buddhist and Sikh,

  the Church of Ma Thoma and the Hindu,

You are the man,

  the woman and child,

the pan flute player

  and the herdsman with cows.

You are the fount of life,

  and the giver of love

the source of prosperity

  and the giver of yourself.

Every where and in all shapes

  you are dear to me,

yet always you remain

  your very own Self.

You alone are my creed,

  my beginning and my end.

 

IN A DRY LAND

   * Jane de Chantal, Swiss-French (?) 1572-1601

 

Lord,

my soul is in a chill, dry land,

all dried up and cracked

by the strength of the cold north wind.

 

But whatever you see as the best for me

is good;

I ask for nothing more.

You will send me both dew and warmth

when it pleases you,

Amen,

 

 

TREASURES

    * Thomas Traherne, English, 1637-1674.

     (slightly adapted)

 

Lord, what a precious gift

   you have given me!

In every person that you have created

  you have given a resemblance

  of yourself for me to enjoy!

Could any ambition of mine

  have aspired to such treasures?

 

FOR OUR COUNTRY

   *Adapted from William Laud, 1573-1645

 

Lord, bless our country,

  that faith and love may season

  the hearts and minds of all our leaders—

 

Those who stand out among us: politicians, judges,

  scholars, and the rich and powerful.

Fill them with a new love for Your ways,

  that with justice and mercy

they may become the very salt our earth,

  and worthy trustees of the gifts and responsibilities

  You have given them.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

 

YOU KNOW ME

* Attributed to Abu Bekir circa 620 AD

 

How thankful I am, O God,

that you know me

  better than I know myself,

and you allow me to know myself

  better than those around me.

 

Please make me, I beg you,

  better than they think I am,

and forgive me

  the evil they do not know.

Amen

 

HEAR, FORGIVE AND DO

    * Maria Hare, England, 1798-1870

 

Lord hear, Lord forgive, Lord do:

   hear what I speak not,

   forgive what is amiss,

   do what I leave undone.

 

Let it be that your will may be done

   not according to my poor word or deed

   but according to your mercy and truth,

and may everything issue to your glory

and the good of your kingdom.

Amen.

 

THIS SMALL BOAT

Adapted from John Donne 1573- 1631

 

Glorious God,

please do not allow me to trade my soul

for any earthly prize.

 

I trust the small boat of my soul to you,

for you alone can pilot me on this voyage

of strong currents and dangerous rapids.

 

When I approach the straits of death,

open your eyes wider

and enlarge your care of me,

so that no weakness or agony

may shake or benumb my soul.

 

At the end,

make me content

with any port of your making.

Amen.

 

 

MOTIVES?

* attributed to Rabia the Sufi, Persia, 8th century A.D.

 

Holy One,

If I should worship you

because I am afraid of hell,

then burn me in hell!

I f I should worship you

to get into paradise,

then exclude me!

But if I worship you

just for your own sake,

do not withhold from me

your everlasting beauty.

 

 

 

JUST PLAIN OLD ME

    * June Grey, Australia, 20th century.

 

God,

show me the way ahead.

 

Others seem so certain,

  sure of their Christian role.

For me it’s murky,

  not at all clear.

 

Gosh, Lord! I’d like to be

  as wise as Solomon,

  as patient as Job,

  as loving as Mary,

  as practical as Martha,

yet with a generous touch

of Christ’s humility.

 

 

But, ah God,

it’s just plain old me,

  trying hard sometimes too hard,

  trying, trying to be the kind of person

  you would have me be.

Amen

 

JOY OF LOVING HEARTS

   * St Augustine, of Hippo in N. Africa, 354-430

 

Eternal God,

  you are the light of the minds that know you,

  the joy of the hearts that love you,

  and the strength of the will that serve you;

Grant us so to know you, that we may truly love you,

  and so to love you, that we may fully serve you,

  whom to serve is perfect freedom;

In Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

REVEAL YOURSELF

* St Anselm, 11 Century A.D.

 

Lord, teach me how to seek you,

and reveal yourself to me when I do.

For I cannot seek you, unless you teach me,

nor ever find you unless you reveal yourself.

 

Let me search for you in my longing,

and long for you in all my searching.

Let me find you in my loving

and love you in my finding.

 

I know you have created me for this,

to be aware of you and truly love you.

 

 

ADORATION IS YOURS

 

  * Adapted from the Bhagavad Gita, India, circ. 500 B.C.

