DAY 152

O Lord, we beseech You to graciously hear the prayers of Your suppliant people and keep under Your perpetual protection all those who serve You with devout hearts.  May we not be hindered by any trouble but always freely serve You.  Amen

DAY 151

Lord God Almighty,
   Thank you for using me, Lord.  You have taken me, a failure, and found use for my skills, skills that no one on earth had any use for at all.  You recycle people just like we recycle junk.  In Your eyes I am not junk. 
    Not one person on earth is junk as You view them.  You have given each gifts and talents.  And as You mold us and meld us these gifts become refined. Then we can use them for Your service.  And Your service brings us joy, mighty joy.  Amen

DAY 150

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope!  To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.  To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.  Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us. And after this exile show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.  Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, your son.

DAY 149

O God, our refuge and our strength, look down in mercy on Your people who cry to You.  And by the intercession of the most glorious and Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and of all the saints, in mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners and for the liberty and exaltation of our holy mother the Church, through our Lord, Christ Jesus.

DAY 148

Holy Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.  May God rebuke him we humbly pray and you, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruins of souls.  Amen

DAY 147

Lord, help me remember that nothing is going to happen today that You and I can't handle.

DAY 146

Lord God Almighty,
   You have given us the most wonderful gift.  You have given us Your Son.  He came as a baby to live as one of us and then sacrificed His life to redeem us sinners and make us one with You.  This was a difficlut thing for You to do.  You knew how we humans would treat Your Son and hurt Him and then crucify Him on the cross.  It must have been so very difficult for You to give us this dear babe.  So I thank You, Lord God, for the love You have shown us all those years ago.  I take time today to celebrate this gift You gave me!  All praise and glory is Yours.  AMEN

DAY 145

"God has many ways of managing us.  Sometimes when we do not listen to His quieter words, He simply closes all doors about us except the right one for us to pass through.  Then, however much we balk, that's the only way we can go."                                                       BEYOND THE HUNGRY COUNTRY page 30 by L.A. Stinetorf

Lord, help me to hear Your word and listen when You speak to me.

DAY 144

O my Lord who alone are our King, help a desolate woman.  I have no other helper but You.  Esther

DAY 143

INVOCATION TO OUR LADY OF GRACE

I turn to thee, O Mother dear,

In humble supplication,

Asking that I follow thee.

You are my inspiration.

I ask for very simple things,

To walk in lowly ways.

But may I always walk with thee,

The remainder of my days?

Give me the grace I see in thee,

And make me be forgiving.

Let me never abandon Him,

In prayer and thanksgiving.

I leave with thee and with thy Son,

These fervant prayers of mine,

Knowing that from Him thru you

Comes every gift divine.

DAY 142

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Bless the bed I lay upon.
Keep me safe through out the night
And guard me 'til the morning light.

DAY 141

Lord, You have been our refuge through all generations from everlasting to everlasting.  Before the mountains were begotten and the earth was brought forth You were God, our God.

DAY 140

Blessings come in many guises that God alone in love devises, and sickness which we dread so much can bring a very "healing touch" for often on the wings of pain the peace we sought before in vain will come to us with sweet surprise for God is merciful and wise.

DAY 139

Lord,
  As death surrounds me and the near and dear are dying, bolster my faith so I can be of comfort to those grieving.  I know there is a time to mourn and there always will be, but the all consuming grief can become over-powering.  Bless those saddened by this earthly death.  Let them rejoice in knowing the recently departed are with You now.  Amen

DAY 138

Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who created the Fruit of the Vine.
Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who has created everything for His glory.
Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, Creator of humanity.

DAY 137

Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call.  To You my heart speaks.  It is Your glance I seek.  It is Your presence I seek.  Hide not Your face from me.  You are my light and my salvation.  Alleluia

DAY 136

You, O God are my strength.  Why do You keep me so far away?  Why must I go about in mourning with my enemies oppressing me?  Send forth Your light and Your fidelity to lead me on and bring me to You and Your dwelling place.

DAY 135

Lord,
   Give us a faith in the worth of ourselves and a faith in our fellow man.  Give us a faith that right will prevail in Your over-all plan.  Give us a faith in the future, a faith in eternal justice and a faith in the love of You, our God.  Give us a faith for the journey of life, and a strength for the winding miles with a faith to sustain us.  Amen

DAY 134

   Emmanuel, I praise You for promising me You will never leave me nor forsake me.  You are my Father, my Helper, my Guide.  I shall never fear for I know You are with me.  Thank You for protecting me wherever I am, day and night.
   You fill me with strength and courage.  When troubles come others may flee, but You stand by me, my dearest Friend, my Savior.
   I praise You for being with me always, even through the end of my earthly life.  You, Lord, are the One who died for my sins, yet You live forevermore.
  Thank You for always being with me and letting me be with you.  Thank You for Your wonderful peace that passes all understanding.                                    

