Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 424

  

I believe, Lord, that your loving eye is upon me
   every moment of every day,
      morning, noon and night;
I believe  that you never blink, nap or nod,
   but rather, without fail, hold me in your sight...

I believe, Lord, that your ears are open to my prayer,
   to every word and thought and dream of mine
      - the good ones and the not so good;
I believe that nothing crosses my mind, stirs in my heart
   - not a word leaves my lips - 

without your knowing it and, 
    in your own good way and time, 

        attending to it...

I believe, Lord, that your heart is open to mine: 24/7/365,
    that not a beat of my heart goes unnoticed by yours:
       that every flutter, murmur and skip of my heart
         echoes in yours - and is lovingly heard...

I trust your attention to all of my needs, Lord,

    even when I wonder and worry 

        that you've taken a break

            or forgotten my name 

                or grown tired of all my prayers...

I trust your response to my worries and fears
   - even when silence is the answer you give.
In your silence I trust that I'm not left alone,
   that I'm patiently held in your mystery of love
    'til your word, 'til your wisdom,
         'til your breath whispers softly,
            "I'm with you, you are not alone..."

I trust in your care when you answer my prayer:

    "not now..."  or  "not yet..." or even just "no..."
It's then I pray for the patience to wait

    to watch  for the ways you'll help me get through, 

        get by and survive the stress of each day

            and the loneliness of those long nights...

I trust that you see, Lord, and much more than I,
   that your vision is keener than mine;
that you see all my troubles - just as they are -

    discerning and sorting the small from the large
      the real from the ones  I imagine...

 

I trust you'll be with me today, O Lord:
   that not for a moment will you leave my side,
   that at every turn you'll be watching my step,

        guarding and guiding my way...

I trust that each word, every thought, all my prayers
      will make its way to the depths of your heart;
that even in silence your love will abide
   in the mystery, the promise, 

       the gift your gift of your peace...

Amen.

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 4/23

 

I have my own craziness to deal with, Lord: 

    my 0wn fears and confusion,

    my own inner turmoil

    and the conflicts I experience

        with the people around me...

 

I have more than enough unsurety in my life,

    enough insecurity and unrest,

    enough lack of predictability

    about the day ahead of me

        and what burdens it might bring...

 

And so I pray this night... 

    do anything, Lord, anything at all:

    to quell the chaos, 

    to mute the hateful voice of pride, 

    to silence the shrieking horror of war

    and restore us to that harmony, that order

        in which we were created...  

 

Anything you might do, Lord,

    to make this world a little saner,

    more calm, serene and peaceful:

    anything at all would be blessing and a grace

        most gratefully received...

 

Protect us, Lord while we're awake

    and watch over us while we sleep

that awake, we might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen. 

 

Save Us, O Lord by  Bob Dufford

If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!

 

Save us O Lord, carry us back, 

Rouse Your Power and come. 

Rescue Your people; Show us Your face. 

Bring us back 

 

O Shepherd of Israel hear us, 

Return and we shall be saved. 

Arise , O Lord; Hear our cries, O Lord. 

Bring us back. 

 

How long will You hide from Your people? 

We long to see Your face. 

Give ear to us, Draw near to us, 

Lord God of hosts! 

 

Turn again: care for Your vine; 

Protect what Your right hand has planted. 

Your vineyards are trampled, Uprooted and burned, 

Come to us Father of light.

  

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 4/23

In the heat of the moment, Lord,
   give me your grace...

On the spur of the moment,
   give me your grace...

At just the right moment,
   give me your grace...

When there's not a moment to spare, Lord,
   give me your grace...

At an opportune moment,
    give me your grace...

When every moment counts, Lord,
   give me your grace...

In my weakest moment, 
   give me your grace...

In an awkward moment, 
   give me your grace...

In a moment of truth, Lord,
   give me your grace...

In my moment in the sun, 

   give me your grace... 

In an untimely moment,
   give me your grace...

In my senior moments, 

   give me your grace... 

 

From one moment to the next, Lord,
   give me your grace...

In just a moment, Lord,
   give me your grace...

At any moment now, Lord,
   give me your grace...

In the present moment, Lord

    give me your grace,

        your mercy, your love

            and your peace... 

Amen.

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 4/22

 

We might pause after each of these tropes and name the individuals and situations in our own lives to whom the prayer applies...

 

Tonight, Lord, I lift up to you

    all the people so busy

    they don't know just what to do next...

