We are pursuing on this blog a set of posts on the church's educational ministry and how a Third Way approach to preaching can reshape and revitalize preaching's impact.
* I believe most preachers think sermons have an impact.
* I believe most preachers pray and prepare in order to have an impact.
* I believe most preachers believe God's Spirit is at work during reading and preaching the Word.
* But I also believe this: most preachers do not shape their preaching and teaching with an educational theory at work that can measure how and how not the preaching ministry is accomplishing its hoped-for goals. As a result, preaching and teaching remains at the level of hope and belief and ... at times exasperation.
So I'd like to make a few suggestions for pastors and churches. That we have "and churches" matters deeply if we want to talk about the educational process. If you'd like to read a book on how education is being reshaped in the direction of focusing on learning, I recommend heartily Maryellen Weimer
Learner-Centered Teaching: Five Key Changes to Practice
. The book provides the big picture ideas at work.
Big idea: if you aim nowhere, you get nowhere. If you know your goal and map your way, you can chart progress and get to your goal. Much of contemporary preaching has no guiding goal and finds itself precisely in the same spot ten years later.
So, first...
Love itself can become a counterfeit god. In fact, it can become "apocalyptic romance" -- that is, love can be used to attempt to gain transcendence, meaning, and ultimate joy.
And Keller's touches on the hook-up where the claim is that sex can be divorced from love. "Don't bet on it," he observes.
He anchors this chp in the Jacob and Rachel story from Genesis. Jacob idolized Rachel; got Leah; worked even longer to get Rachel. The whole story is about the idols of love.
Tim Keller, pastor of
Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC, is perhaps the most balanced pastor, theologian, cultural critic and evangelist in the American scene today. His newest book,
Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
, is no exception to his approach. The book addresses what its subtitle says: the counterfeit gods of money, sex and power, and he does this through the biblical idea of idolatry. It is timely, it is pastoral, it is theological, and it is profoundly missional. I am looking forward to reading this book.
Keller has become a preacher's preacher and a pastor's pastor.
After an opening salvo that sketches the big picture, Keller dips into the Abraham offering Isaac scene to describe what is at hand in our world today:
Abraham, like so many, wanted something deeply: a son.
Abraham's son is promised so Abraham can become a nation and bless the nations.
God gave Abraham what he wanted, and getting what you most want is not always best.
Furthermore, after giving the son God -- and here Keller has to fill in some lines of what was going on in Abraham's head with some psychology -- tested Abraham's love for God: Does he love God even more than this promised son who alone could be his heir?
So Abraham, in an act of trusting God, takes Isaac to the brink of sacrifice and God steps in to provide for Abraham -- God provides a substitute.
What do you think of seeing this story as a display of surrendering our deepest wants to God? What can we learn from this approach to the story?
A few years back, when I was working on a small book on prayer, I found my way to the Eastern Orthodox standard prayer book. I began to use it with the goal of using it every day for a month, which I did. Two things struck me about the Orthodox prayer book: its wonderful Trinitarian language and, second, its obsession with confession of sins. Some may think "obsession" is too strong. Still ...
At the core of the Eastern prayer tradition is The Jesus Prayer, and it goes like this:
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.
There are variations. Some add "Son of God" and others don't have "a sinner." This prayer is said by many in the Orthodox tradition so often it has worked its way into the bones and into the heart. I've given this prayer a chance, and I used it profusely for a month one time and benefited deeply from it. No prayer brings into the center of our hearts a strong sense of our sinfulness and of our utter joy in the mercy and grace of God. So, I'm more than happy to recommend what can be called an encyclopedia of the praxis of The Jesus Prayer in Frederica Mathewes-Green's new book:
The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer that Tunes the Heart to God
.
How have you been helped by the Eastern tradition? What about the Jesus Prayer -- has it been helpful to you?
This is our last post on Dean Nelson's book,
God Hides in Plain Sight: How to See the Sacred in a Chaotic World
, and it's been a good book. One I expected to scan and then put away, but one that drew me in with its prose and its utter seriousness punctuated by LOL humor.
This book would be a great book for an adult book reading group, a good Bible study book, and especially good for middle agers who are contemplating the presence of God in the corners and flat places of life.
When I think of Dean's book, the picture above sums it up -- there's a placidity that comes through in this book, a placidity about a willingness to let God be seen in the norm and in nature. Dean, in effect for me, asks us to settle down, take life as it is, and watch God at work when we least expect it. Well, the last chp is on the sacrament of service. Just a few comments.
Do you know someone facing death? Are you being asked to help someone face death?I love how the 7th chp of Dean Nelson's new book opens up: I have found what I was searching for without ever having discovered what...