   When I'm On My Knees by Anita Corrine Donihue

DAY 133

Let us give thanks to the Lord for His kindness and His wonderous deeds to the children of men.  Let us extrol Him and praise Him.  Amen

DAY 132

The Lord is our salvation and our strength in every fight,
Our Redeemer and Protector, our Eternal guiding light. 
He has promised to sustain us.  He's our refuge from all harm.
And underneath this refuge are His everlasting arms. 
And so today I walk with God because I love Him so. 
If I have faith and trust in Him there's nothing I need know.

DAY 131

Everything that is good and perfect comes from You, O Lord and Creator.  How great is Your majesty and wonder!!  You are the truth, a guide for my life.  Amen

DAY 130

Give me the faith of adventure, Lord. and the courage to try the new as well, with the will to press on in spite of the dark because I know I walk with Thee. 
Give me the faith of desire, hope and the urge to achieve.  All things are possible with You.  O Lord, let me believe! 
Give me the faith of awareness of beauty everywhere, eyes to see, ears to hear and an open heart to care. 
Give me a faith to live by, joyous and unafraid, a glorious faith to match the dawn of this day that You have made!  Amen

DAY 129

Lord let me, my mind, body and soul, be one with Thee,  that I may know Thee more and more.
                                                                     E. CAYCE

DAY 128

Our Father, our God, may the light of Thy wisdom, Thy strength and Thy power guide us as we apply ourselves in Thy service for others.  Amen

DAY 127

OPEN MY EYES, O LORD, THAT I MAY KNOW THE GLORY THOU HAST PREPARED FOR ME.

DAY 126

Lord,
   Use me in whatever way or manner that my body may be as a living example of Thy love to the brethern of our Lord.    EDGAR CAYCE

DAY 125

Father, let Thy desires be my desires.  Let my desires, God, be Thy desires, in spirit and truth.

DAY 124

Lord,
   Help me be a better person.  Mold me.  You are the potter and I am nothing but a lump of clay.  Make me an instrument for You and use me to show Your love to others.  Amen

DAY 123

May the desire of my heart be such that I become more and more aware of the spirit of the Father, through Christ, magnifesting in me.

DAY 122

  In the midst of our nation's struggles, crippling hurts and confusion, I lift our leaders to You in prayer for guidance and help.  Grant us a godly pulse beat, aligned with Your will and direction.  Give us Christian leadership.  Revive us spiritually.  May we regain the standards we have so carelessly thrown away and once again become one nation under God.
   Cleanse our sins and heal our land, I pray.  Deliver us from drugs and violence.  Help our people who love You to step forth and speak out for what is right.  Help our schools, our teachers, our children to keep setting new goals, dreaming new dreams and aiming high.  Wrap your arms around our dear country's young people and dry their tears.  Lead them toward a future that is good and true.  Help us to go forth as a nation, to be an example to the world as a nation, to be an example to the world, by Your love and grace.
   Most of all, Lord, may I do my best to help.  May the love, kindness and dedication begin with me.
   In Jesus' name, amen.

WHEN I AM ON MY KNEES by Anita C. Donihue

DAY 121

  I pray for you daily as "the enemy comes in like a flood."  Remember the warning: 
 " ... There shall be false teachers among you ... They allure through the lusts of the flesh ...  While they promise [you] liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption..."                   2 Peter: 2
   Let's not argue over the line between what is Godly and that which is worldly.  Let's create a BIG GAP beteen the two!
   Bill Gothard

DAY 120

"Thank you, Lord, for this day.  Guide our hands in our work.
Oh Lord, I give my time to you.  You will not let my sitting here be in vain... "

Mighty Be Our Powers by Leymah Gbowee on page 142.  They prayed daily for peace from war.

DAY 119

Look down favorably upon Your people, we beseech You, O Lord, and be merciful unto us.  Amen

DAY 118

To You I lift up my soul: in You, O my God, I trust You; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.  No one who waits for You shall be put to shame.  Make Your ways known to me; teach me Your path.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.  As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen

DAY 117

"Give her strength.  We rebuke any evil force that would make her words weak."

   The women of peace prayed these words when the president of Liberia finally chose to hear their delegate and what they were praying for  - We want PEACE, no more war.


Mighty be Our Powers by Leymah Gbowee on page 141. 

DAY 116

Renewed by the gift of Your redemption, O Lord, we beseech You, that the true faith may always prosper within us by the help of everlasting salvation.  Through our Lord, Jesus Christ.  AMEN

DAY 115

A voice commanded me to:

GATHER THE WOMEN TO PRAY FOR PEACE!

