O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ASK for the ancient paths, ASK where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16 (spoken in years leading up to the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 587 B.C.E. )

Psalms Orientation Disorientation Reorientation (Walter Brueggeman, Spirituality of the Psalms, Fortress, 2002)

“I usually sing a hymn, the rich theology of the verses ministering to my soul as well as the music.” (LCM, Kindle, 3260) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father, there is no shadow of turning with thee. Guide me O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land.

“While I continue to pray extemporaneously, I am also treasuring ancient prayers that have been prayed corporately for centuries. What better way to start the day than with this morning prayer, Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with Your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of Your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen. (Book of Common Prayer) (LCM, Kindle )

“My favorite night prayer is: Keep watch, dear Lord, with all who work or watch or weep this night, and give Your angels charge over those who sleep; Tend the sick, we pray, and give rest to the weary; soothe the suffering and bless the dying: pity the afflicted and shield the joyous; and all for Your love’s sake. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer).” (Kindle, )

Presbyterian Book of Common Worship, Daily Prayer Feasting on the Word, Worship Companion Westminster John Knox Press Available in our entryway: These Days Upper Room Learned about from Dick Fry: Jesus Calling (Sarah Young, Thomas Nelson, 2004)

What else do you find encouraging?? Write it down, or me with the information. I’ll compile a list for the newsletter! Prayer resources: Learn because we agree and someone has given words to our thoughts. Learn because we disagree, and find the words to identify our point of disagreement.

Most merciful God, order my day so that I may know what You want me to do, and then help me to do it. Let me not be elated by success or depressed by failure. I want only to take pleasure in what pleases you, and only to grieve at what displeases You. For the sake of Your love I would willingly forgo all temporal comforts. May all the joys in which You have no part weary me. May all the work which You do not prompt be tedious to me.

Let my thoughts frequently turn to You, that I may be obedient to You without complaint, patient without grumbling, cheerful without self-indulgence, contrite without dejections, and serious without solemnity. Let me hold You in awe without feeling terrified of You, and let me be an example to others without any trace of pride. Amen. Thomas Aquinas ( ) (Kindle, )