Radically Altered

December 19, 2010

2010-12-19T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

A Prayer of Remembrance
A prayer composed by the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
God the compassionate one, whose loving care extends to all the world:

We remember this day your children of many nations and many faiths whose lives were cut short by the fierce flames of anger and hatred.

Console those who continue to suffer and grieve, and give them comfort and hope as they look to the future.

Out of what we have endured give us the grace to examine our relationships with those who perceive us as the enemy, and show our leaders the way to use our power to serve the good of all for the healing of the nations.

This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord who, in reconciling love, was lifted up from the earth that he might draw all things to himself.

Amen.

December 18, 2010

2010-12-18T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

O my God, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

Amen.

December 17, 2010

2010-12-17T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Meditation On The Word Guidance
Author unknown
When I meditated on the word 'Guidance',
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remembered that God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music, and
everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle clues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or
by pressing lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness, and
attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance
and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word 'GUIDANCE'.
When I saw 'G', I thought of God,
followed by 'u' and 'i' and 'dance':
GOD, YOU AND I DANCE.
This statement is what guidance means to me.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing
to let go and let GOD LEAD. Amen!

December 16, 2010

2010-12-16T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Child Of Light Prayer
by May Rowland
Child of Light, I bless you.

I think of you.
I pray for you.
Not in terms of what I think you need or
what I think you should do or be or express.
I lift up my thoughts about you.

I see you as you truly are:
a holy child of light.

I see you guided and directed
by an inward spirit that leads
you to unerringly into paths
that are just right for you.

I see you strong and whole.
I see you blessed and prospered.
I see you courageous and confident.
I see you capable and successful.
I see you free from all limitations or bondage of any kind.
I see you as the spiritually perfect being you truly are.

Child of Light, I bless you.

December 15, 2010

2010-12-15T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

A Prayer For Weight Loss By Lynn
Father God, I come to you in the precious name of Jesus that you will perform a miraculous healing in my life concerning my desire to lose weight. Thank you Lord that nothing is impossible with you and that you can help take away my desire to overeat and fill the voids within me that cause me to seek food as a substitute.

Lord, touch my mind right now, help me to see what causes me to overeat, give me a strong desire to want to take care of my body and see it as you do Lord. Help me to make the right food choices and touch my mind with creativity concerning food and what I eat. May I be restored to divine health again.

As I strive to do this Lord, please bless all within me - my cells, and my metabolism - that they will function properly so I can lose the weight. And let me take it one day at a time and not worry about anything else but the cares of the day that I woke up to.

Thank you Father for loving me enough to help me through this.

Amen.

December 14, 2010

2010-12-14T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Lord, Teach Me The Art Of Patience
By Thomas Fuller
Lord, teach me the art of patience whilst I am well, and give me the use of it when I am sick. In that day either lighten my burden or strengthen my back. Make me, who so often in my health have discovered my weakness presuming on my own strength, to be strong in my sickness when I solely rely on thy assistance. Amen.

December 13, 2010

2010-12-13T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

O Lord, Give Us More Charity
By Henry Alford
O Lord, give us more charity, more self-denial, more likeness to thee. Teach us to sacrifice our comforts to others, and our likings for the sake of doing good. Make us kindly in thought, gentle in word, generous in deed. Teach us that it is better to give than to receive, better to forget ourselves than to put ourselves forward, better to minister than to be ministered unto. And to thee, the God of love, be all glory and praise, now and forever.

Amen.

December 12, 2010

2010-12-12T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer for Forgiveness
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done, and there is no health in us.

But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore thou them that are penitent, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy name.

Amen.

December 11, 2010

2010-12-11T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer for the Acceptance of God's Will
By Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow
O Lord, I do not know what to ask of You. You alone know what are my true needs.

You love me more than I myself know how to love.
Help me to see my real needs which are concealed from me.
I do not dare to ask either for a cross or for consolation.
I can only wait on You. My heart is open to You.

Visit and help me, for the sake of Your great mercy.
Strike me and heal me; cast me down and raise me up.
I worship in silence Your holy will and Your unsearchable ways.

I offer myself as a sacrifice to You.
I have no other desire than to fulfill Your will.
Teach me to pray. Pray You Yourself in me.

Amen.

December 10, 2010

2010-12-10T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer by St. Basil the Great
Almighty God, Lord of angels and all creation, Who dwell on high yet care for the lowly, Who search the heart and know every hidden thing, eternal and unchanging Light, we trust in Your great mercy to hear the prayers offered from our unclean lips.

Forgive the sins we have committed in knowledge or in ignorance, in thought, word, or deed; and cleanse us, body and soul, from every stain. Allow us to pass through the darkness of this present life watchful and alert, always expecting the coming bright day of Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ. He shall come in glory to judge all people and reward us according to our deeds.

Help us to put away laziness, be full of courage, and be found doing His work ready to enter His glorious kingdom with joy. You are the true light of every creature, and to You all creation sings.

Amen.