At times I sense Dean Nelson could be our generation's male Anne Lamott. He offers to us a disarming honesty along with an honest quest for God, but there's nothing romantic, idealistic or utopian. He offers the quest for placidity,...
How does marriage fit into the presence of God in our lives today? Families mediate God to children and to adults.How has family mediated God to you? to your family? This is what Dean Nelson examines in God Hides in Plain Sight:...
Many of us prepare ourselves for the Great Interior -- a life of intimate communion with God. But, after all the preparation, how many of us enter into that Interior? I do wonder if the Interior is where we are...
C.S. Lewis, in "Footnote to All Prayers" (Poems ), made this brilliant observation:Take not, O Lord, our literal sense. Lord, in thy greatUnbroken speech our limping metaphor translate....
Do you practice confession? Do you know the power of forgiveness and grace and reconciliation? Why are these terms so challenging?This is what Dean Nelson in God Hides in Plain Sight: How to See the Sacred in a Chaotic World explores...
How can meals become places to see the presence of God?This is what Dean Nelson in God Hides in Plain Sight: How to See the Sacred in a Chaotic World explores in chp 2 of his new book.A Belgian couple found...
How does our vocation fit into a life that is increasingly attentive to God's presence and God's work in this world?This is what Dean Nelson in God Hides in Plain Sight: How to See the Sacred in a Chaotic World asks...
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives...
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our...
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one...
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ...
Lots of folks write to me about the use of liturgical prayer, and my book on prayer (Praying with the Church: Following Jesus Daily, Hourly, Today ) has been of help to some. But many want more than just to...
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives...
Here's a letter from a former student in response to one of the prayers we posted on Sunday as Prayer for the Week, which come from The Book of Common Prayer...Dr. McKnight, Why is that prayer is often called talking...
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives...
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep...
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it...
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to...
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises,...
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads...
I'm curious about our readers: What is your practice when it comes to the use of set prayers? Do you pray through a psalm or the Psalms? Do you pray with prayer books? Do you, as Kris and I do,...
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy...
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the...
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;...
We get asked about books often, and it is not always easy to know where to begin. I once was asked about books on spiritual formation, and I just couldn't keep it to one and before long I had mentioned...
Last week I was invited to Messiah College to speak to the 1st Year students at chapel time, and I was asked to do deal with The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others . While there is only so much...
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may...
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great...
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our...
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and...
O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed...
James Nicodem, pastor at Christ Community Church in St. Charles Illinois, gives the church a gift in his book about learning to pray: Prayer Coach: For All Who Want to Get Off the Bench and onto the Praying Field .A...
O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon all of us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship may give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. †...
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments...
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you,...
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you...
There was quite a dust-up about the prayers at the Inauguration. Analysis of the prayers of others is not something I'm fond of, so I stayed back but this week's prayer in The Book of Common Prayer -- to be...
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works;...
Our prayer today, Our Father, is for our President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. Our prayers include [Please add your prayers as well]:That You, the infinite font of wisdom, might grant him wisdom daily, for our country and...
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ¹s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed...
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have...
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns...
Adam Hamilton has a way of grabbing his reader's attention: in his discussion of the truth about the spiritual formation of most of us, he says this: some days are good but somedays are not -- on those days...
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in...
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well¯beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed...
Prayer is not only hard for most Christians, it is discouraging to be reminded of the importance of prayer. Sometimes it is a scolding preacher and other times nothing more than the word of someone who seems so good at...
How do you define spirituality? In Evan Howard's new book, Brazos Introduction to Christian Spirituality, The (Brazos Introduction), we get an opening chp that is devoted to this discussion. Here are his central claims:...
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,...
Many evangelical Christians emphasize what is called the doctrine of assurance, the conviction that one is saved and destined/elected for eternal blessedness. But, what happens to the person who, once fully assured and confident and joyous, discovers that assurance has...
How many of us have prayed a prayer like this one?My dear ones, O God, bless Thou and keep, in every place where they are....
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he...
For some, the essence of the Christian life is the practice of spiritual disciplines. It's a kind of machine-like approach to the Christian life: get your life enmeshed in the disciplines and spirituality will be the product. I exaggerate. But...
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give me grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that I...
Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and...
I have asked two of my fine students, Brittany Bennett and Nick Johnson -- who are getting married this summer -- and who have a ministry passion for issues of justice and the church, to take a look at Shane...
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and...
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ...
Kathleen Norris combines ancient classical writers on spirituality with the modern search for God. She thinks for herself and yet her memoirs seem to tell the story of others. Her newest book, Acedia & Me: Marriage, Monks and the Writer's...
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and...
Every Sunday morning I post a prayer drawn (almost always) from The Book of Common Prayer and we use the weekly collect (set prayer). Many of you have written me to say how much you appreciate the wording or the...
