admin
09-15-2007, 05:24 AM
Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.
Jim Elliot
Brief Biography (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704419/k.CC54/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Jim_Elliot. htm)
What shall I give you, Lord, in return for all Your kindness?
Glory to You for Your love.
Glory to You for Your mercy.
Glory to You for Your patience.
Glory to You for forgiving us all our sins.
Glory to You for coming to save our souls.
Glory to You for Your incarnation in the virgin's womb.
Glory to You for Your bonds.
Glory to You for receiving the cut of the lash.
Glory to You for accepting mockery.
Glory to You for Your crucifixion.
Glory to You for Your burial.
Glory to You for Your resurrection.
Glory to You who were preached to men and women.
Glory to You in whom they believed.
Glory to You who were taken up into heaven.
Glory to You who sit in great glory at the Father's right hand.
Glory to You whose will it is that the sinner should be saved through Your great mercy and compassion.
Ephraem of Syria (ca. 306-373)
Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, "Speak, for Thy servant heareth." Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking. Amen.
A. W. Tozer
The Works of A. W. Tozer (http://www.indwelt.com/books/Tozer/)
Blessed Lord, open our ears to hear what Thou speakest and our eyes to see as Thou seest. Give us hearts to beat in sympathy with Thine at the sight of every little child; and above all, our Lord, to understand and experience how surely and how blessedly Thou fulfilest Thy promise, "Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me."
Andrew Murray
Biography and Works (http://www.ccel.org/m/murray/)
O Holy Spirit of God, abide with us; inspire all our thoughts; pervade our imaginations; suggest all our decisions; order all our doings. Be with us in our silence and in our speech, in our haste and in our leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and in the weariness of the evening; and give us grace at all times humbly to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship.
John Baillie
Biography (http://www.baillie.lib.ed.ac.uk/biog/2361.html)
O God, forgive the poverty and the pettiness of our prayers . Listen not to our words but to the yearnings of our hearts. Hear beneath our petitions the crying of our need.
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
Heavenly Father, we come before you to ask your forgiveness. We seek your direction and your guidance. We know your word says, "Woe to those who call evil good." But that's what we've done. We've lost our spiritual equilibrium. We have inverted our values. We have ridiculed the absolute truth of your word in the name of moral pluralism. We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle. We've exploited the poor and called it a lottery. We've neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. In the name of choice, we have killed our unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed abortionists. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbour's possessions and called it taxes. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honoured values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, oh, God, and know our hearts today. Try us. Show us any wickedness within us. Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of the State of Kansas, and that they have been ordained by you to govern this great state. Grant them your wisdom to rule. May their decisions direct us to the centre of your will. And, as we continue our prayer and as we come in out of the fog, give us clear minds to accomplish our goals as we begin this Legislature. For we pray in Jesus' name, Amen. - The original (and correct) prayer, prayed at the Kansas House of Representatives in Topeka in 1996.
Joe Wright
Central Christian Church (http://www.centralcc.org/)
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest: 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 ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do Thy will.
Ignatius of Loyola
Biography and Online Works (http://www.ccel.org/i/ignatius/)
Dear God, Help my unbelief. When I'm in pain, I forget that you care about me. I forget that you have helped me through my trials. I forget that you hold me in your arms to keep me safe. I forget that you are feeling my pain with me. I forget that you love me, I forget that I am important to you. Show me your presence - let me feel your enveloping love. Heal my hurting soul. Thank you for staying with me even in my unbelief.
Timothy Dailey
Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart.
Martin Luther
Biography and Information (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther)
Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for -- because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.,
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
Visit, I beseech thee, O Lord, this habitation with thy mercy, and me with thy grace and salvation. Let thy holy angels pitch their tents round about and dwell here, that no illusion of the night may abuse me, the spirits of darkness may not come near to hurt me, no evil or sad accident oppress me; and let the eternal Spirit of the Father dwell in my soul and body, filling every corner of my heart with light and grace. Let no deed of darkness overtake me; and let thy blessing, most blessed God, be upon me for ever, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Jeremy Taylor
Biography (http://elvis.rowan.edu/%7Ekilroy/JEK/08/13.html)
Holy Spirit of God, visit now this soul of mine, and tarry within it until the eventide. Inspire all my thoughts. Pervade all my imaginations. Suggest all my decisions. Lodge in my soul's most inward citadel, and order all my doings. Be with me in silence and in my speech, in my haste and in my leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and the weariness of the evening. Give me grace at all times to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship.