December 9, 2010

2010-12-09T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

The Rule of Prayer
By St. Seraphim of Sarov
Lord, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.
You have created me; have mercy on me.
There is no way to measure my sin; have mercy on me.
Lord, forgive the many times I disobey You.
Master, I bow down before Your cross and glorify Your resurrection.
Lord, when I sin in what I say and do, have mercy on me because of Your great compassion.

December 8, 2010

2010-12-08T00:01:00.001-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Morning Prayer
By St. Basil the Great
As I rise from sleep, I thank You, Holy Trinity, for Your loving -kindness and patience. You were not angry with me, even though I am lazy and full of sin. You have not destroyed me for the wrongs I have done. Rather, You have shown unchanging love for me. When I was bowed low in dark despair, You raised me up to sing the morning hymn and glorify Your Lordship.

Now give light to the eye of my mind, and open my ears to hear Your words and learn Your commandments. Help me to obey Your will, sing to You with all my heart, and give praise to Your Holy Name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Amen.

December 7, 2010

2010-12-07T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Morning Prayer of Thanks
How good it is to give thanks to Thee, O Lord, and to sing praises to Thine exalted Name; to declare Thy loving kindness at the break of the day, and Thy faithfulness during the night.

O Lord, hearken to our voice at the dawn of the day, and in the morning let us be found ready by Thee.

O Lord absolve and pardon all our sins. O Holy one, over shadow Thy right hand upon us, and heal all our infirmities for the sake, of Thy eternal Name.

Amen

From Orthodox Prayer Book

December 6, 2010

2010-12-06T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

O thou full of compassion, I commit and commend myself unto Thee, in whom I am, and live, and know. Be Thou the Goal of my pilgrimage, and my Rest by the way. Let my soul take refuge from the crowding turmoil of worldly thoughts beneath the shadow of Thy wings; let my heart, this sea of restless waves, find peace in Thee, O God.

Amen.

December 5, 2010

2010-12-05T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Light Up The Small Duties Of This Day's Life
By St. Augustine

O Father, light up the small duties of this day's life: may they shine with the beauty of Thy countenance. May we believe that glory may dwell in the commonest task of every day.

Amen.

December 4, 2010

2010-12-04T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go.

Flood our souls with your spirit and life.

Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.

Shine through us, and be so in us, that every soul we come
in contact with may feel your presence in our soul.

Let them look up and see no longer us but only Jesus!

Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as you shine;
so to shine as to be a light to others; the light O Jesus,
will be all from you, none of it will be ours;
it will be you, shining on others through us.

Let us thus praise you in the way you love best by
shining on those around us.

Let us preach you without preaching, not by words
but by our example, by the catching force, the
sympathetic influence of what we do.

The evident fullness of the love our hearts bear to you.

Amen

December 3, 2010

2010-12-03T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer for Home Blessing
By Dolores Curran

Bless our home, and make it fit for Thee, Oh God.
Send your Holy Spirit into each nook and cranny.
Let the walls resound with love and laughter.
Let your birds sing on your trees outside and your lilies flourish in your gardens.
Bless our kitchen and fill it with the warmth of shared bread.
Bless our family room and fill it with loving communication.
Bless our bedrooms and fill them with restful slumber .
Bless each room and each of us, dear God, and make yourself at home with us.

December 2, 2010

2010-12-02T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Comfort Prayer
By Thomas Moore

Your rod and your staff-they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

Come, ye disconsolate, where'er ye languish,
come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish:
Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

Joy of the desolate, light of the straying,
hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,
"Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot cure."

Here see the Bread of Life; see waters flowing
forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
Come to the feast of love; come, ever knowing
Earth has no sorrow but heaven can remove.

December 1, 2010

2010-12-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

A Prayer
By Ward Patterson

Our Father, I thank you
for the grace and peace you alone can give.

I thank you for the forgiveness,
renewal,
unmerited love,
patience,
loving kindness,
and mercy
that you bestow without measure.

I thank you for reconciling me to you
and quieting the turmoil within me.

I thank you for your assurances,
Your providence,
Your provision.
Help me to trust your will for my life.
Help me to respond faithfully to your call.

I praise you for the comfort you bring
to the distresses of my life.

You are the Father of compassion,
comfort,
salvation,
endurance,
hope,
resurrection,
deliverance,
help,
gracious favor,
and answered prayer.

You lift me up when I am down,
strengthen me when I am weak,
and console me when I am depressed.

You heal my hurts.
You are generous with your comfort.
Whatever is wrong, you make right.

You produce patient endurance in my life, day by day,
by the things I am called upon to endure.
With the shared experience of suffering
comes the shared experience of triumph.

My hope in you never falters.
You are ever near.
You are with me in every circumstance.

When hardships come,
I learn to rely more firmly on you.

When pressure bears down on me
and I feel as if sentenced to death,
I learn that I need you to sustain me.

Help me not to rely on myself but to rely on you.
All power is yours.
Nothing is beyond your strength,
not even death.

You have delivered me from death
and from every other thing that would threaten me.
There is nothing to come that need cause me alarm.
You are my help and my hope.

Deliver me from evil.
Listen to my prayers.
Accept my thanksgiving.
Grant me your favor.
Give heed to the intercessions of your people.

Amen.