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our...
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who...
Save us, Lord, while we are awake, guard us while we are asleep; that, awake, we may watch with Christ, and, asleep, may rest in His peace....
Recently we've had two good conversations about the liturgical turn of low church evangelical Christians. So today I ask: What can be done about it? One option is to ignore the turning folks and carry on with what we've got....
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our...
I've been reading Peter Kreeft's fine book about God (The God Who Loves You). One of the more interesting chps of the book deals with how the love of God and loving God resolves some theological issues. One of them:...
O God, because without you we are not able to please you mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the...
Those who are watching trends among evangelicals know that many today are returning to the ancient ways, picking up prayer books, and finding ancient liturgy a source of spiritual strength. I myself have tapped into this in a book called...
Here is a letter from one of our readers, and I asked the person if it was OK to post and it is used with permission. I've done some reading and writing in spiritual formation; I have not read exhaustively,...
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ...
For all the people, homes, neighborhoods, communities, businesses in the path of Gustav ... our prayers are for you today....
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit...
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with...
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in...
I throw this letter open to you ... Dear Scot, I am a regular and appreciative reader of Jesus Creed. I wonder if you and/or the blog community can help me find material for an adult church program. We want...
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our...
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you...
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal,...
Our dear ones, O God, bless Thou and keep, in every place where they are....
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our...
I will lie down this night with God, and God will lie down with me; I will lie down this night with Christ, and Christ will lie down with me; I will lie down this night with the Spirit, and...
We are going now into the sleep: O be it in Thy dear arm's keep, O God of grace, that we shall awake....
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 with me sleeping, Christ with me waking, Christ with me watching, each day and each night. Save us, Lord, while we are awake, guard us while we are asleep; that, awake, we may watch with Christ, and, asleep, may...
Last year a professor at North Park seminary, Helen Cepero, sent me the manuscript of her new book Journaling as a Spiritual Practice, asked me to take a look at it, and asked me to blurb it. I couldn't even...
The Sacred Three to save to shield to surround the hearth the home this night and every night....
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one...
From Aidan, the compline prayer for Monday in the Celtic Book of Prayer: May the virtue of our daily work hallow our nightly prayers. May our sleep be deep and soft so our work be fresh and hard....
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be...
I have a recommendation for you. It is a recommendation to use a prayer book during July. Kris and I will be using Mark Van Steenwyk's new The Missio Dei Breviary. As some of you know, I have myself written...
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives...
Gordon Macdonald, upon a trip to South Africa to speak, was met by Trevor Hudson. Gordon said this of Trevor: "I quickly learned I was teaming up with a man younger in years but older in spiritual maturity." I, too,...
Ian Stackhouse, a Baptist pastor in England, points us in the direction we want to go but are either too busy or afraid. His proposal: slow down. He gives us a slow spirituality in a fast moving world in The...
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives...
Some of you may know that I've written a book on fasting in a series from Thomas Nelson. The first volume in the series was by Brian McLaren, Finding Our Way Again, and now the second volume is out. It...
O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and...
I want to make an offer to some of you to read a book and engage in a conversation here about that book. I'd like the conversation to take place near July 1; so about a month from now. The...
O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord,...
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and...
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep...
I'm not hearing much about this book, but I suspect we will be hearing the conversation soon. Brian McLaren has a new book out called Finding Our Way Again. The subtitle is The Return of the Ancient Practices. Brian's is...
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it...
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to...
Yesterday on our blog we had an interchange that I want to toss into the pot today for a discussion. I referred to 1 Peter as by Peter. Here's what one person said ... and let me add that the...
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises,...
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads...
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy...
Praise God! …and many thanks for the prayers for my son, his girlfriend, and the many other students at this conference. The kids returned this afternoon and we have found out that my son and his girlfriend have made a...
You may remember our post about a father and a son and some doubt. Good things are happening so if you could read this and then pray for them. Scot, I’m sure you remember our conversation awhile back. The advice...
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the...
There is a tension in many of us -- I call it the "Willo-palian" problem. What is it? The yearning for many of us low church types to experience a liturgical life. Many of us are not willing to go...
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may...
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day,...
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and...
Nancy Ortberg has just published a book that Kris and I both enjoyed, and now our daughter, Laura, is reading it (Nancy was one of Laura's leaders in the days of Axis at Willow Creek). There's a depth as well...
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great...
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our...
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and...
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body,...
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of...
A tragic shooting at NIU draws our support and our prayers, and we ask you to join us today....
(Say the Jesus Creed morning and evening during Lent.) Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the...
Pray for those who suffered in the tornadoes Tuesday night, among whom are students at Union University where some of my former students are now professors. The clean up will take a long time and it will means lots of...
