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Power in Prayer
Saturday, 2 February 2008
A Tu B'Shvat Prayer for Creation
Topic: Creation
A Tu B'Shvat Prayer for Creation
Source of Creation and Life of the Universe, we gather together on Tu B'Shvat, as Jews of conscience, with a deep spiritual bond to your natural wonders, to affirm and preserve creation.
We are grateful for creation in all its majesty: the ever-flowing waters, the azure blue skies, the complex life of Earth's forests, the myriad of life forms--amoebae and falcon, black footed ferret and wild turkey, human being and soaring eagle.
The life of all creatures and our own lives are One, profoundly dependent upon each other.
We call our ancient scroll of wisdom, the Torah, an "eytz chaim," a tree of life, for it, like the Earth's great forests, sustains us. Torah teaches us that creation, in its great diversity, is harmoniously interconnected. Like the trees, we too need strong and deep roots for nourishment. The uplifted branches of trees point to our future. God let us be strong, as strong as ancient trees. The Psalmist was right when he said, "like a tree planted by the waters, we shall not be moved."
We are grateful for the life we are lent. We pledge to lift up our voices both in praise of You and in defense of Your Creation. - Rabbi Warren G. Stone  Jewish source: Reprinted with permission of the author.
Posted by kupaakani
at 12:58 AM HST
Monday, 28 January 2008
Prayer for Children's Values
Topic: Children
Prayer for Children's ValuesGod help us to weave a tapestry of love and not hate in our children, a spirit of tolerance and caring, a dedication to freedom for all and not just some. God help us to sow seeds of peace and justice in our children's hearts today. - Marian Wright Edelman Christian, appropriate for many faiths source: Reprinted by the permission of Russell & Volkening as agents for the author. Copyright © 1995 Marian Wright Edelman
Posted by kupaakani
at 5:54 AM HST
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Prayer in Old Age
Topic: Aging
Prayer in Old Age, attributed to a Seventeenth Century Nun Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am getting older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but you know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. Keep my mind from the recital of endless details-give me the wings to come to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me to endure them with patience. I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint-some of them are so hard to live with-but a sour old woman is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and the talents in unexpected people. And give me the grace to tell them so.
Posted by kupaakani
at 9:47 PM HST
A Prayer for Spiritual Warriors
Topic: Spiritual Warfare
O Lord, I bless thee that the issue of the battle between thyself and Satan
has never been uncertain,
and will end in victory. Calvary broke the dragon’s head,
and I contend with a vanquished foe,
who with all his subtlety and strength
has already been overcome.
When I feel the serpent at my heel
may I remember him whose heel was bruised,
but who, when bruised, broke the devil’s head. My soul with inward joy extols the mighty conqueror. Heal me of any wounds received in the great conflict;
if I have gathered defilement,
if my faith has suffered damage,
if my hope is less than bright,
if my love is not fervent,
if some creature-comfort occupies my heart,
if my soul sinks under the pressure of the fight. O thou whose every promise is balm,
every touch life,
draw near to thy weary warrior,
refresh me, that I may rise again to wage the strife,
and never tire until my enemy is trodden down. Give me such fellowship with thee that I may defy Satan,
unbelief, the flesh, the world,
with delight that comes not from a creature,
and which a creature cannot mar. Give me a draught of the eternal fountain
that lieth in thy immutable, everlasting love and decree. Then shall my hand never weaken,
my feet never stumble,
my sword never rest,
my shield never rust,
my helmet never shatter,
my breastplate never fall,
As my strength rests in the power of thy might. Amen. The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions by Arthur Bennett.
Posted by kupaakani
at 4:37 AM HST
Updated: Tuesday, 5 February 2008 9:07 PM HST
Prayer in Honor of Mary's Courage
Topic: Obedience
Prayer in Honor of Mary's Courage
Mary,
you heard a voice.
You answered, "Yes,"
risking shame and disgrace,
ridicule and rejection.
Still, you said, "Yes."