John Baillie
Biography (http://www.baillie.lib.ed.ac.uk/biog/2361.html)
Thanks to Thee, O God, that I have risen today, To the rising of this life itself; may it be to Thine own glory, O God of every gift, and to the glory, aid Thou my soul. With the aiding of Thine own mercy, even as I clothe my body with wool, cover Thou my soul with the shadow of Thy wing. Help me to avoid every sin, and the source of every sin to forsake, and as the mist scatters on the crest of the hills, may each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.
Gaelic Prayer
Lord, for tomorrow and its needs, I do not pray; Keep me, my God, from stain of sin just for today. Let me both diligently work, And duly pray. Let me be kind in word and deed, Just for today. Let me be slow to do my will, Prompt to obey; Help me to sacrifice myself Just for today. And if today my tide of life should ebb away, Give me thy sacraments divine, Sweet Lord today. So for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, But keep me, guide me, love me, Lord, Just for today.
Augustine
Works And Biography (http://www.ccel.org/a/augustine/)
Help me, Lord, to remember that religion (Christianity) is not to be confined to the church ... nor exercised only in prayer and meditation, but that everywhere I am in Thy Presence.
Susanna Wesley
Biography (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704875/k.D98C/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Susanna_Wes ley.htm)
Lord, I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will. Let be employed by You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low by You. Let me have all things, let me have nothing, I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine and I am Yours. So be it. Amen.
John Wesley
Wesley Centre (http://wesley.nnu.edu/)
Give me a stout heart to bear my own burdens. Give me a willing heart to bear the burdens of others. Give me a believing heart to cast all burdens upon Thee, O Lord.
John Baillie
Biography (http://www.baillie.lib.ed.ac.uk/biog/2361.html)
Come, Lord Jesus, and abide in my heart. How grateful I am to realize that the answer to my prayer does not depend on me at all. As I quietly abide in You and let Your life flow into me, what freedom it is to know that the Father does not see my threadbare patience or insufficient trust, rather only Your patience, Lord, and Your confidence that the Father has everything in hand. In Your faith I thank You right now for a more glorious answer to my prayer than I can imagine. Amen.
Catherine Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/lookup.asp?c=dhKHIXPKIuE&b=2704281)
Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.
Augustine
Works and Biography (http://www.ccel.org/a/augustine/)
Lord, make my life a window for Your light to shine through and a mirror to reflect Your love to all I meet. Amen.
Robert Schuller
Website (http://www.hourofpower.org/)
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 without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.
Anonymous
Thanks be to Thee my Lord Jesus Christ
For all the benefits which Thou hast given me;
For all the pains and insults Thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
May I know Thee more clearly;
Love Thee more dearly;
And follow Thee more nearly. Amen.
Richard of Chichester
Biography (http://elvis.rowan.edu/%7Ekilroy/JEK/04/03.html)
I lay my head upon Thy infinite heart,
I hide beneath the shelter of Thy wing;
Pursued and tempted, helpless, I must cling
To Thee, my Father; bid me not depart,
For sin and death pursue,
And Life is where Thou art!
Anonymous
I ask you, Lord Jesus,
To develop in me, your lover,
an immeasurable urge toward you,
an affection that is unbounded,
a longing that is unrestrained,
a fervour that throws discretion to the winds!
The more worthwhile our love for you,
all the more pressing does it become
Reason cannot hold it in check,
fear does not make it tremble,
wise judgement does not temper it.
Richard Rolle
Website (http://www.bhsu.edu/artssciences/asfaculty/dsalomon/rolle/rolle.html)
I need Thee, O Lord, for a curb on my tongue; when I am tempted to making carping criticisms and cruel judgements, keep me from speaking barbed words that hurt, and in which I find perverted satisfaction. Keep me from unkind words and from unkind silences. Restrain my judgements. Make my criticisms kind, generous, and constructive. Make me sweet inside, that I may be gentle with other people, gentle in the things I say, kind in what I do. Create in me that warmth of mercy that shall enable others to find Thy strength for their weakness, Thy peace for their strife, Thy joy for their sorrow, Thy love for their hatred, Thy compassion for their illness. In thine own strong name, I pray. Amen.