The Last Sunday after Epiphany O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to...
The second section of Edith Humphrey, Ecstasy and Intimacy, is about Light. She chooses to root her reflections in the Transfiguration, a text/event rarely discussed. Why do you think Jesus was transfigured? Was it for Jesus -- to encourage him...
Most of those who read this blog have an interest in theology; many are students. One of the great students of theology and the Bible in the Church was St. Thomas Aquinas and this is the day, according to my...
3d Sunday after Epiphany Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory...
The first part of Edith Humphrey's book, Ecstasy and Intimacy, is about Love and has three sections: the Holy Tryst and Story, Separation and Approach, and (today's post's topic) Word and Wisdom/Knowledge and Faith. Word and wisdom and knowledge and...
O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by...
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed...
One of the most rugged realities of human and Christian existence finds best expression in words like darkness and separation. Those who dispute the value of the word "sin" or the reality of a "fall" fail, so I think, to...
On January 18, the Church celebrates the day of her founding. She recalls with awe the assertion of a Galilean fisherman, “You are the Christ,” and the response of the God-among-us, “Upon this rock, I will found my church.”...
First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are...
I cannot count the number of times I have, in reading someone or listening to someone, thought to myself: that is a spirituality that is closer to gnosticism than it is to the biblical faith. That is one reason I...
Epiphany January 6 O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face...
"At some point in the past twenty years," Edith Humphrey writes in her book Ecstasy and Intimacy, "North Americans crossed a Rubicon." Which? "When I was an undergraduate, the emphasis in class was completely upon 'objectivity,' 'neutral observation,' proving one's...
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in...
John Piper and Robert Webber (The Divine Embrace) have one big, central idea in common: Christian spirituality is not about the self but about God. Whereas Piper focuses on a Calvinist vision of God, Webber focuses on a liturgical vision...
Do you have a "rule of life"? What have you learned from adapting or forming a rule of life? In the 9th chp of Robert Webber's The Divine Embrace we are treated to three groups of three teachings, each of...
If any one chp summarizes Robert Webber's take on spirituality, chp 8 of The Divine Embrace is it. The spiritual life is a full, active and conscious participation in the purposes of God for life in the world. It is...
Telford Work's style in Ain't Too Proud to Beg is to begin somewhere, not always one might think, and meander his way to the principle idea in one of the petitions in the Lord's Prayer. This week he begins here:...
In chp 7 of The Divine Embrace Robert Webber tells "My Story" of God's embrace. This is not what you think it might be, and for me it reveals the genius of the Ancient Future approach of Webber. "My story"...
"God's story," Robert Webber argues in chp 6 of The Divine Embrace, "is the brief interpretation of everything" (142). Behind every theory of spirituality is a story. What is your story? Can we discern the story of others? But it...
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom,...
There is a steady supply of prayer books, but the new one by Thomas Oden and Cindy Crosby, Ancient Christian Devotional, is unique. If you'd like to draw deeply on Orthodoxy's rich heritage, this is the book for you. Here's...
Chp 5 is one of the more important chps in Robert Webber, The Divine Embrace. Here's why: it addresses the postmodern provocation in spirituality noted by neo-Gnosticism. Secularism moved away from historic Christianity and spirituality into (1) a world without...
Robert Webber, in The Divine Embrace, points six negative influences shaping contemporary evangelical spirituality. Here they are and what are your thoughts? 1. The dangers of legalism have been eliminated and now we are into anti-nomianism (no rules, no law,...
A third danger developing in modern evangelicalism's understanding of spirituality, according to Robert Webber in The Divine Embrace is experiential spirituality. Here are some of his thoughts: How significant is an experience of God's grace, or a defining experience, for...
What is wealth? How would you define it? Why is wealth such a hot topic for Jesus but, by and large, ignored today? And even when we do push the topic we know deep inside that our sacrifices don't mean...
1st Sunday of Advent Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to...
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed...
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,...
The second expression in the Lord's Prayer concerns hallowing God's very name. Telford Work approaches this petition, in his book Ain't Too Proud to Beg, from a singular and interesting angle: How can God put up with the slander, with...
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he...
We begin a series today on Telford Work's new book, Ain't Too Proud to Beg, a book on the Lord's Prayer unlike any book on either prayer or the Lord's prayer I've seen. Here's why: Telford's book is experimental theology,...
Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and...
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that...
We finish up today Marko Rupnik's In the Fire of the Burning Bush. The last sections we cover deal with a number of topics and I thought I'd just lay out a few potent statements he makes: "After all, it...
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and...
I confess I have never prayed with beads, either the Orthodox kind or the Catholic kind. I confess, though, that I do have a rosary I bought in Asissi and which drapes over a Franciscan cross in my office. So,...
