January 31, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer Of Spouses For Each Other

Lord Jesus, grant that I and my spouse may have a true and understanding love for each other. Grant that we may both be filled with faith and trust. Give us the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony. May we always bear with one another's weaknesses and grow from each other's strengths. Help us to forgive one another's failings and grant us patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of self.
May the love that brought us together grow and mature with each passing year. Bring us both ever closer to You through our love for each other. Let our love grow to perfection.
Amen.

January 30, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, heal me.
Blood of Christ, drench me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

Good Jesus, hear me.

In your wounds shelter me.
From turning away keep me.
From the evil one protect me.
At the hour of me death call me.
Into your presence lead me,
to praise you with all your saints
for ever and ever.
Amen.

January 29, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

A Physician's Prayer
By Sir Thomas Browne, M.D., 1605

I have resolved to pray more and pray always,
to pray in all places where quietness inviteth: in the house, on the highway and on the street;
and to know no street or passage in this city that may not witness that I have not forgotten God.
I purpose to take occasion of praying upon the sight of any church which I may pass, that God may be worshipped there in spirit, and that souls may be saved there;
to pray for my sick patients and for the patients of other physicians;
at my entrance into any home to say, ..May the peace of God abide here ";
after hearing a sermon, to pray for a blessing on God's truth, and upon the messenger;
upon the sight of a beautiful person to bless God for His creatures, to pray for the beauty of such one's soul, that God may enrich her with inward graces, and that the outward and inward may correspond;
upon the sight of a deformed person, to pray God to give them wholeness of soul, and by and by to give them the beauty of the resurrection.

January 28, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer for Help
(From: Praying God's Promises)

Lord God, you are everything to me. My spirit rejoices in you, my Savior. Thank you for seeking me when I was lost and for finding me. Thank you for choosing me to go forth and bear lasting fruit in your name. Thank you for enabling me to bear fruit for you, Lord. Without you, I can do nothing.

You are good, O Lord, and you are always ready to forgive. Thank you for your plentiful mercy in my life which I always receive when I call upon you. You are always there to help me; therefore, I will never be confounded. I have set my face like a flint, and I know that you will never let me be ashamed.

You truly are a very present help to me, and I am receiving your help even now as I pray. Thank you, Father. You are my refuge and strength, and because this is true, I will not fear anything or anyone.

You are in my midst, and I will not be moved. You are always there to help me speedily. You are with me, Lord. Knowing this, I will be still. I know that you are my God. Thank you for your constant help in my life, Lord.

January 27, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

A Prayer For The Business/Occupation
By William Carr Peel

Lord, We Affirm. ..
You are the Lord of the work place as well as the worship place.
All work that meets legitimate needs is Your work to be done in Your way.
Prosperity that comes from our work is a gift from You to be used for Your glory, not our ease.
While You made all things for us to enjoy, true satisfaction comes only from You.

Lord, We Confess. ..
We have at times been proud and arrogant about success, thinking it was because we were smarter, better, or worked harder than others.
We have sometimes placed success above integrity and power above people. This is sin in every instance.
We have often let our love of prosperity quench our courage and compassion.
We have kept You too often at a safe distance, mentally locked in the church building away from our daily affairs. How we could have used Your strength, guidance, and love at times if we had only known You are as real a part of our lives on Monday as You are on Sunday.

Lord, We Ask That. ..
We, as businessmen, would live ethically distinctive lives, both publicly and privately.
We would assume the discipline of craftsmanship, working with all our heart as if You were our boss-because You are.
We would discover what we are each gifted to do, finding the delight and joy of doing what You created us for.
Others would see the reality of Your presence in our lives and be attracted to You.

January 26, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer of Healing
(From: Praying God's Promises)

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for you are my praise.

I praise you, mighty Father.

You forgive all my iniquities, and you heal all my diseases.

Thank you, Lord. When I am sick, you send your Word, and it heals me and delivers me from all destructions.