 

It is right God, that we should sing your praises,

  and be glad and happy with you!

Evil folk run away from you in fear,

  but hosts of saints cling to you.

How could we not bow before you

  in loving adoration?

 

You are the Spirit Supreme,

  the creator and saviour of the world.

You are from before the beginning,

  and beyond the end,

the ultimate Treasure of the universe,

  the Knower of all who seeks to be known.

 

O you who are before and behind us;

  adoration is yours.

O you who are within and beyond us;

  adoration is yours.

O you who are the hope and the seed,

the fruit and the consummation;

  adoration is yours!

 

 

 

WHEN CLOUDS HANG LOW

 * Maybe from Prudentius, 4 century A.D.

 

When the night is starless and dark,

or when the low clouds brood

and colours are dimmed,

there is a Light that comes:

 

the gloom fears and shrinks,

and clouds are pierced

by the spear of Christ.

From his shining face

bright colours return to all things.

 

 

 A GOOD ENDING

   * I think this is based on words of St Irenaeus of Lyons, latter 2nd Century.

 

Please give, loving Father,

faith to beginners,

intelligence to the little folk,

aid to those who run the race,

sorrow to the careless,

a passionate spirit to the tepid,

and to the all the faithful, a good ending.

Amen.

 

GROWING OLD:  A NUN’S PRAYER

  *Attributed to a Nun, 17th Century. (There must be a version for old men, somewhere!)

 

Lord, thou knowest (better that I know) that I am growing older. Keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

 

Release me from the craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but thou knowest I want to still have a few friends at the end.

 

Keep my mind from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and the love of rehearsing them becomes sweeter as the years go by.

 

I dare not ask to enjoy the repetitious tales of others, but help me to endure them with patience.

 

 I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.

 

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

 

Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a Saint; some of them are so hard to live with. But a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

 

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.

Amen.

 

MY LORD, THE GOOD SAMARITAN

* Adapted from St Jerome, 340-420

 

Show me your mercy, O Lord,

and gladden my heart.

 

What you see here

is a man who has been caught by thieves,

wounded and left for dead beside the road.

 

You are the good Samaritan

who picks me up

and treats my wounds

with your oil and wine.

 

It is your pleasure

that I should spend my days in your house

with all the others you have gathered there,

where I will praise you forever.

Amen.

 

 

FOR A PURER LOVE

*  Ramakrishna, Indian, 1836-1886

 

O Lord, look on me:

 

Here you see goodness,

here you see evil;

take them both from me

and grant me nothing but a purer love of you.

 

Here you see knowledge

here you see ignorance;

take them both from me

and grant me nothing but a purer love of you.

 

Here you see compassion,

here you see indifference;

take them both from me

and grant me nothing but a purer love of you.

 

 

FOR DISCERNMENT

            * Thomas a Kempis 1380-1471

 

Grant us the grace , O God,

to know what is worth knowing,

love what is worth loving,

praise what pleases you most,

value what is most precious to you,

and hate those things that offend you.

 

Give us discernment,

to judge between things that appear similar ,

and to search out and do

those things that delight you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen.

 

 

MAKE US DELIGHTFUL

   * Thomas Traherne, English, 1637-1674

     (Adapted)

 

O adorable and eternal God,

you have made me a free agent,

that having the choice to please you

I might become your friend.

 

What a new fountain and torrent of joys

you have prepared for us,

making us your companions

that we might live

in sublime blessedness!

 

O You who are so delightful

to the children of earth,

make me,
and other children of earth

delightful to you!

 

 

GOD OF MANY NAMES

*  Cleanthes, Greek, 3rd Century B.C.

 

O Immortal One,

God of many names,

it is right that we should seek you.

 

You alone know how to make—

the rough smooth,

the tough tender, 

the misfit fitting,

the disordered harmonious,

and the antagonist our friend.

 

Deliver us from the folly of wickedness,

banish it, Great Father, from our souls,

and relying on you

may we find the wisdom?

to embrace your universal laws.

 

 

 

HAPPY TO BE OF SERVICE

     * St Teresa of Avilla, Spanish,   1513-1582

 

Lord, rescue us

  from gloomy saints!

Let your wisdom rule my entire life,

  that I may I gladly minister

  where and how you want me to .

Please do not punish me by giving me

  the very things I want or pray for.