Daddy Date Night

2010-11-30T22:25:00.005-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, I was supposed to do a daddy date night with my daughter, but an accident involving close friends prevented me from keeping my promise to my little girl. Well today was the day that I got to make up for it.

After picking my daughter up from school, we went to Chuck E. Cheese for a couple of hours of pizza and fun. We had some tokens left over from a visit a couple of months ago, so it was as inexpensive as going to Chick-Fil-A because all we had to pay for was the meal.

It is amazing how quickly she grows. Just a few months ago, she was timid and needed help with all of the rides. This trip, she was fearless! Here are some videos of her fun tonight:

This first video shows how my little girl is capable of climbing up the big steps to get to the tubes and slide:

This next one shows that she still needs a little help with hand/eye coordination as she makes a go of it with a whack-a-mole type game:

This last one shows how talented she is at riding a horse. I don't know where she gets this balance and grace from since most days walking in straight lines proves troublesome!:

November 30, 2010

2010-11-30T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Jesus Help Me
Jesus Help me. In every need let me come to you with a humble trust saying, Jesus help me. In all my doubts, perplexities and temptations, Jesus help me. In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials, Jesus help me. In failure of my plans and hopes, in disappointments, troubles and sorrows, Jesus help me.

When others fail me and your grace alone can assist me, Jesus help me. When I throw myself on your tender love, as my Lord and Savior, Jesus help me. When my heart is cast down by failure at seeing no good coming from my efforts, Jesus help me.

When I am ill and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely, Jesus help me. Always, Always, in spite of weariness, falls and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus help me and never forsake me.

Almighty Lord, before you I come with all my faith, begging you for comfort in my difficulties. Do not forsake me, My Lord. Open your doors, that your almighty arms will open and close as you design to give that tranquility that I so desire.

Oh my God! Receive my supplication from a wounded heart that is always fighting for me with your Divine power. Never let me scramble for want of help.

Almighty Lord, assist me to find shelter in your celestial bounty forever.

Amen.

November 29, 2010

2010-11-29T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Late Have I Loved You
A Prayer of Saint Augustine
Late have I loved you, O Beauty, so ancient and so new, late have I loved you!

And behold, you were within me and I was outside, and there I sought for you, and in my deformity I rushed headlong into the well-formed things that you have made.

You were with me, and I was not with you. Those outer beauties held me far from you, yet if they had not been in you, they would not have existed at all.

You called, and cried out to me and broke open my deafness; you shone forth upon me and you scattered my blindness.

You breathed fragrance, and I drew in my breath and I now pant for you.

I tasted, and I hunger and thirst; you touched me, and I burned for your peace.

Saint Augustine was bishop of Hippo in North Africa. This prayer is from his book, "Confessions."

November 28, 2010

2010-11-28T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

An Intimate Conversation With God
A Prayer by Thomas A Kempis
O most sweet and loving Lord, whom I now devoutly wish to receive, you know my weaknesses and my needs. You know how many bad habits and vices I have. You know how often I am burdened, tempted, shaken and stained by sin. I come to you for healing. I pray to you for comfort and support. I speak to you, who know all things, to whom all my inmost thoughts are evident. You alone can adequately comfort me and help me. You know what good things I need most, and you know how poor I am in virtue.

Look! I stand before you poor and naked, asking your grace and imploring your mercy. Feed me, for I am hungry. Inflame my coldness with the fire of your love. Illuminate my blindness with the light of your presence. Make all that leads me from you not worth thinking about. Make me forget it all. Lift up my heart to you in heaven, and let me not wander aimlessly about the world. From now on, you will be my only delight, for you alone are my food and drink, my love and joy, my sweetness and my whole good.

Oh, that by your presence you would set me fully on fire, totally consume me and transform me into you, so that through the grace of inner union and by melting in love's flames I would become one spirit with you. Do not leave me hungry and thirsty, but treat me mercifully as you have so often and so admirably treated your saints. How wonderful it would be if I were burned and wholly consumed for you, since you are a fire always burning and never consuming, a love that purifies the heart and enlightens the mind. Amen.

November 27, 2010

2010-11-27T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Morning Prayer
Good Morning My Lord:

Thank you for keeping me safe through the night,
Please watch over me during the day,
and keep me safe from harm.

Give me strength, O Lord,
So that I may make the right choices,
Be kind and good to others.

Please keep my family and friends safe,
Throughout the day and into the night,
And please let me always know you are always with me,
Guiding me and Loving me.

In Jesus Christ's name, I pray
Amen.

November 26, 2010

2010-11-26T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Rise up, O Children of Light
Orthodox Prayer
Open to us, Lord, your great Door, O Fountain of all mercy, hear our prayer and have mercy on our souls.
Lord of the morning and ruler of all seasons, hear our prayer and have mercy on our souls.
Shine upon me, Lord, and I shall be Light like the day. I will sing your praise in Light while I marvel. May the morning awaken me to the praise of your Godhead and I will pursue the study of your Word all the day long.
With the day may your Light shine on our thoughts and may it drive away the shadows of error from our souls.
The creation is full of Light, give Light also to our hearts that they may praise you with the day and the night.

