Another Viewpoint on Arrow Prayers

Offer ejaculatory petitions.  Often send up brief, unspoken petitions.  "A single cry for strength against sudden temptation or help in immediate work, a word of intercession for another, of thanksgiving, or joyful communion."  You will thus acquire the habit of "praying always." (Eph. 6:18)  Stonewall Jackson, asked about praying without ceasing, said, "I never raise a glass of water to my lips without asking God's blessing, nor seal a letter without putting a word of prayer under the seal, nor take a letter from the post without a brief sending of my thought heavenward, nor change my classes without a minute's petition on the cadets who come in."  [He was asked,] "don't you sometimes forget to do this?" [He replied,] "I scarcely can say that I do.  The habit has become as fixed as breathing."   (Abbie C. Morrow in Daily Meditations for Prayer, 18 November)

More About Arrow Prayers

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thess. 5:17)

We miss very much devotional joy, by the neglect of fragmentary prayer.  In the intervals which separate periodical seasons of devotion, we need a habit of offering up brief ejaculatory expressions of devout feeling.  The morning and the evening sacrifice depend very much upon these interspersed offerings, as these in return are dependent on those.  Communion with God in both, is assisted by linking the "set times" together by a chain of heavenward thoughts and aspirations, in the breaks which occur in our labors and amusements.  Sunrise and sunset may attract our attention more strongly than the succession of golden rays between them, but who can say that they are more cheering?  (Austin Phelps, found in "Daily Meditations for Prayer, 17 May)

Arrow Prayers

"I will direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up."  (Psalm 5:3)

If we merely read our English version, and want an explanation of these two sentences, we find it in the figure of an archer, "I will direct my prayer unto Thee."  I will put my prayer upon the bow, I will direct it toward heaven, and then when I have shot my arrow I will look up to see where it has gone. 

But the Hebrew has a still fuller meaning than this -- "I will direct my prayer."  It is the word that is used for the laying in order of the wood and the pieces of the victim upon the altar, and it is used also for putting of the shewbread upon the table.  I will lay it out upon the altar in the morning just as the priest lays out the morning sacrifice.  "I will marshall up my prayers," I will put them in order, call up all my powers, and bid them stand in their proper places, that I may pray with all my might and pray acceptably.  "And will look up" or as the Hebrew might better be translated, 'I will look out,' I will look out for the answer.

(Charles H. Spurgeon quoted in, "Daily Meditations for Prayer, 17 January)

O Lord, let me treat others with the same consideration that I expect them to show me.  (Three Minutes a Day, Vol. 9, 26 November)

Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of creation, the fragrance of flowers, the singing of birds, the warmth of the sun, and the savor of good food.  (Larry W. Wilson, Daily Fellowship with God, 26 November)

I pray for each one of those near and dear to me, and ask that You keep them, and defend them from all evil.  (God's Minute, 26 November, adapted)

O Lord, let me always treat my body as a gift from You.  May I give up those things that harm the health of my body and do those things that promote its well-being.  (Minute Meditations from the Popes, 25 November)

Keep me Lord, on Your path.

 

Thanksgiving Day

You bring us such abundance almighty God.  On this Thanksgiving Day, may our hearts be completely consecrated to Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that through Him our life will show our gratitude to You.  Amen.

When I feel a critical thought go through my mind today, I pray for the willingness to look at my own attitude and leave the judging to you.  (This New Day, 24 April)

I pray for (say topic or name of a person) today!

Lord, when I seek to become centered, let it be in Thee, not in my "self".  (John Baillie, A Diary of Private Prayer, 15th day, adapted by REH)

Let me keep in mind how uncertain is my hold upon my bodily life.  (John Baillie, A Diary of Private Prayer, 15th day)

Give me strength to be patient with those4 I meet today.

Lord, help me to make the most of this day.  Teach me to live a full life, and to do everything in my power to please you.  Bless my life, Father, and make me a blessing in the lives of others.  (Wisdom from the Bible, 13 November)

I pray to remember to attend to first things first.  (One Day at a Time, 19 November)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.  (Proverbs 27:1)

 

The Secret of Prayer

The secret of prayer is to find the process that will most effectively open your mind humbly to God.  So experiment with fresh prayer formulas.  Practice new skills and get new insights.

Anonymous

Nothing is discussed more and practiced less, than prayer.

I pray for the wisdom to distinguish between appetite and hunger.  (Food For Thought, 19 November)

Lord, help me to set a good example.

Help me keep my body fit and healthy.

