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I need you near

When I begin my day, dear God, I need you near, to protect me from temptation, to give me power and focus, to remind me of your love, to show me the opportunities that come before me.

When I reach the half-way point of my day, heavenly Father, I need you near, to give me strength to carry through, to remain clear in my thoughts and plans, to avoid distractions from what is most important.

When I come to the end of the day, O Sovereign One, I need you near, to assure me that failures can serve the kingdom, to deliver the day’s activities in your hand, to thank for blessings and joys received, to give me rest.

I need you near, my Savior, at every hour, at every trial, at every challenge, at every celebration of success. For you, and only you, can give me meaning and life and hope. Stay near me, always, Lord and Friend.

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The Humble Son to Lead

You, O Lord, created me,
A living soul,
A breathing spirit, full and free,
Complete and whole.

You gave me life, and I was filled
With joy and love;
You blessed, your presence spilled
From heaven above.

We ruined the best, your presence spurned,
Our minds rebelled,
To you, O God, our backs were turned,
Our hope expelled.

The Lord refused to leave us be,
He had a plan—
A rescue from eternity
To save his man.

Continue reading “The Humble Son to Lead”

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Change my mind

Prayer based on Romans 12.1-2

Lord, I give my body to you as a sacrifice. I want to live in service to you. I want to be holy and pure and completely devoted to you, so that you will be pleased. I want the mind to lead in service, rather than emotions or the past or experience taking over. Keep me from going the world’s way. Transform me completely. Change my mind. Your will is good. Doing it pleases you. Nothing is as positive and perfect as your will. Today I will prove its perfection and taste its pleasantness. May your will be done in me, for your glory. In the name of my Lord and Savior and Example Jesus Christ, amen.

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Correct faults that mar the good example

Holy Father, correct in us those faults that mar the good example we might otherwise give before others.

Help us to keep our promises, to pay debts, to remember commitments, to guard our tongues, to avoid seeking attention and credit, to be on time, to be gentle and compassionate, to be truthful and honest in the smallest things, to carry through on projects, to finish what we start, to be generous even with small things, to draw others out rather than talk about ourselves, to be consistent in mood, to find the good in people, to be discontent with mediocrity, to mind our business, to care for the needs of others, to take time to listen.

Let love drive us to maturity.

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The gentle rain dampens the noise

Father, just as the gentle rain dampens the noise, let your kindness that descends from heaven suppress the world’s temptations and the strivings of the flesh.

As the light of day brightens the sky, let the knowledge of you and your benefits cheer our souls.

The wind makes us feel the air we cannot see. May your Spirit bring to us the comprehension of your love.

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You Cramped Our Style

We paint ourselves into a corner, Lord,
And then complain that you have cramped our style.
Aren’t we cute? And cheeky? And perverse?—
Our great transgressions go from bad to worse.
We fall upon our faces, Lord, defiled—
The brush of sin we can ill afford.

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You Know

You know our struggles, Lord, and where they lead,
You know the price behind the suffering deed—
We feel none understands our pain and tears,
Our yearnings, daily needs and lonely years.

The Cross of Christ refuses selfish whining,
“Your will be done” cuts off Egyptian pining;
No lower could the Son of Mary go,
So death to self and dying, Lord, you know.

Continue reading “You Know”

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A seat for me

Even in my trials and deep distress,
You find a seat for me at Jesus’ table,
Humbly I come in mercy’s finest dress,
To eat and drink, O Lord, you make me able.

Three times and more I’d ask you to remove
These thorns that weigh upon my weakened shoulder;
But no! Your strength and sustenance I must prove,
Become a gazer of grace, a Cross beholder.

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The life of man

You, O God, are life itself, having existed before all things, the God who was, and is, and ever will be. Into man’s nostrils you breathed the breath of life, a breath meant to enliven forever. We cut ourselves off from you and lost the tree of life. But through the Lord Jesus Christ that life has been restored. Our inheritance is eternal life with you. Life is more than awareness—it is walking and living and breathing in your presence. So let us be ever more conscious of your reality, of your power, of your goodness, of your Self who defines and transforms and equips us for your your fellowship.

For all that people talk of quality of life, they have no idea that it means knowing and loving you. The body can be in top shape, the bank account can be overflowing, but without openness to your love, willingness to bask in your glory, there is no quality, no joy, no meaning. Let us make ourselves increasingly fit for relationship in your fullness.

Let us also develop in ourselves those signs of spiritual life, basic as they are, essential in their exercise: the Word, prayer, fellowship with the saints, movement in service and mission. Let our day jobs be seen as opportunities to touch others. Let our small tasks and to-do lists become channels to let our lights shine that you may be glorified. Let our interactions with others be chances to bless.

Remind us constantly that life is not a series of cheap thrills, but the deep and often unspoken experience of every breath, thought, motive, action, word, and motion wrapped in your Spirit.

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These have I found

In your faithfulness, O God, do I trust. I know you will carry through, you will hold me fast, you will make me stand.

In Christ are mercy, kindness, tenderness, and love. These have I found.

There is nothing in the world for me. Its promise is empty. Its end is death.

Heaven holds all to me. In Christ are your fullness and my fulfillment.

Your goodness has no limits. With you all is possible. Praise to you for every moment filled with love and light.