From The Exile, by Pearl S. Buck, 1936; as quoted in Stories of Faith, by Ruth Tucker, 1989. ——————————- Pearl Buck at home in Zhenxiang, China as a child (on left): Â Â Â Spending time in prayer each day is a discipline that is often difficult to maintain, and missionaries sometimes struggle more with time […]
3238) “Somebody Has to Do the Work” Read More »
Matthew 6:25-34 Â — Â (Jesus said), “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Â Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Â Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or
La Miseria (1886), Venezuelan painter Cristobal Rojas (1857-1890) ************************** Praise the Lord, my soul;     all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul,     and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins     and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit     and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good
3191) Prayers for Healing Read More »
Psalm 32:1-5: Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as
3140) Prayers of Confession Read More »
Above: Different wording and numbering, but the same basic commands. ———- Prayers by Martin Luther (1483-1546), adapted from Luther’s Prayers, translated by Charles Kistler (1917) ———- (1st commandment)  Eternal God, you ask that I rely on you alone with all my heart in all things.  It is your earnest desire to be my God, and I must believe
3116) Prayers on the Commandments Read More »
   Each New Year’s Day, as does each birthday, brings with it the unsettling reminder that another year is gone.  I would guess that everyone (after a certain age, anyway) thinks about that at least a little bit.  We get only so many years here, and these annual reminders seem to come around faster
3111) A Psalm, a Hymn, and a Prayer for New Year’s Day Read More »
Ecclesiastes 3:1 — There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. ————————————– Prayers blended from a variety of sources: Dear Father, I thank You that throughout the season of life, there are endings and new beginnings. Your Word reminds us that there is a time for every purpose
3110) Prayers for Endings and Beginnings Read More »
To lead the family in prayer and meditation. (Adapted and blended from several prayer books.) ———————————— In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray (together): Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy
3086) Family Prayers at a Deathbed Read More »
James Dobson, Sr. and James Dobson, Jr. (approx. 1956) ————————  James Dobson, Christian psychologist and author, died this past August at the age of 89. In this 2017 post from his website, he describes the last time he visited his father. The visit ended with this prayer of thanks. ***********************************    In August 1977,
3074) A Final Prayer of Thanks Read More »
O God of Peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, that in quietness and confidence shall be our strength:  By the might of Thy Spirit lift us, we pray, to Thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.  Amen. —Book
3062) Prayers to Begin Prayer-Time Read More »