Your Word is life to me, and it brings healing to my flesh.

Thank you for the healing power of your Word, Father.

I will never let it depart from my eyes.

I will keep your Word deeply implanted within my heart.

Praise your name, holy Father.

I love you, and I thank you for healing me and keeping me in good health.

January 25, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"Like a good chess player, Satan is always trying to manuever you into a position where you can save your castle only by losing your bishop."

C.S. Lewis

I hope that you have enjoyed (and by that, I mean provoked to deeper thought) the quotes from C.S. Lewis over the past 10 days. For those who really enjoy Lewis' writings, don't fret, we will be covering even more of his quotes in the year to come.

January 25, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer for Others
By Bernie Smith
Meditations on Prayer

I cannot make the sparrow fly,
Nor can I understand
What makes the clouds hang in the sky,
But I know One who can.

I cannot make the ocean waves
Dash forth against the land;
I cannot help the soul that craves,
But I know One who can.

I cannot hear the humble prayers
Of those of foreign clans;
I cannot ease their wants and cares,
But I know One who can.

I cannot lead the erring ones
With mine own trembling hand;
Nor yet restore the hope that's gone,
But I know One who can.

I cannot see the broken hearts
That long for joy again;
Nor can I mend the broken parts,
But I know One who can.

I cannot heal the many ills
That come so oft to man;
I cannot give the joy that fills,
But I know One who can.

I cannot know why trials fall
Within our life's short span;
But my God understands it all,
And He's the One who can!

January 24, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

"A world of nice people, content in their own niceness, looking no further, turned away from God, would be just as desperately in need of salvation as a miserable world---and might be even more difficult to save."

C.S. Lewis

January 24, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer for Friends
By Bernie Smith
Meditations on Prayer

Lord, bless our friends today we pray,
Wherever they may be;
And help them as they go their way,
To keep their trust in Thee.

Lord, hear each prayer they raise to Thee,
And dry each falling tear;
And hover o'er them constantly,
For treasured friends are dear.

Surround them with Thy mercy,
Lord, Protect them by Thy power;
And let them feel Thy presence,
Lord, In every lonely hour.

Stand by them when the road is steep,
And no one seems to care;
Thy arm of love around them keep,
And whisper You are there.

And give them strength to bear the cross,
As through this vale they go;
And stand by them in every loss,
That they meet here below.

And when at last the hour shall be,
That life's short journey ends;
O, let them lean the more on Thee,
And comfort these, our friends.

And open heaven's gate, dear Lord,
And let them enter there;
For heaven will be heaven,
Lord, Because our friends are there.

January 23, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"I believe there are too many practitioners in the church who are not believers."

C.S. Lewis

January 23, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Christian Bedtime Prayer
Attributed to Fr. M.C. Cherian, Indian Orthodox Church

Grant us Lord, God, that while our bodies rest from the labors of the day
and as our souls are released from the thoughts of this world,
we may stand in Thy presence with tranquility and quietness
in this evening hour.

Make us worthy to offer Thee ceaseless praise and thanksgiving
without interruption.

May we acknowledge Thy loving kindness and mercy
by which Thou dost rule and direct and save our souls.

Unto Thee we offer praise and thanksgiving now
and unto ages of ages.

Amen.

January 22, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"We have a strange illusion that mere time cancels sin."

C.S. Lewis

January 22, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

A Prayer For Healing
attr. Timothy Dailey

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.

Amen

January 21, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved."

C.S. Lewis

January 21, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Thank You, Thank You, Generous God!
By C. Welton Gaddy

Thank You, thank You, thank You, generous God!

You have injected life with joy, thus we know laughter.

You have dabbed creation with color, thus we enjoy beauty.

You have whistled a divine tune into the rhythm of life, thus we hear music.

You have filled our minds with questions, thus we appreciate mystery.

You have entered our hearts with compassion, thus we experience faith.

Thank You, God, Thank You. Thank You!

January 20, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"Forgiveness does not mean excusing."