Marko Rupnik's In the Fire of the Burning Bush is an exposition of the Christian life by a Roman Catholic in terms of Eastern Orthodoxy. The book is rich, evocative, and penetrating. Anyone who desires to anchor theology and praxis...
Grant, O God, that, following the example of your servant James, the brother of our Lord, your Church may give itself continually to prayer and to the reconciliation of all who are at variance and enmity; through Jesus Christ...
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ...
I begin today's post with an admission: I was thinking we'd polish Marko Rupnik's book,In the Fire of the Burning Bush, off in a three weeks or so. And, after reading that opening section I was wondering if it might...
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and...
Today we begin looking at Marko Ivan Rupnik, In the Fire of the Burning Bush. Rupnik is a Jesuit, is a director and teacher in Rome, and is also a visual artist. A theme of the first section of this...
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our...
We part company today with a new friend, Tracy Balzer, who in her Thin Places has instructed us and led our conversation about Celtic spirituality. I've enjoyed this book and hope you have as well. And what better way to...
I like this prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in me the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that I may obtain what you promise, make me love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and...
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who...
I will try an experiment today because this blog community has been so versatile and spirited. Today in our chp from Tracy Balzer, Thin Places, I want to post two items and get your reflections. Chp 6 is about "Saints...
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our...
"We miss the meaning to be found in our lives because we ignore a principle that is as old as Creation itself: the intentional back and forth rhythm of work and rest." So says Tracy Balzer in Thin Places,. Silence...
Christ with us sleeping, Christ with us waking, Christ with us watching, each day and each night. Celtic Daily Prayer...
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the...
Have you ever taken a pilgrimage or a retreat? Tracy's Balzer's book, Thin Places,, has a chp on how the ancient Celtic Christians took pilgrimages. She joins Tom Wrightin encouraging us to reconsider the value of retreats and pilgrimages. Have...
This for a magazine for Cornerstone University and also posted here; the theme was called "breathe." âBreatheâ as a Lifestyle Cramming, after my sophomore year in college, was not an option. Ron Mayers, my philosophy professor, gave us a choice:...
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ...
When the word "prayer" is said to you what comes to mind? This is a question Tracy Balzer asks in her book Thin Places. Guilt? Longing? Confusion? Consolation? Desolation? Prayer is important and her chp on prayer provides a way...
Sometimes the news, particularly the items judged newsworthy, can be depressing. So, I thought this might be a good prayer for us today: God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with...
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit...
Do you have an anamchara, the Celtic word for "soul friend" or "spiritual director"? Tracy Balzer's second chapter, in Thin Places, is a delicate and insightful survey of the Celtic practice and how spiritual direction or soul friendship can be...
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with...
Today we begin a conversation about Tracy Balzer's book, Thin Places. It is an invitation to Celtic spirituality. I hope you join us. An opening question: What have you learned from the Celtic way? Tracy begins with a succinct survey...
Some years ago, when Kris and I were in England and I was working on my Ph.D., we attended St. Peter's Toton, an Anglican church outside Nottingham. It was our first-ever experience of The Book of Common Prayer. Two things...
Almighty God, who has given your only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of his godly life: Give me grace that I may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit...
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither...
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our...
O God, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that...
Mindy Caliguire, who is known in all spiritual formation circles as a result of her "soul care" ministries, public speaking, and national leadership, has just written two small books designed for concentrated retreats -- whether at home over a week...
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our...
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...
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one...
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be...
Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives...
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace each of us may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus...
God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters,...
Soul of Christ, sanctify me; Body of Christ, save me; Blood of Christ, refresh me; Water from the side of Christ, wash me; Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds, hide me. Let me...
If you use Phyllis Tickle's The Divine Hours, here is how you begin every day: I've done it for years and its recitation has become increasingly important to me. Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in...
As you know, Kris and I are practitioners of fixed-hour prayer, what I call "sacred rhythms." And you may recall that we practice mostly with Phyllis Tickle's The Divine Hours. Which, owing to the weight and size of the volumes,...
God be in my head and in my understanding. God be in mine eyes and in my looking. God be in my mouth and in my speaking. God be in my heart and in my thinking. God be at mine...
I'm considering where to go next with our Bible studies ... either a short series on Missional Jesus or a longer one on Colossians. But, instead of a Bible study (I'll get it going next Monday), I'd like to ask...
O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you...
Pentecost Sunday Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel,...
Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with a free heart those things which belong to your...
We are changing seasons here in Chicago -- it suddenly ran up to 87 degrees the other day. High schools are winding down, colleges have sent the residents home, gardens are beginning to bloom, and we've got new birds flitting...
