Lenten Meditations
♥ Lord, teach us to pray - pray with discernment ♥
♥ Prayers of unselfish love ♥
♥ Lord, teach us to pray - pray with discernment ♥
♥ Prayers of unselfish love ♥
Lent begins Wednesday, February 10, 2016, and ends Thursday, March 24, 2016.
Click to set custom HTML
Derrick Jensen
Derrick Jensen
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
- Mark 1:12-13
"The dominant culture — civilization — is killing the planet, and it is long past time for those of us who care about life on earth to begin taking the actions necessary to stop this culture from destroying every living thing.”
- Derrick Jensen
from Deep Green Resistance: Strategy to Save the Planet
God, we pray for peace and your presence in areas of turmoil and conflict today, especially the Congo, Syria, and Egypt. Amen.
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
- Mark 1:12-13
"The dominant culture — civilization — is killing the planet, and it is long past time for those of us who care about life on earth to begin taking the actions necessary to stop this culture from destroying every living thing.”
- Derrick Jensen
from Deep Green Resistance: Strategy to Save the Planet
God, we pray for peace and your presence in areas of turmoil and conflict today, especially the Congo, Syria, and Egypt. Amen.
Frederick Buechner
Frederick Buechner
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
- Isaiah 54:10
It is as impossible for us to demonstrate the existence of God as it would be for even Sherlock Holmes to demonstrate the existence of Arthur Conan Doyle. All-wise. All-powerful. All-loving. All-knowing. ... God cannot be expressed but only experienced. In the last analysis, you cannot pontificate but can only point. A Christian is one who points at Christ and says, "I can't prove a thing, but there's something about his eyes and his voice. There's something about the way he carries his head, his hands. The way he carries his cross. The way he carries me."
- Frederick Buechner
In Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC
God, send your Holy Spirit to free us from the burdens of fear and worry, and to help us put our trust in you.
-From Daily Prayer 2013
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
- Isaiah 54:10
It is as impossible for us to demonstrate the existence of God as it would be for even Sherlock Holmes to demonstrate the existence of Arthur Conan Doyle. All-wise. All-powerful. All-loving. All-knowing. ... God cannot be expressed but only experienced. In the last analysis, you cannot pontificate but can only point. A Christian is one who points at Christ and says, "I can't prove a thing, but there's something about his eyes and his voice. There's something about the way he carries his head, his hands. The way he carries his cross. The way he carries me."
- Frederick Buechner
In Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC
God, send your Holy Spirit to free us from the burdens of fear and worry, and to help us put our trust in you.
-From Daily Prayer 2013
Thomas Huxley
Thomas Huxley
But people, despite their riches, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
- Psalm 49:12-13
It is not who is right, but what is right, that is of importance.
- Thomas Huxley
We bring before you, O Lord, the troubles and perils of people and nations, the sighing of prisoners and captives, the sorrows of the bereaved, the necessities of strangers, the helplessness of the weak, the despondency of the weary, the failing powers of the aged. O Lord, draw near to each; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Adapted from a prayer by St. Anselm
But people, despite their riches, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
- Psalm 49:12-13
It is not who is right, but what is right, that is of importance.
- Thomas Huxley
We bring before you, O Lord, the troubles and perils of people and nations, the sighing of prisoners and captives, the sorrows of the bereaved, the necessities of strangers, the helplessness of the weak, the despondency of the weary, the failing powers of the aged. O Lord, draw near to each; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Adapted from a prayer by St. Anselm
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
- Acts 2:42-47
Only a peace between equals can last. Only a peace the very principle of which is equality and a common participation in a common benefit.
- Woodrow Wilson
God, we pray for your will to be done in the Middle East and everywhere experiencing conflict. Where there is violence, bring your peace. Where there is hatred, bring reconciliation.
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
- Acts 2:42-47
Only a peace between equals can last. Only a peace the very principle of which is equality and a common participation in a common benefit.
- Woodrow Wilson
God, we pray for your will to be done in the Middle East and everywhere experiencing conflict. Where there is violence, bring your peace. Where there is hatred, bring reconciliation.
Baruch Spinoza (1632 – 1677)
Benedict De Spinoza
God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
- Job 34:12
Peace is not an absence of war; it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice.