Let me happily die to myself

  that I may better serve you,

  and joyfully live in you

  who are the only true Life.

 

 

FOR THOSE IN DISTRESS

·         * St Augustine, North African,

 

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those

who wake, or watch,

or weep tonight,

and give your angels charge

over those who sleep.

 

O Lord Christ:
tend your sick ones,

rest your weary ones,

bless your dying ones,

soothe you suffering ones,

shield your joyful ones;

all for your love’s sake.

Amen.

 

 

FOR THE HUNGRY AND HOMELESS

      * Based on poem of Piers Ploughman, English, 14th C. AD

 

Lord, there are beggars who,

even in midsummer

go to sleep hungry,

and who in winter

are poor, wet-shod wanderers;

frozen, famished and foully tested,

yet berated by the rich

who have no time to listen.

 

O Lord Christ,

comfort your careworn folk

who suffer much

through hunger, drought,

or winter’s woe.

 

Bless them, Christ,

with your riches.

Send them

a summer of happiness.

Amen.

 

 

NIGHT CARE & DAY CARE

   *Thomas Becon, English,  16 C.  A.D.

 

O Heavenly Father,

thank you for taking care of me

through the past night.


Please show me similar kindness

throughout this new day.

 

May I neither think, whisper, speak,

nor do anything that is

repugnant to you,

dangerous to myself,

or hurtful to my neighbour.

 

Rather let me advance your glory

by fulfilling my vocation

and profiting my neighbour.

 

When you call me from this earth,

may I come home to you

not as son of darkness

but as a child of your Light.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

 

WHEN I TRAVEL

    * Attributed to St Columba, Iona,  521-597

 

I may travel alone

yet I’m never alone,

for you, my God,

are always with me;

  there is no need to be afraid

  when the Lord of day and night

  is always here.

 

Within your hand

  I am much safer

  than with an armed band.

 

 

 

KEEPING ONE’S HEAD

*Thomas a` Kempis. 15th C. A.D.

 

 

By the grace of your Holy Spirit,

strengthen my inner being,

that I may discard useless worry

and not be waylaid by silly longings

but see clearly the temporary nature

of this passing world.

 

Give me the prudence to avoid

those who flatter me,

and the patience to bear with

those who contradict me.

 

Do not allow me

to be moved this way and that

by every gust of words,

nor let me listen

to the smooth talk of any siren.

 

Let me continue steadfastly on the course

I have begun with you.

Amen.

 

 

PRAY THROUGH ME

   * Based on Fénelon, French, 1651-1715

 

God, I am y our child;

please give to me those good things

  for which I am too foolish to ask.

I will not ask for either cushions or crosses,
  but simply place myself in your hands.

 

Look at me;

  here are the needs I cannot see

  and the faults I do not want to see.

Smite me or heal me,

  throw me down or lift me up.

 

Before you I am silent.

My first desire is to accomplish your will,

  and I trust y our loving purposes

  without understanding them,

Teach me to pray

  and please, loving God,

  pray through me.

 

Through Christ my Lord.

Amen.

 

 

TO SERVE WITH PASSSION

  * Thomas Aquinas,

 

God of all goodness, inspire us

  to desire you passionately,

  to seek you astutely,

  to know you confidently

  and to serve you flawlessly,

to the glory of your holy name.

  Amen.

 

 

THE DEMON OF JEALOUSY

   * Abbreviated from Thomas Fuller, English, 1608-1661

 

Look at me, O God, and deal with my jealousy.

I confess there are times

when I would rather your work not done

than to see another do it better

than I could perform it.

 

Forgive me, loving God,

and dispossess me of this evil demon.

 

Please give me humility to learn from others,

not to conceitedly outshine them

but to see more of your will done on earth,

as it is in  heaven.

For you name’s sake.

Amen.

 

 

 

THE BEAUTY OF GOD

    * Based on  Michelangelo, Italian,

 

Lord, enable me to see your glory

  in every place.

If earthly beauty sets my soul alight,

  then it shall seem a mere candle

  compared to your grace.

 

All I try to do, Lord,

will fail without your aid,

 

Only your Spiriit can save me;

let it flow through mind and feelings

  redeeming that which is corrupt

  behind my weak flesh-walls.

Amen.

 

 

IN THIS HOUSE

  *  From the “Jasna”, Zoroastrian, about  6th C.  B.C.

