Prayer of Thanks to God

Almighty God, and most merciful father, who didst command the children of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day, receive, O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee; I yield thee humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved me from the danger of the night past, and brought me to the light of the day, and the comforts thereof, a day which is consecrated to thine own service and for thine own honor.


- George Washington

Give us, Father,

Give Us, O Lord, a Steadfast Heart


Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Thomas Aquinas

Help Us Grow in Love

(Everything grows better in Ireland)

Dear God,
I am thankful for the role I play in the family You have given us. Where I lack as a wife/husband, show me how to improve. And help us grow in love for each other and for You that you may bless us.
Amen.

No retreat no surender

Don't Retreat"

"... And having done all to stand." Ephesians 6:13b


This is not the time to retreat. It may look like the battle is lost; it
may look like there is no hope for victory; it may look like you are
defeated; it may look like the odds are against you... But it's not time to
retreat. Your opponent may look bigger, wiser, stronger, but it's not the
time to retreat. The evil may be pressing in on every side, but it's not
the time to retreat. As children of God, we either face the situation "head
on" or we "stand", but we don't run-- we don't retreat.

Whatever you are facing today--- keep standing. The scripture above means
to get a good footing then dig in your heels to support yourself and don't
move. Don't move today from your position-- from your stance. Dig in your
heels a little deeper if you have to, but don't run from it... Don't retreat

Prayer for Protection

Blessed are thy Saints, O God and King, who have traveled over the tempestuous sea of this mortal life, and have made the harbour of peace and felicity. Watch over us who are still in our dangerous voyage; and remember such as lie exposed to the rough storms of trouble and temptations. Frail is our vessel, and the ocean is wide; but as in thy mercy thou hast set our course, so steer the vessel of our life toward the everlasting shore of peace, and bring us at length to the quiet haven of our heart's desire, where thou, O our God, are blessed, and livest and reignest for ever and ever.

- St. Augustine

Unrest in my SOUL!

O My Father,
I have moments of deep unrest -- moments when I know not
what to ask by reason of the very excess of my wants. I have in these
hours no words for Thee, no conscious prayers for Thee. My cry seems
purely worldly; I want only the wings of a dove that I may flee away.
Yet all the time Thou has accepted my unrest as a prayer. Thou has
interpreted its cry for a dove's wings as a cry for Thee, Thou has
received the nameless longings of my heart as the intercessions of Thy
Spirit. They are not yet the intercessions of my spirit; I know not
what to ask. But Thou knowest what I ask, O my God. Thou knowest the
name of that need which lies beneath my speechless groan. Thou knowest
that, because I am made in Thine image, I can find rest only in what
gives rest to Thee; therefore Thou hast counted my unrest unto me for
righteousness, and has called my groaning Thy Spirit's prayer. Amen.

Morning Prayer

O Lord, grant that my heart may be truly cleansed and filled with Thy Holy Spirit, and that I may arise to serve Thee, and lie down to sleep in entire confidence in Thee, and submission to Thy will, ready for life or for death. Let me live for the day, not overcharged with worldly cares, but feeling that my treasure is not here, and desiring truly to be joined to Thee in Thy heavenly kingdom, and to those who are already gone to Thee. O Lord, save me from sin, and guide me with Thy Spirit, and keep me in faithful obedience to Thee, through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord.


- Rev. Thomas Arnold (1795-1842)