- Benedict De Spinoza
From Theological-Political Treatise
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: mightily spread abroad your Spirit — particularly in the Middle East today — that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one God; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
-Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer
God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
- Job 34:12
Peace is not an absence of war; it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice.
- Benedict De Spinoza
From Theological-Political Treatise
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: mightily spread abroad your Spirit — particularly in the Middle East today — that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one God; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
-Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer
Meister Eckhart
Meister Eckhart
This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it.
- Ezekiel 16:49-50
Do not think that saintliness comes from occupation; it depends rather on what one is. The kind of work we do does not make us holy, but we may make it holy.
- Meister Eckhart
God of the poor and the oppressed, of the marginalized and those cast aside, we pray to you as leaders in Washington debate what to do about the looming fiscal cliff. We ask that solutions might come that help, protect, and defend the least of these in the face of a world that does not. Give us the boldness to do our parts in this, your story, and to speak out for those who have not, for you call us to bring good news to the poor. Amen.
This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it.
- Ezekiel 16:49-50
Do not think that saintliness comes from occupation; it depends rather on what one is. The kind of work we do does not make us holy, but we may make it holy.
- Meister Eckhart
God of the poor and the oppressed, of the marginalized and those cast aside, we pray to you as leaders in Washington debate what to do about the looming fiscal cliff. We ask that solutions might come that help, protect, and defend the least of these in the face of a world that does not. Give us the boldness to do our parts in this, your story, and to speak out for those who have not, for you call us to bring good news to the poor. Amen.
Jim Wallis
Jim Wallis
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you.’ And Solomon said, " ... Give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
- 1 Kings 3:5-10
"Hope is a decision you make. Hope means believing in spite of the evidence and then waiting for the evidence to change."
- Jim Wallis ("Hope Art Quotes")
We beg you, Great God, give us the vision as a people to know where global leadership truly lies, to pursue it diligently, to require it to protect human rights for everyone everywhere.
-From Let Us Pray: Prayer for Leadership by Joan Chittister
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you.’ And Solomon said, " ... Give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
- 1 Kings 3:5-10
"Hope is a decision you make. Hope means believing in spite of the evidence and then waiting for the evidence to change."
- Jim Wallis ("Hope Art Quotes")
We beg you, Great God, give us the vision as a people to know where global leadership truly lies, to pursue it diligently, to require it to protect human rights for everyone everywhere.
-From Let Us Pray: Prayer for Leadership by Joan Chittister
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’
- John 8:31-32
Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the world?
- Abraham Lincoln
From his First Inaugural Address, 1861
My pain and my joy are beyond compreshension. I turn everything over to you. All judgments I release. Emptying the thoughts of craving, fear, dislike. I know the light can then be free to shine. Your light, my light, our light. Thank you for the Life that is my journey. Let me be entirely changed, so that only clear Being remains.
-A prayer by Wendy Wolters
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’
- John 8:31-32
Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the world?
- Abraham Lincoln
From his First Inaugural Address, 1861
My pain and my joy are beyond compreshension. I turn everything over to you. All judgments I release. Emptying the thoughts of craving, fear, dislike. I know the light can then be free to shine. Your light, my light, our light. Thank you for the Life that is my journey. Let me be entirely changed, so that only clear Being remains.
-A prayer by Wendy Wolters
Simone Weil
Simone Weil
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.
- James 2:26
The love of our neighbor in all its fullness simply means being able to say, 'What are you going through?'
- Simone Weil
Your promises are more than all the stars in the sky; your mercy is deeper than the night. Lord, it will be cold. The night comes with its breath of death. Night comes; the end comes; you come. Lord, we wait for you day and night.
-An African Prayer
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.
- James 2:26
The love of our neighbor in all its fullness simply means being able to say, 'What are you going through?'
- Simone Weil
Your promises are more than all the stars in the sky; your mercy is deeper than the night. Lord, it will be cold. The night comes with its breath of death. Night comes; the end comes; you come. Lord, we wait for you day and night.
-An African Prayer
Barack Obama after the Newtown Shootings
Barack Obama
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:4-7
I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting.
- Barack Obama, from his speech after re-election
God, we pray for our elected leaders, old and new. We pray that you would grant them wisdom and vision. Help them address the needs and issues facing this country and the world.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:4-7
I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting.
