Prayer of Thomas Merton

Submitted by Ian Reid on 13 March, 2024

Prayer of Thomas Merton

My Lord God I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.

And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever near me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Amen.

Prayers of the Bible - Hannah's Prayer

Submitted by Daphne Bate on 12 February, 2024

Hannah’s Prayer of Praise

Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me.

No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

1 Sam 2:1-3 [NLT]

Prayer for Sudan

Submitted by Ian Reid on 10 May, 2023

Prayers for Sudan

Please pray

Dear Lord, we are grieved to hear news of violence in Sudan. We especially remember all the children who are being impacted by this conflict and pray for your protection on them and their families.

Lord, we know that people are hurting deeply and our thoughts are with them.

You know the hearts of all involved, and we pray that you will heal their hurts - bringing about peace and reconciliation.

Loving Father, we pray for the people of Sudan who have already seen so much devastation in their country.

May you comfort them in their grief. Keep the flames of hope alive we pray, and restore the nation.

And Lord, we thank you for all the good that has been accomplished in Sudan through World Vision and others.

We pray that you will be with aid workers at this time; keep them and their families safe - and may they safely return to their work very soon.

In your name we pray, Amen.

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair... struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

Prayer for Hope

Submitted by Ian Reid on 2 January, 2023

Prayer for Hope After a Difficult Year

Dear God,

hank you for helping us to make it through this difficult year.

Thank you that you’ve carried us through the uncertainty of deep waters, through the flames of trials, and through the pain of hard losses.

We are constantly aware of how much we need you, your grace, your strength, your power working through even the toughest days.

Fill us with your joy and the peace of your Spirit. Direct our hearts and minds towards you.

Thank you for your reminder that both in seasons of celebration and in seasons of brokenness, you’re still with us.

For you never leave us.

Thank you for your daily powerful Presence in our lives, that we can be assured your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers.

Thank you for surrounding us with favor and a shield, and we are safe in your care.

We choose to press in close to you today and keep you first in our hearts and lives.

Without You, we would surely fail, but with you, there is great hope.

Thank you for your healing power, thank you for bringing us into this new season up ahead.

We look forward to all that You still have in store.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

New Year Prayer

Submitted by Ian Reid on 2 January, 2023

New Year's Prayer - Prayer for a Renewed Heart

O Lord, you have mercy on all.

Take away my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of your Holy Spirit.

Take away my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore you, a heart to delight in you, to follow and to enjoy you, for Christ’s sake.

Amen.

Source: Ambrose, d. 397

Advent Prayer - Poem

Submitted by Ian Reid on 23 November, 2022

Advent Prayer Poem Advent Credo by Allan Boesak


It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—

This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;


It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—

This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.


It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—

This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.


It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—

This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.


It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—

This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.


It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—

This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.


So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope.

Let us see visions of love and peace and justice.

Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage:

Jesus Christ—the life of the world.

Serenity prayer

Submitted by Ian Reid on 19 April, 2022

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His Will;

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life

And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next.

Amen.

Anzac day prayer

Submitted by Ian Reid on 19 April, 2022

Gracious and loving God, the cross of Christ is the sign of your desire for justice and peace for all.

Open our minds to your vision as we remember all who suffered through Australia and New Zealand’s involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Grant all servicepersons who sacrificed health and life for the good of all, the gift of your deep peace.

May we who inherit the freedom for which they fought become instruments of your peace in our homes, workplaces and world.

We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

Continued Prayer For peace

Submitted by Ian Reid on 28 February, 2022

Prayer for peace in Ukraine

Holy and Gracious God

We pray for the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia; for their countries and their leaders.

We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear.

We pray for all those who have the power over life and death; that they will choose for all people life, and life in all its fullness.

We pray for those who choose war; that they will remember that you direct your people to turn our swords into ploughshares and seek for peace.

We pray for leaders on the world stage; that they are inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ. Above all, Lord, today we pray for peace for Ukraine.

And we ask this in the name of your blessed Son.

Lord have mercy. Amen

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