Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Dorothy Sayers

If we want Christian behavior, then we must realize that Christian behavior is rooted in Christian belief.

I am grateful for the miracles happening today in my life.  (Perry Tilleraas, The Color of Light, 18 April)

I thank you for bringing the perfect solution, in the perfect way, at the perfect time, for the best of all involved.  (Iyanla Vanzant, Tapping the Power Within, p. 32)

How marvelous our bodies!  May we care for them today with all the reverence and honor we might extend toward any great gift that defies explanation. (Margaret Anne Huffmand & Gary Wilde)

O Lord, teach me to escape from the busyness of life to find a quiet place in which I can converse with You.  (Minute Meditations from the Popes, 6 June)

 

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

Grant, O Holy Spirit, that I may be hopeful when it would be so easy to be hopeless. (Three Minutes a Day, Vol. 9, 31 May)

I do not find it easy to forgive and forget.  Help me, O Lord.

God, make me worthy of my friends. (Frank Dempster Sherman)

Tomorrow will become today soon enough.

By the grace of God.

 

Monday, June 28, 2004

Lord, loosen me up, activate my funny bone.

I am open to receiving help from powers I don't understand and forces I can't see. (Perry Tilleraas, The Color of Light, 29 May)

Be with me through the rest of my days, in good times and bad, so that I am never alone. (Wisdom from the Bible, 29 May)

Give me grace this day to put my trust in Thee. (John Baillie, A Diary of Private Prayer, 29th day)

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, June 24, 2004

I give thanks to the Lord for what I have and who I am.  Quiet Times for Parents, H. Norman Wright, 13 April

Stay with me, Lord Jesus.

Lord, I am thanking you for little things.

Thank You for the house in which I live.

 

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Make me brave to face all the changes in my life.  (John Baillie, 12 day)

Lord, until I am with You, on Your mountain, remind me, that my opinion is formed from my vantage point.

Teach us to pray that we may cause the enemy to flee.  (Watchman Nee)

Make known to me the path that I must walk.

Hear our humble prayer, O God. (Albert Schweitzer, 1875-1965)

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

Shower Your love upon my family, O Lord.

Defeat the enemy within me, Lord.  Food for Thougth, 8 April

Fill me with brotherly love.

Open my heart to the needs of all men.

Make me intent on doing Your will.

Purify my heart of every evil desire.

Take away my greed, O Lord.

 

Monday, June 21, 2004

Benjamin Franklin

Work as if you were to live one hundred years; pray as if you were to die tomorrow.

Lord, keep me aware that, you know what I need, and that I don't always need what I want.  Richard E. Henthorn

Disturb us when we go astray.

Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.  Psalm 86:1

Lord, help me to do the best I can, according to the insight given to me, and to leave the results to You.  Food for Thought, 16 April

Dear God, come with[in] me to clean out the cluttered temple of my life and make it a quiet house of worship and prayer.  Scott Walker, Daily Guideposts, 13 April 1992

Lord, grant me peace.

 

Sunday, June 20, 2004

Affirmation

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

 

I pray that my Higher Power will help me guard against deceiving myself.  One Day at a Time in Al-Anon, 14 April

Help me to see the real temptations which confront me.

Grant me the wisdom to accept the helpful criticism of others.  Wisdom from the Bible, 8 April

Help me avoid lies.

 

 

Friday, June 18, 2004

We thank Thee for our friends and neighbors, and ask a blessing on them.

Give me courage to change my mind, when it is needed.  John Baillie, 14 April

Lord, take from my thoughts all ill will, grudges, hates, jealousies.  Norman Vincent Peale, 14 April

By Thy grace, protect me from gluttony.  Food for Thought, 14 April

Thursday, June 17, 2004

Teach me to do Your will.

I pray not to fail in my responsibilities.

Lord, thank You that I am significant to You.  Joni Tada, 14 April

I will praise the Lord all my days.

Come to my aid in this time of trouble.

Lord, replace the whine in my life with wine.  Adapted from Oswald Chambers, 14 April

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Mother Teresa

To show great love for God and our neighbor, we need not do great things.

O Lord, increase my faith.

Father, let me be open to the wonder and mysteries that You send as gifts of answered prayer.  Daily Guideposts, 25 Mar 1992

I need Thy presence every passing hour.  Henry Francis Lyte (1847)

Lord, give me strength to persevere.  Food for Thought, 19 April

Inspire all my thoughts.  John Baillie, 21st day

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Affirmation

I'll endeavor to write my life story in the center of the page, not in the margins.

"The Promise of a New Day," 15 June

Guide me to the real work of the day.

He who prays as he ought, will endeavor to live as he prays.  John Owen

Cleanse me of that which destroys my peace of mind. Norman Vincent Peale, 23 April

Enable me to enjoy the simple things that are so easy to take for granted.