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
O Lord God who art all in all to me, Life of my life and Spirit of my spirit, have mercy on me and fill me with Thy Holy Spirit and with love that there may be no room for anything else in my heart. I ask not for any blessing, but for Thyself, who art the giver of all blessings and of all life. I ask not for the world and its pomp and glory, nor for heaven, but I need Thee Thyself, for where Thou art, there is heaven. In Thyself alone is satisfaction and abundance for my heart; Thou Thyself, O Creator, hast created this heart for Thyself, and not for any other created thing. Therefore this heart cannot find rest in aught but Thee: only in Thee, O Father, who hast made this longing for peace. So now take out of this heart whatever is opposed to Thee and abide and rule in it Thyself, Amen
Sadhu Sundar Singh
short Biography (http://www.sadhusundarsingh.homestead.com/files/introduction.html)
Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in our words and deeds. May the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love represented by the birth in Bethlehem this night fill our lives and become part of all that we say and do. May we share the divine life of your son Jesus Christ, even as he humbled himself to share our humanity. Amen.
Rev. Richard J. Fairchild
Kir-Shalom (http://www.rockies.net/%7Espirit/)
Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth... may we begin to see the world in the light of understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving. Amen.
Karen L. Oberst
God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies grey and threatening; when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to Your honour and glory.
Augustine
Works and Biography (http://www.ccel.org/a/augustine/)
Lorica of Patrick
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgement of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation
Patrick of Ireland
Patrick of Ireland (http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/124.html)
Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!"
Henri J. M. Nouwen
Nouwen Centre (http://www.henrinouwen.org/)
Lord, save us from worrying, lest ulcers be our badge for our lack of faith.
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
Empower me to be a bold participant, rather than a timid saint in waiting; to exercise authority of honesty, rather than to defer to power or deceive to get it; to influence someone for justice, rather than impress anyone for gain; and by grace, to find treasures of joy, of friendship, of peace hidden in the fields you give me daily to plow.
Ted Loder
Learn to know Christ and him crucified. Learn to sing to him, and say, Lord Jesus, you are my righteousness, I am your sin. You have taken upon yourself what is mine and given me what is yours. You have become what you were not so that I might become what I was not.
Martin Luther
Biography and Information (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther)
The will of God for your life is simply that you submit yourself to Him each day and say, "Father, Your will for today is mine. Your pleasure for today is mine. Your work for today is mine. I trust You to be God. You lead me today and I will follow."
Kay Arthur
Precept Ministries International (http://www.precept.org/)
Breath in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Augustine
Works and Biography (http://www.ccel.org/a/augustine/)
We would be still and know that You are God.... We stand in awe of You..., Your awesome holiness, majestic splendor, blazing glory, limitless power, and unquestionable sovereignty. We worship You for Your flawless character, Your infinite knowledge and wisdom, Your absolute justice, unswerving faithfulness, unending mercy.... We bow our hearts and bend our knees before... Your dazzling beauty, Your fascinating personality, Your incomprehensible humility, Your unsearchable understanding, and Your unfathomable love.... Our greatest need is to have a far greater revelation of what You are really like. We ask You to meet that need.
Joy Dawson
Youth With A Mission (http://ywam.org)
Our Father in heaven...help us to see that it is better to fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than to succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail.
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
Father, in the name of Jesus, I make a fresh commitment to You to live in peace and harmony, not only with other brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, but also with my friends, associates, neighbours and family. I let go of bitterness, resentment, envying, strife and unkindness in any form.
Anonymous
O great and unsearchable God, who knowest my heart, and triest all my ways; with a humble dependence upon the support of Thy Holy Spirit, I yield up myself to Thee; as Thy own reasonable sacrifice, I return to Thee Thine own. I would be for ever, unreservedly, perpetually Thine; whilst I am on earth, I would serve Thee; and may I enjoy Thee and praise Thee for ever! Amen.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
The Spurgeon Archive (http://www.spurgeon.org/)
Dear Father, take this day's life into Thine own keeping. Control all my thoughts and feelings. Direct all my energies. Instruct my mind. Sustain my will. Take my hands and make them skilful to serve Thee. Take my feet and make them swift to do Thy bidding. Take my eyes and keep them fixed upon Thine everlasting beauty. Take my mouth and make it eloquent in testimony to Thy love. Make this day a day of obedience, a day of spiritual joy and peace. Make this day's work a little part of the work of the Kingdom of my Lord Christ, in whose name these my prayers are said. Amen.