- Barack Obama, from his speech after re-election
God, we pray for our elected leaders, old and new. We pray that you would grant them wisdom and vision. Help them address the needs and issues facing this country and the world.
G.K. Chesterton
G.K. Chesterton
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.
- Hebrews 13:8
'My country, right or wrong,' is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying, 'My mother, drunk or sober.'
- G.K. Chesterton
From The Defendant
Lord, if we are to be afraid of anything, let it be the fear of not committing ourselves fully to you. Let us fear that the day will pass without our having lightened the load of another. Let us fear that someone will come looking for you and find only us. Amen.
-From Common Prayer
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.
- Hebrews 13:8
'My country, right or wrong,' is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying, 'My mother, drunk or sober.'
- G.K. Chesterton
From The Defendant
Lord, if we are to be afraid of anything, let it be the fear of not committing ourselves fully to you. Let us fear that the day will pass without our having lightened the load of another. Let us fear that someone will come looking for you and find only us. Amen.
-From Common Prayer
Elie Wiesel
Elie Wiesel
The wolf shall live with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
- Isaiah 11:6
The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.
- Elie Wiesel
Lord, when we weary of the journey, strengthen us by your Spirit to imagine new heavens and a new earth. Amen.
-From Common Prayer
The wolf shall live with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
- Isaiah 11:6
The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.
- Elie Wiesel
Lord, when we weary of the journey, strengthen us by your Spirit to imagine new heavens and a new earth. Amen.
-From Common Prayer
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?
- Malachi 2:10
Those who do not feel pain seldom think that it is felt.
- Samuel Johnson
From The Rambler
God, we are so used to seeing ourselves as individuals with personal destinies. Remind us that we are made in your image, the image of community. Help us to love each other and be made one as you are one. Whisper your love to us and let us whisper your love to the world today. Amen.
Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?
- Malachi 2:10
Those who do not feel pain seldom think that it is felt.
- Samuel Johnson
From The Rambler
God, we are so used to seeing ourselves as individuals with personal destinies. Remind us that we are made in your image, the image of community. Help us to love each other and be made one as you are one. Whisper your love to us and let us whisper your love to the world today. Amen.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
- Matthew 6:34 (NRSV)
"Jesus designed to teach me this mystery. He set before me the book of nature; I understood how all the flowers he has created are beautiful, how the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not take away the perfume of the little violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy."
- Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
from The Story of a Soul
God, we ask for love, patience, and understanding when engaging with our neighbors, especially those whose experiences, beliefs, and convictions are different from ours.
So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
- Matthew 6:34 (NRSV)
"Jesus designed to teach me this mystery. He set before me the book of nature; I understood how all the flowers he has created are beautiful, how the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not take away the perfume of the little violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy."
- Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
from The Story of a Soul
God, we ask for love, patience, and understanding when engaging with our neighbors, especially those whose experiences, beliefs, and convictions are different from ours.
John Milton
John Milton
Give counsel, grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon; hide the outcasts, do not betray the fugitive; let the outcasts of Moab settle among you; be a refuge to them from the destroyer.
- Isaiah 16:3-4
Accuse not Nature, she hath done her part; Do thou but thine.
- John Milton
God, we pray for the recovery of all the areas affected by Wild Fires, Hurricanes, and Tornadoes. Continue to strengthen the responders, give hope and comfort to those who are hurting, and provide for those who have lost. Amen.
Give counsel, grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon; hide the outcasts, do not betray the fugitive; let the outcasts of Moab settle among you; be a refuge to them from the destroyer.
- Isaiah 16:3-4
Accuse not Nature, she hath done her part; Do thou but thine.
- John Milton
God, we pray for the recovery of all the areas affected by Wild Fires, Hurricanes, and Tornadoes. Continue to strengthen the responders, give hope and comfort to those who are hurting, and provide for those who have lost. Amen.
Martin Luther
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Romans 8:38-39
"Here I stand. I can do no other."
Martin Luther
Lord, we pray for all of those affected by Superstorm Sandy. Please give comfort to the families of those injured or killed. Guard those first responders who continue to enter dangerous situations to offer aid to others. And give strength to all affected as they work to rebuild. Amen.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Romans 8:38-39
"Here I stand. I can do no other."
