Praying 10 minutes today: SUNDAY 7/1

Find a quiet time and place to pray... take a few deep breaths...

be still... and know that God is near...

A word to reflect on:   
Brothers and sisters,
you must never grow weary
of doing what is right...
- 2 Thessalonians 3

Why is it, Lord, that I more easily grow weary

   of doing what's right than doing what's wrong? 

Not always, but more often than not,

   I know what's right and what's wrong,

   I know the difference between the two and

   I know which path I should walk.

But the path to what's wrong is so often a short cut

   with plenty of bells and whistles, lights and glitter along way.

The path to what's right often looks longer, harder to travel

   and not always as exciting as the low road...

You must never grow weary

of doing what is right...

I'm old enough, smart enough, perhaps even wise enough

   to know that the wrong path is a dead end,

      that its momentary thrills and pleasures will leave me empty...

And I know that the harder path, the right one,

   will lead to truth, to what really satisfies my heart,

      to a place and a time I know is meant for me and waits for me...

Give me a good, clear conscience, Lord,

   to help me know what you ask of me, to go where you lead me, 

      and to do what is right in every choice and decision I make...

Give me the heart and the will to pursue

   what I know to be good and true...

Give me the strength and courage it takes

   for me to follow through and do what it right...

Give me the grace and spirit I need to do what is right

   when I'm tired or bored, when I'm anxious or angry,

      when I'm lazy or feeling sorry for myself:

         help me never weary of doing what is right...

Let me not grow slack or careless, Lord.

When I'm restless or distracted, give me direction

   and help me not grow weary of 

      doing what's right, saying what's right 

         and making right judgments...

Keep me awake and alert, Lord, to watch the road I travel,

   to stay on the path you've given me, to keep my eyes on the prize 

      and to walk, step by step, by your side and in your company.

If I walk by your side, Lord, I'll keep to your way

   and find you close by when I need your strength and your help...

Help me not grow weary but rather, 
   help me find my strength

      in doing what's right...

This time for prayer refreshes me, Lord, and strengthens me.

Keep me faithful to stopping here, by the roadside,

   to catch my breath and check the map to make sure I'm following you.

Let my prayer be a time of rest for when I grow weary.

Let the quiet stillness calm my mind and heart

   and keep me in your good grace.  

You are near - you are here by my side

   and you never grow weary of me and my problems.

You never tire of my need for your help.

Let me never grow weary of seeking you, Lord,

   and of doing what is right...

 
To ponder and pray over...

What wearies me in my efforts to do what is right?

What tires me and tempts me to take the short cut?

What refreshes me when I'm lazy or bored?

What will I ask of the Lord today?

From this prayer time, what word or phrase will I keep with me

   to carry through the rest of my day?

(After you spend some time with these questions,

   pray the reflection above one more time...)

Here are some tips for praying 10 minutes a day.  If you find these daily prayer reminders helpful, please let me know - and share them with others.  You'll find an archive of these daily posts here.

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