Rise up, O children of Light, and let us give glory to the Lord who alone can save our souls. O Lord, as you withdraw sleep from the eyes of our body, grant us wakefulness of mind so that we may stand before you in awe and sing your praises worthily. Amen.

November 25, 2010

2010-11-25T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer for Protection
By James Dillet Freeman

The light of God surrounds me;
The love of God enfolds me;
The power of God protects me;
The presence of God watches over me;
Where ever I am God is. Amen.

November 24, 2010

2010-11-24T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Welsh Prayer
Grant us, O God, your protection;
and in your protection, strength;
and in strength, understanding;
and in understanding, knowledge;
and in knowledge, the knowledge of justice;
and in the knowledge of justice, the love of justice;
and in that love, the love of existence;
and in the love of existence, the love of God, God and all goodness.

Amen.

November 23, 2010

2010-11-23T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Just for Today
Morning prayer from St. Augustine's Prayer Book
Lord, for to-morrow and its needs,
I do not pray;
Keep me, my God, from stain of sin
Just for to-day.

Let me both diligently work,
And duly pray.
Let me be kind in word and deed,
Just for to-day.

Let me be slow to do my will,
Prompt to obey;
Help me to sacrifice myself
Just for to-day.

And if to-day my tide of life
Should ebb away,
Give me thy Sacraments divine,
Sweet Lord to-day.

So for to-morrow and its needs
I do not pray,
But keep me, guide me, love me, Lord,
Just for to-day. Amen.

November 22, 2010

2010-11-22T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Majestic King
By Teresa of Avila (1515-82)
Majestic King, for ever wise,
You melt my heart, which once was cold,
And when your beauty fills my eyes
It makes them young, which once were old.

Christ, my creator, hear my cry,
I am an yours, you can I hear,
My Savior, Lover, yours am I,
My heart to yours be ever near.

Whether in life or death's last hour,
If sickness, pain or health you give,
Or shame, or honor, weakness, power,
Thankful is the life I live. Amen.

November 21, 2010

2010-11-21T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Give Me, Good Lord
Thomas More (1478-1535)
Glorious God, give me grace to amend my life, and to have an eye to my end without begrudging death, which to those who die in you, good Lord, is the gate of a wealthy life.

And give me, good Lord, a humble, lowly, quiet, peaceable, patient, charitable, kind, tender and pitiful mind, in all my works and all my words and all my thoughts, to have a taste of your holy, blessed Spirit.

Give me, good Lord, a full faith, a firm hope, and a fervent charity, a love of you incomparably above the love of myself.

Give me, good Lord, a longing to be with you, not to avoid the calamities of this world, nor so much to attain the joys of heaven, as simply for love of you.

And give me, good Lord, your love and favor, which my love of you, however great it might be, could not deserve were it not for your great goodness.

These things, good Lord, that I pray for, give me your grace to labor for.

November 20, 2010

2010-11-20T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

God With Me
Celtic Prayer
God with me lying down,
God with me rising up,
God with me in each ray of light,
Nor I a ray of joy without Him,
Nor one ray without Him.

Christ with me sleeping,
Christ with me waking,
Christ with me watching,
Every day and night,
Each day and night.

God with me protecting,
The Lord with me directing,
The Spirit with me strengthening,
For ever and for evermore,
Ever and evermore,

Amen.

Chief of chiefs, Amen.

November 19, 2010

2010-11-19T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Angelic Hymn
From Orthodox Book of Common Prayers
Just as the exalted angels and the Arch-angels of heaven, sing praises to Thee, so like them, we frail and earthly ones, glorify Thee and say at all times, and in all moments.

Glory be to God on High, and on earth peace and concord and good hope to men.

We praise Thee,
We glorify Thee,
We worship Thee,
We raise to Thee songs of praise.

We praise Thee, for the greatness of Thy glory,
O Lord Creator, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty
And Thee, O Lord God only begotten Son, Jesus Christ
And Thee O Holy Spirit.

O Lord God, Lamb of God,
Son and word of the Father,
who bearest and hast borne the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.

Thou who hearest,
and hast borne the sins of the world,
please listen to us and accept our prayer.

Thou who sittest in glory,
at the right hand of the Father,
have compassion and mercy upon us.

Thou art alone the holy, O Lord, Jesus Christ,
Thou and the Holy Spirit are the only worthy
to receive the glory of God, the Father.

We praise Thy Holy Name at all times,
and in all the days of our lives.
Thou Name will be blessed for ever.

Almighty God, God of our fathers,
blessed art Thou,
and glorious is Thy Name,
and exalted by praises for ever and ever.

Meeting with Thee is glory;
Becoming to Thee is praise;
Befitting to Thee is adoration,
O God of all, the Father of Truth,
with Thine Only-begotten Son,
and the living Holy Spirit,
now and always,
for ever and ever.

Amen.

November 18, 2010

2010-11-18T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer To The Holy Spirit
Inspired by the Latin hymn Veni Sancti Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit, pour out of the depths of the Trinity a ray of Your light-that light which enlightens our minds and, at the same time, strengthens our wills to pursue the light.