Martin Luther
Lord, we pray for all of those affected by Superstorm Sandy. Please give comfort to the families of those injured or killed. Guard those first responders who continue to enter dangerous situations to offer aid to others. And give strength to all affected as they work to rebuild. Amen.
Karl Barth
Karl Barth
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, "Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, "Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.' " And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
- Luke 18:1-8
Let us approach the subject [of prayer] from the given fact that God answers. God is not deaf, but listens; more than that, he acts. God does not act in the same way whether we pray or not. Prayer exerts an influence upon God's action, even upon his existence. This is what the word 'answer' means.
- Karl Barth
From Prayer
Come Holy Spirit...Replace the tension within me with a holy relaxation. Replace the turbulence within me with a sacred calm. Replace the anxiety within me with a quiet confidence. Replace the fear within me with a strong faith. Replace the bitterness within me with the sweetness of grace. Replace the darkness within me with a gentle light. Replace the coldness within me with a loving warmth. Replace the night within me with Your day. Replace the winter within me with Your spring.
A prayer by Fr. James Moriarity
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, "Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, "Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.' " And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
- Luke 18:1-8
Let us approach the subject [of prayer] from the given fact that God answers. God is not deaf, but listens; more than that, he acts. God does not act in the same way whether we pray or not. Prayer exerts an influence upon God's action, even upon his existence. This is what the word 'answer' means.
- Karl Barth
From Prayer
Come Holy Spirit...Replace the tension within me with a holy relaxation. Replace the turbulence within me with a sacred calm. Replace the anxiety within me with a quiet confidence. Replace the fear within me with a strong faith. Replace the bitterness within me with the sweetness of grace. Replace the darkness within me with a gentle light. Replace the coldness within me with a loving warmth. Replace the night within me with Your day. Replace the winter within me with Your spring.
A prayer by Fr. James Moriarity
John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck
The LORD is with me to the end.
- Psalm 138:8
And the stars down so close, and sadness and pleasure so close together, really the same thing. ... The stars are close and dear and I have joined the brotherhood of the worlds. And everything's holy — everything, even me.
- John Steinbeck
From The Grapes of Wrath
God, we ask for comfort and support for all those who are mourning today. Bring peace and healing in their lives. Give them space and time to mourn and strength to carry on.
The LORD is with me to the end.
- Psalm 138:8
And the stars down so close, and sadness and pleasure so close together, really the same thing. ... The stars are close and dear and I have joined the brotherhood of the worlds. And everything's holy — everything, even me.
- John Steinbeck
From The Grapes of Wrath
God, we ask for comfort and support for all those who are mourning today. Bring peace and healing in their lives. Give them space and time to mourn and strength to carry on.
Joan Chittister
Joan Chittister
The Lord heard my weeping.
- Psalm 6:9
Nobody finds time for prayer. You either take time for it or you don't get it.
- Joan Chittister
God, forgive us when we take for granted anything you've created or given us. Instill in us a sense of gratitde and wonder.
The Lord heard my weeping.
- Psalm 6:9
Nobody finds time for prayer. You either take time for it or you don't get it.
- Joan Chittister
God, forgive us when we take for granted anything you've created or given us. Instill in us a sense of gratitde and wonder.
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
My help comes from the LORD.
- Psalm 121:2
In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.
- Mahatma Gandhi
God, thank you that we are not able to save ourselves but must turn to you for strength. We admit that we are helpless without you. Forgive us for our obsession with independence and self-reliance, and let us learn to depend on you in our weakness. Amen.
My help comes from the LORD.
- Psalm 121:2
In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.
- Mahatma Gandhi
God, thank you that we are not able to save ourselves but must turn to you for strength. We admit that we are helpless without you. Forgive us for our obsession with independence and self-reliance, and let us learn to depend on you in our weakness. Amen.
Frederick Buechner
Frederick Buechner
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
- Philippians 2:1-4
If we are to love our neighbors, before doing anything else we must see our neighbors. With our imagination as well as our eyes, that is to say like artists, we must see not just their faces but the life behind and within their faces. Here it is love that is the frame we see them in.
- Frederick Buechner
From Whistling in the Dark
Lord, may the Holy Spirit continue to inspire within us new and life-giving ways to experience the presence of God in our lives.