Help me to receive criticism with grace, and to work always to improve myself.  Wisdom from the Bible, 22 April

 

Monday, June 14, 2004

Consider every action a prayer.

Joan Borysenko, Pocketful of Miracles, 27 April

 

Lord, I'm stumped.  Please tell me what to do.  Norman Vincent Peale

Deliver me from all fretfulness.  John Baillie, 27th day

May I do simple things greatly.

Give us this day a sound mind in a sound body.

 

 

Sunday, June 13, 2004

Thank you, God, for helping me do this chore.

May I not waste time and energy judging others.

Our goal is progress, not perfection, since none of us will ever be perfected.  Food for Thought, 28 April

Tnank you, Lord, for coming to my aid when I make a mess of things.  Larry W. Wilson, Daily Fellowship with God, April 30th

Let me remember that life is an incredible gift.  Joan Borysenko, Pocketful of Miracles, 28 April

 

Saturday, June 12, 2004

May I learn to cooperate with Your will.

Show me the way, O Lord.

What do I need to pay attention to right now?  Joan Borysenko, 27 March

Lead me to expect the best of others and myself, today.

Lord, guide me, "Keep me on purpose."  Iyanla Vanzant

Teach me Your ways, Lord Jesus.

 

Friday, June 11, 2004

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Let me be always alert to every possibility You set before me.  Dorothy Minchin-Comm, Glimpses of God, 28 March

Lord, get me out of this!

Lord Jesus, may I use this time of prepartion wisely.  Eleanor Sass, Daily Guideposts, 27 Mar 1991

Keep us safe the whole day through.

Thursday, June 10, 2004

How Do You Spend Your Time?

If Christians spent as much time praying as they do grumbling, they would soon have nothing to grumble about.

Lord, thank You for those who have prayed for us over the years.  Mary Ruth Howes, Daily Guideposts, 7 Jul 1996

Savior, guide my decision making.

Gracious God, make me aware of Your power surrounding me constantly, even in my darkest hour.  Upper Room, 6 Sep 1999

Lord, show me what I can do today to bring about the answer to a prayer.  Rick Hamlin, Daily Guideposts, 30 Mar 1992

Lord, help me to walk and talk softly so I don't disturb people.  Iyanla Vanzant, Faith in the Valley, p. 198

Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior accept our worship as our gift of love.  Moravian Daily Texts, 30 Mar 2001

 

Wednesday, June 9, 2004

With Your help, Lord, I'll choose the way I react today.  Marilyn Helleberg, Daily Guideposts, 25 Aug 1989

Dear Lord, help us to throw off the weights from our past that we have carried all our lives, and to forgive ourselves and others.  Fay Angus, Daily Guideposts, 5 Jul 1996

Father, grant me the wisdom to know when the time is right for hard decisions.  Arthur Gordon, Daily Guideposts, 8 Jul 2002

Dear Lord, help me to accept what I cannot change in my life.  Brenda Wilbee, Daily Guideposts, 5 Jul 2002

Lord, help me to remember in thought and prayer those whom You have brought into my life.  Bill Irwin, Daily Guideposts, 8 Jul 1995

Holy Spirit, may I be an inspiration, however humble, to those who come after me.  Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 28, 8 July

Tuesday, June 8, 2004

Grant us a holy rest, and peace at the last, Lord.  Arthur Gordon, Daily Guideposts, 6 Jul 1989

May I have a young-at-heart-and-mind attitude, Lord God.  Three Minutes a Day, Vol. 28, 19 August

Help me to enjoy life's journey, Lord, don't let me wander from Your road.  Three Minutes a Day, Vol. 36, 9 July

Father in heaven, the numbering of my days is in Your hands.  Help me to enrich the quality of those days.  Marilyn Morgan Helleberg, Daily Guideposts, 17 Sep 1998

Lord, empty my mind of all disturbances so that I can reflect on You.  Rick Hamlin, Daily Guideposts, 12 Jul 1996

Help me to choose my words carefully, Lord, to heal instead of hurt.  Fay Angus, Daily Guideposts, 9 Jul 1997

Monday, June 7, 2004

Soften my heart and the words of my mouth, dear God.  Wisdom from the Bible, 8 July

Let me be a peacemaker, rather than an agitator.  Wisdom from the Bible, 8 July

Let my words spread comfort and calm, and make my actions a testimony to Your great love.  Wisdom from the Bible, 8 July

Keep my ego small and my heart large.  Joni Tada, 7 July

Strengthen me to keep my promises, God, to take them seriously and to make the necessary sacrifices to fulfil each one.  Joni Tada, 3 July

Lord, help me to fill my mind and heart with words and songs of praise.  Mary Ruth Howes, Daily Guideposts, 23 Jun 1997

Sunday, June 6, 2004

For Thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon my quilt, for it is great.  Psalm 25:11

Lord, as a new day dawns send the radiance of Your light to shine in my heart.  Make me true to Your teaching; keep me free from error and sin.