Come, Father of the poor, the poor in spirit, whom You love to fill with the fullness of God.

You are not only Giver of gifts, but Giver of Yourself, the supreme Gift-the Gift of the Father and the Son.

You are the best consoler! What a charming Guest You make! Your conversation, though all in silence, is sweetness itself. How refreshing Your consolation! Soothing like a caress. In an instant You dissipate all doubt and sadness.

In the labor of fighting temptation, you are there promising victory. Your presence is our victory. You gently coax our timid hearts to trust in You.

In the greatest of labors, the struggle of self-surrender, You are our repose-our peace in the depth of our souls.

In the heat of battle, Your breath is cooling, calming our rebellious passions, quieting our fears when it looks like defeat. You dry our tears when we fall. It is You who give the grace of compunction and the sure hope of pardon.

Oh deliriously happy Light! Fill to the uttermost recesses the hearts of Your faithful children!

Without You, there is no divine life in us, no virtue at all. If your breath is cut off, our spirit perishes; nor can it live again until You press Your lips to our mouths and breathe into them the breath of life.

Your touch is as dew, but You act with a strong hand. Gentle as the softest breeze, You are also in the whirlwind.

Like a giant furnace blast, You dry up all our faculties-but only to melt the hardness of our hearts.

You cast us before You like dead leaves in the winter's gale-but only to set our feet upon the narrow way.

Now, as a mighty Wind coming, pour down torrents to wash away our sins. Drench with grace our dried out hearts. Soothe the wounds You have cauterized.
Give to all who trust in You-with that true trust which only You can give-Your seven sacred Gifts.

Grant the reward of virtue; that is, Your very Self! Grant perseverance to the end! And then, everlasting joy!

Amen.

Source: Thomas Keating: Open Mind Open Heart - The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel, Continuum, New York

November 17, 2010

2010-11-17T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

A Prayer By Saint Hildegard of Bingen
O budded, greening branch!
You stand as firmly rooted in your nobility

As the dawn advances.
Now rejoice and be glad.

Consider us frail ones worthy
To free us from our destructive ways.

Put forth your hand and
Raise us up. Amen.

November 16, 2010

2010-11-16T00:01:00.001-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Healing Prayer by Marianne Williamson
Dear God,
Be my redeemer, my internal teacher, my divine physician.
Thank You for your presence in my life.

I surrender to You all I am, all I think, all I feel, and all I have.
I recognize in this moment that Yours is the power to heal and make whole.
You who have the power to work miracles,
You who rule time and space, please take me in Your arms and hold me.

Dear Lord, please lift me up and heal me.
Cast out of my mind all thoughts that are not of You.
Cast out of me all harsh and critical nature.
Cast out of me all violence and all anger.
Cast out of me all demons from my past.
For I would be made new.

I wish to walk so close to You that we might be as one.
I ask for new life, new mind, new body, new spirit.
Dear God, please come into me and release me from this pain.

Amen.

November 15, 2010

2010-11-15T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

I love You for being You, God!
God, I love Your creativity -

The way You can fill an ordinary day with momentous experiences;
Your ability to turn a bad situation into an occasion for growth;
Your mercy which transforms episodes of sin into encounters with salvation.

I love Your affinity for beauty.
I love Your sense of humor.
I love Your steadfast presence.
I love Your vulnerability.
I love Your comfort.
I love Your commitment to community.
I love Your favor for underdogs.
I love Your passion for ministry, for peace, and for revelation.
I love what You do and who You are.
I love You for being You, God!

Thanks you and Amen.

Novmeber 14, 2010

2010-11-14T00:01:00.001-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

An Irish Prayer of Blessing (this is my prayer for you today...may it be your prayer for someone else!)

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm on your face,

The rain fall softly on your fields;

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Amen and Amen.

November 13, 2010

2010-11-13T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Thanksgiving Prayer: Christian

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we, thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men;

We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honor and glory, world without end.

Amen.

November 12, 2010

2010-11-12T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Where there is charity and wisdom

Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.
Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor vexation.
Where there is poverty and joy, there is neither greed nor avarice.
Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.

Saint Francis Of Assisi

Gracious God, grant to us this day what we need. Allow us to recognize that which is of You and avoid those things that stand in our way of our relationship with you and others. Amen.

November 11, 2010

2010-11-11T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Irish Prayer:

May there always be work for your hands to do
May your purse always hold a coin or two

May the sun always shine upon your windowpane
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain

May the hand of a friend always be near to you and
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Amen!

November 10, 2010

2010-11-10T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Saint Benedict : Prayer for Guidance

O gracious and holy Father,
Give us wisdom to perceive you,
intelligence to understand you,
diligence to seek you,
patience to wait for you,
eyes to see you,
a heart to meditate on you,
and a life to proclaim you,
through the power of the spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

November 9, 2010

2010-11-09T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer In Time Of Suffering

Behold me, my beloved Jesus, weighed down under the burden of my trials and sufferings, I cast myself at Your feet, that You may renew my strength and my courage, while I rest here in Your Presence.