-Adapted from Daily Prayer
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
- Philippians 2:1-4
If we are to love our neighbors, before doing anything else we must see our neighbors. With our imagination as well as our eyes, that is to say like artists, we must see not just their faces but the life behind and within their faces. Here it is love that is the frame we see them in.
- Frederick Buechner
From Whistling in the Dark
Lord, may the Holy Spirit continue to inspire within us new and life-giving ways to experience the presence of God in our lives.
-Adapted from Daily Prayer
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa
O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.
- Isaiah 33:2
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. I do not agree with the big way of doing things. To us what matters is an individual. To get to love the person we must come in close contact with him. If we wait till we get the numbers, then we will be lost in the numbers.
- Mother Teresa
Lord, within your community we are strengthened to persevere, empowered to proclaim your truth, and shaped to wait on you. Teach us anew what we can learn from other faithful brothers and sisters who serve you in their particular ways of worship and proclamation. Amen.
-From Common Prayer
O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.
- Isaiah 33:2
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. I do not agree with the big way of doing things. To us what matters is an individual. To get to love the person we must come in close contact with him. If we wait till we get the numbers, then we will be lost in the numbers.
- Mother Teresa
Lord, within your community we are strengthened to persevere, empowered to proclaim your truth, and shaped to wait on you. Teach us anew what we can learn from other faithful brothers and sisters who serve you in their particular ways of worship and proclamation. Amen.
-From Common Prayer
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
- Colossians 3:15
The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
God, we pray for Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old Pakistani girl shot in the head by Taliban gunmen. We ask for healing and also comfort for her family and friends. We pray for the Middle East and ask for peace.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
- Colossians 3:15
The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
God, we pray for Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old Pakistani girl shot in the head by Taliban gunmen. We ask for healing and also comfort for her family and friends. We pray for the Middle East and ask for peace.
Vigen Guroian
Vigen Guroian
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up."
- Daniel 3:16-18
“I think gardening is nearer to godliness than theology. True gardeners are both iconographers and theologians insofar as these activities are the fruit of prayer ‘without ceasing.’ Likewise, true gardeners never cease to garden, not even in their sleep, because gardening is not just something they do. It is how they live.”
- Vigen Guroian
from The Fragrance of God
May I see in the textbook of creation that you fill the earth with beauty as well as with practicality; that even in the useful lies the purely ornamental, and that in seeing your holy and artistic design, I may, with your grace, do and be the same.
From Pray All Ways by Edward Hays
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up."
- Daniel 3:16-18
“I think gardening is nearer to godliness than theology. True gardeners are both iconographers and theologians insofar as these activities are the fruit of prayer ‘without ceasing.’ Likewise, true gardeners never cease to garden, not even in their sleep, because gardening is not just something they do. It is how they live.”
- Vigen Guroian
from The Fragrance of God
May I see in the textbook of creation that you fill the earth with beauty as well as with practicality; that even in the useful lies the purely ornamental, and that in seeing your holy and artistic design, I may, with your grace, do and be the same.
From Pray All Ways by Edward Hays
“On Being” with Krista Tippett
John Donne
John Donne
For those in need shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor will never die.
- Psalm 9:18
No [person] is an Island, entire of itself; every [person] is a piece of Continent, a part of the main, if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor or thy friends or of thine own were; any [person's] death diminishes me, because I am involved in [Humankind].
- John Donne
God, help us to take seriously the call to love our neighbors. Stir us into action.
For those in need shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor will never die.
- Psalm 9:18
No [person] is an Island, entire of itself; every [person] is a piece of Continent, a part of the main, if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor or thy friends or of thine own were; any [person's] death diminishes me, because I am involved in [Humankind].
- John Donne
God, help us to take seriously the call to love our neighbors. Stir us into action.
Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Learn to do good; commit yourselves to seeking justice. Make right for the world’s most vulnerable — the oppressed, the orphaned, the widow.
- Isaiah 1:17
Action is the antidote to despair.
- Joan Baez
God, help us to take time to rest. Help us to trust you with our worries and anxieties. Grant us peace.
Learn to do good; commit yourselves to seeking justice. Make right for the world’s most vulnerable — the oppressed, the orphaned, the widow.
- Isaiah 1:17
Action is the antidote to despair.
- Joan Baez
God, help us to take time to rest. Help us to trust you with our worries and anxieties. Grant us peace.