Yes, to the promise
you received from God.
Yes, to the birth
of a firstborn son.
Let your trust be our inspiration,
your faith
be our guide,
your hope
our course for courage.
This we ask
in the name of the child
you bore,
the Savior of the world,
who came
through God's abiding love
and your spoken word.
Yes.
So be it.
Amen. - Vienna Cobb Anderson Christian source: Adapted from "Prayers of Our Hearts" © 1991 Vienna Cobb Anderson. Reprinted with the permission of the author.
Posted by kupaakani
at 4:30 AM HST
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Pledge for an Adopted Child
Topic: Adoption
Pledge for an Adopted Child
We did not plant you,
True.
But when the season is done,
When the alternate prayers
For the sun and for rain are counted,
When the pain of weeding
And the pride of watching are through,
We will hold you high.
A shining leaf
Above the thousand seeds grown wild
Not by our planting,
But by heaven.
Our harvest.
Our own child. - Debra Nussbaum Cohen Jewish, appropriate for many faiths source: "Celebrating Your New Jewish Daughter" © 2001 by Debra Nussbaum Cohen
Posted by kupaakani
at 10:27 PM HST
Thursday, 24 January 2008
The Cornerstone of Peace
Topic: Peace
The Cornerstone of Peace
Almighty God, the Great Thumb
we cannot evade to tie any knot:
The Roaring Thunder that splits mighty trees;
the all-seeing Lord up on high who sees
even the footprints of an antelope on a rock mass here on earth.
You are the one who does not hesitate to respond to our call.
You are the cornerstone of peace. African, appropriate for many faiths
Posted by kupaakani
at 9:03 AM HST
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Prayer for Protection
Topic: Protection
Prayer for Protection
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;
Wherever I am, God is,
And all is well. - James Dillet Freeman Appropriate for many faiths
Posted by kupaakani
at 10:42 AM HST
To Listen With Heart
Topic: Guidance
To Listen With Heart
Father, I'm praying for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends who need You to lead them through the decisions they're making...
Help them to live in dependence on You, as dependent sheep in the flock of their shepherd, willing to follow You and not be led astray. Help them to keep their eyes on Jesus, to listen for Him, to hear and recognize His voice. (Psalm 77:20; Isaiah 53:6; Hebrews 12:2a; John 10:3–4)
May they listen with their hearts and hear You say, "This is the way, walk in it." Guide them in Your truth; teach, counsel, and watch over them. When it seems like they're walking in the darkness and have no light, help them trust in You and Your name, confident that You'll lead them along paths they haven't seen before. (Isaiah 30:21; Psalm 25:5a; 32:8; Isaiah 50:10b; 42:16)
Lead and guide them for the sake of Your name. May they know their lives are in Your hands. Direct their steps and clear the way for them. (Psalm 31:3, 14–15a; Proverbs 20:24a; Psalm 18:36)
May the Spirit of truth lead them and teach them all things. Guide them in the way of wisdom and lead them according to Your will. ( John 14:16-17; Romans 8:14; John 16:13; 1 John 2:27; Proverbs 4:11)
Keep them from wrong choices. In Jesus' name, amen. - Jim & Kaye Johns source: "Prayers for the Moment: One-Minute Scripture Prayers" Copyright September 2006. Reprinted with permission of B&H Publishing Group
Posted by kupaakani
at 10:40 AM HST
Monday, 21 January 2008
In Remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Topic: Martin Luther King
In Remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr.
O Guardian of Israel,
Our shelter and shade,
Stir up in us that flame of justice
That Jesus incited on this earth,
That rages in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
O arouse in us
That very flame of righteousness
That enticed Martin
To be a living sacrifice of praise,
To seek freedom for all God's children.
O to you, God, ever faithful and true,
Be glory for ever and ever.
Amen. - Attributed to J. Glenn Murray, SJ Christian
Posted by kupaakani
at 4:11 AM HST
Updated: Monday, 21 January 2008 4:11 AM HST
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