C.S. Lewis

January 20, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

God, Please Forgive Me
By C. Welton Gaddy

God, forgive my incompleteness: not growing in Christ, not expanding my knowledge of the Scriptures, not developing all my talents.

God, forgive my disinterest: a lack of concern for needs around me, apathy regarding the lostness of millions, blindness to hurts I could help heal.

God, forgive my dishonesty: taking, the easy way rather than the right way, speaking in one manner while living in another, silencing truth to preserve tranquility, settling for less than what is best, loving tradition more than obeying your pioneering Spirit.

God, forgive my loudness: talking when I should be listening, proclaiming when I should be studying, busying myself with new tasks when I should be finding a quiet place to rest.

God, forgive my silence: feeling love and failing to whisper it, reeling with joy and not shouting hallelujah, knowing truth and forfeiting an opportunity to share it, sensing a need to share my faith and squelching the impulse.

God, please forgive me.

January 19, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"The claim to equality is made only by those who feel themselves to be in some way inferior."

C.S. Lewis

January 19, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Confessional Prayer From The Sixteenth Century

Forgive me my sins, O Lord,
forgive me the sins of my youth and the sins of mine age,
the sins of my soul, and the sins of my body,
my secret and whispering sins,
my presumptuous and my crying sins,
the sins that I have done to please myself,
and the sins that I have done to please others.
Forgive me those sins which I know,
and those sins which I know not.

January 18, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"If the thing happened, it was the central event in the history of the earth."

C.S. Lewis

January 18, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Almighty God, the Giver of Wisdom
by Samuel Johnson

Almighty God, the Giver of Wisdom,
without whose help resolutions are vain,
without whose blessing study is ineffectual,
enable me, if it be Thy will,
to attain such knowledge as may qualify me
to direct the doubtful and instruct the ignorant,
to prevent wrongs, and terminate contentions;
and grant that I may use that knowledge which I shall attain,
to Thy glory and my own salvation.

January 17, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"To love is to be vulnerable."

C.S. Lewis

January 17, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Dear heavenly Father
by William De Witt Hyde

Dear heavenly Father,
Give me clean hands, clean words, and clean thoughts;
Help me to stand for the hard right
Against the easy wrong;
Save me from habits that harm;
Teach me to work as hard,
And play as fair in thy sight alone,
As if the whole world saw;
Forgive me when I am unkind,
And help me to forgive those who are unkind to me;
And keep me ready to help others.

January 16, 2010

A little late, but here is today's quote (for the next 10 days or so, I will be posting quotes by C.S. Lewis...I invite you to discuss your thoughts regarding the quotes in the comments section...I, for one, would love to hear what you are thinking!):

"There is nothing progressive about being pig headed and refusing to admit a mistake."

January 16, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

O God We Thank Thee
by Walter Rauschenbusch

O God, we thank Thee for this universe, our great home; for its vastness and its riches, and for the manifoldness of the life which teems upon it and of which we are part.

We praise Thee for the arching sky and the blessed winds, for the driving clouds and the constellations on high.

We praise Thee for the salt sea and the running water, for the everlasting hills, for the trees, and for the grass under our feet.

We thank Thee for our senses by which we can see the splendor of the morning, and hear the jubilant songs of love, and smell the breath of the springtime.

Grant us, we pray Thee, a heart wide open to all this joy and beauty, and save our souls from being so steeped in care or so darkened by passion that we pass heedless and unseeing when even the thorn-bush by the wayside is aflame with the glory of God.

January 15, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving."

-Amy Carmichael

January 15, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer by Howard Grose

O Thou who art the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we lift our hearts to Thee.

Guide us in the Way this day, enlighten us with the Truth, and grant us the more abundant Life which Thou alone canst give.

This we ask, not that we may selfishly get good or glory for ourselves, but that we may do good unto others and so glorify Thy name.

January 14, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"Can we follow the Savior far, who have no wound or scar?"