 

Lord of Light,

may faithfulness

defeat disorder in this house;

 

may peace triumph over conflict,

generosity over selfishness,

respect over contempt,

true speaking over lying words;

 

and may right living conquer

the demon of deceit

here in this house.

 

 

 

TO SERVE YOU

   * St Ignatius Loyola,  Spain  1491-1556

 

Teach us, good Lord,

to serve you as you deserve,

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labour and not to ask for any reward

save that of knowing we do your will.

Amen.

 

WARM WIND OF SPRING

    *Rabindranath Tagore, Indian, 1861-1941

      (slightly adapted)

 

O Worker of the universe,

we pray to you to let the irresistible current

of your universal energy

   come like the impetuous warm wind of spring;

let it come rushing

  over the vast field and the life of humanity;

let it bring the scent of many flowers,

  the murmuring of many woodlands;

let it make sweet and vocal

  the lifelessness of our dried up soul-life.

 

Let our newly awakened powers

cry for unlimited fulfilment

in leaf and flower and fruit,

for You.

 

 

ASTRONOMICALLY SPEAKING

 *  Johan Kepler,  pioneer Dutch astronomer, 1571-1630

 

Thank you, my Creator and God,

  for giving me such a delight in your universe,

  this ecstasy when I look at your handiwork.

As far as my finite sprit has been able to comprehend, 

  I have shared with others the glory of your works

  and your infinity.

If anything I have said misrepresents you,

  of if at any time I have sought my own glory,

  graciously forgive me.

Through Jesus Christ my Lord.

Amen.

 

 

GRANT ME PEACE

 

*  Soren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher, 1813-1855

    (A composite, slightly adapted)

 

Lord, you have been patient,

  infinitely patient with me.

Yet I have been impatient,

  ready to give up and forsake you,

  ready to take the easy way out of despair.

 

I turn to you for peace.

 

As I receive your peace,

grant me the conviction

that nothing can rob me of it;

  neither my foolish earthly desires,

  nor my wilder longings,

  nor the hungry anxieties of my heart.

 

Lord Jesus Christ, you have suffered,

and you still suffer,

in order save me.

Amen!

 

 

 

REDEEMER, FRIEND AND BROTHER

   * Richard of Chichester, 1197-1233

 

Most merciful Redeemer,

Friend and Brother,

  may we know you more clearly,

  love you more dearly,

  follow you more nearly,

day by day,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

 

 

WHEN ALL COMFORT FAILS

   * Mechthild of Marburg, 13th Century A.D.

 

Lord, it seems you have taken away

all the blessings that I once had from you.

In your grace, please give me now

that one gift which every dog

seems to have by nature—

  that of being faithful to you in my distress,

  faithful even when all comfort is gone.

This I desire more fervently

than your heavenly kingdom.

Amen.

 

 

TO LOVE OTHERS MORE

   * Thomas Traherne, English,  ????

   

 

I confess to you, O God,

  that I do notice other people

  yet do not love them enough.

Please, in your loving kindness,

  supply my deficiency.

 

Make me so to love all

  that I may be a blessing to all

  and please you in all,

that we may be knit together

  in godly love

  and united in your service.

 

To you honour and glory.

Amen.

 

 

 

FRIENDS OF GOD

*Maybe this is from Tukaram, Indian, 17th Century

 

O Holy One,

  wherever I go

  you are my companion.

 

You take me hand

  and guide me.

If I’m tired,

  I lean on you.

When my load is heavy,

  you share it .

 

I pray with childish delight

  and feel your bliss!

Your delight is within me

  and around me.

 

You are a dear friend to me,

  and because of that I know

each person

  is also a dear friend.

 

 

DROWNED?

 

   *  Adapted from a poem by Robert Herrick, English, 1592-1674

 

Lord, grant that I may cease

  to desire many possessions.

The ones I do have can be cumbersome,

  for wealth brings more pain than happiness,

  and those with riches become subservient to them.

 

Henceforth, O God, give or take from me;

  I would rather be poor than drowned.

Let me use what I do have for your service,

  and be content.

Amen.

 

 

GOD BE IN MY HEAD

   * Sarum (Salisbury) Missal,  English,  circa 1277

 

God be in my head,

  and in my understanding;

God be in my eyes,

  and in my looking;

God be in my mouth,

  and in my speaking;

God be in my heart,

  and in my thinking;

God be at my end,

  and at my departing.