Permit me to lay down my cross in Your Sacred Heart, for only Your infinite goodness can sustain me; only Your love can help me bear my cross; only Your powerful hand can lighten its weight.
O Divine King, Jesus, whose heart is so compassionate to the afflicted, I wish to live in You; suffer and die in You. During my life be to me my model and my support; at the hour of my death, be my hope and my refuge.

Amen.

November 8, 2010

2010-11-08T00:01:00.001-06:00

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.

November 7, 2010

2010-11-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's prayer:

Thanksgiving For A Favor Received

Thank You, O God, for hearing my prayer and granting my request. Thank You for all the kindness You have shown me.

Thank You, Father, for Your great love in giving me my life, for Your great patience in preserving me despite my sinfulness, for Your protection in the past and for the opportunity to serve and honor You in the future.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for keeping me numberless times from sin and death by the toils of Your life, the sufferings of Your Passion, and by Your victorious Resurrection.

Thank You, Holy Spirit of God, for bestowing so many graces upon my soul and for having so frequently renewed Your life within me.

May my life, from now on, be a sign of my greatfulness. Amen.

November 6, 2010

2010-11-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

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.

November 5, 2010

2010-11-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's prayer:

Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace
Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.
Amen.

November 4, 2010

2010-11-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

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.

Amen.

November 3, 2010

2010-11-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

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.

Amen.

November 2, 2010

2010-11-02T00:01:00.001-05:00

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.

Amen.

November 1, 2010

2010-11-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

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!

Amen.

October 31, 2010

2010-10-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

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. Amen.

October 30, 2010

2010-10-30T00:01:00.001-05:00

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

October 29, 2010

2010-10-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

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! Amen.

October 28, 2010

2010-10-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

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. Amen.

October 27, 2010

2010-10-27T00:01:00.001-05:00

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. Amen.

October 26, 2010

2010-10-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

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.

October 25, 2010

2010-10-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

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. Amen.

DCM/Cabinet Mission Trip - Day 3 Revisited

2010-10-24T19:12:00.003-05:00

My batteries had died and I had brought the wrong charger for our other video camera, so I was unable to post these videos on the day of occurrence.

On day 3, we began the day at Walmart picking up some additional drinking water and some toys for the 10 children that lived in the house we were working on. After a full day of work, our team stopped to share the toys and candy we had bought. Here is some footage of our basketball antics and of Doug assembling the new soccer goal.

The narrative:

Another look:

And finally, the soccer goal (maybe we should have read the direction!?!):

What a great way to end the work day!

October 24, 2010

2010-10-24T00:01:00.001-05:00

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. Amen.

DCM/Cabinet Mission Trip Day 4 Final

2010-10-23T23:58:00.002-05:00

These are the last three videos from our work site today. It is amazing what can be accomplished working together! I encourage you to check out the videos from the first day on our site and compare them to these on Day 4 to see just how much we were able to accomplish!

Here is #1:

Here is #2:

And here is #3 for today:

While we know that there is much more work to do, we are certain that the groups that will follow us will complete that which has been begun. Our particular family will have workers from Americorp and other groups over the next couple of months until all of the work is complete.

DCM/Cabinet Mission Trip Day 4 Continued

2010-10-23T23:50:00.002-05:00

These next two videos are of our liaison to the family and the family themselves as we say goodbye after our time in the Las Penitas community.

This first video is our liaison, Clemente:

This video is of the family we helped...to give you an idea of the the circumstances, there are 12 people living in the house we worked on this week:

What a huge blessing it was to be a part of their lives!

DCM/Cabinet Mission Trip Day 4

2010-10-23T23:44:00.003-05:00

Today was our last work day and we had a great time. Working extra hard and extra long, we were able to finish what we set out to do and some extras that couldn't be over looked! The following videos are from Tommy Earl who did a walk through mid day.

Here is the first:

The second:

and the third:

You can't begin to imagine how grateful I am for such a talented and committed team while working here near the border. Two more postings will follow shortly, including a final goodbye to the family and final walk through of the project. Be sure and check those out as well.

October 23, 2010

2010-10-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

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. Amen.

DCM/Cabinet Mission Trip Day 3

2010-10-22T23:59:00.002-05:00

Today was a very busy day full of a lot of work and fun! I have just two videos to share with you right now (the battery is dead on one of the cameras with footage, so I will upload those at a later date after we get home).

Our first video is a morning walk through of the house that my particular team has spent the week working on. You will see that a lot was accomplished today after I post tomorrow morning's walk through video, but here it is for now:

This second video is rather dark, but after dinner a few of us went over to a wings place next to where we are staying and watched the end of the Yankees/Rangers game and here is Melissa leading us in celebrating the Rangers' victory:

Check back tomorrow for more updates. And if you know and follow Bill, Tommy, Doug, myself or others on this trip who are on Facebook, don't forget to check out their pages...there are some amazing pictures there.

October 22, 2010

2010-10-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

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. Amen.

DCM/Cabinet Mission Trip Day 2 Continued

2010-10-21T23:21:00.002-05:00

Every day has been an adventure! We have trained hard, worked hard and found time to have some fun along the way. One of the more jovial times we have is every evening at dinner. We get a chance to eat some really good food, recap the days events, and spend some quality time getting to know one another.