-Amy Carmichael

January 14, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer by Thomas Aquinas

Give us, O Lord,

steadfast hearts, which no unworthy thought can drag downwards;

unconquered hearts, which no tribulation can wear out,

upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.

Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God,

understanding to know Thee,

diligence to seek Thee,

wisdom to find Thee,

and a faithfulness that may finally embrace Thee.

January 13, 2010

For the next 3 days, our quotes come from Amy Carmichael.

Here is today's quote:

"Give me the love that leads the way, the faith that nothing can dismay, the hope no disappointments tire, the passion that will burn like fire; Let me not sink to be a clod: Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God."

January 13, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

O Holy Spirit of God, abide with us
Prayer by John Baillie

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.

January 12, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"As a fresh start, the church should give away all her endowments to the poor and needy."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

January 12, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Oh God, I ask not for easier tasks
Prayer Attributed to Harry Bullis

Oh God, I ask not for easier tasks.

I ask for stronger aptitudes and greater talents to meet any tasks which may come my way.

Help me to help others so that their lives may be made easier and happier.

Strengthen my confidence in my fellow men in spite of what they may do or say.

Give me strength to live according to the Golden Rule, enthusiasm to inspire those around me,

sympathy to help lighten the burdens of those who suffer,

and a spirit of joy and gladness to share with others.

January 11, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God." [Prison doctor witness to Bonhoeffer's death]

January 11, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

O God, Help Us
A Prayer Attributed to Wallace Fridy

O God, help us

to be generous in our opinions of others,

to be considerate of all we meet,

to be patient with those with whom we work,

to be faithful to every trust,

to be courageous in the face of danger,

to be humble in all our living,

to be prayerful every hour of the day,

to be joyous in all life's experience,

and to be dependent upon Thee

for strength in facing life's uncertainties.

January 10, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

January 10, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

General Prayer Attributed To Thomas A Kempis

Grant me, O Lord, to know what I ought to know,

to love what I ought to love,

to praise what delights Thee most,

to value what is precious in Thy sight,

to hate what is offensive to Thee.

Do not suffer me to judge according to the sight of my eyes,

nor to pass sentence according to the hearing of the ears of ignorant men;

but to discern with a true judgment between things visible and spiritual,

and above all, always to inquire what is the good pleasure of Thy will.

January 9, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises...leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

January 9, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer For Artists
Attributed To: Rev. Karl Ryland
We praise Thee for all those, Thy servants, who have given their life in the service of true, the pure, and the lovely; for all who work in form and color to increase the joy of life; for all who rejoice in their work and make things well. May life perpetual shine upon them.

Once more a new day lies before us, our Father. As we go out among men to do our work, touching the hands and lives of our fellows, make us, we pray Thee, friends of all the world. Save us from blighting the fresh flower of any heart by the flare of the sudden anger or secret hate. May we not bruise the rightful self-respect of any by contempt or malice. Help us to cheer the suffering by our sympathy, to freshen the drooping by our hopefulness, and to strengthen in all the wholesome sense of worth and the joy of life. Save us from the deadly poison of class pride. Grant that we may look all men in the face with the eyes of a brother. If anyone needs us, make us ready to yield our help ungrudgingly, unless higher duties claim us, and may we rejoice that we have it in us to be helpful to our fellow men.

Almighty God unto Whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts with the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy Holy Name.

Amen.

January 8, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"A Christian is someone who shares the sufferings of God in the world."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

January 8, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Cadet’s Prayer

O God, our Father, Thou Searcher of men’s hearts, help us to draw near to thee

Make us choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never be content with half a truth when a whole can be won.

Endow us with courage that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice, and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy

Kindle our hearts in fellowship with those of a cheerful countenance, and soften our hearts with sympathy for those who sorrow and suffer

Help us, in our work and in our play, to keep ourselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight, that we may realize our ideals and our duty

All of which we ask in the name of the Great Friend and Master of men.

Amen.