Dorothee Sölle
Dorothee Sölle
Stand up for the poor and the orphan; advocate for the rights of the afflicted and those in need.
- Psalm 82:3
God has no other hands than ours.
- Dorothee Sölle
Lord, where there is injury, let me sow forgiveness. On that day when you are going to weigh our history, forgive those who have wronged and humiliated our brothers and sisters, for they too are your sons and daughters. But give us strength so that we will never do ourselves what they have done. Rather, make us people of solidarity, compassion, and unlimited love. Amen.
Adapted from The Prayer of Saint Francis
Stand up for the poor and the orphan; advocate for the rights of the afflicted and those in need.
- Psalm 82:3
God has no other hands than ours.
- Dorothee Sölle
Lord, where there is injury, let me sow forgiveness. On that day when you are going to weigh our history, forgive those who have wronged and humiliated our brothers and sisters, for they too are your sons and daughters. But give us strength so that we will never do ourselves what they have done. Rather, make us people of solidarity, compassion, and unlimited love. Amen.
Adapted from The Prayer of Saint Francis
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa
Speak out on behalf of those who have no voice, and defend all those who have been passed over.
- Proverbs 31:8
There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call and answer in extraordinary ways.
- Mother Teresa
Deliver us, Lord, from our troubles and remake us in your image.
From Common Prayer
Speak out on behalf of those who have no voice, and defend all those who have been passed over.
- Proverbs 31:8
There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call and answer in extraordinary ways.
- Mother Teresa
Deliver us, Lord, from our troubles and remake us in your image.
From Common Prayer
C.S Lewis
C.S Lewis
The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
- Isaiah 32:17
The rule for us all is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him [or her]."
- C.S Lewis
Lord, you have shown us what love looks like. Help us through acts of forgiveness and reconciliation to so love one another that our neighbors know we are your disciples and know that to be good news. Amen.
From Common Prayer
The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
- Isaiah 32:17
The rule for us all is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him [or her]."
- C.S Lewis
Lord, you have shown us what love looks like. Help us through acts of forgiveness and reconciliation to so love one another that our neighbors know we are your disciples and know that to be good news. Amen.
From Common Prayer
Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton
For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
- 1 Corinthians 1:25-27
For every gain in deep certitude there is a corresponding growth of superficial "doubt." This doubt is by no means opposed to genuine faith, but it mercilessly examines and questions the spurious "faith" of everyday life, the human faith which is nothing but the passive acceptance of conventional opinion.
- Thomas Merton
God of Conscience, God of Courage, give us whatever grace we need to work for the coming of the reign of God now, here and always. Amen.
-A prayer by Joan Chittister
For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
- 1 Corinthians 1:25-27
For every gain in deep certitude there is a corresponding growth of superficial "doubt." This doubt is by no means opposed to genuine faith, but it mercilessly examines and questions the spurious "faith" of everyday life, the human faith which is nothing but the passive acceptance of conventional opinion.
- Thomas Merton
God of Conscience, God of Courage, give us whatever grace we need to work for the coming of the reign of God now, here and always. Amen.
-A prayer by Joan Chittister
1757-1827. British poet and painter.
William Blake
Real, true religion from God the Father’s perspective is about caring for the orphans and widows who suffer needlessly and resisting the evil influence of the world.
- James 1:27
Why stand we here trembling around, calling on God for help, and not ourselves, in whom God dwells, stretching a hand to save the falling man?
- William Blake
May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, hunger, homelessness, and rejection, so that we may reach out our hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in the world so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.
Adapted from Education For Justice
Real, true religion from God the Father’s perspective is about caring for the orphans and widows who suffer needlessly and resisting the evil influence of the world.
- James 1:27
Why stand we here trembling around, calling on God for help, and not ourselves, in whom God dwells, stretching a hand to save the falling man?
- William Blake
May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, hunger, homelessness, and rejection, so that we may reach out our hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in the world so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.
Adapted from Education For Justice
Archbishop Oscar Romero
Archbishop Oscar Romero
O Lord, you will ordain peace for us, for indeed, all that we have done, you have done for us.
- Isaiah 26:12
Beautiful is the moment in which we understand that we are no more than an instrument of God; we live only as long as God wants us to live; we can do only as much as God makes us able to; we are only as intelligent as God would have us be.
