Prayers for a Whole Life : Day 37

a prayer for the way(inspired by Psalm 119)You, O Lord, are our path and our destination.You guide us over rough and smooth places,over mountain ridges and through deep valleys,across the waves and into the wilderness.By Your word You lead us, shaping us for the journeyby Your laws and by Your love.     With my whole …

Prayers for a Whole Life : Day 36

a prayer of fatigueGod, even as I typed it, I felt tired: "Day 36." Thirty-six seems like so many; a long stretch of days to maintain the daily disciplines (now becoming habits) of Lent. Every day I open this window, stare at this empty space on my computer screen, and attempt to fill it. Every …

Prayers for a Whole Life : Day 35

a prayer for the future, for nowI believe,God,that following you todaywill get us there tomorrow(even if we don't know where that is,exactly)give us courage to keep stepping forwardshow us the right ways to walkfor this daygrow us in the ways we needto be ready for the days to comeandremind us(even as we try, can't help …

Prayers for a Whole Life : Day 34

a prayer when things go wrongit happens.the stitches twist.the thread tangles.the paint spills.the glue never dries.the friendship falters.the family sulks.the clouds burst.teach me not to give up.teach me to take a new lookat the materials I'm working with:yarn, paste, color,relationship,love--help menot to assume the workmust be discarded.teach me to look for ways to try again.encourage …

Prayers for a Whole Life : Day 33

a prayer for this dark morning6:13 a.m.bring light into this day, O God,as you always dothough I woke up tiredand frustrated,bring your light alsointo mehelp meto walk through these hours(even these still-dark hours)with grace:with patience for the wake-up call,with anticipation for what light may bring,with peace despite my short fuseforgive me for my anger,my expectations …

Prayers for a Whole Life : Day 32

a prayer of confession, and a prayer for wisdomforgive me, God,for these most frequent sins:     running my mouth when I should keep quiet     and     being silent when I should speak upgive me discernment to knowwhen to listen and when to speak outgive me courageto let silence lingerandcourageto let my voice be heardin …

Prayers for a Whole Life : Day 31

a prayer for new growthLord,take the seeds I have to offerthese tiny kernels of selfthese dormant dreamsandmake them growI'm amazed at howmiraculous it is,how I am always in awe,every time youcall life to push up through the darkeven the smallest glimpse of green--the birth the sprouting the faith--calls me to praiseand I praythat you willlet …

Prayers for a Whole Life : Day 30

a prayer of thanksgiving for God's love(selections from Psalm 107)Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands,from the east and from the west,from the north and from the south.Some wandered in desert wastes, hungry and thirsty,their souls fainted within them.Then they cried out to the …

Prayers for a Whole Life : Day 29

a prayer for understanding graceI know I never will, God.but I'd like to try,I want to try again and again,as long as it takes,to understand your grace toward us.open my eyes to glimpses;help me to see grace sparklingwhere I never thought to look.teach methat your grace isn't for me alone--and not even for each one …

Prayers for a Whole Life : Day 28

a prayer for being heresometimes, God,I don't know what I'm doing herehelp me to find my placehelp me to see where I connecthelp me to see what we have in commonhelp me to let goof impossible standardshelp me not to expect usnot to be who we arehelp me to be an encouragera partnerhelp me to …