 

LETTING THE GOSPEL GO COLD.

    * Adapted from a letter of Teilhard de Chardin,. French Jesuit, 1881-1955.

 

Deliver us, O God, from the grave ill

from which your church suffers:

  to accuse the world of growing morally tepid,

  while at the same time we allow the God of the gospel

  to grow cold in our rigid hands.

 

THE SKY ABOVE & THE EARTH BENEATH

   * Based on Caedmon, Northumbrian 6th Century A.D.

 

Author of all marvels,

  we praise you.

Creator of all things heavenly and earthly,

  we praise you.

Your power and your wisdom

  are everywhere displayed.

You have placed the night skies

  to be a roof over our heads,

and the solid and fruitful earth

  to be the ground under our feet.

O Father and Guardian of humankind,

  we thank and praise you!

 

Amen.

 

 

YOU ARE WHAT WE ENJOY.

 

* Based on Julianne of Norwich, 14th Century A.D.

 

Lord Jesus,

   you are all things to us;

you are what we love

  and what we enjoy,

what we belong to

  and what we serve,

what we desire

and what we intend

 

Because we are enclosed in you

  and you are enclosed in us,

what seems impossible to us

  is not impossible to you.

 

Blessed are you

who makes all things well again.

Amen.

 

 TOO LATE HAVE I LOVED YOU

 

  * St Augustine, of Hippo in North Africa, 354-430 A.D.

 

Too late, have I loved you,

  Beauty so ancient ands yet ever new!

Too late have I loved you!

 

You were within me all the time,

  yet I went abroad looking for you.

Deformed, I plunged

  among the lovely things you made.

You were with me,

  but I was certainly not with you.

I allowed many things to keep me away;

  things which without you

  would not have existed.

 

Then you called to me,

  you shouted enough to break my deafness.

You shone your light,

  flamed and scattered my blindness.

Your Breath was like perfume;

  I drew in my breath and panted for you.

I began to taste you,

  and hungered and thirsted the more.

You touched me,

  and at your touch I burned for your peace.

 

When I remember this, I find you,

  and when I find you, I delight in you

the holiest of holy delights!

 

 

 

OUR FIVE SENSES

  * Inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, India, about 500 B.C.

 

Holy God,

you watch over our minds

and our five senses

  eye, ear, touch, taste and smell,

and when we enjoy these gifts,

  you enjoy them also.

 

Seekers of harmony,

blessed peacemakers,

  see you dwelling in their hearts;

but those of enmity,

devoid of wisdom,

  though they may strive

  they will never see you.

 

You are the splendour of light,

  the scent of joy,

  the taste of truth,

  and life-giving love.

As perfume on the wind,

   so are you among us.

 

Who could not but love you,

  Supreme Spirit?

Who could not adore you,

  Giver of our five senses?

 

 

OUR DARK SECRETS

  * I am not sure from where I gathered this prayer. I have an inkling

   that it may have been from the English spiritual director, Evelyn Underhill, (1875-1941)

 

Holy Spirit, please penetrate those murky corners where we hide shabby memories

and unsavoury inclinations which we do not wish to see, yet withhold from your grace.

 

Bring into your light the buried grudge, the smouldering enmity, the cankering bitterness,

those secret fears which sap our energy, and the pessimism which is an insult to your joy.

 

Loving Lord, we yield these dark things up to your light, that you may cleanse and transmute them into a deeper understanding of others and a deeper love for you.

Amen.

 

TOUGH LOVE

  *  George Macdonald, Scotland, 1824-1905; slightly adapted.

 

O Father, help us to know that

  the hiding of your face is wise love.

 

Your love is not fond,

  doting and reasonless.

 

Your bairns must often have

  the frosty cold side of the hill,

and must set down their bare feet

  among the throns.

Your love has eyes and watches over us;

  for our pride must have some winter weather.

 

 

AT LOW TIDE.

   * Inspired by some words of Helda Camara, Brazil, 20th Century

 

Please Lord,

do not permit us the self-indulgence

of being dominated

by the seasons of our moods.

 

When our lives are at low tide,

help us to live with the optimism of high tide.

When our hopes seem to diminish like a waning moon,

give us the courage that we display at full moon.

 

At all seasons

make us people of hope

and purveyors of graciousness.

Through Christ our Master.

Amen.