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy...
3d Sunday of Easter O God, whose blessed Son did manifest himself to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open, we pray thee, the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; through...
From Rick and Alicia Lindholtz regarding their son: 10 years old Miles has been living with insulin-dependent diabetes since age 2. In February he was diagnosed with eosinophilic duodenitis and in March with Gastroparesis. Trust me, any one of these...
Second Sunday of Easter Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they...
O God, who for our redemption didst give thine only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection hast delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that...
For Tyrese, an 8-year old suffering with a serious fever, for his healing. Lord, hear our prayers....
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of thy dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day,...
From our friend at Paraclete Press, Pamela Jordan: Come, Holy Spirit, and send forth by heavenly direction a ray of Your light. O best consoler; sweet guest of the soul; sweet refreshment. In labor, rest; in heat, coolness; in tears,...
O Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: Grant unto thy people that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry...
Again, Pete Greig's book God on Mute gives 16 reasons why our prayers are not answered as we'd like them. This completes the list. What I most like about this list of 16 reasons why prayers are "not answered" (a...
May the virtue of our daily work hallow our nightly prayers. May our sleep be deep and soft so our work be fresh and hard. Celtic Daily Prayers....
Fourth Sunday in Lent Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in...
Last week we began looking at Pete Greig's fine book, God on Mute. The book deals with the reality and struggle of the Christian when dealing with "unanswered" prayer -- however you might want to define "unanswered." I think one...
Third Sunday in Lent Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may...
Most of us, at one time or another, struggle with the reality and prospect of unanswered prayers. We read about promises that if we have enough faith we will be heard or we read that if we ask we will...
Second Sunday in Lent O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astry from thy ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast...
One of our blogfamily has died. This set of prayers is for Ben Pennington, and we grieve along with his dear wife, Lisa. Depart, O Christian soul, out of this world; In the Name of God the Father Almighty who...
First Sunday in Lent Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us,...
Lent begins Wednesday. Here is Ephrem's Lenten prayer, one we can use throughout this Lenten season: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather...
From the Celtic Book of Prayer: Call: Who is it that you seek? Response: We seek the Lord our God. Call: Do you seek Him with all your heart? Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy. Call: Do you seek Him with...
Lord, You have always given bread for the coming day; and though I am poor, today I believe. Lord, You have always given strength for the coming day; and though I am weak, today I believe. Lord, You have always...
In my Wednesday session at the Covenant Church's Midwinter meetings, I spoke about Praying with the Church. As I was sketching Jesus' own prayer life, I mentioned that I thought we should address God as "Father" in prayer because of...
Two of our readers and parts of the Jesus Creed blogfamily, Ben and Lisa Pennington, need our urgent prayers. I met Ben in Rochester last fall when I was speaking at Crossroads. He coordinated an event at his bookstore, and...
I've spent a fair amount of time in the Psalms, as have many of you. One thing I find so incredibly penetrating for me is the utter honesty and raw emotions in those prayers. My favorite OT theologian these days...
Well, I am embarassed to write this but...Feb 2 was the "anniversary" of Bob's aortic dissection...hard to believe it's been a year. I spent a long time reflecting and reading my journal of those days and weeks, and then months...
One year ago, our friend Bob Robinson had a massive heart aneurysm. It was touch and go for a long, long time -- and some surgeries. And very tough times on Linda and ambiguity for the kids. We prayed for...
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with...
Let nothing disturb thee, nothing affright thee; all things are passing, God never changeth! Patient endurance attaineth to all things; who God possesseth in nothing is wanting; alone God sufficeth. + In the name of the Father, and of the...
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous...
Are you struggling with developing a consistent prayer life? I suggest learning to pray with the Church by learning to pray set prayers at set times. And I recommend Phyllis Tickle's The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime, which begins a...
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed...
Epiphany: Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into His Name may keep the covenant they...
For Al Mohler, for complications with surgery. Lord, hear our prayers. For Becky, for ongoing wisdom for doctors and healing in her whole body. Lord, hear our prayers. For Lauren, a friend of our son and daughter-in-law, for the sudden...
Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet...
Many of us are now involved in Christmas parties and even planning our Christmas table. Kris regularly reminds me -- not always to my liking and not always with her intended goal! -- of this: "portion size." Restaurants, she tells...
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom,...
Saturday morning's psalm in The Divine Hours is my prayer for the week: LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? who may abide upon your holy hill? Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, who speaks the...
For Becky, who has had more than her share of physical problems -- we pray for doctors, for her, for her family, and for her thyroid. Lord, hear our prayers. For Kurt's wife, for Kurt, for their family and friends....
1st Sunday of Advent: Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ...