And I lift up to you

    any folks so bored

    that they think they’re gonna go crazy…

 

I lift up to you

    all the folks so long hurting

    that they doubt they'll ever find peace...

I lift up to you

    all the unemployed people

    who wait for a job to support them…

I lift up to you

    all the suffering and sick

    who cry for an end to their pain and distress…

I lift up to you 
    all the people in prison
    who long to be free, to finally go home...

I lift up to you

    all the folks in deep sadness

    who yearn for their grief to be healed...

I lift up to you

    the depressed and despairing

    who hunger for promise and hope…

I lift up to you
    the confused and confounded
    who long for your wisdom and truth...

I lift up to you

    the abused and mistreated

    who wait for their nightmare to end… 

 

I lift up to you

    those who stand in harm's way

    for the sake of our freedom and peace...

I lift up to you

    all those searching for faith,

    who thirst for belief and conviction…

 

I lift up to you

    all those falsely accused:

    may they find the justice they seek... 

I lift up to you

    the poor and the hungry

    who wait for a place at our tables...

I lift up to you

    the forgotten and lonely

    who long for companions and friends...

I lift up to you

    the hooked and addicted

    who work their recovery a day at a time…

    

I lift up to you

    all the folks who are lost

    and who fear they may never be found...

I lift up to you 

    those who need my assistance,

    who patiently wait for my help...

 

I lift up to you

    all who've suffered my faults:

    please heal the hurt I have caused...

 

I lift up this world

    torn by conflict and war:

    give us peace that's strong and enduring...

I lift up to you, Lord,

    myself and my needs

    and ask that you answer my prayer...

 

I lift up to you 

    all my nights and my days:

    be with me when I need you most...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.


God of All My Days
    by Mark Hall and Jason Ingram

 

If a widget doesn't appear below, click here! 

I came to You with my heart in pieces
And found the God with healing in His hands
I turned to You, put everything behind me
And found the God who makes all things new
I looked to You drowning in my questions
And found the God who holds all wisdom
And I trusted You and stepped out on the ocean
You caught my hand among the waves
‘Cause You’re the God of all my days

Each step I take You make a way
And I will give You all my praise
My seasons change, You stay the same
You’re the God of all my days

I ran from You, I wandered in the shadows
And found a God who relentlessly pursues
I hid from You, haunted by my failure
And found the God whose grace still covers me
I fell on You when I was at my weakest
And found the God, the lifter of my head
And I’ve worshiped You and felt You right beside me
You’re the reason that I sing
‘Cause You’re the God of all my days

In my worry, God, You are my stillness
In my searching, God, You are my answers
In my blindness, God, You are my vision
In my bondage, God, You are my freedom
In my weakness, God, You are my power
You’re the reason that I sing
‘Cause You’re the God of all my days

In my blindness, God, You are my vision
In my bondage, God, You are my freedom
All my days

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Pause for Prayer: WEDNESDAY 4/22

At one time or another in our lives, we hold on to a grudge, a resentment, some anger, disappointment, some hurt, a little jealousy, a bruised ego... 

Sometimes we befriend what we cling to, even if it sours us and spoils our spirits, our relationships and perspective...

Letting go what we cling to can be very difficult but it's often just the healing we need...

The Lord is always there to help us let go of what sours us and to open up our hearts and let the healing in...

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 4/21

Lord, let your love come upon me, 

    let your love
        envelop me
        cover me
        overshadow me

        guide me
        fill me

        comfort me
        overwhelm me
        engulf me

        complete me
        anoint me

        quiet me

        caress me

        support me

        heal me
        flood me

        lead me 

        still me

        hold me

        strengthen me

        melt me

        lift me

        challenge me
        inebriate me
        infuse me

        mold me,
        bathe me
        surround me

        seduce me

        grip me

        calm me
        engage me
        embrace me
        feed me
        touch me...

 

Let your love come upon me
    from above and below
    from my left and my right
    from behind and before me

    from every direction

    from inside and out,
Lord, let your love come upon me... 

 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

Cover Me, Lord  by Andrew Culverwell

If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!