 

 

BLESS MY HOUSE

* Celtic prayer, from ‘Carmina Gadleica

  (slightly adapted)

 

The peace of God, our only peace,

the peace of Columba, kindly peace,

the peace of Mary, loving and kind,

  the peace of Christ, king of tenderness

  the peace of Christ, king of tenderness:

 

Rest upon each window, upon each door,

upon each space that lets light in,

upon the four corners of my house,

  upon the four corners of my bed,

  upon the four corners of my bed;

 

Upon each thing my eye takes in,

upon each thing my mouth takes in,

upon my body made from dust

  upon my spirit from on high

  upon my spirit from on high.

 

The peace of God, true earthly peace,

the peace of Christ, king of tenderness:

rest on my body made of dust,

  rest on my spirit from on high,

  yes, on my spirit from on high.

 

 

A REFORMER’S PRAYER

  * Mary Carpenter, social reformer,  England, 1807-1887

 

Loving God,

  pardon our past ingratitude and disobedience;

  and purify us,

  whether by your gentle or your sterner dealings,

till we have done your work on earth

  and you remove us to your own Presence

  with the redeemed in heaven.

Amen.

 

KEEP ALERT

*  Charles Kingsley: Minister, writer and social reformer, 1819-1875

 

Grant, O Lord God, that we may wait keenly,

   as servants standing in the presence of their Master,

   for the slightest hint of you will.

 

May we welcome all truth,

   under watehver outward forms it may be a uttered,

and have the grace the grace

   to receive new thoughts with gaciousness;

Always recognisng

  that yours ways are not our ways

 and your thoughts not our thoughts.

 

May we bless every good deed,

   no matter who does it,

and rise above part strife and slogans to the contemplation

   of your eternal truth and goodness.

 

O God almighty, you never change;

through your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

YOUR LIVING SYLLABLES

  * Based on a poem by Caryll Houselander, English poet, 20th C.

 

 

YOU who set the pulse of the world,

  yet live in the shining cloud,

You who come with sandalled feet

  and wear the print of nails—

we the redeemed

are your living syllables:

  we who are weak, now endure,

  we who tremble, are strong,

  we who falter, believe,

  we who are blind, see,

  we who are deaf, hear,

  we who are dumb, sing,

we who are nothing, adore!

 

 

 

OPEN WIDE

  * Christina Rossetti,  English poet, 19th C.

 

Lord Jesus, open wide the window of our spirits

and fill us with light;

open wide the lockers of our hearts

and fill us with love,

open wide the doors of our minds

that we may receive you

and entertain you

with all our powers of adoration and love.

Amen!

 

FOR GARDENERS  (Celtic style)  

 

Bless, O God, my little plot of land,

and the strength with which I’m tilling it,

bless the seed I’m carefully planting,

and the prayers I’m sowing with it.

Bless the seasons that are coming,

and the sunshine and the rain.

Bless the days and shortening nights,

and the hopes of my wee bairn.

 

Bless, O Father of good giving,

Bless, O Son of redeeming.

Bless, O Spirit of the living,

Bless, O Holy Three all-loving.

 

 

WORD AND DEEDS

   * Alexander Pope, English poet, 1688-1744

 (adapted from one of his verses)  

       

Speak with me,

  Lord, for your servant is listening.

Speak words of encouragement

  into my willing ears.

 

Because my tongue is slow,

  while yours exceeds all eloquence,

then speak to me in words

  and I shall try to speak to you with my deeds.

For Christ’s sake,

Amen.

 

 

 

NO SCRAPING OF THE SOUL

   * based on a  letter of the English spiritual director, Evelyn Underhill, (1875-1941)

 

Lord Jesus, save us from over zealous self examination,

  from straining and scraping the bottom of our soul. 

Let us quietly wait for you to give us glimpse of what needs to change;

  and may we then have the faith to follow, be it painful or easy.

Then by your grace, through the faithful practice of what we have,

  may we begin to attain that which we are not yet.

 

For your love’s sake. Amen.

 

 

SHOW YOURSELF

    *St Columbanus, Irish missionary to Gaul, 543-615

 

O beloved Saviour,

  show yourself to those who knock,

  that knowing you we may love only you,

  desire only you, think only of you

  and fill our minds with you by day and night.

Awaken within us the fullness of love

 that is worthy of your glory.

 

O God, please take over our complete being

 and make it thoroughly yours,

 For your name’s sake.

Amen.

