God of all blessings,
source of all life,
giver of all grace:

We thank you for the gift of life:
for the breath
that sustains life,
for the food of this earth
that nurtures life,
for the love of family and friends
without which there would be no life.

We thank you for the mystery of creation:
for the beauty
that the eye can see,
for the joy
that the ear may hear,
for the unknown
that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder,
for the expanse of space
that draws us beyond the definitions of our selves.

We thank you for setting us in communities:
for families
who nurture our becoming,
for friends
who love us by choice,
for companions at work,
who share our burdens and daily tasks,
for strangers
who welcome us into their midst,
for people from other lands
who call us to grow in understanding,
for children
who lighten our moments with delight,
for the unborn,
who offer us hope for the future.

We thank you for this day:
for life
and one more day to love,
for opportunity
and one more day to work for justice and peace,
for neighbors
and one more person to love
and by whom be loved,
for your grace
and one more experience of your presence,
for your promise:
to be with us,
to be our God,
and to give salvation.

For these, and all blessings,
we give you thanks, eternal, loving God,
through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

- Vienna Cobb Anderson

Source: Adapted from "Prayers of Our Hearts" © 1991 Vienna Cobb Anderson. Reprinted with the permission of the author.

O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom: Defend us, thy humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Book of Common Prayer 1979

Father, I pray that (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends will be willing to be involved with others in their churches...

May they be willing to get out of their comfort zones, to find a group or activity to be part of so they can experience the fellowship they're meant to have within the church. (1 John 1:7a)

May they be willing to invest in others' lives, desiring to come together as often as they can so they can encourage and build one another up. Help them not to isolate themselves. (Hebrews 10:25)

Help them see their churches as the body of Christ. In their differences, help them to remember they're each needed to make the others complete—in the church, in classes, and in every small group. Help them reach out to others. (Romans 12:4–5)

May they be willing to connect with others, to open up and share from their hearts when given the opportunity. Help them to love one another in their churches as brothers and sisters in Christ with the kind of love that lays down their lives for each other. May Your love be made complete in them as they extend love to others. (1 John 3:11, 14, 16)

Give them the desire to pursue friendship and brotherly love. 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

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

For seasonable weather, and for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Source: Book of Common Prayer 1979

May the house wherein I dwell be blessed;
My good thoughts here possess me;
May my path of life be straight and true;
My dreams as here I lie be joyous;
All above, below, about me
May the house I love be hallowed.

Source: Traditional

Your word is a lantern to my feet
and a light upon my path.

I have sworn and am determined
to keep your righteous judgments.

I am deeply troubled;
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.

Accept, O Lord, the willing tribute of my lips,
and teach me your judgments.

My life is always in my hand,
yet I do not forget your law.

The wicked have set a trap for me,
but I have not strayed from your commandments.

Your decrees are my inheritance for ever;
truly, they are the joy of my heart.

I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes
for ever and to the end.

- Psalms 119: 105-112

Source: Book of Common Prayer 1979; Read a Jewish translation

Ten thousand blessings to all of our furry friends who are in need of prayers. May they be comfortable, healthy, and blessed with joy and companionship. May their eyes shine brightly and may they know that they are loved.

- Beliefnet member sneezingdakini

Source: Beliefnet prayer circle

Father, I'm praying for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends who are lonely...

Help them to reach out, to put themselves in a position to find friends who can become closer than brothers. When they're lonely, don't let them withdraw but help them be willing to meet with others whenever they can, especially in churches. Help them become others-centered, genuinely serving and caring for others. (Proverbs 18:24b; Hebrews 10:25; Galatians 5:13b)

When they are physically distanced from family and friends, help them stay connected over the miles however they can, so they'll each know how the other is. (Ephesians 6:22)

More than anything, help them live in a close, personal relationship with You, knowing You better and loving You more everyday. May they come near You, for if they do, You've promised You'll come near them. Teach them what it means to live in Your love, searching for You with all their hearts, for You've promised they'll find You. (1 John 1:3; James 4:8a; John 15:9; Jeremiah 29:13)

Help them to know You not only as their Lord and God but as their brother and friend. (Jeremiah 9:24a; John 10:14; 20:28; Romans 8:29b; John 15:15)

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

O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. And you, yourself, pray in me. Amen.

- St. Philaret of Moscow