When I spoke at John Brown University, I had dinner with a student whose father was seriously injured in a car accident the next day. Here's a link. Lord, hear our prayers....
For Robert Webber, for healing rain and for effusive grace. Lord, hear our prayers. For a 5-year old, Tanay, who has had brain surgery. Lord, hear our prayers. For John, Janet, and Naomi. For each of them -- in their...
Last Sunday before Advent prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in thy well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved...
Spirit of God, promise of Jesus, Come to our help at the close of this day. Come with forgiveness and healing love. Come with life and hope. Come with all that we need to continue in the way of your...
For Sarah Madvig, for healing. Lord, hear our prayer. For Janet Glover, for the grace of healing. Lord, hear our prayer. Add your prayers....
God of the ages, We thank You for all who have served in the armed forces of this country. We thank You for the freedom their sacrifice has earned and guarded for us. Help us to prize this freedom and...
For Shawn, his mother (with breast cancer), and his already ailing father. Lord, hear our prayer. For Grant, a JBU student whose father has been seriously injured in a car accident. Lord, hear our prayer. For John, Jan, and Naomi,...
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we...
For Ben and Lisa Pennington, we ask for clear diagnosis and healing. Lord, hear our prayer. For Bob Robinson, we pray for continued healing. Lord, hear our prayers. For Ted Haggard, for his wife, for his children, for his former...
Please add your prayers. For BeckyR, we pray for continued recovery. Lord, hear our prayer. For Mike, we pray for health and restoration. Lord, hear our prayer. For Joel and Karla, for the "good" news that they will have twins....
The Prayer of St. Francis: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow peace; where there is injury let me sow forgiveness; where there is doubt let me sow faith; where there is...
Added later: I'm at the Chestunut Hill Coffee Company outside Philadelphia; best Latte I've ever had in my life. As we age, so I'm told, we don't need as much sleep -- or, with a darker twist, as we age...
For Bob Robinson -- for healing, for renewed strength. Lord, hear our prayers....
A blessing from the Celtic Book of Prayer: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home...
For the good news that Becky, one of our blog community, received good news that her thyroid cancer is now gone. Thank you, Lord. For my student whose 18-year old sister has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and for my...
This prayer, a collect from The Book of Common Prayer, is one of my favorites: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve:...
We are grateful today that Bob Robinson has returned home. Thank you Lord. We rejoice with our friends who discovered this week that they are pregnant. Thank you Lord. Lord, hear our prayers. Please do chime in with requests and...
From the Celtic Book of Prayer: Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and...
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him...
I want to begin a new tradition for our Saturday blog. I encourage you to post your prayer requests, speak up of your answers to prayers, or simply record some prayers for others. So many have written about such matters...
Lord, You have always given bread for the coming day; and though I am poor, today I believe. Lord, You have always given strength for the coming day; and though I am weak, today I believe. Lord, You have always...
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the...
Many of us -- and I wish even more than that -- will recite the Lord's Prayer today as a community of faith. Here's a liturgical shaping of that prayer so that it reflects the Jesus Creed: Because we love...
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and...
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns...
Almighty God, who has given your only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of his godly life: Give me grace that I may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit...
Grant to me, Lord, I pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that I, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ...
A Blessing, from the Celtic Prayer website: Let nothing disturb thee, nothing affright thee; all things are passing, God never changeth! Patient endurance attaineth to all things; who God possesseth in nothing is wanting; alone God sufficeth. + In the...
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon all your faithful people your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so...
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know my necessities before I ask and my ignorance in asking: Have compassion on my weakness, and mercifully give me those things which for my unworthiness I dare not, and for my...
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your servants who call upon you, and grant that we may know and understand what things we ought to do, and thatwe also may have the grace and power faithfully to accomplish them;...
I've been asked what are my top books on prayer. Since I covered "prayer books" (as a book with prayers rather than teaching about prayer) in Praying with the Church, I'll focus here on books that teach us about prayer....
O God, you have taught me to keep all your commandments by loving you and my neighbor: Grant me the grace of your Holy Spirit, that I may be devoted to you with my whole heart, and united to...
Almighty God, You have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that...
A prayer to kickstart the rest of our Friday. God of mercy, this midday moment of rest is your welcome gift. Bless the work we have begun, and make good its defects and let us finish it in a...
Andii Bowsher has recently written a book that might be of some use to you, especially if you'd like to combine structure with spontaneity in your prayer life. His book is called Praying the Pattern, and there is a website...
The BCP does not have a Father's Day Prayer. So, our prayer this week is the Collect for this week. Lord, make me have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern...
From the BCP as printed this week in Phyillis Tickle, The Divine Hours. We need to pray more for the Church. Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace each of...
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you...
