Prayer Note #39 — On Not Being All That I Could Be

Let me have ears to hear you clearly and a heart and mind to understand you deeply and a strong inclination to go as you lead me and to use what you have given me, and so to glorify your name. You have given me many gifts, many resources, many tools.  But mostly I squander … Continue reading Prayer Note #39 — On Not Being All That I Could Be

Prayer Note #38 — The Voice

Oh, Lord, how I long to be intimately familiar with your voice. Your voice is full of power -- whether you speak with rock-breaking loudness or whether you whisper quietly in my ear.  Your voice is full of soul-transforming power.  Let that powerful voice pierce to the center of my mind, to the core of my … Continue reading Prayer Note #38 — The Voice

Prayer Note #37 — On a Summer Morning

Lord, the sun is warm and pleasant on my back.  The birds of all sorts are chirping and twittering in the trees around me this morning.  Lily, my gracious, canine companion, is lying beside me with her chin on the bottom rail looking out into the backyard, watching everything and nothing in particular, patient and … Continue reading Prayer Note #37 — On a Summer Morning

Prayer Note #36 — The Time of my Life

Here I am, Lord.  It's a little before 5:00 A.M., and I've been awake for a half an hour or so, lying in bed, my mind wandering from thought to thought.  I seem to be done sleeping, though the clock tells me that I shouldn't be.  Have you wakened me for some reason?  Or is … Continue reading Prayer Note #36 — The Time of my Life

Prayer Note #35 — A Prayer for Artists and Artisans

Thanks you, Lord, that you have led me to discover the pleasures of making things with my hands -- durable things that last, things that can be appealing to the eye, things that show the natural beauties of the wood and stone that you have made and the metals you have shown us how to … Continue reading Prayer Note #35 — A Prayer for Artists and Artisans

Prayer Note #34 — Refreshment from the Suffocation of Sin

Though I am mired in sin, yet still have mercy on me, O Father and Lord of my life.  Capture my every thought and all the impulses of my being.  Make me yours in every facet of my life, so that I might have peace and full redemption in every branch and twig and leaf … Continue reading Prayer Note #34 — Refreshment from the Suffocation of Sin

Prayer Note #33 — A Pastor’s Sunday Morning Prayer

Lord, nothing important will happen here this morning unless you are present . Holy Spirit, we cannot worship unless you make us able to worship. Our attempts at worship will be counterfeit unless you inhabit our worship in purposefulness and power. I ask, on behalf of my people for your directing, empowering presence. Grant that … Continue reading Prayer Note #33 — A Pastor’s Sunday Morning Prayer

Prayer Note #32 — A Prayer for a Day of Fasting for Guidance

A Prayer for a Day of Fasting O Lord, you are my Lord. To you I say and an unconditional "Yes." To myself and the world and the devil, I say an unwavering "No." Grant me ears to hear you today. Grant me discernment beyond mere human wisdom. Grant me utter submission to your kingship … Continue reading Prayer Note #32 — A Prayer for a Day of Fasting for Guidance

Prayer Note #31 — For the Day’s Living and Working

My Lord, I want to devote everything I do today to your service to the advance of your kingdom.  I don't want merely to go through the motions, to get to the end of the day having checked off everything on my "to do" list but having done it in my sleep with no thought … Continue reading Prayer Note #31 — For the Day’s Living and Working

Prayer Note #30 — On Depression

[from my prayer journal, January 9, 2009] I'm very tired this morning, Lord.  I have been for most of the week.  I've been back to swimming for exercise after a bit of a lay-off.  So, I suppose the physical tiredness that I feel is partly to do with that.  But, Lord, my tiredness seems to … Continue reading Prayer Note #30 — On Depression