 

 

Cover me Lord
    with your presence
Cover me Lord
    with your righteousness
Cover me Lord
    with your Holiness
Lord Jesus
    cover me

 

I need your protection from danger and harm

    shelter me safe in your strong loving arms

    help me to see there's no cause for alarm,

Lord Jesus, cover me

 

Under your shadow I won't be afraid;

    cover me, Lord, 'til the storm goes away

    then, in the heat of a beautiful day,

Lord Jesus, cover me

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 4/21

 

Lord,

    of all the things I might do today,

    of all the things I hope to do today, 

    of all the things I could do today,

    of all the things I intend to do today, 

    of all the things I need to do today,

    of all the things I'm expected to do today 

    of all the things I plan to do today,

    of all the things I can do today,

    of all the things I should do today, 

    of all the things I'm scheduled to do today, 

    of all the things I want to do today,

    of all the things I'd like to avoid doing today, 

        of all these things, what's the one thing, Lord 

                you ask of me - today?

Help me know what that is, Lord, 

and then

    give me the grace, 

    give me the courage, 

    give me the wisdom, 

    give me the strength, 

    give me the will, the smarts and the heart , 

    give me the energy, get-up-and-go, 

    give me the nudge, the push and the shove       

        to do, with a willing and cheerful heart, 

        what you ask of me - today...

Amen.

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 4/20

Just yesterday, Lord, 

we heard the story of two disciples 

making their way to Emmaus

on the afternoon on the very day

you rose up in glory from your tomb...

 

Just yesterday, Lord, I preached that story, 

its meaning for us and its implications

for how we're to live from day to day

as we make our way from here to Emmaus,

from wherever we are to wherever we're bound...

 

How many times today, Lord,

did I meet you on my road?

 

How many times today, Lord,

did you quietly join me on my way

beginning this morning this afternoon

and here right now, as I bow my head 

in grateful prayer as this day ends?

 

How many times did you ask me today:

What's on your mind, what's in your heart? 

And did I hear you?

Did  I hear your question, your interest, your care,

your desire to share in my story

and make my story one with yours? 

 

How many times today, Lord,

did you break the bread of your presence,

y0ur word, your wisdom and truth 

to feed my soul with your light and life?

 

How many times today, Lord,

did my heart burn within me,

aching for your company,

your grace and your mercy,

your presence at my side

as I made my way from dawn to dusk

on the road of this day's work and worry,

blessings and joys, toil and troubles,

gift and graces, ups and downs,

problems and peace

until now

when I'm ready to lay down in peace

with the hope you'll be with me

all through the night?

 

I can't count the times, Lord,

but this I know:

there wasn't a moment in all of this day

you left my side

or I slipped your mind

or fell from your loving arms

as I made my way from here to Emmaus,

from where I began

to where I am bound... 

 

Stay with me, Lord Jesus,

stay by my side, 

I pray... 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

    and asleep rest in your peace...

Amen. 

 

Stay With Me Lord by Ferdinand M. Bautista 

 

If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!

 

 

 

Stay with me, Lord, that I never forget You
Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light

O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile
Stay with me, my Jesus, in the breaking of the bread
The Light which disperses all darkness
The force that sustains me, 

the unique Joy of my heart

Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will
Stay with me, Lord, that I may hear Your voice and follow you
Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You
Stay with me, Lord, if you wish mе to be faithful to You

O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exilе
Stay with me, my Jesus, in the breaking of the bread
The Light which disperses all darkness
The force that sustains me, 

the unique Joy of my heart  

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Monday Morning Offering: 4/20

         Image by George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

A new week stretches ahead of me, Lord,

    and I pray you'll walk with me day by day...

Be with me 

    right from the moment I rise,

        through the night 'til I wake again...

Slow me down, Lord, when I go too fast

    and help me do as well as I can

        all that I need to accomplish...

Give me the wisdom, Lord, to lay aside

    the things I don't need,

    the cares I needn't carry,

    the burdens I needn't bear...

Lighten the burdens that are, indeed, mine

    and open me up to accept any help 

        that others may generously offer...

In the midst of worries this week may bring:

    calm my fears,

        lift my spirits,

            and give me time for rest...

Keep me from yesterday's worries

    and fear of what's yet to come;

keep me mindful

    of the moment that's now at hand...

Open my eyes to my neighbor's burdens

    and give me the grace and courage I need
to offer my hand, my arm and my shoulder;

    my heart, my support and my comfort;

        my smile, my time and my story,

            my compassion and understanding...

 

Show me your face this week, O Lord:

    open my ears to your voice,

    my eyes to awesome beauty,

    my heart to your flowing mercy,

    my mind to your wisdom and counsel,

    my weary limbs to your power and strength,

    my mouth to give you glory and praise...

A new week stretches before me, Lord,

    a week I offer to you and pray

        you help me live it a day at a time,

            in your good time,

                in peace...

Accept my prayer this morning, Lord,

    and all through the week ahead...

Amen.

 

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!