- Archbishop Oscar Romero
From Romero's last homily, March 23, 1980
Through your own merciful dealings with me, O Lord my God, tell me what you are to me. Say to my soul, I am your salvation. Say it so that I can hear it. My heart is listening, Lord; open the ears of my heart and say to my soul, I am your salvation. Let me run toward this voice and seize hold of you.
From The Confessions of Saint Augustine
O Lord, you will ordain peace for us, for indeed, all that we have done, you have done for us.
- Isaiah 26:12
Beautiful is the moment in which we understand that we are no more than an instrument of God; we live only as long as God wants us to live; we can do only as much as God makes us able to; we are only as intelligent as God would have us be.
- Archbishop Oscar Romero
From Romero's last homily, March 23, 1980
Through your own merciful dealings with me, O Lord my God, tell me what you are to me. Say to my soul, I am your salvation. Say it so that I can hear it. My heart is listening, Lord; open the ears of my heart and say to my soul, I am your salvation. Let me run toward this voice and seize hold of you.
From The Confessions of Saint Augustine
Phillip Yancey
Phillip Yancey
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- Hebrews 10:23-25
God was not surprised by human disobedience, human failure, and yet God judged all of history, including the tragedies, including the rebellions, including the crucifixion of [God's] own son, and judged it as worth it.
- Phillip Yancey
Lord, you have brought us in safety to this new day. Preserve us by your mighty power that we may not fall into sin nor be overcome by adversity, and in all that we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Adapted from Common Prayer
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- Hebrews 10:23-25
God was not surprised by human disobedience, human failure, and yet God judged all of history, including the tragedies, including the rebellions, including the crucifixion of [God's] own son, and judged it as worth it.
- Phillip Yancey
Lord, you have brought us in safety to this new day. Preserve us by your mighty power that we may not fall into sin nor be overcome by adversity, and in all that we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Adapted from Common Prayer
Gerard Manley Hopkins
Gerard Manley Hopkins
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.
- Proverbs 22:2
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil.
- Gerard Manley Hopkins
From God's Grandeur
Thank you, Lord, for the witness of those who have counted their relationship with you more important than their very lives. Listen, Lord, to our hearts' cry: teach us how to pray. Draw us to you in constant prayer, that we might grow in the intimacy that makes your passion ours. Amen.
Adapted from Common Prayer
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.
- Proverbs 22:2
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil.
- Gerard Manley Hopkins
From God's Grandeur
Thank you, Lord, for the witness of those who have counted their relationship with you more important than their very lives. Listen, Lord, to our hearts' cry: teach us how to pray. Draw us to you in constant prayer, that we might grow in the intimacy that makes your passion ours. Amen.
Adapted from Common Prayer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
- Romans 12:12
It is a blessed thing to know that no power on earth, no temptation, no human frailty can dissolve what God holds together.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Help us, O Lord, to remember our kindred beyond the sea—all those who bend in bonds, of our own blood and of human kind—the lowly and the wretched, the ignorant and the weak. We are one world...and one great human problem and what we do here goes to solve not only our petty troubles alone but the difficulties and desires of millions unborn and unknown. Let us then realize our responsibilities and gain strength to bear them worthily.
A prayer by W. E. B. Du Bois
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
- Romans 12:12
It is a blessed thing to know that no power on earth, no temptation, no human frailty can dissolve what God holds together.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Help us, O Lord, to remember our kindred beyond the sea—all those who bend in bonds, of our own blood and of human kind—the lowly and the wretched, the ignorant and the weak. We are one world...and one great human problem and what we do here goes to solve not only our petty troubles alone but the difficulties and desires of millions unborn and unknown. Let us then realize our responsibilities and gain strength to bear them worthily.
A prayer by W. E. B. Du Bois
Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton
...They are truths with which, for centuries, man has slowly and with difficulty built a civilized world in the effort to make happiness possible, not merely by making life materially better, but by helping men to understand and live their life more fruitfully.
Honorable Reader: Reflections on My Work, ed. Robert E. Daggy. (New York: Crossroads, 1985). 123-136
Thought for the Day: The key to this understanding is the truth that "No man is an island." A selfish life cannot be fruitful.
...They are truths with which, for centuries, man has slowly and with difficulty built a civilized world in the effort to make happiness possible, not merely by making life materially better, but by helping men to understand and live their life more fruitfully.
