O God, the source of creation, ever-present in the changes of this world, be present with your people who cry to you for help. Empower us with vision and strength to enable the peoples of this earth to acquire the skills and resources necessary to a growing world. Enable those from countries with plenty to share their lives, funds, and resources with those in need. Embolden those with vision to proclaim new ways of creating communities of responsibility. Engage us in learning from one another and in valuing the unique gifts that you have given to the people of every land. Bless your people, O God, who cry to you. Amen.

- Vienna Cobb Anderson

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

Glory to you, O God, Creator and Father, for the universe in which we live, and for men made in your own image. Glory to you, O Christ, who took a human body and redeemed our fallen nature. Glory to you, O Holy Spirit, who made our bodies the temple of your presence. Glory to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, whose will it is that we should be made whole in body, mind and spirit. Glory to God to all eternity.

- George Appleton

I pray that I may live to fish
Until my dying day.
And when it comes to my last cast,
I then most humbly pray:
When in the Lord's great landing net
And peacefully asleep
That in His mercy I be judged
Big enough to keep.

- Unknown

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.