Dear God,
   Thank You for sending this vision.  Give us Your blessing, Lord, and offer us Your protection and guidance in helping us to understand what it means.
  Mighty Be Our Powers by Leymah Gbowee on page 122.   And with this vision and command prayer wrought peace for the waring nation.

DAY 114

We beseech You, O Lord, grant us that, being taught by wholesome fasting and abstaining from harmful vices, we may the more easily obtain Your forgiveness.

DAY 113

God,
   As I come to You, let nothing stand between this special realtionship we share.  If there is any malice between me and others, I lay them at Your altar and forgive them unconditionally.  Help me to totally forgive and learn to love like Your son, Jesus.  He loved me enough to die for me on the cross.

DAY 112

Almighty and everlasting God, graciously look upon our infirmity and, for our protection, stretch forth the right hand of Your Majesty.

DAY 111

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.

DAY 110

I confess to the Almighty God, to Blessed Mary, to Michael the Archangel, to Blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul and to all the saints and to You, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed. Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.  Therefore I beseech Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Blessed Michael the Archangel, Blessed John the  Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul and all the saints and You, Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.  Amen

DAY 109

O God,
   Through fasting You grant to the just the reward of their merits and to sinners forgiveness.  Have mercy on us, Your supplicants, that the confession of our guilt may avail to obtain the forgiveness of our sins.  Through our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Amen

DAY 108

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
   I pray to you O Virgin if virgins, my Mother.  To Thee I come.  Before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.  O Mother of the word incarnate, despise not my petition but in They mercy, hear and answer me.  Amen

DAY 107

Jesus,
   Make me a better person so I willingly serve You with love.  Put love for others in my heart.  Meld me and mold me in Your image.  You are the potter and I am the clay.

DAY 106

May the desires of my heart be such that I become more and more aware of the spirit of the Father, through Christ, manifesting in me.

DAY 105

Dear Lord,
   Every day has highs and lows.  When I can see You in all then I know I am getting closer to Your design for my life.  A closer walk with You is all I desire.   AMEN

DAY 104

Let the angelic choirs of heaven now rejoice.  Let us give praise.  Let the trumpet of salvation sound forth the victory of Jesus, our King.  Let the earth rejoice and let the darkness of the world be scattered.  AMEN

DAY 103

LORD,
  Thank You for trouble.  I know I can not escape it.  And deep down I know I will grow with You through this experience.  Help me bear this trouble without grumbling or complaint.  Let me see Your hand in these difficulties.  I am sure that You, God, know what is happening and are with me on this journey.  Bolster me when my courage lags half way though.  Let me grow stronger in my love for You.  Let this become a faith walk.  Let me rely on You, God, and only You, for wisdom and comfort.  On the dark days remind me that this is meant for my own good.  Others may have done and meant evil but in Your plan all was meant for good.  AMEN

DAY 102

Heavenly Father,
  Let me be of use today to spread Your love into the world.  Guide my steps and guard the words of my mouth. Let all who I encounter feel loved.   AMEN

DAY 101

God,
  Be my guide for the race which is before me.  You are the giver of light and love.  Guide me on my path.
AMEN

DAY 100

God,
  You are my Father.  You are all-mighty.  You are wonderful.  Your majesty is evident in all the world.  Thank you for giving me this day to honor and worship You.    AMEN

DAY NINETY NINE

Father,
   We give You thanks this day for our family and friends and all the blessings, big and small, You pour out on us each day.  We lift up those less fortunate than us and ask You, dear Lord, that each experience Your love, comfort and presence today and every day.  In Jesus's name we pray.  AMEN

DAY NINETY EIGHT

God,
  I want to participate fully in the adventure You have for me.  Help me to let go of old wrongs and start new with those who are important to me.  AMEN

                                                  Christopher de Vinck

DAY NINETY SEVEN

O Lord, give ear to our prayers and by the intercession of Your son, Christ Jesus, bestow upon us Your everlasting mercy.  Amen

DAY NINETY SIX

Look down, O Lord, upon Your household and grant that our minds may shine before You with desire for You.   AMEN

DAY NINETY FIVE

O Mary, our mother, it was your great privilege to feed, clothe and care for the infant Jesus.  Today millions of His brothers and sisters around the world are hungry and destitute and desperately in need of help.
  Inspire us, O Good Mother, with the love for the poor and with generosity so that, with true zeal, we may assist the Holy Father in bringing food to the hungry, clothing to the destitute and help to the sick.  Through Christ Our Lord.  AMEN

Cardinal Spellman   1/30/1965

DAY NINETY FOUR

   Most merciful Father, we commend our departed into your hands.  We are filled with the sure hope that our departed will rise again on the Last Day with all who have died in Christ.  We thank you for all the good things you have given during our departed's earthly life. 
   O Father, in your great mercy, accept our prayer that the gates of paradise may be opened for your servant.  In our turn, may we too be comforted by the words of faith until we greet Christ in glory and are united with You .
Through Christ our Lord.   AMEN 

DAY NINETY THREE

  THE KYRIE

Lord, have mercy.
   Lord, have mercy.
      Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
   Christ, have mercy.
      Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.
    Lord, have mercy.
       Lord, have mercy.