Here are just a few clips from tonight's dinner time together at Applebee's:

The all important Tommy Earl Burton interview:

And just a couple of more:

Crazy fun times here in the valley! I am looking forward to what tomorrow brings.

DCM/Cabinet Mission Trip Day 2

2010-10-21T22:42:00.002-05:00

Today we got to our job sites and had the opportunity to begin our work. The videos that follow show you the three sites that we will be working on through the weekend and the types of damage we are repairing.

Here is the first site:

And some other shots for that site:

The second site:

And the third site:

An outside look at the roof of our third site:

Each of our 3 sites had its unique challenges and opportunities. All three teams rose to the occasion and made an excellent start on repairing these homes today. I will post more updates on our progress tomorrow!

October 21, 2010

2010-10-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

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. Amen.

DCM/Cabinet Mission Trip Day 1 Continued

2010-10-20T23:26:00.004-05:00

As we continued our afternoon training, we checked out a couple of houses at or near completion. Here are Jeff and B.T. in one of those houses with me narrating part of the video:

This next video shot was a snippet showing all of the houses that were under construction...notice how they are built on blocks like some of the Habitat houses we have built over the years...this allows for them to be loaded onto skids and moved. It was an amazing thing to see so many under construction:

Our next stop was to the tape and float house where we got some more training and of course more hands on experience! Here is Diane hard at work:

This next piece is a little part of the training we received regarding mud:

And finally, our friend Mary tapes and floats her first seam:

Stay tuned tomorrow as we will share more video and images from our time here in the Valley!

DCM/Cabinet Mission Trip Day 1

2010-10-20T23:11:00.004-05:00

Here are some video feeds of the work being done in training by one of our teams.

These first two videos are of John as he jumps right in and begins working:

Robyn was next up in training:

Then it was Melissa's turn:

Finally, our very own Bishop Huie stepped up to the plate to have a turn at the power tools!

Check out our next post to see our taping and floating practice and keep checking back through the weekend as we show you more of what we are up to in the valley area of Texas!

Mission Trip with the Cabinet

2010-10-20T22:34:00.003-05:00

Today we traveled to Mission, Texas with the Bishop and other members of the cabinet, to begin a 5 day trip to repair houses that had been damaged by hurricanes and tropical storms. Many of us arrived in time to catch an 8:45 a.m. flight out of Hobby Airport in Houston, while others met us in Harlingen as we arrived or later in the day.

Our first course of action was to get settled into the hotel and grab a bite to eat. After lunch and another trip to the hotel, we went to get our training for the rest of the week.

Here is one of our gracious trainers making the installation of sheet rock and the cutting out of the window look easy:

More videos coming shortly!

October 20, 2010

2010-10-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

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.

Amen.

October 19, 2010

2010-10-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

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. Amen.

October 18, 2010

2010-10-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

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. Amen.

October 17, 2010

2010-10-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

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.

October 16, 2010

2010-10-16T09:28:00.002-05:00

Erica and I just got back from a marriage and leadership retreat at the Inn above Onion Creek, so it seemed appropriate that our first daily prayer would relate to marriages. I invite you to pray this prayer for your own marriage, or to adapt it to pray for other folks marriages.

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.

Blogging Hiatus Coming to an End

2010-10-16T09:07:00.002-05:00

In July I took a break from blogging, expecting that it would be for just a couple of weeks...boy did I miscalculate! For those that have sent words of encouragement and support, I appreciate it more than you could possibly know.

Today, I am stepping back into the world of blogging. My hope is to get back into a variety of offerings, but I will begin by restarting the daily prayers that so many were fond of in previous seasons. I am not sure what all else will be resurrected or what new offerings there will be, but I am ready to engage the conversation again.

Please keep in mind that all of my postings here are a part of an ongoing conversation. As such, I would love to receive your comments and opinions as they relate to the postings. If a prayer has been meaningful, if you have an opinion about a topic, or simply want to offer a comment, please know that you are invited into the conversation.

I am looking forward to this new season of blogging and conversation with you.

Blessings,

Russell

The Blogging Hiatus

2010-07-14T22:39:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to pop in and let you know that due to vacation, summer camp, and 2 business trips (Tyler, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia) I will be out of pocket the rest of July. Our regular postings and some new additions will resume in August.

Thanks for your continued support and I look forward to rejoining the blogosphere next month!

June 30, 2010

2010-06-30T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's quote:

"Turn to God from idols. For the sword of His wrath that had been aimed at you has been sheathed into the heart of His Son. And the arrows of His anger that had been put against your breast were loosed into the Lord Jesus Christ. Because He has died for you, you were forgiven."

Paris Reidhead

June 30, 2010

2010-06-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's prayer:

50th Wedding Anniversary Prayer

May God, who has given you fifty years together, of his infinite goodness and mercy continue to bless you and your union. May the Father who created you, the Son who redeems you, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you, preserve and keep you all your days. The Lord with his favour look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may so please him in this life, that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen.

June 29, 2010

2010-06-29T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's quote:

"How we have prayed for a Revival - we did not care whether it was old-fashioned or not - what we asked for was that it should be such that would cleanse and revive His children and set them on fire to win others."