 

 

FAR OFF YET NEAR

   * Inspired by a sermon of Davis MCaughey, Australia, 2oth Century.

 

God you seem so far off because you are really so near. You can come to us helpfully because you are also so far off. You are the One who addresses us, and in so doing you create our true humanity by asking us to make decisions.

 

Always you are the God of grace, coming into our lives perhaps especially into our frustrated lives. You share our sufferings, our bewilderment and our despair. In every darkness you kindle a ray of hope.

 

Oh you who are near are yet so far off, thank you for being so here for us. Whenever we find you near, we rejoice that you bring resources from so far off that we cannot begin to comprehend.

 

Blessed are you forever!

Amen.

 

 

 MY TREMBLING HAND

   * William Blake,  England,   1757-1827

 

O Saviour, pour upon me

   your spirit of meekness and love.

Annihilate the wilful-self in me;

   be my whole life.

Guide my hand which trembles

   exceedingly upon the rock of ages.

 

 

GOD’S SHAPE

   * Attributed to an indigenous Elder, Australia

 

Great One, Creator of mother sun and father moon,

  we honour you for light that shows us the many shapes

  of the land and its creatures.

Let your true light be in our heads and hearts,

  that we may begin to see your shape

  in both friend and enemy.

Amen.

 

 

A MORNING PRAYER

   * A prayer from the Salisbury region, circ 1300 A.D.

 

Pour upon us, O God,

  the spirit of love and family-kindness,

so that refreshed by the dew of your blessing

  we may delight in your glory and grace;

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

JOURNEYING TOGETHER

  * Based on the writing of Joan Pulls, Franciscan Sister, USA.

 

Companion Lord, in what remains of my life,

  I want to build, with others, a bit more of your kingdom.

 

With others I want to experience you

  as we walk together towards Emmaus,

  have the scriptures open to us

  and feel our hearts burning within us.

 

With others I want to recognise you

  in the breaking of bread,

  and in our daily journey through the Galilee

  of our common lives.

 

With this hope, with this prayer,

  may we travel forward

  until our travelling days are done.

Amen.

 

TAKE CARE OF THE EARTH

   * Bruce Prewer, Australia, B. 1931.

 

Holy Friend,

in the grey-light of immanent dawn,

I heard you saying unto me:

 

“Tread gently on the face of the earth,

   for it is more fragile thank you think,

Deal kindly with the mighty oceans,

  for they are a womb of many mysteries.

Look after the air above and around you,

  for, should you harm it,

  there will be a curse on your children’s children,

  even unto the fourth and fifth generation.”

 

Holy One, I hear your word.

 

Please show me how to implement it

  within the capabilities and limitations

  of my frail yet grace-blessed life.

In the name of Jesus;

Amen.

 

 

NOT ALL UP TO ME

   * St Teresa of Avilla, Spanish,   1513-1582

 

O my Lord, what a great comfort it is to me

that you did not entrust the fulfilment

of your will to a person

as fragile as I am!

 

Blessed be God forever!

Let all things praise you!

 

If the fulfilment or the non fulfilment of your will

were entirely in my weak hands,

I would have to be perfect.

 

Nevertheless, although nothing in me

is yet totally free from self-interest,

I give all I have to your service,

freely and gladly.

Amen.

 

 

 

WHAT IS BEST FOR ME

   * Thomas a Kempis, Germany, 1380-1471

 

O Lord, you know what is best for me.

Let this or that be done as you please.

Give what you will, how much you will

and when you will.

For your Name’s sake,

Amen.

 

 

A CREATOR GIVES PURPOSE

    *Adapted from Norman Young, theologian, Australia, 20th – 21st Century

 

Holy One, we rejoice in your creation.

 

Because of you there is hope and purpose

  in the natural and historical processes

  and you give some point to our participation in them.

Chance is not the final word,

  and you make it worth our while to seek out meaning

  and shape our actions accordingly.

You set us free to probe, test and inquire,

  to gain knowledge, develop science and technology,

  and become careful stewards of the world and its resources.

This is our freedom;

  this is our responsibility.

 

We rejoice in your ongoing creation of all things.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

AS YOU THINK BEST

     * John Cosin, Bishop of Durham, 1594-1672

 

O God, please be

  a light to my eyes, music to my ears,

  sweetness to my taste,

  and full contentment to my heart.

 

Be my sunshine by day, my food at the table,

  my repose at night, my clothing in nakedness,

  my assistance in all difficulties.