DAY NINETY TWO

Lord,
    Thy will be done.    AMEN

DAY NINETY ONE

Our heavenly Father,
  All that I have is Yours.  You have blessed with me with many gifts and talents.  May I be of use to You on this mortal plane to share Your love with others.  May I become more Christlike in all my dealings with those in my life.  AMEN

DAY NINETY

Dear God Almighty,
   Thank You for all the blessings You have bestowed upon us.  Thank You for answering prayers.  You have seen the house of loved ones sold this year.  You have heard and answered our prayers.   Thank You, God, for blessing us with Your bounty.  Thank You, God, for hearing our pleas.  Thank You, Lord.  Your power and might are awesome.  Your majesty is wondrous to behold.  All the days of my life I will praise and honor You.      AMEN

DAY EIGHTY NINE

In Thy mercies, O heavenly Father, will Thou be the guide in the study of Thy love.  May the activities of my life represent Thy love and be made manifest on earth. 

DAY EIGHTY EIGHT

Lord,
   Help me remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I together can't handle.      AMEN

DAY EIGHTY SEVEN

Lord,
   Give this couple a long and happy life together and bless this union with children.  Give them work worthy of their talents and give them the bounty of Your love.   AMEN

DAY EIGHTY SIX

Prayer For Bad Times

 Dear God,
   Help me to be a good sport in this game of life.  I don't ask for an easy place in the lineup.  Put me anywhere You need me.  I only ask that I can give You 100 percent of everything I have.  If all the hard drives come my way, I thank You for the compliment.  Help me remember that You never send a player more trouble than he can handle.
   And, help me, Lord, to accept the bad breaks as part of the game.  May I always play on the square, no matter what others do.  Help me to study the Book so I'll know the rules.
   Finally, God, if the natural turn of events goes against me and I am benched for sickness or old age, help me accept that as part of the game, too.  Keep me from whimpering that I was framed or that I got a raw deal.  And when I finish the final inning, I ask for no laurels.  All I want is to believe in my heart that I payed as well as I could and that I didn't let You down.

Cardinal Richard Cushing

DAY EIGHTY FIVE

O Lord God,
  You led Your people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land.  So guide us, that following our Savior, we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  AMEN

From First Presbyterian Church of Berkshire Valley worship 3/7/93

DAY EIGHTY FOUR

Heavenly Father,
   Let me love myself as I am.  Make me realize when I am not proud of myself, I am letting You, as my creator, down.  I must be proud of the body You have given me and realize there is a purpose for every person being different.  Let me realize that You, my Father, are with me always to guide and comfort me.  Let me open my heart and my pores and let Your love flow in.  Let me accept the peace that you can bring and help me to understand that you have a plan and purpose for everything that happens.  AMEN

RICHARD A. CARLOY in Get It together With God

DAY EIGHTY THREE

Heavenly Father,
   Let me be a better listener and not be self-centered.  Help me to realize that if I get my mind occupied by helping and cheering up other people I will be healthier than if I were always checking on my own pulse.  Help me to look for the good in everyone I meet.  Let me realize that I cannot change anybody's way of thinking.  Only by doing the best I can and setting a good example may I influence someone to change their behavior.  Help me to understand that other people have as much right to their opinion as I do to mine.   AMEN 

RICHARD A. CORLOY from Get It Together With God

DAY EIGHTY TWO

Lord,
  Have mercy on my soul.
                                                   AMEN

DAY EIGHTY ONE

Heavenly Father,
   Help me to be grateful for being alive right now.  Help me to realize that no matter what my problems may be, where there is life, there is hope.  Help me to think positively and to realize that thousands of miracles are happening every day.  Help me to pray and help me to remember the times when prayer brought peace.   AMEN

RICHARD A. CORLEY from his book Get It Together With God 

DAY EIGHTY

BEATITUDES FOR FRIENDS OF THE AGED

Blessed are they who understand my faltering step and palsied hand.
Blessed are they who seem to know that my eyes are dim and my wits are slow.
Blessed are they who look away when coffee spilled at the table today.
Blessed are they who with a cherry smile stop to chat for a little while.
Blessed are they who never say you told that story twice today.
Blessed are they who make it known that I'm loved, respected and not alone.
Blessed are they who know I'm at a loss to find the strength to carry the cross.

