O heavenly Father, in whom we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray thee so to guide and govern us by thy Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget thee, but may remember that we are ever walking in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Book of Common Prayer 1979

God, let me play well but fairly.
Help me to learn something that matters
once the game is over.
Let competition make me strong but never hostile.
Always let me help my opponent up.
Never catch me rejoicing in the adversity of others.
If I know victory, allow me to be happy; if I am denied, keep me from envy.
Remind me that sports are just games.
If through athletics I set an example,
let it be a good one.

- Gregg Easterbook

Peace be to this house
And to all who dwell in it.
Peace be to them that enter
And to them that depart.

Source: Traditional

Father, I'm praying for (name one or more) and those who are serving with him/her, and for their families...

The Bible tells us You're our rock, our fortress, and our shield— and these people on my heart need You to be all these things and more! They don't have to be in the heat of battle to be in danger; the world is a dangerous place wherever they are. (Psalm 18:2)

Grant them new life, that they may run under Your wings when they face danger of any kind; cover them with Your feathers. Help them stay in constant touch with You, living in Your presence. Then send Your angels to surround them and guard them wherever they go! ( John 3:3, 5; Psalm 57:1; 91:1–2, 4, 9, 11; 2 Kings 6:17)

Help them turn to You as their refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Go before them and protect them from behind. Be their shade from the heat, their shelter from the storm, their hiding place—protect them from trouble. Watch over them, for You never sleep. Their lives are in Your hands; may they trust in You and not be afraid. (Psalm 46:1; Isaiah 52:12; 25:4b; Psalm 32:7a; 121:4–5; 31:15; 56:11)

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

i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth
day of life and love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any-lifted from the no
of all nothing-human merely being
doubt unimaginably You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

- e. e. cummings

Father, behold thy child; Creator, behold thy creature; Master, behold thy disciple; Saviour, behold thy redeemed one; Spirit, behold thy cleansed one; Comforter, behold one whom thou dost uphold; So I come to thee, O infinite and unimaginable, To worship thee.

- Margaret Cropper (1886-1980)

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