 

Dispose of what I am and all that I have,

  as you think best,

to the glory of your blessed name.

  Amen.

 

 

SURELY THIS IS THE HOUSE OF GOD

    * Inspired by a chapter from Sallie McFague, theologian, USA.

 

Great Friend, slowly (maybe almost too late)

  have we come to realise that this whole world is “the house of God.”

 

Help us to revere creation, but never idolise it;

  to cherish it as we would the Nativity Cave at Bethlehem;

and to be good stewards of all things great and small,

  even more than does the Dean of a gothic Cathedral.

Let us seek you within it, glimpse you all around us,

  hear your word speaking from its mysteries,

  and serve you as we work for its welfare.

 

Never for one moment permit us to treat things

as “dead matter”

  but to honour them as consecrated

  by your Creative Word,

  by your mothering Holy Spirit,

  and by the life-giving love of Christ Jesus. 

 

Amen.

 

 

WOW! I’M PREGNANT !

     *  Magda Christopher, Australia, born 1964

 

They who welcome a little child in my name, welcome me. When they welcome me they welcome the One who sent me.

                                                                                 Mark 9:37

 

Thank you, God. Thank you, thank ,thank you! I’m on a high about this precious life forming within my body. I cannot stop grinning.

 

It’s miraculous! So common place on the world stage yet so mysterious and holy for me. You are allowing me to actually share with you in the act of creation. I am a life-bearer, a mother of a life being made in your own likeness. It’s too remarkable for words.

 

Yet it also frightens me, God. There is no going back now. Things will inexorably take their course.

 

I must endure a lot of discomfort, and most probably extreme pain, between this present elation and that moment when I shall first look on the face of my baby. Please help me through these following months. Prepare me in spirit as well as in body for the hard times and the good ones in the ministry of motherhood.

 

With your help, God, I can be a good mother. Thanks for this moment and all the ones that are to come. Amen.

 

 

AN EMPTY VESSEL

     *Dwight Moody, USA, 1837-1899

 

Use me, my Saviour,

   for whatever purpose and way you require.

Here is my poor heart, an empty vessel;

   fill it with your grace.

Here is my sinful, troubled soul;

   refresh it with your love.

 

Take my heart

   for your abode,

take my mouth

   to spread abroad your glory,

take my love

   for the advancement of believers.

 

May I never allow

the steadfastness and confidence

of my faith to abate.

Amen.

 

 

MAY I BE ALL TO YOU.

·         *  Erasmus,  Netherlands     1466-1536

 

O God,

sever me from self

   that I may be grateful to you.

Let me perish to self

   that I may be safe in you,

and die to self,

  that I may live in you.

 

May I whither to self

   that I may blossom in you,

be emptied of self

   that I may become full of you,

and be nothing to myself

   that I may be all to you.

Amen.

 

 

THANKS FOR THE STARS

·         Theodore Parker, USA, 1862-1929

 

Creator God,

we thank you for the stars with which

you have spangled the raiment of darkness,

giving beauty to the world when the sun withdraws its light.

 

Yet all this magnificence is but a little sparklet

that has fallen from your Presence.

 

For you are the Central Fire

and the Radiant Light of all!

and the heavens are but reflections

of your wisdom, your power, and your glory!

Amen!

 

THANKS FOR YOUR NAME

            The Didache, Syria, 2nd, Century (maybe late 1st)

 

We thank you, holy Father for your holy name,

   which you have made to live in our hearts,

And for the knowledge, faith and immortality

   which you have revealed to us through your servant Jesus.

To you be glory through all ages!.

Amen.

 

 

WHAT THEN FOR OUR SPIRITS?

   *Thomas Traherne, England, 1627-1674. (an abbreviated text).

 

O miracle of divine goodness!
O flame of zeal, love and joy!

For these our mortal bodies,

You, God, have created all things

visible, material, touchable.

 

Animals, vegetables minerals,

trees, herbs and flowers,

clouds mists and winds,

dew, rain, hail and snow.

light and darkness, night and day.

springs, rivers, fountains, oceans,

gold, silver and precious stones,

corn, wine and oil,

the sun, moon and stars,

cities, nations, kingdoms,

and the human body,

the greatest treasure of all—

made for each other!

 

If you give to our bodies

such glorious things,

what then, O Lord,

have you prepared for our souls!