Blessed are they who ease the days on my journey Home in loving ways.

DAY SEVENTY NINE

Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Thou are the potter;
I am the clay.

Mold me and make me
After Thy will,
While I am waiting,
Yielded and still.

ADELAIDE ADDISON POLLARD

DAY SEVENTY EIGHT

PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE

Most holy apostle, St.Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the church honors you as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me.  I am helpless and alone.  Make use, I implore you, of that particular privledge given to you to bring visible and speedy help when help is dispaired.  Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly___________________ (your request) and that I may praise God with you forever.  I promise to be ever mindful of this great favor, to honor you as my special patron and to encouage devotion to you.

AMEN

DAY SEVENTY SEVEN

 Great Spirit, fill us with the light.  Give  us the strength to understand and the eyes to see.  Teach us to walk the soft earth as relatives to all that live.  Help us for without You we are nothing.
CHIEF SEATTLE  In a speech made in 1854

DAY SEVENTY SIX

Dear Lord God,
  Let me be a little kinder, let me be a little blinder to the faults of those about me and let me praise a little more.  Let me be, when I am weary, just a little bit more cheery.   Let me serve a little better for You, God, who i adore.  Let me be a little meeker with the brother who is weaker, let me strive a little harder to be all that I should be.  Let me be more understanding and a little less demanding, let me be the sort of friend that You have been to me.   Amen

DAY SEVENTY FIVE

THEY ARE MY BROTHERS
          August 16, 1964


Dear Heavenly Father,
This I pray
That I may learn
from day to day
A more loving way
To give to others
And always remember
They are my brothers.

God sent us on earth
To teach of His love
That He gave to all
From heaven above.
If only we mortals
Could realize its worth
we'd surely have heaven
Right here on earth.

Instead we go stumbling
With fear and with fright.
Please help us to know
The wrong from the right.
Although there are many
More lessons to learn
I hope I'll be worthy
When to Him I return.

DAY SEVENTY FOUR

Lord,
  Help us to love one another.  Teach us to put aside our spites and grudges, our slights and hurt feelings.  Teach us to put away our vanity and our pride.  Help us to be the decent people we are deep inside.    
 Gap Creek by Robert Morgan

DAY SEVENTY THREE

God,
   We swarm through the malls and crowd the stores looking for a gift that fits the person and expresses our love.  Thank you, God, for those loved ones; those whose love created Christmas past and those whose warmth makes Christmas present.  Their love will sustain us long after the toys break and the clothes go out of style.
   Forgive us, God, when we destroy the season's joy by turning shopping into aggravation, multiplying cost as a measure of love, scheduling activities that exhaust our energy and planning visits to offend the fewest.
   Help us, God, to notice the many: those invisible except for coins tossed in answer to a bell or pledges in response to a call for charity, those whose loved ones exist only in memory, those who cannot give and seldom receive, those whose loneliness turns into depression and those whose joy trembles in pain.
   Free us to sing the songs we love and release us to hug the people we love all in the name of the One who loves us, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  AMEN

DAY SEVENTY TWO

LIVING YOUR DAY AS A PRAYER

  Say to yourself,  " I live and move and have my being, in all inner thought and outer expressions, in the wealth of God every moment."   And say this when you least feel the truth of it and keep on saying it.
  And to the above statement add these words as you go forth to meet life, "With the peace of God in my heart and with good will toward my fellow men, I am ready for the work day."  And you will be ready for the work of the day!
  Then when you lie down to sleep say to yourself again, "Today I have lived and moved and have had my being in God, and while I sleep I still  live and have my being in Him.  He will guide and purify my dreams and in the morning I shall be further along."
  "Those who have the gales of the Spirit are carried forward even in sleep," says Brother Lawrence.

E. STANLEY JONES

SEVENTY ONE

Dear Lord Jesus,
  I need you.  I cannot live the Christian life by myself.  When I try to do that, my struggle ends in failure and defeat.  I need You to take over my life and live Your life through me. 
  I am deeply and heartily sorry for all of my sins of thought, word, action and omission.  I do now receive your forgiveness.  I forgive all those who have hurt me or harmed me in any way.
  Take all that I am and all that I have - my time, talent and treasure; my past, my present, my future; my family, my friends, my foes; my doubts, my insecurities, my fears.  I place them all in your loving heart.
  Now fill me with Your Spirit.  Fill my mind with Your wisdom; fill my heart with Your love; fill my life with Your power.  AMEN