John Baillie
Biography (http://www.baillie.lib.ed.ac.uk/biog/2361.html)
Thou, O Lord, canst transform my thorn into a flower. And I want my thorn transformed into a flower. Job got the sunshine after the rain, but has the rain been all waste? Job wants to know, I want to know, if the shower had nothing to do with the shining. And Thou canst tell me - Thy Cross can tell me. Thou hast crowned Thy sorrow. Be this my crown, O Lord. I only triumph in Thee when I have learned the radiance of the rain.
George Matheson
Biography (http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/m/a/t/matheson_g.htm)
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee more faithfully; 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 that we do Thy will, O Lord our God.
Anonymous
I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Thomas Merton
Website. (http://www.merton.org/)
Heavenly Father: Teach us that love and forgiveness are essential bridges that span the chasms of resentment and bitterness. Also, teach us that feeling gratitude without expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it.
Anonymous
In the name of Jesus Christ, who was never in a hurry, we pray, O God, that You will slow us down, for we know that we live too fast. With all of eternity before us, make us take time to live—time to get acquainted with You, time to enjoy Your blessings, and time to each other.
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
Lord, I renounce my desire for human praise, for the approval of my peers, the need for public recognition. I deliberately put these aside today, content to hear you whisper, "Well done, my faithful servant." Amen
Anonymous
Lord Jesus, failure and disappointment sometimes lead me to despair. I hide behind my pride and self-pity, withdrawing from you and others. Give me the hope I need and help me never to be afraid to begin again.
Anonymous
Thy will, not mine, 0 Lord, However dark it be! Lead me by Thine own hand, Choose out the path for me. I dare not choose my lot; I would not, if I might; Choose Thou for me, my God; so shall I walk aright.
Horatius Bonar
The Horatius Bonar Homepage (http://members.aol.com/OrthodoxUM/BonarHome.html)
Jim Elliot
Brief Biography (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704419/k.CC54/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Jim_Elliot. htm)
What shall I give you, Lord, in return for all Your kindness?
Glory to You for Your love.
Glory to You for Your mercy.
Glory to You for Your patience.
Glory to You for forgiving us all our sins.
Glory to You for coming to save our souls.
Glory to You for Your incarnation in the virgin's womb.
Glory to You for Your bonds.
Glory to You for receiving the cut of the lash.
Glory to You for accepting mockery.
Glory to You for Your crucifixion.
Glory to You for Your burial.
Glory to You for Your resurrection.
Glory to You who were preached to men and women.
Glory to You in whom they believed.
Glory to You who were taken up into heaven.
Glory to You who sit in great glory at the Father's right hand.
Glory to You whose will it is that the sinner should be saved through Your great mercy and compassion.
Ephraem of Syria (ca. 306-373)
Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, "Speak, for Thy servant heareth." Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking. Amen.
A. W. Tozer
The Works of A. W. Tozer (http://www.indwelt.com/books/Tozer/)
Blessed Lord, open our ears to hear what Thou speakest and our eyes to see as Thou seest. Give us hearts to beat in sympathy with Thine at the sight of every little child; and above all, our Lord, to understand and experience how surely and how blessedly Thou fulfilest Thy promise, "Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me."
Andrew Murray
Biography and Works (http://www.ccel.org/m/murray/)
O Holy Spirit of God, abide with us; inspire all our thoughts; pervade our imaginations; suggest all our decisions; order all our doings. Be with us in our silence and in our speech, in our haste and in our leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and in the weariness of the evening; and give us grace at all times humbly to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship.
John Baillie
Biography (http://www.baillie.lib.ed.ac.uk/biog/2361.html)
O God, forgive the poverty and the pettiness of our prayers . Listen not to our words but to the yearnings of our hearts. Hear beneath our petitions the crying of our need.
