Circumstances

God please endow me with the spiritual strength to overcome negative circumstances.
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 41, 23 January)
31 January 2014

Reading

I pray for the steadfastness to read, every day, something that will help me to gain understanding.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 23 January)
30 January 2014

Sweet Assurance

My blessings are so many,

my troubles are so few

How can I be discouraged

when I know that I have You?

And I have the sweet assurance

that there's nothing I need fear

If I but keep remembering

I am Yours and You are near,

For anything and everything

can somehow be endured

If Your presence is beside me

and lovingly assured.

(Helen Steiner Rice)

29 January 2014

Mold Me

Lord Jesus, I turn my will and my life over to you.
Mold me and do with me as you will.
I trust you to guide my steps, and I enter the world with hope that I may better do Your will.
I ask for your forgiveness and acceptance.
I welcome your Holy Spirit's power, love, and guidance in everything I do. Amen.
(The Twelve Steps For Christians, p. 57)
28 January 2014

Plans

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord.
(Jeremiah 29:11-14 in The Twelve Steps For Christians, p. 57)
27 January 2014

Jesus Prayer Meditation

Jesus Prayer Meditation

Over the last several years I've done some reading about meditation and from time to time I've tried to actually meditate.

For me, so far, the simplest and most effective meditation is saying the Jesus Prayer. It's only four short lines so it is easy to memorize and recall at a moments notice. I found the meditation very helpful when dealing with difficult medical tests or long procedures at dental offices.

One day recently, when I moved from my dentist's office to the office of a dental surgeon where I was going to have a tooth extracted, they checked my blood pressure at the second office and indicated it was too high to proceed. I suggested that I might mediate for ten or fifteen minutes to see if I could calm myself down. I was quite pleased when the nurse reported that the meditation worked and that the doctor could begin the procedure.

This YouTube video is 15 minutes long with a pleasant mountain stream and nice still images. Many people have posted useful comments.  One person mentioned the writing of Father Keating which I have studied and recommend.

Richard E. Henthorn
26 January 2014

God Forgets

God does what few men can do -- forgets the sins of others.

(100 Days Of Prayer For Women, p. 48)

25 January 2014

Persist In Prayer

To persist in prayer and not give up does not mean endless repetition or painfully long prayer sessions. Constant prayer means keeping our requests continually before God as we live for Him day by day, believing he will answer. As we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith and hope.
(The One Year Book of Bible Readings, 8 June)
23 January 2014

Anger Management

Lord, when friction divides, help me to still my tongue and sit on my anger long enough to see what's really important.
(Shari Smyth in Daily Guideposts - 2012, 8 September)
23 January 2014

I Am Your Creation

Dear Lord, I am Your creation, and You created me for a reason. Give me the wisdom to follow Your direction for my life's journey. Let me do Your work here on earth by seeking Your will and living it, knowing that when I trust in You, Father, I am eternally blessed. Amen.
(100 Days Of Prayer For Women, p. 58)
22 January 2014

Serve God

Serve God

Know the God of your father, and serve Him with single mind and willing heart; for the Lord searches every mind, and understands every plan and thought. (1 Chronicles 28:9)
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Volume 41, 5 November)

God's Story

The Bible is God's story. It's the best way we can come to know about him. If we have a method of studying Scripture that allows us to absorb a little bit of understanding each day, we are sure to grow spiritually. Over a period of time we become increasingly better at knowing what God's will is for our lives. It's an ongoing process, and the richest and most rewarding way we can spend our time.

(Harry and Emily Griffith, This Love We Share, 18 December)

21 January 2014

Challenges

Challenges

Lord, today I will encourage someone else who is physically or emotionally challenged, and share with them the good news that there are many ways to serve You and enjoy life.
(Madge Harrah in Daily Guideposts - 2012, 2 September)

Waiting For God

Waiting for God to help us is not easy, but David received four benefits from waiting:

1. God lifted him out of his despair,
2. Set his feet on solid ground,
3. Steadied him as he walked, and
4. Put a new song of praise in his mouth.

Often blessings cannot be received unless we go through the trial of waiting.

(The One Year Book Of Bible Readings, 18 October)

20 January 2014

Soul

When soul is neglected, it doesn't just go away; it appears symptomatically in obsessions, addictions, violence, and loss of meaning.
(Thomas Moore in the Introduction to Care Of The Soul)
18 January 2014

Empowerment

Lord, I am helpless on my own. 

Empower me with the strength of Your Holy Spirit. 

Please help me, Lord!

(Beth Moore, Praying God's Word Day By Day, 9 September)

18 January 2014

Quiet My Heart

Quiet my heart, Lord, through the darkness of the night. May I rest in peace and rise with the morning light, rested and refreshed to praise Your name through another day.
(Fay Angus in Daily Guideposts - 2012, 3 November)
17 January 2014

Storm Tossed Ship

Without faith in a power greater than myself, I am like a storm-tossed ship without a rudder. I am flung from one trouble to another; however bravely I may battle the elements, my own strength and wisdom are not enough.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 10 October)
15 January 2014

Cooperation

God will give us victory, but sometimes he will require every ounce of energy and cooperation we have in the process.
(Beth Moore, Praying God's Word Day By Day, 18 October)
15 January 2015

Spiritual Life

A spiritual life of some kind is absolutely necessary for psychological health; at the same time, excessive or ungrounded spirituality can also be dangerous, leading to all kinds of compulsive and even violent behavior.
(Thomas Moore, Care Of The Soul, Introduction, p. xii & xiii)
14 January 2014

Lord Of Peace

Aluminium Can Art - Photo by Mr. Dickie

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times
and in every way. The Lord be with you all.
(Promises Of Joy, p. 267)
13 January 2014

In My Garden

Photo: Our kitchen garden by Mr. Dickie

You were with me in my garden today, Lord.
As I trimmed and admired my work,
I realized that You do the same with me!