DAY SEVENTY

God,
  Help me to forgive them completely and freely.  Help me to release them and let them go.  As far as I am concerned, the incident that happened between us is finished and over.  I am free of this and they are free.  All is well between us.  I wish the best for them.  I pray God blesses them in all they do.  AMEN

DAY SIXTY NINE

My Lord God,
   I have no idea where I am going.  I do not see the road ahead of me.  I cannot know for certain where it will end.  Nor do I really know myself and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.   But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You.  And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.   I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.  I know that if I do this You will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.  Therefore will I trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.  I will not fear, for You are ever with me and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.               THOMAS MERTON      Thoughts in Solitude
 

DAY SIXTY EIGHT

Lord,
  Bless our family with openness to real communication with sharing in all our joys and sorrows, with the freedom to let each other grow, with understanding for the gifts each has to give, and of course, with love no matter what - no matter where.  Amen

DAY SIXTY SEVEN

What shall I bring to the Lord, The God of heaven, when I come to worship God?
To do what is right and just,
To show constant love,
And to live in humble fellowship with God.

MICAH 6:6A + 8b

DAY SIXTY SIX

For the blessings you have bestowed upon this family,
For all the days we had together and all the days to come,
For the joys and the sorrows that bind us ever closer,
For the trials we have overcome,
And for teaching us we that can do no great things
only small things with great love
WE THANK YOU.   Amen

DAY SIXTY FIVE

                            TOMORROW'S FAR AWAY

O Father, guide these faltering steps today, lest I should fall.
Tomorrow?  Ah, tomorrow's far away.  Today is all.
If I but keep my feet till evening time, night will bring me rest.
Then stronger grown, tomorrow I shall climb with newer zest.
Oh, may I stoop to no unworthiness, in pain or sorrow,
Nor bear from yesterday one bitterness onto tomorrow!
Then, Father, help these searching eyes today the path to see;
Be patient with my feebleness, the way is steep to Thee!

DAY SIXTY FOUR

Cleanse my heart and my lips, O Almighty God, Who cleansed the lips of the prophet Isaiah with a burning coal.  In Your gracious mercy deign so to purify me that I may worthily proclaim Your holy gospel.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen

DAY SIXTY THREE

All praise, glory and honor is Yours, O Lord.  AMEN

DAY SIXTY TWO

Glory to God in the highest.  And on earth peace to men of good will.  We praise You.  We bless You.  We adore You.  We glorify You.  We give You our thanks for Your great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.  O Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son.  O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father: You who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.  You who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.  You, who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.  For You alone are holy.  You alone are the Lord.  You alone, O Jesus Christ, are most high, together with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen

DAY SIXTY ONE

Thank You, Lord, for the tapestry which composes my life, for the design so carefully woven, each stitch threaded with tenderness and care, created unique, adorned with the colors of the rainbow, each carefully blessed.  Thank You for weaving my life with love.  Thank You for placing there those who bless and enrich each moment.  Amen

DAY SIXTY

Dear Lord,
  Help me to forgive myself completely and freely.  Help me to release myself.  As far as I am concerned the incident that happened is finished forever.  Help me to realize the best for myself.  Help me to find Your light and center myself in Your light.  I am free and all is well with me.  I am ready to accept Your peace.  Amen

DAY FIFTY NINE

THE NICENE CREED

 I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.  And in the one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.  Born of our Father before all ages, God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God.  Begotten not made, of one being with the Father, by whom all things are made.  Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was made flesh by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary: and was made man.  He was also crucified for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, died and was buried.  And on the third day he rose again according to the scriptures. And ascending into heaven, He sits at the right hand of the Father.  And He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.  And I believe in the Holy Spirit, Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.  Who together with the Father and the Son is no less glorified: who is spoken by the prophets.  And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.  I confess one baptism for the remission of sins.  And I look for the resurrection of the dead.  And the life of the world to come.    Amen

DAY FIFTY EIGHT

Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with thee.  Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus Christ.  Holy Mary, mother of God, have mercy on me, now and at the hour of my death.

DAT FIFTY SEVEN

God be merciful to me.  Help my unbelief.  Let me see what You would have me see in my fellow man.  Let me see in my brethren Him who I worship.

DAY FIFTY SIX

Father,
   As I seek to know Thee, may I come to know myself, even as I am known, and may I give the better concept of Thy spirit to this world.         Amen

DAY FIFTY FIVE

Not my will but Thine, O Lord, be done in and through me.  Let me ever be a channel of blessings, today, now, to those that I contact, in every way.  Let my going in, mine coming outs, be in accord with that Thou would have me do, and as the call comes, "Here am I
Lord, send me and use me!"