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
Heavenly Father, we come before you to ask your forgiveness. We seek your direction and your guidance. We know your word says, "Woe to those who call evil good." But that's what we've done. We've lost our spiritual equilibrium. We have inverted our values. We have ridiculed the absolute truth of your word in the name of moral pluralism. We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle. We've exploited the poor and called it a lottery. We've neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. In the name of choice, we have killed our unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed abortionists. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbour's possessions and called it taxes. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honoured values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, oh, God, and know our hearts today. Try us. Show us any wickedness within us. Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of the State of Kansas, and that they have been ordained by you to govern this great state. Grant them your wisdom to rule. May their decisions direct us to the centre of your will. And, as we continue our prayer and as we come in out of the fog, give us clear minds to accomplish our goals as we begin this Legislature. For we pray in Jesus' name, Amen. - The original (and correct) prayer, prayed at the Kansas House of Representatives in Topeka in 1996.
Joe Wright
Central Christian Church (http://www.centralcc.org/)
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest: 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 ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do Thy will.
Ignatius of Loyola
Biography and Online Works (http://www.ccel.org/i/ignatius/)
Dear God, Help my unbelief. When I'm in pain, I forget that you care about me. I forget that you have helped me through my trials. I forget that you hold me in your arms to keep me safe. I forget that you are feeling my pain with me. I forget that you love me, I forget that I am important to you. Show me your presence - let me feel your enveloping love. Heal my hurting soul. Thank you for staying with me even in my unbelief.
Timothy Dailey
Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart.
Martin Luther
Biography and Information (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther)
Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for -- because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.,
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
Visit, I beseech thee, O Lord, this habitation with thy mercy, and me with thy grace and salvation. Let thy holy angels pitch their tents round about and dwell here, that no illusion of the night may abuse me, the spirits of darkness may not come near to hurt me, no evil or sad accident oppress me; and let the eternal Spirit of the Father dwell in my soul and body, filling every corner of my heart with light and grace. Let no deed of darkness overtake me; and let thy blessing, most blessed God, be upon me for ever, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Jeremy Taylor
Biography (http://elvis.rowan.edu/%7Ekilroy/JEK/08/13.html)
Holy Spirit of God, visit now this soul of mine, and tarry within it until the eventide. Inspire all my thoughts. Pervade all my imaginations. Suggest all my decisions. Lodge in my soul's most inward citadel, and order all my doings. Be with me in silence and in my speech, in my haste and in my leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and the weariness of the evening. Give me grace at all times to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship.
John Baillie
Biography (http://www.baillie.lib.ed.ac.uk/biog/2361.html)
Thanks to Thee, O God, that I have risen today, To the rising of this life itself; may it be to Thine own glory, O God of every gift, and to the glory, aid Thou my soul. With the aiding of Thine own mercy, even as I clothe my body with wool, cover Thou my soul with the shadow of Thy wing. Help me to avoid every sin, and the source of every sin to forsake, and as the mist scatters on the crest of the hills, may each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.
Gaelic Prayer
Lord, for tomorrow and its needs, I do not pray; Keep me, my God, from stain of sin just for today. Let me both diligently work, And duly pray. Let me be kind in word and deed, Just for today. Let me be slow to do my will, Prompt to obey; Help me to sacrifice myself Just for today. And if today my tide of life should ebb away, Give me thy sacraments divine, Sweet Lord today. So for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, But keep me, guide me, love me, Lord, Just for today.
Augustine
Works And Biography (http://www.ccel.org/a/augustine/)
Help me, Lord, to remember that religion (Christianity) is not to be confined to the church ... nor exercised only in prayer and meditation, but that everywhere I am in Thy Presence.
Susanna Wesley
Biography (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704875/k.D98C/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Susanna_Wes ley.htm)
Lord, I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will. Let be employed by You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low by You. Let me have all things, let me have nothing, I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine and I am Yours. So be it. Amen.
John Wesley
Wesley Centre (http://wesley.nnu.edu/)
Give me a stout heart to bear my own burdens. Give me a willing heart to bear the burdens of others. Give me a believing heart to cast all burdens upon Thee, O Lord.
John Baillie
Biography (http://www.baillie.lib.ed.ac.uk/biog/2361.html)
Come, Lord Jesus, and abide in my heart. How grateful I am to realize that the answer to my prayer does not depend on me at all. As I quietly abide in You and let Your life flow into me, what freedom it is to know that the Father does not see my threadbare patience or insufficient trust, rather only Your patience, Lord, and Your confidence that the Father has everything in hand. In Your faith I thank You right now for a more glorious answer to my prayer than I can imagine. Amen.