It isn't always easy in my busy world, Lord.
And when it gets too busy, I come into my garden.
People ask, "Why do you add more work to your life?"
But they don't understand, Lord.

They don't know that You meet me in my garden.
As I dig in the dirt and plant new seeds,
as I transplant a geranium too large for its pot,
as I brush against the rosemary bush
and breathe deeply of its smell,
You are there.

Through my garden I am refreshed.
And I thank You, Lord, for showing me that
just as tilling soil and tending plants isn't a chore for me,
neither am I a chore for You.
Just as I trim and transplant to make my garden thrive, so You do with me, Your child.

For this lesson, and for the times that You refresh me,
I give You my greatest thanks and praise.
(Debbie Trafton O'Neal, in Prayers For Every Need, p. 48-9)
12 January 2014

Arrow Prayers

Here are several short prayers that can be used as Arrow Prayers, Chants or for Meditation.
"Father, I love You."
"Thank You, O Lord."
"Praise to You, O Lord Most High"
"Almighty Father, I give You my [fill in the blank]." (life, time, hurt, want, love)
(Jan Dargatz, 52 Simple Ways To Give Your Spiritual Life A Lift, p. 36)

Jesus Prayer

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy on me, a sinner."

Be Thankful

Be thankful for the exhaustion or sorrow you feel -- that is, be thankful that the Lord has given you the capability to give, the ability and willingness to serve others, and the capacity to feel what others feel and to empathize with their needs.

Choose to be thankful in your present circumstances or situation -- thankful to the Lord that He is present in the circumstances with you and that He will see you through this "valley of the shadow of death" to a place and time of wholeness.
(52 Simple Ways To Give Your Spiritual Life A Lift, Jan Dargatz, p. 30)
10 January 2014

Open My Heart

Lord, open my heart to all those around me who are different in background, looks, customs and traditions, and help me to love each the way You do.
(Patricia Lorenz in Daily Guideposts - 2012, 23 December)
9 January 2014

All Scripture Is Inspired By God

All Scripture

• is inspired by God and 
• is profitable for teaching, 
• for rebuking, 
• for correcting, 
• for training in righteousness, 

so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 (Holman CSB)

Dear Lord, the Bible is Your gift to me, let me use it. When I stray from Your Holy Word, Lord, I suffer. But, when I place Your Word at the very center of my life, I am blessed. Make me a faithful servant in Your world, this day and every day. Amen.

(100 Days Of Prayer For Women, p. 25)
8 January 2014

Pray In The Spirit

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Romans 8:26 (NIV))

(Daily Guideposts - 2012, 13 December)

7 January 2014

Epiphany (Dia de los Tres Magos) - 6 January 2014

Lord Jesus

may your light shine our way,

as once it guided the steps of the magi:

that we too may be led into your presence

and worship you,

the Child of Mary,

the Word of the Father,

the King of nations,

the Saviour of mankind;

to whom be glory for ever.

Frank Colquhoun

The real turning point in human history is less apt to be the day the wheel is invented or Rome falls than the day a boy is born to a couple of hick Jews. (Frederick Buechner, Listening To Your Life, p. 252)

6 January 2014

Lunatics

Without prayer, I should have been a lunatic long ago.
(Mahatma Gandhi, in Night Light by Amy E. Dean, 26 December)
5 January 2014

Faith

We don't need great faith to pray. 

In fact, we don't need any faith or belief at all.

We only need to point ourselves in that direction; 

we only need to be a little bit willing to believe.

(Perry Tilleraas, The Color Of Light, 26 December)

4 January 2014

Seasoning

If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value.
If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God.
If we are too much like the world, we are worthless.
Instead, we should affect others positively, just as seasonings brings out the best flavor in food.
(Matthew 5:13)
3 January 2014

Walking The Walk

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don't turn away from me, or I will die. Let me hear your unfailing love to me in the morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I have come to You in prayer.
(The One Year Book Of Bible Readings, 31 August)
2 January 2014

The Christian's Journey

The Christian's journey is a series of steps in Christ-likeness. 

Are you more like Jesus today than yesterday? 

Are you pressing on? 

Does your life now demonstrate the 

love, joy, and peace of Jesus 

more than it did a year ago?

Today find a way to be a little more like the Savior 

as you press, 

step by step, 

toward the goal.

(David Jeremiah, Journey, 17 November)

Lord, a brand new year is before me. I offer myself to You and ask You to guide me during this year ahead.  Work through me, Lord; guide my steps, lead my way and inspire my words so others see You through me. And, Lord, no matter what lies ahead for me this year, I want to pray without ceasing, love my fellow men and honor You with my heart and soul. Amen.

(Melody Bonnette, Daily Guideposts - 2012, 31 December)

1 Jan 2014