DAY FIFTY FOUR

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you His grace and peace.  All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us.  He comforts us in all our troubles so we can comfort others.  When others are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.  You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ.  So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation.  For when God comforts us, it is so we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you.
2 Corinthians 1:2-6

DAY FIFTY THREE

Jabez's Prayer to the God of Israel

Oh, that you would bless me and extend my lands!  Please be with me in all I do and keep me from all pain and trouble!   1 Chronicles 4:10

DAY FIFTY TWO

God,
I come to meet you, God, in the morning when my day is at its best,
And Your pressence comes like sunrise, like glory to my breast.
All day long Your presence lingers, all day long You stay with me,
And we'll sail in perfect calmness o'ver a very troubled sea.
So I think I know the secret, learned from many a troubled way,
I must seek God first in the morning, if I want God through the day!
Amen

DAY FIFTY ONE

Our Father, who art in heaven, may Thy kingdom come to earth through Thy presence in me, that the light of Thy word may shine unto those that I meet day by day.  May I so conduct mine own life that others may know Thy presence abides in me and thus gloify Thee.

DAY FIFTY

Dear God,
   Thank you for granting me the help I needed.  Thank you for empowering Mark with knowledge and wisdom so he could fix my computer problem.  You give gifts and talents to all.  Mark used his today to come to my aid.  Bless him, Lord, and reward him for coming to my aid.  Amen

DAY FORTY NINE

God is great.
God is good.
Let us thank Him
For this food.

DAY FORTY EIGHT

Lord,
  This situation stinks and we both know it.  Now, I'm going to try something different because what I have been doing hasn't been working.  And if Thou wishest to contribute to the miracle, be my guest.

The Rev. D.M. Meeker, Joplin, MO

DAY FORTY SEVEN

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Thy angels watch me through the night,
And keep me safe till morning light.

DAY FORTY SIX

Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.

DAY FORTY FIVE

Father,
  I have a strong sensation that You brought me to this moment of prayer because You plan to share with me insights to solve my problems.  So I will go out to face the sunlight of a new day and a new week crammed with undiscovered possibilities.  I am encouraged and I am enthused!  I am more hopeful than I have been in a long time.   Amen

DAY FORTY FOUR

King Solomon's Prayer

   O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like You in all of heaven and earth.  You keep Your promises and show unfailing love to all who obey You and are eager to do Your will.  You have kept Your promises to Your servant David, my father.  You made that promise with Your own mouth and today You have fulfilled it with Your own hands.  And now, O Lord, God of Israel, carry out Your further promise to Your servant David, my father.  For You said to him, "If your descendants guard their behavior and obey my law as you have done, they will always reign over Israel".
                                                                                                                                                 2 Chronicles 6: 14-16

DAY FORTY THREE

Lord Jesus,
   I humbly confess to You my sin in thought, word and deed.  Thank You for giving Your life that I could be forgiven.
  I turn from my own way and invite You to come into my life.  I now receive You as my savior and Lord.
  I believe Your word and wish to trust and follow You.  Thank You for giving me eternal life.        Amen

DAY FORTY TWO

Lord, God Almighty,

  I have failed again.  I was weak and let myself explode.  I spewed horrible things and let all my ugliness unfold.  I had no control.  And I hurt my loved one with my wicked words.  Please forgive me this sinful nature.  Please cleanse my soul and wipe away all this nastiness.  Help me to forgive myself.  Help me to start the day over with Your loving kindness and love.                                                Amen

DAY FORTY ONE

May I live for You, Lord, and by doing so, be an example to my friends and family. 
I want my life to be worthy of You, Lord, so use me to fulfill Your purpose. 
I pray to learn obedience through what I suffer.
Help me to never stop believing in You. 
Help me to live my life for You.   Amen

DAY FORTY

Lord,
   Help me forgive everything and everybody who can possibly need forgiveness in my past and my future.  I forgive positively everyone.  God willing, I am free and they are free, too.  All things are cleared up between us now and forever.   Amen

ADAPTED FROM THE WORKS OF CATHERINE PONDER

DAY THIRTY NINE

Oh dear Lord,
   I don't know how much longer I can carry on.  I don't know if I have the strength.  This burden is heavy, oh so heavy and I can see no relief.  I have no help on the horizon.  I am not sure I can continue.
  It is said that You give no more than we can handle, Lord.  So I am telling You, I have reached my limit,  I can't handle any more and I am now turning this over to You.  It is Yours today, Lord.  It is all Yours.
         Amen

DAY THIRTY EIGHT

MY LIFE IS IN YOU, LORD

My life is in You, Lord.
My strength is in You, Lord,
My hope is in You, Lord,
In You, it's in You.