Honorable Reader: Reflections on My Work, ed. Robert E. Daggy. (New York: Crossroads, 1985). 123-136
Thought for the Day: The key to this understanding is the truth that "No man is an island." A selfish life cannot be fruitful.
Barbara Brown Taylor
Barbara Brown Taylor
"The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. [God] made known [God’s] ways to Moses, [God’s] acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."
- Psalm 103:6-8
“According to the Talmud, every blade of grass has its own angel bending over it, whispering, 'Grow, grow.'”
- Barbara Brown Taylor
from An Altar in the World
Praised are You, Adonai our God, Guide of the Universe, who creates innumerable living beings and their needs, for all the things You have created to sustain every living being. Praised are You, the life of the Universe.
A Jewish Blessing
"The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. [God] made known [God’s] ways to Moses, [God’s] acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."
- Psalm 103:6-8
“According to the Talmud, every blade of grass has its own angel bending over it, whispering, 'Grow, grow.'”
- Barbara Brown Taylor
from An Altar in the World
Praised are You, Adonai our God, Guide of the Universe, who creates innumerable living beings and their needs, for all the things You have created to sustain every living being. Praised are You, the life of the Universe.
A Jewish Blessing
Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L'Engle
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD shall be your rearguard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry for help, and [God] will say, Here I am.
- Isaiah 58:6-9
If you're going to care about the fall of the sparrow you can't pick and choose who's going to be the sparrow. It's everybody.
- Madeleine L'Engle
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight,
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest your weary ones.
Bless your dying ones.
Soothe your suffering ones.
Pity your afflicted ones.
Shield your joyous ones.
And for all your love's sake. Amen.
A prayer by Saint Augustine of Hippo
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD shall be your rearguard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry for help, and [God] will say, Here I am.
- Isaiah 58:6-9
If you're going to care about the fall of the sparrow you can't pick and choose who's going to be the sparrow. It's everybody.
- Madeleine L'Engle
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight,
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest your weary ones.
Bless your dying ones.
Soothe your suffering ones.
Pity your afflicted ones.
Shield your joyous ones.
And for all your love's sake. Amen.
A prayer by Saint Augustine of Hippo
Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” … Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
- John 8:3-5
"What would you do if an armed maniac were to attack you, your child, your mother? How many times have we heard this. Restrain him, of course, but not kill him. Confine him if necessary. But perfect love casts out fear and love overcomes hatred. All this sounds trite but experience is not trite."
- Dorothy Day
from The Long Loneliness
God, we ask for love, patience, and understanding when engaging with our neighbors, especially those whose experiences, beliefs, and convictions are different from ours.
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” … Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
- John 8:3-5
"What would you do if an armed maniac were to attack you, your child, your mother? How many times have we heard this. Restrain him, of course, but not kill him. Confine him if necessary. But perfect love casts out fear and love overcomes hatred. All this sounds trite but experience is not trite."
- Dorothy Day
from The Long Loneliness
God, we ask for love, patience, and understanding when engaging with our neighbors, especially those whose experiences, beliefs, and convictions are different from ours.
Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi
"But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed."
- Exodus 16:18
"Let me tell you how to love all equally…Do not demand anything from those you love. If you make demands, some will give you more and some less. In any case you will love more those who give you more and less those who give you less. Thus your love will not be the same for all. You will not be able to love all impartially."
- Sarada Devi
Give us the strength and determination to work toward solutions and policy changes that can free our sisters and brothers around the world from the chains of poverty. Inspire us to challenge our leaders to make debt relief and fighting poverty a priority, and make our voices loud and clear. Amen.
A prayer by Cardinal O'Brien
"But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed."
- Exodus 16:18
"Let me tell you how to love all equally…Do not demand anything from those you love. If you make demands, some will give you more and some less. In any case you will love more those who give you more and less those who give you less. Thus your love will not be the same for all. You will not be able to love all impartially."
- Sarada Devi
Give us the strength and determination to work toward solutions and policy changes that can free our sisters and brothers around the world from the chains of poverty. Inspire us to challenge our leaders to make debt relief and fighting poverty a priority, and make our voices loud and clear. Amen.
A prayer by Cardinal O'Brien
Quote of the Day