Mary Booth

June 29, 2010

2010-06-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's prayer:

Wedding Anniversary Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You from the bottom of our hearts for your continued blessings on our union that have enabled us to reach another anniversary. We thank You for letting our love deepen and for helping us in time of trial. We know that without your assistance we would never have remained so close as we are.

We ask You to continue to watch over us, over our homes and families. Help us to renew our vows of love and loyalty and to strive to remain united with You, steadfast in our faith and in your service. Amen.

June 28, 2010

2010-06-28T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's quote:

"...No man ever repented of being a Christian on his death bed."

Hannah More

June 28, 2010

2010-06-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's prayer:

Wedding Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson

Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow,
for the health, the work, the food,
and the bright skies that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth.
Amen.

June 27, 2010

2010-06-27T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's quote:

"A parboiled conscience is not right, soft in one part and hard in another. The Spirit of God is uniform in its work."

William H. Walton

June 27, 2010

2010-06-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's prayer:

Methodist Wedding Prayer

God of all peoples, you are the true light illuminating everyone.
You show us the way, the truth, and the life.
You love us even when we are disobedient.
You sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
We rejoice in your life in the midst of our lives.
We praise you for your presence with us,
and especially in this act of solemn covenant;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

June 26, 2010

2010-06-26T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's quote:

"To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee."

William H. Walton

June 26, 2010

2010-06-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's prayer:

Hebrew Wedding Prayer

Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hath created joy and gladness, bridegroom and bride, mirth and exultation, pleasure and delight, love and brotherhood, peace and friendship.May there soon be heard in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of joy and gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the jubilant voice of bridegrooms from the wedding canopy, and of youths from their feasts of song. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who gives the Bridegroom joy in his bride. Amen.

June 25, 2010

2010-06-25T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's quote:

"The reason why congregations have been so dead is because they have dead men preaching to them. How can dead men beget living children?"

George Whitefield

June 25, 2010

2010-06-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's prayer:

Episcopal Wedding Prayer

O gracious and everlasting God, you have created us male and female in your image: Look mercifully upon this man and this woman who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

June 24, 2010

2010-06-24T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's quote:

"Jesus was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again."

George Whitefield

June 24, 2010

2010-06-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's prayer:

Christian Wedding Closing Prayer

May the love of God be above you to overshadow you, beneath you to uphold you, before you to guide you, behind you to protect you, close beside you and within you to make you able for all things, and to reward your faithfulness with the joy and peace which the world cannot give neither can it take away. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom be glory now and evermore. Amen.

June 23, 2010

2010-06-23T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's quote:

"I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields. I now preach to ten times more people than I would if I had been confined to the churches."

George Whitefield

June 23, 2010

2010-06-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's prayer:

Christian Marriage Prayer

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.

June 22, 2010

2010-06-22T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's quote (the beginning of a 5 day run on George Whitefield quotes):

"Whole days and weeks have I spent prostrate on the ground in silent or vocal prayer."

George Whitefield

June 22, 2010

2010-06-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's prayer:

Anniversary Prayer

Lord, help us to remember when we first met and the strong love that grew between us. To work that love into practical things so nothing can divide us.
We ask for words both kind and loving, and for hearts always ready to ask forgiveness as well as to forgive. Dear Lord, we put our marriage into your hands.
Amen.

June 21, 2010

2010-06-21T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's quote:

"If He laid down His life for us, is it not the least we can do to lay down ours for Him? If He bore the cross and died on it for me, ought I not to be willing to take it up for Him?"

D.L. Moody

June 21, 2010

2010-06-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

I have spent a good chunk of my time this past month or so preparing for and officiating at weddings. I thought we could wrap up the end of the month by praying for all of these new marriages (and the ones that have been around for a while too!). So for the next 10 days (counting today), I will be sharing prayers for weddings and marriages. I invite you to be in prayer for your own marriage or for the marriages of your friends and families.

Here is today's prayer:

Bless our Marriage

We thank You, O God, for the love You have implanted in our hearts.

May it always inspire us to be kind in our words, considerate of feelings, and concerned for each other's needs and wishes.

Help us to be understanding and forgiving of human weaknesses and failings.

Increase our faith and trust in You and may Your prudence guide our life and love.

Bless our marriage, O God, with peace and happiness, and make our Love fruitful for Your glory and our joy both here and in eternity.

Amen

June 20, 2010

2010-06-20T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's quote:

"I would rather a thousand times be five minutes at the feet of Christ than listen a lifetime to all the wise men in the world."

D.L. Moody

June 20, 2010

2010-06-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is today's healing prayer:

Prayer for Healing Husband / Wife

We offer this prayer to Jesus Christ, the Divine Physician and the healer of all human ills. I come to you today to ask for your help on behalf of my beloved Husband / Wife (mention name), who seeks to be restored to good health.

The years we have shared, and the love we have known, is precious to me, and my
heart breaks in my helplessness. But I believe that with the Lord all things are possible.

Comfort me in my distress and obtain blessings for my beloved Husband / Wife so that (name) may be quickly and completely restored to health. Amen