Be Thou My Vision, Lord

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, October 25, 2015

Be Thou My Vision, Lord

Have you ever sung a prayer? That’s what this prayer made me feel like doing. I like to sing, and I enjoy singing, but I haven’t particularly thought of my singing as prayer, before.

Today’s prayer is about Devotion. The prayer I chose for today from The Oxford Book of Prayer deals with “For Thine Is the Kingdom” (Prayer 477, page 141) [1] This is listed as a Traditional Irish prayer. Looking at my trusty hymnal, I find that it was translated by Mary E. Byrne, and versified by Eleanor H. Hull.

Looking at the topic of this prayer, I find myself looking at God. With devotion. Yes, there were many other prayers that expressed worthy ideas of devotion. However, this one drew me in, like a magnet. And, I found myself singing it. (To the tune of SLANE, if you would like to know more.)

“Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.” O, Lord! Not just a sovereign, ruling God, not just some intellectual deity whom I posit as superior or foundational. But—Lord of my heart. The feeling-part. God is the God of my insides, my emotions, just as much as God is the God of my mind and intellect.

“Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art,” God, how awe-inspiring, and humbling! Saying that nothing can compare to You. This reminds me of the “I am” from Exodus 3. God said “I am” or “I will be what I will be.” Surely, God, nothing can possibly compare to You.

“Thou my best thought, by day or by night.” O Lord! When I think of You, what can possibly compare? I am ashamed to say that my mind often gets sidetracked or hits a detour, and sometimes I even neglect thinking of You. Forgive me, dear God.

“Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.” Waking, sleeping, morning time, evening time. At any time of the day? Yes. When You are present, Lord, You are indeed my light. My devotion remains given to You, Lord. Even when You seem far away or when I hide myself from Your everlasting light, You are still there. Even when I doubt You, it doesn’t matter. You are still with me through difficult times.

Dear Lord, gracious God, thank You for this prayer. Thank You for emotions and feelings. And, thank You for the multitude of differences in the world, and the unity of love we all share in You.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net

[1] The Oxford Book of Prayer, edited by George Appleton. (New York: Oxford University Press, reissued 2009), 141.

Earnest Prayer of a Soldier

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, October 21, 2015

A relief showing Confederate soldiers heading off to war, part of the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Earnest Prayer of a Soldier

The October days roll by, and the sections of the Lord’s Prayer pass me by, as well. The prayer I chose for today from The Oxford Book of Prayer concerns “Lead Us Not into Temptation.” (Prayer 395, page 119) [1] The prayer is in a section entitled Right Living.

O, Lord, I need all the help I can get.

The subtitle on this specific prayer is “Prayer of an unknown Confederate soldier.” I quote it in its entirety.

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for – but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoiled prayers were answered.
I am among all men, most richly blessed.

Poignant. Moving. Heart-breaking. All of these descriptive words, and so many more. Strength, contrasted with weakness. Health and infirmity, riches and poverty. Weakness as opposed to power? Life, and that abundantly. Truly, this earnest and worthy man was indeed richly blessed. May I be one quarter as blessed as this man.

A brief postscript: the Book of Prayer describes the author of this prayer as a Confederate soldier. Yes, that is a descriptor. However, it does not tell me what I really want to know. Was the man young? Old? Did he smile often, or was he serious? Was he married? Did he have children? What did he do before the war? Did he have a sense of humor? Was he scared at the thought of going into battle? Did he miss his hometown? What about brothers and sisters, other family members, friends, comrades?

In other words, who was this man? I know he was someone’s son. I suspect he was a faithful believer in God, since these words were probably not penned by a skeptic.

Like all others in this Book of Prayer, the author of this prayer was a child of God. Dear Lord, just as You heard this dear one’s prayer, written one hundred fifty years ago, hear mine. Hear me—hear others as we repeat his words. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] The Oxford Book of Prayer, edited by George Appleton. (New York: Oxford University Press, reissued 2009), 119.