Keep me from emotional decisions, Father. Enable me to interlace my feelings with knowledge and insight.  Joni Tada, 25 June

Remind me that in Thy will is my peace.  Disciplines The Upper Room, 10 Jul 1984

I will praise my God all the days of my life.

Increase in me, Lord, the faith You have given me!

Saturday, June 5, 2004

The Lord is My Pacesetter

We need to pace ourselves.  In races -- whether horse, auto, or human -- there is often one who sets the pace.  What we need is a pacesetter.  This rendition in the style of Psalm 23 by Toki Miyashina can help put your life into a better perspective.

The Lord is my Pacesetter, I shall not rush;
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity;
He leads me in the ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
And His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here.
His timelessness, His all-importance, will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity,
By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord, and dwell in His House forever.
(H. Norman Wright - Quiet Times for Parents, 5 June)

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Father, help me to live more wisely, making the most of my time instead of squandering passing days on misplaced fear, [or interests].  Brenda Wilbee, Daily Guideposts, 24 Jul 1997

Lord, help me to use my time to enrich the lives of those around me.  Billy Newman, Daily Guideposts, 31 Jul 2002

Heavenly Father, give me courage to do what I know I ought to do and to believe that I never walk alone.  Upper Room Disciplines, 28 Jul 1999

Anger rises within my heart, Lord, help me to control it and channel it in constructive ways. Wisdom from the Bible, 29 June

Renew my courage and reveal to me the promises of hope where now I see only despair.  Upper Room Disciplines, 27 Jul 1984

Friday, June 4, 2004

Words of Thomas Aquinas

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  James 1:19

Do not seek to plunge into the sea of knowledge all at once, but go there by way of the many streams that flow into it, since it is wiser to reach the more difficult things by way of the less difficult. ... I charge you to be slow to speak and slow to frequent places where men talk.  Embrace cleanness of conscience.  Be constant in prayer.  Love to dwell in your inner room if you would penetrate into the inner room of your Beloved.  Be courteous to everyone.  Do not look too deeply into the deeds of others.  Do not be overly familiar with anyone, for too great a familiarity breeds contempt and offers an occasion for being distracted from study.  Do not in any way wish to pry into the words and deeds of wordly people.  Flee from useless conversations.  Do not forget to imitate the ways of the saints and holy people.  Do not feel obliged to listen to what everyone says, but commit to memory anything good that you might hear others say. ... By these steps you will bring forth useful branches and fruits in the vineyard of the Lord of Sabaoth while life is in you.  If you walk this way, you may obtain all that your desire.  (Thomas Aquinas)

Dear God, help me to see what matters most, and to ignore the rest.

Give me strength, Creator, to face the challenges of this day.  Three Minutes a Day, Vol. 35, 25 August

Thank You, Lord, for the assurance that whatever happens, You will get me through.  Daily Guideposts, August 2003

Loving Father, in spite of the unexpected turns my life may take, help me to receive Your gift of a peaceful heart.  Mary Jane Clark, Daily Guideposts, 19 Jul 2001

Jesus, help me when the task of forgiving others becomes to heavy for me.

Father, help me to become more fruitful with age, gentle on myself and all those I meet.  Diane Komp, Daily Guideposts, 11 Jul 1994

Dear God, be with the President of the United States this day.  Give him Your strength and wisdom.  Scott Walker, Daily Guideposts, 17 Feb 1997

Wednesday, June 2, 2004

As David Prayed, So I Pray

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be always found acceptable in thy sight.  O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.  Amen.

Remind me, Lord, that our relationship, like any other, takes work.  Please give me the strength to cultivate it.  Three Minutes a Day, Vol. 35, 3 August

When I come to You in prayer today, dear God, may it be with simple and honest words, and an open and listening heart.  Keith Miller, Daily Guideposts, 24 Feb 1997

Dear God, please give me the gift of patience.

Lord, help me to focus on what's left, not what's gone.

Thank You, Father, for teaching me how to use my tongue - wisely.  Marion Bond West, Daily Guideposts, 11 Jul 2002

Renew my courage and reveal to me the promises of hope where now I see only despair.  Disciplines, The Upper Room, 27 Jun 1984

 

Tuesday, June 1, 2004

Give me the wisdom to know what I should do.

God grant me the sense of proportion to judge the difference between an incident and a crisis.  One Day at a Time, 19 October

Hear my cries, Lord, and help me in my need.

Lord, I will endeavor to accept my life; it is taking me where I need to go.  The Promise, 4 August

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Father, help us to live so that when the time comes, You can welcome us home.  Arthur Gordon, Daily Guideposts, 12 Apr 1997