Here is Compline prayer from the Celtic tradition: Sunday - The Ita Compline: Ita, who died in about 570, was abbess of a women's community in Killeedy, County Limerick in Ireland. She ran a school for boys where she taught:...
Paul yearns to get to Rome -- probably because he knew how important Rome was. His yearning manifests itself in his unceasing, constant prayers for the church at Rome. That City of Seven Hills where the world's fate was decided...
Again, from The Book of Common Prayer as found in Phyllis Tickle, Dvine Hours, but adjusted to "we/us": Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready...
What a marvelous prayer from The Book of Common Prayer. The sort of prayer I hope Praying with the Church can lead us into. As always, read slowly and aloud and it takes us into God's presence: O Lord my...
As some of you may know, my publisher (Paraclete) went over the top by giving away 50 copies of my new book Praying with the Church. We blogged the offer some time back. Kris and I now call this book...
About prayer, from The American Scholar: Dressed and came on deck -- the morning was brilliant. I amused myself with finding the lessons and collects and psalms for the whole ship's company. After lunch, they spread our tent, a chair...
Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of...
Praying with the Church is designed to provide a biblical basis for supplementing personal, spontaneous prayers by learning to use set prayers and to use them at set times. I call these prayers "sacred rhythms" of prayer. The book then...
If truth be told, many of us are not happy about our prayer life -- its intensity, its duration, its stimulation, its discipline, its effectiveness -- and the list could go on. There are statistics out there even about how...
Sunday night I was invited to North Park's Sunday evening Collegelife, a worship gathering for our students. It is student led and orchestrated, but mentored and guided by folks like Brian Wu and Rich Johnson -- and probably others. I...
The famous "ask-seek-knock" (ASK) passage -- is it teaching persistence or not? And is it saying that persistence will pay off with answered prayer? I doubt it and I doubt it. Instead, I think this passage (Matthew 7:7-11) teaches simplicity:...
Contextually, in the Sermon on the Mount the Lord's Prayer illustrates "short prayer" in contrast to Gentile verbosity. In this sense, Matt 6:7-15 interrupts the flow of the principle established in 6:1: doing things to be seen by others shifts...
Matt 6:5-6 is the second example of the principle of "no footprints" found in 6:1. It concerns prayer and its central idea is simple and profound: let not our prayer lives be "conspicuous prayer." We all know what "conspicuous consumerism"...
I've gone on record at not being a big fan of envisioning the Christian life through the spiritual disciplines, though I'm all for them. I just don't think the way to approach the Christian life is through a means but...
I am baffled by our translations of the Lord's Prayer passage in Luke, and maybe you join me here. Luke 11:2, in the NIV, RSV, NRSV, and many others: "When you pray, say." Even the ESV, which prides itself on...
Some, maybe more, of us wonder about the prayer lives of the Beatles, or have wondered or have not wondered, but at least in this one they are watching me do my morning prayers during Advent in my North Park...
Back to the post on set prayers at set times -- some good experiences there. I'm wondering if you have used The Liturgy of the Hours, any other Roman Catholic prayer book, an Orthodox prayer book, or the Book of...
I'm wondering if any would like to "tell their story" of the value they've found in learning to pray "with" the Church by using set prayers at set times -- that is, the formative influence of fixed hour prayers....
Here's the cover to a little book I've written that will come out early next summer. It is written with the hope that more of us will join the millions who pray at set hours with set prayers -- as...
Doug Pagitt's new book, Body Prayer: The Posture of Intimacy with God, just came out, I was sent a copy, and I wish to record some brief thoughts. First, the book has a short chapter that sums up the thrust...
This finishes our series on the "life of a prayerful person," which puts together the season the prayerful goes through in the Book of Psalms. We can begin with Shalom, experience utter confusion, only to turn the corner to watch...
Sometimes life is confusing and we tell God that it is. This can take some practice because we think speaking harshly to God is somehow wrong. But if we are confused, we need to tell God about it. Life, as...
Sometimes life is wonderful and we tell God that it is. Autumn leaves that turn the countryside into images even Monet couldn’t paint, neighborhood picnics in the summer that create trust not previously known, churches that have good preaching and...
This little series on prayer comes out of Praying with the Church: Developing a Personal Prayer Life, which I am hard at work on my off days now. The section I wrote yesterday, on hope, will be changed, as may...
The Psalms provide for us a complete picture of life's journey before God. Walter Brueggemann sees three "phases" in the journey of life. Brueggemann calls these three phases orientation, disorientation, and new orientation. The important word for Brueggemann was disorientation,...
I will shortly begin a short series of four posts on the "The (inner journey) of a Prayerful Person," which will be my take on four kinds of Psalms. This is a modification of Walter Brueggemann's Spirituality of the Psalms....
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