Lord, help me to make the most of this day.  Teach me to live a full life, and to do everything in my power to please You.  Bless my life, Father, and make me a blessing in the lives of others.  (Wisdom from the Bible, 13 November)

Lord Jesus, heal me from the inside out.  Get to the heart of the matter in my life, and show me the better way. ... the best way!  (Joni Tada, More Precious Than Silver, 18 September)

God, thank you for each moment of quiet and reflection in my life.  (Three Minutes a Day, Vol. 38, 15 November)

Thank you, Lord, for the valuable lessons of life that usually result after periods of intense inner struggle. (Larry W. Wilson, Daily Fellowship with God, 27 October)

Lord, hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away.

Lord, forgive me day by day, debts I cannot hope to pay, duties I have left undone, evils I have failed to shun.

 

Certain thoughts are prayers.  There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.  (Victor Hugo quoted in What Would Jesus Do? 17 November)

O Lord, You are my all.  Guide me through the dark valleys of my life; lead me to Your verdant pasture.  (Minute Meditations from the Popes, 11 November)

When physical afflicitions come into my life may they draw me closer to You.  (Billy Graham, Day by Day, 1 November)

Thank you, Lord, for the power available to me through prayer.  (Larry W. Wilson, Daily Fellowship with God, 12 October)

 

May all remnants of negativity be burned from my heart so that the purity of love can burst forth in joy.  (Joan Borysenko, Pocketful of Miracles, 2 November)

Grant unto us the strength we need to overcome temptation, and to be brave and cheerful amid the trials and sorrows of life.  (God's Minute, 8 November)

Dear Lord, what would You have me do?  What would You have me say?  (Iyanla Vanzant, Until Today! 7 November)

Lord, help me to meditate upon my own death.  Let me do so not in a morbid fascination or fatalism, but rather in recognition that in death I come home to You.  (Minute Meditations from the Popes, 14 November)

Lord, teach me humility and grace.  Put my life into perspective, so that I might live as I ought to.

Thank you, Lord, for Your loving kindness to such an undeserving person as myself.  (Larry W. Wilson, Daily Fellowship with God, 13 November)

The Desert Fathers

There is no effort comparable with prayer to God.  When you undertake any other good work, and persevere in it, you gain rest.  But prayer is a battle all the way to the last breath.  (The One Year Book of Personal Prayer, 14 November)

Increase my appreciation, O Lord, of the marvelous way in which You create and sustain all things.  (Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 9, 13 November)

I need Your guidelines in my life, Lord. (Billy Graham, Day by Day, 13 November)

Hear me, and help me, I pray.

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

My faith is small, but God, You are my strength.  (Billy Graham, Day by Day, 10 November)

Lord, make me patient, loving, thoughtful and helpful.  (God's Minute, 10 November)

Moravian Daily Texts 2001 - 12 November

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour of the day, and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light; Lord of all to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

Veteran's Day 2004

America the beautiful
May it always stay that way --
But to keep "Old Glory" flying
There's a price that we must pay...
For everything worth having
Demands work and sacrifice,
And freedom is a gift from God
That commands the highest price...
For all our wealth and progress
Are as worthless as can be
Without the faith that made us great
And kept our country free...
Nor can our nation hope to live
Unto itself alone,
For the problems of our neighbors
Must today become our own...
So in these times of crisis
Let us offer no resistance
In giving help to those who need
Our strength and our assistance --
And the stars and stripes forever
Will remain a symbol of
A rich and mighty nation
Built on faith and truth and love.

Helen Steiner Rice

 

May Your peace, O Jesus Christ, dwell within us, be expressed in our daily lives, and bring us closer to one another.  (Moravian Daily Texts 2001, 4 November)

May I be satisfied with enough.

Lord help me to keep my wits about me in every situation.  Help me to avoid doing things which make me less than You want me to be.  (Wisdom from the Bible, 5 November)

We thank You for the day that is before us, with its opportunities, its privileges, its unexpected pleasures, and its disappointments as well.  (God's Minute, 7 November)

From Billy Graham's "Unto the Hills" - 10 November

Abraham Lincoln said, "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.  My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day."  (Billy Graham's comment.)  Would that our leadership were as humble today!

Some Authors and Books I Like

There are a number of authors whose books I have found particularly helpful.   Most of these books are designed for daily reading, with one page devoted to each day of the year.  Some of the books were written for people with substance abuse and codependency issues.  If you don't have these issues don't be put off from investigating the books.  The discussions of the Twelve Step philosophy found in these books can be very helpful to anyone who is working on self improvement.