January 7, 2010

Here is today's quote:

"When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

January 7, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer Attributed To John Whittier

If there be some weaker one,
God give me strength to help him on;
If a blinder soul there be,
Let me guide him Nearer Thee
Make my mortal dreams come true,
With work I fain would do;
Clothe with life the weak intent,
Let me be the thing I meant;
Let me find in Thy employ,
Peace that dearer is than joy;
Out of self to love be led,
And to heaven acclaimed;
Until all things sweet and good,
Seem my nature’s habitude.

January 6, 2010

As mentioned in a previous post, I wanted to continue our journey together here at Radically Altered by continuing our prayer life together and by beginning a new journey. Each day around noon, I will post a thought for the day from a Christian writer, theologian or some other figure. My hope is that through a variety of perspectives, our faith will be deepened.

I invite you to share your reflections with each post. Comment on how the quote resonates with you. Comment about the questions the quote raises. Let us endeavor to expand the conversation of faith.

For our first week of daily quotes, I thought I would share from one of my favorite theologians, Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Here is today's quote:

"Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ."

January 6, 2010

Here is today's prayer:


Keep us, O God, from pettiness; let us be large in thought, in word, in deed.
Let us be done with faultfinding and leave off self-seeking.
May we put away all pretenses and meet each other, face to face, without self-pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgment and always generous.
Let us take time for all things; make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put in action our better impulses-straightforward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize it is the little things of life that create difficulties; that in the big things of life we are as one.
Oh, Lord, let us not forget to be kind.
Amen.

A Prayer of Mary Stewart

January 5, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Holy God, today I give you thanks for the people you have placed in my life. I thank you for those who challenge me and for those who hold me accountable. I thank you for those who comfort me and for those that cause me to think. I thank you for those who are merciful to me and for those who support me in times of trial. I thank you for those whose shoulders I stand on and for those whose footsteps I follow in. I thank you for those who love me unconditionally and those who walk this journey with me faithfully. I thank you for everyone that you have placed in my life that is a reflection of you.

Gracious God, today I especially give you thanks for ___________________ (fill in the blank with your own name). My life would not be what it is today without the very special gift of their presence, their friendship, and their love.

As I go forward from this day God, grant that I may be like those I have given you thanks for, not because I want to be celebrated or thanked, but because it would be just one more way I could be a vessel of your mercy and grace...it could simply be one more way I can bring glory and honor to you.

In Christ's name I pray. Amen.

*Because today is my anniversary with my wife, I filled her name in the blank...I could have never adequately asked for so rich a blessing in my life.

Back from Sabbatical

For the past 5 days, I have been on a blogging sabbatical and vacation. After Christmas, I took a little more than a week to hunt, hang out with my dad, geocache, hang out with the girls and generally take a rest from ministry. Over the past few days, as I have returned to the offices and re-plugged in, I have had several comments and questions about whether or not I am going to continue the daily prayer posts.

After reflecting on the past year of prayers (what this journey has meant for me and how it has impacted some of you) I have decided to commit to another year of sharing prayers with you all. I will post the first prayer for this year shortly after this post publishes, and then the prayers will return to automatically posting just after midnight, each day for the rest of the year.

Part of the difficulty in deciding whether or not to continue this community prayer journey, was this desire to explore Christian thought in more detail. In the end I decided it didn't have to be either/or, but could very easily be a both/and situation. To that end, I will be sharing (set up to auto post) quotes from variety of Christian writers, thinkers, theologians and the like. My hope is that these quotes will provoke new conversations and cause us to think about our faith more deeply and carefully. I will set these posts, one a day, to come around noon to where they don't overlap with the prayers set to post in the mornings.

I encourage and invite your participation on these pathways of spiritual growth in the year to come.

To all of you who have and continue to support the work and play that happens here at Radically Altered (whether you view it here directly, through a feedburner, or on Facebook), I want to give you my most sincere thanks. I am grateful for your company on the journey.

Blessings to you in this new year and remember, the best is yet to come!

Russell