My life is in You, Lord,
My strength is in You, Lord,
My hope is in You, Lord,
In You, it's in You.

I will praise You with all my life,
I will praise You with all my strength;
With all of my life, with all of my strength.
All of my hope is in You.
In You.

DAY THIRTY SEVEN

Oh dear Lord,
Three things I pray.

To see Thee more clearly,
To love Thee more dearly,
To follow Thee more nearly,
Day by day.

                 GODSPELL 
Song lyrics by Srirr, Williams and Spencer

DAY THIRTY SIX

O Lord, bless this place as sacred, as a place where You dwell.
Accept and bless the work that we have now begun,
That it may be brought to completion to Your glory.

May this be a sacred place of reconciliation, affirmation, inspiration,
And a reminder of the many who live in improvished conditions.

May this be a sacred, blessed place where we witness to a precious message;
That You love us all -- from north and south, east and west --
And that when we become instruments of Your love,
We can assure that every one of Your children one day
Will have a decent, safe place to sleep at night.

Deacon Jim Parks' closing prayer at Global Village & Discovery Center groundbacking

DAY THIRTY FIVE

A TEACHER'S PRAYER

BY

NELLIE PEASE GORBETT

Each time before I face my class, I hesitate a while,

And ask the Father, "Help me, Lord, to understand each child.

Help me to see in every one a precious soul,  most dear;

And may I lead that child through paths of wonder, not of fear.

Dear Father, as they look to me for Christian guidance true,

I look to Thee and humbly ask that Thou will teach me, too."

                                                                                                AMEN

DAY THIRTY FOUR

I said a prayer for you today

And know God must have heard;

I felt the answer in my heart

Although He spoke not a word.

I didn't ask for wealth or fame

(I knew you wouldn't mind)

I asked for priceless treasures, rare,

Of a more lasting kind.

I prayed that He'd be near to you

At the start of each new day.

To grant you health and blessings fair,

And friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness for you

In all things great and small.

And that you'd know His loving care

I prayed the most of all.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

DAY THIRTY THREE

DAVID'S PRAYER OF PRAISE

O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may You be praised forever and ever.  Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty.  Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom.  We adore You as the one who is over all things.  Riches and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything.  Power and might are in Your hand and it is at Your discretion that people are made great and given strength.

O our God, we thank you and praise Your glorious name.  But who am I and who are my people, that we could give anything to You?  Everything we have has come from You and we give You  only what You have already given us!  We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us.  Our days are like a shadow, gone so soon without a trace.

1 Chronicles 29: 10-15

DAY THIRTY TWO

FOOTPRINTS

BY

MARY STEVENSON

One night a man had a dream.  He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.  Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.  Each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.  He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.  He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.  "Lord, You said that once I decided to follow You, You'd walk with me all the way.  But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.  I don't understand why, when I needed You most, You would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child.  I love you and I would never leave you.  During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

Mary Stevenson wrote this in 1936 but never received credit until 40 years later.

DAY THIRTY ONE

I am not here by chance.  God has a plan and purpose for my life.  I will let Him lead me as my Shepherd.  He will watch over me and care for me.  I will hear his voice and follow Him.  His way for me is the highest and the best.  I will follow Jesus.

   I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.  John 10:11 NIV

DAY THIRTY

Dear Lord,

All that has offended me, I forgive.  What ever has made me bitter, resentful and unhappy, I forgive.  I forgive within and without, I forgive.  Things past, things present, things future, I FORGIVE.

Adapted from the works of Catherine Ponder

DAY TWENTY NINE

Dear Lord,

   Use me today to do Your work.  Let me help someone in need.  Let me bestow Your love today and let me show kindness to all I encounter.  Amen

DAY TWENTY EIGHT

Won't you look down upon me, Jesus?

You've got to help me make a stand.

You've got to see me through another day'

My body's aching and my times is at hand

And I won't make it any other way.

 Lyrics from FIRE AND RAIN by James Taylor

DAY TWENTY SEVEN

JUST FOR TODAY, LORD

  I will live through the next twelve hours and not try to tackle all of life's problems at once.  

  I will improve my mind.  I will learn something useful.  I will learn something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

  I will be agreeable.  I will look my best, speak in a well-modulated voice, be courteous and considerate.  I will not find fault with my friend, relative or colleague,  I will try not to change or improve anyone but myself.

  I will have a program.  I might not follow it exactly, but I will have it.  I will save myself from two enemies - hurry and indecision.

  I will do a good turn and keep it a secret.  If anyone finds out, it won't count.  I will do two things I don't want to do, just for the exercise.

 I will believe in myself.  I will give my best to the world and feel confident that the world will give its best to me.

                                                                         Author Unknown