Guideposts, The One Year Bible (TLB)

Iyanla Vanzant (Any book by this author.  Her books are written mostly for African American women.  There are two of her later books, which I am aware of, which are addressed to African American men.  No matter whether you fit the intended audience for the books or not they should work for anyone, that is to say, whenever she says "woman" just substitute "man" and where she mentions "race" just plug in your own ethnicity.  It works for me and I think it will work for you.)  I particularly like: Until Today!; Faith in the Valley; and Acts of Faith.  If you know anyone with relationship problems I recommend, In the Meantime.

Melody Beattie (Most books by this author.)  The Language of Letting Go; Codependents' Guide to the Twelve Steps

Norman Vincent Peale (Any book by this author)  Positive Thinking for Every Day of the Year

Hazelden Series (Any book in this series of daily devotion/meditation books.)  Food For Thought is particular good if you have problems with overeating or obesity.

H. Norman Wright, Quiet Times for Couples; Quiet Times for Parents

The One Year Book of Personal Prayer

The Catholic Church, Shorter Christian Prayer

John Baillie, (A small book with a page of  prayer for morning and evening of each day of the month.)  A Diary of Private Prayer

Oswald Chambers(A Christian classic), My Utmost for His Highest

William C. Creasy (He is the translator of this version of this Christian Classic.  There are other versions.  I found his translation to be easy to read and comprehend.)  The Imitation of Christ - A Timeless Classic for Contemporary Readers, written by Thomas 'a Kempis. 

John Baillie

Dear Father, take this day's life into Thine own keeping.  Control all my thoughts and feelings.  Direct all my energies.  Instrust my mind.  Sustain my will.  Take my hands and make them skilful to serve Thee.  Take my feet and make them swift to do Thy bidding.  Take my eyes and keep them fixed upon Thine everlasting beauty.  Take my mouth and make it eloquent in testimony to Thy love.  Make this day a day of obedience, a day of spiritual joy and peace.  Make this day's work a little part of the work of the Kingdom of my Lord Christ in whose name these my prayers are said.  Amen.  (A Diary of Daily Prayer, 9th day)

Isaiah 55:8-9

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my way," declares the Lord.  "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Almighty God, how glorious are my thoughts of You, for You are everywhere -- loving and caring for the minutest details of our lives!  (What Would Jesus Do? 8 November)

I give thanks to God that I am still alive.  (Joan Borysenko, Pocketful of Miracles, 31 October)

In all things give me the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that I may serve and please You, Heavenly Father.  (God's Minute, 8 October)

Strengthen my faith!  (God's Minute, 11 October)

Be with us this day, O God! (God's Minute, 8 October)

I know that I do plenty of silly things, O Lord.  Help me to stop being foolish, and empower me to use the mind and body that you have given me for good works.  Let me see the errors I make, so that I do not repeat them.  (Wisdom from the Bible, 6 November)

Accountability

Help me strive for personal accountability.  (Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go, 4 November)

May I always appreciate Your gift of good health, Lord.  (Three Minutes a Day, Vol. 38, 4 November)

Give me the strength to resist, patience to endure, and constancy to persevere.  (Thomas a' Kempis)

I delight in knowing, Lord Jesus, that there is nothing in my life that is incapable of being changed through Your redemptive power.  (Billy Graham, Day by Day, 4 November)

Lord, I'm really concerned about this problem, but I'm going to give it to You.  I will rest in the confidence that You are working even though I don't know the outcome.  I give my problem to You, and I anticipate Your peace in my life.  (H. Norman Wright, Quiet Times for Couples, 4 November)

I pray that I may be ready to accept Your spiritual gifts.  (Food For Thought, 31 October)

Enlighten me, O Holy Spirit, so that I may recognize and overcome my own shortcomings.  (Three Minutes a Day, Vol . 9, 31 October)

 

May I replace my negative feelings with those of love, compassion and gratitude. Help me to remember that resentment allows a person to "live rent-free in my mind."  (This New Day, 16 November)

Election Day - 2 Nov 2004

Thank you for blessings of liberty, Lord of the nations.  (Three Minutes a Day, Vol. 38, 2 November)

Lord, when I do all that I can make me secure in that knowledge.  When I am doing less, help me to see ways to improve and grow.  Help me to handle insults with grace, and let me not be troubled by comments which are not true.  (Wisdom from the Bible, 1 November)

We come to you, our Father, with thoughts and thanks and praise, for your abundant mercy, and all your love and grace; we praise you for your goodness and for your loving care, for daily showers of blessing, for answers to our prayers.  (Moravian Daily Texts 2001, 1 November)