Catherine Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/lookup.asp?c=dhKHIXPKIuE&b=2704281)
Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.
Augustine
Works and Biography (http://www.ccel.org/a/augustine/)
Lord, make my life a window for Your light to shine through and a mirror to reflect Your love to all I meet. Amen.
Robert Schuller
Website (http://www.hourofpower.org/)
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 without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.
Anonymous
Thanks be to Thee my Lord Jesus Christ
For all the benefits which Thou hast given me;
For all the pains and insults Thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
May I know Thee more clearly;
Love Thee more dearly;
And follow Thee more nearly. Amen.
Richard of Chichester
Biography (http://elvis.rowan.edu/%7Ekilroy/JEK/04/03.html)
I lay my head upon Thy infinite heart,
I hide beneath the shelter of Thy wing;
Pursued and tempted, helpless, I must cling
To Thee, my Father; bid me not depart,
For sin and death pursue,
And Life is where Thou art!
Anonymous
I ask you, Lord Jesus,
To develop in me, your lover,
an immeasurable urge toward you,
an affection that is unbounded,
a longing that is unrestrained,
a fervour that throws discretion to the winds!
The more worthwhile our love for you,
all the more pressing does it become
Reason cannot hold it in check,
fear does not make it tremble,
wise judgement does not temper it.
Richard Rolle
Website (http://www.bhsu.edu/artssciences/asfaculty/dsalomon/rolle/rolle.html)
I need Thee, O Lord, for a curb on my tongue; when I am tempted to making carping criticisms and cruel judgements, keep me from speaking barbed words that hurt, and in which I find perverted satisfaction. Keep me from unkind words and from unkind silences. Restrain my judgements. Make my criticisms kind, generous, and constructive. Make me sweet inside, that I may be gentle with other people, gentle in the things I say, kind in what I do. Create in me that warmth of mercy that shall enable others to find Thy strength for their weakness, Thy peace for their strife, Thy joy for their sorrow, Thy love for their hatred, Thy compassion for their illness. In thine own strong name, I pray. Amen.
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
O Lord God who art all in all to me, Life of my life and Spirit of my spirit, have mercy on me and fill me with Thy Holy Spirit and with love that there may be no room for anything else in my heart. I ask not for any blessing, but for Thyself, who art the giver of all blessings and of all life. I ask not for the world and its pomp and glory, nor for heaven, but I need Thee Thyself, for where Thou art, there is heaven. In Thyself alone is satisfaction and abundance for my heart; Thou Thyself, O Creator, hast created this heart for Thyself, and not for any other created thing. Therefore this heart cannot find rest in aught but Thee: only in Thee, O Father, who hast made this longing for peace. So now take out of this heart whatever is opposed to Thee and abide and rule in it Thyself, Amen
Sadhu Sundar Singh
short Biography (http://www.sadhusundarsingh.homestead.com/files/introduction.html)
Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in our words and deeds. May the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love represented by the birth in Bethlehem this night fill our lives and become part of all that we say and do. May we share the divine life of your son Jesus Christ, even as he humbled himself to share our humanity. Amen.
Rev. Richard J. Fairchild
Kir-Shalom (http://www.rockies.net/%7Espirit/)
Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth... may we begin to see the world in the light of understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving. Amen.
Karen L. Oberst
God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies grey and threatening; when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to Your honour and glory.
Augustine
Works and Biography (http://www.ccel.org/a/augustine/)
Lorica of Patrick
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgement of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation
Patrick of Ireland
Patrick of Ireland (http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/124.html)
Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!"
Henri J. M. Nouwen
Nouwen Centre (http://www.henrinouwen.org/)
Lord, save us from worrying, lest ulcers be our badge for our lack of faith.
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
Empower me to be a bold participant, rather than a timid saint in waiting; to exercise authority of honesty, rather than to defer to power or deceive to get it; to influence someone for justice, rather than impress anyone for gain; and by grace, to find treasures of joy, of friendship, of peace hidden in the fields you give me daily to plow.
Ted Loder
Learn to know Christ and him crucified. Learn to sing to him, and say, Lord Jesus, you are my righteousness, I am your sin. You have taken upon yourself what is mine and given me what is yours. You have become what you were not so that I might become what I was not.
