30 WAYS TO PRAY: DAY 16

 Liturgical Prayer

Some of us shy away from traditional prayers that have been written and memorized, but there is deep wisdom in praying liturgical prayers. It may even shock us how a prayer written hundreds of years ago can be so relevant to what we are going through today. Below are a few prayers that have been spoken and sung throughout the ages, all speaking to the same God that we serve today.

Sample: A Heart to Love Thee

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of Thy Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore Thee, a heart to delight in Thee, to follow and to enjoy Thee, for Christ’s sake. (Ambrose of Milan, c 339-97)

                The Praises of God

                Lord God: you alone are holy, you who work wonders!

                You are strong, you are great,

                You are the Most High, you are the almighty King,

                You, holy Father, King of heaven and earth.

                Lord God: you are Three and you are One,

                You are goodness, all goodness,

                You are the highest Good, Lord God, living and true.

                You are love and charity, you are wisdom,

                You are humility, you are patience,

                You are beauty, you are sweetness,

                You are safety, you are rest,

                You are joy, you are our hope and our delight,

                You are justice, you are moderation,

                You are all our wealth and riches overflowing.

                You are beauty, you are gentleness,

                You are our shelter, our guard and our defender,

                You are strength, you are refreshment,

                You are our hope, you are our faith.

                You are our love, you are our complete consolation,

                You are our life everlasting, great and wonderful Lord,

                all powerful God, merciful Saviour!

                Amen. (St. Francis of Assisi)

                Prayer for God’s Presence

                Lord, be with us this day, within us to purify us;

                Above us to draw us up;

                Beneath us to sustain us;

                Before us to lead us;

                Behind us to restrain us;

                Around us to protect us.

                (Patrick, c 389-461)

                Prayer for a busy season

                Lord, temper with tranquility

                Our manifold activity

                That we may do our work for Thee

                In silence and simplicity

                (anonymous Quaker prayer, 18^th cent)