A prayer from an unknown 6th century author: Forgive me my sins, O Lord,forgive me the sins of my youth and the sins of my 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 …
Pay Attention to What Moves You
Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention. They are not only telling you something about the secret of who you are, but more often than not God is speaking to you through them of the mystery of where you have come from and is …
Prayer of Basil the Great
Here is a prayer from 4th century Greek Bishop Basil the Great (330 - 379): “Oh Lord our God, Steer the ship of our life to yourself, the quiet harbor of all storm-stressed souls. Show us the course which we are to take. Renew in us the spirit of docility. Let your Spirit curb our …
“We’re Going On a Bear Hunt” (Or Why We Need a Better Theology of Suffering)
We're going on a bear hunt.We're going to catch a big one.What a beautiful day!We're not scared.Uh-oh!Mud! Thick oozy mud.We can't go over it.We can't go under it.Oh no! We've got to go through it! We probably read this book to our kids dozens if not hundreds of times. This family goes on a walk …
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Habits
We all have habits, good and bad. And when I think about what a habit is, I think of a regular pattern of behavior that has become unconscious over time because of frequent repetition. What you deliberately begin doing, if repeated often enough, becomes what you do without thinking. Sometimes this is a good thing. …
“O Prince of Life”
Here is a prayer from Gerhard Tersteegen (1697 - 1769): O Prince of Life, teach us to stand more boldly on your side, to face the world and all our adversaries more courageously, and not to let ourselves be dismayed by any storm of temptation;may our eyes be steadfastly fixed on you in fearless faith;may …
A Prayer to Know Jesus
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with …
Lord, Fill Me
Here is a prayer from Martin Luther (1483 - 1546): “Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not …
Jesus, You Are . . .
Here is a prayer from Johann Freylinghausen (1670 - 1739): Who is like you, Jesus?You are the light of those who are spiritually lost.You are the life of those who are spiritually dead.You are the liberation of those who are imprisoned by guilt.You are the glory of those who hate themselves.You are the guardian of …
Prayer to the Good Shepherd
“O God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of your people: Grant that, when we hear his voice, we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
grace notes 