Martin Luther
Biography and Information (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther)
The will of God for your life is simply that you submit yourself to Him each day and say, "Father, Your will for today is mine. Your pleasure for today is mine. Your work for today is mine. I trust You to be God. You lead me today and I will follow."
Kay Arthur
Precept Ministries International (http://www.precept.org/)
Breath in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Augustine
Works and Biography (http://www.ccel.org/a/augustine/)
We would be still and know that You are God.... We stand in awe of You..., Your awesome holiness, majestic splendor, blazing glory, limitless power, and unquestionable sovereignty. We worship You for Your flawless character, Your infinite knowledge and wisdom, Your absolute justice, unswerving faithfulness, unending mercy.... We bow our hearts and bend our knees before... Your dazzling beauty, Your fascinating personality, Your incomprehensible humility, Your unsearchable understanding, and Your unfathomable love.... Our greatest need is to have a far greater revelation of what You are really like. We ask You to meet that need.
Joy Dawson
Youth With A Mission (http://ywam.org)
Our Father in heaven...help us to see that it is better to fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than to succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail.
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
Father, in the name of Jesus, I make a fresh commitment to You to live in peace and harmony, not only with other brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, but also with my friends, associates, neighbours and family. I let go of bitterness, resentment, envying, strife and unkindness in any form.
Anonymous
O great and unsearchable God, who knowest my heart, and triest all my ways; with a humble dependence upon the support of Thy Holy Spirit, I yield up myself to Thee; as Thy own reasonable sacrifice, I return to Thee Thine own. I would be for ever, unreservedly, perpetually Thine; whilst I am on earth, I would serve Thee; and may I enjoy Thee and praise Thee for ever! Amen.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
The Spurgeon Archive (http://www.spurgeon.org/)
Dear Father, take this day's life into Thine own keeping. Control all my thoughts and feelings. Direct all my energies. Instruct my mind. Sustain my will. Take my hands and make them skilful to serve Thee. Take my feet and make them swift to do Thy bidding. Take my eyes and keep them fixed upon Thine everlasting beauty. Take my mouth and make it eloquent in testimony to Thy love. Make this day a day of obedience, a day of spiritual joy and peace. Make this day's work a little part of the work of the Kingdom of my Lord Christ, in whose name these my prayers are said. Amen.
John Baillie
Biography (http://www.baillie.lib.ed.ac.uk/biog/2361.html)
Thou, O Lord, canst transform my thorn into a flower. And I want my thorn transformed into a flower. Job got the sunshine after the rain, but has the rain been all waste? Job wants to know, I want to know, if the shower had nothing to do with the shining. And Thou canst tell me - Thy Cross can tell me. Thou hast crowned Thy sorrow. Be this my crown, O Lord. I only triumph in Thee when I have learned the radiance of the rain.
George Matheson
Biography (http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/m/a/t/matheson_g.htm)
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee more faithfully; 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 that we do Thy will, O Lord our God.
Anonymous
I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Thomas Merton
Website. (http://www.merton.org/)
Heavenly Father: Teach us that love and forgiveness are essential bridges that span the chasms of resentment and bitterness. Also, teach us that feeling gratitude without expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it.
Anonymous
In the name of Jesus Christ, who was never in a hurry, we pray, O God, that You will slow us down, for we know that we live too fast. With all of eternity before us, make us take time to live—time to get acquainted with You, time to enjoy Your blessings, and time to each other.
Peter Marshall
Spiritual Portrait (http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2704865/k.DC91/Life_Principles_Center__Life_Examples__Peter_Marsh all.htm)
Lord, I renounce my desire for human praise, for the approval of my peers, the need for public recognition. I deliberately put these aside today, content to hear you whisper, "Well done, my faithful servant." Amen
Anonymous
Lord Jesus, failure and disappointment sometimes lead me to despair. I hide behind my pride and self-pity, withdrawing from you and others. Give me the hope I need and help me never to be afraid to begin again.
Anonymous
Thy will, not mine, 0 Lord, However dark it be! Lead me by Thine own hand, Choose out the path for me. I dare not choose my lot; I would not, if I might; Choose Thou for me, my God; so shall I walk aright.
Horatius Bonar
The Horatius Bonar Homepage (http://members.aol.com/OrthodoxUM/BonarHome.html)