Pray for Peace (in a Contemporary Way)

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Pray for Peace (in a Contemporary Way)

How fascinating to contemplate peace. Interesting? Much more than that. Truly mind-altering.

When I consider peaceful thoughts, and meditation on peaceful subjects, my mind slows down to a more manageable speed. My breathing slows to a deeper in and out—slowly, in—slowly, out. I can feel my shoulders and back becoming less tense, more relaxed.

My yoga instructor, Ine, is a retired nurse. She regularly tells her class that the deep breathing and calming relaxation of yoga is beneficial in several important ways—including lowering the blood pressure, assisting in opening up the airway, and allowing the diaphragm to move freely.

That’s how I felt as I read through this prayer from The Oxford Book of Prayer.[1] It is taken from Contemporary Prayers for Public Worship. It’s short enough that I will quote it in full:

“Show us, good Lord,/the peace we should seek/the peace we must give,/the peace we can keep,/ the peace we must forgo, and the peace You have given us in Jesus our Lord.” [2]

Differing aspects of peace, yet all of them can be said to be gentle and quiet. Peace is not often loud and boisterous! Often quiet and unassuming. Take, for example, this short prayer. If prayed slowly, earnestly, from the heart, it will have a good chance of having those calming benefits my yoga teacher talks about. (Try it, and see!)

Dear Lord, gracious God, thank You for the benefits of pursuing peace. I can see the wonderful reaction peace has on my tense, stressed-out body. Thank You for allowing me to learn more about many different aspects of peace, calm, prayer, and meditation. Help me to be able to practice these several actions, regularly. I know You are pleased when I do! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

P.S. Watch this space for Pursuing PEACE. A Project that is also a listening tour. Listen. Share. Pursue PEACE. Coming TOMORROW for Lent!

@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), 80.

[2] Ibid.

Pray for Freedom from Anxiety

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, February 8, 2016

Pray for Freedom from Anxiety

Freedom from restlessness and anxiety? Oh, yes! That sounds absolutely marvelous. Even though I know—intellectually—that worry, restlessness and anxiety are not positive or beneficial for me, still…

This prayer (233) from The Oxford Book of Prayer is unattributed. (I might assume that it could be written by the same author as the next prayer, but I am not certain. And, the book does not say.) Regardless, this touching prayer asks for “that peace and power which flow from Thee.” [1] I get the impression of a strong, flowing river. Not wild, not rushing out of control, but more than a trickle! And, faster than a meandering backwater, too.

Imagine, God’s peace and power. Not just puny little human attempts at peace. And not just flawed, human weakling efforts at power. God is helping now. God will take care of it. And me. And, you, too.

If I am upheld by God’s strength and secure in the Rock of my salvation (also known as the Rock of God’s faithfulness), is there any way I can be lost? Or, unhappy? Or, anxious? At least, the God I know would not have been distant or oblivious to God’s children who needed help.

Dear Lord, gracious God. Thank You for being there, and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 for showing grace and mercy to me—to all of us. God, I long for Your strength and power to make themselves evident in my life. Thank You for Your upholding here in this world, and even more so for Your freedom in the world to come. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

P.S. Watch this space for Pursuing PEACE. A Project that is also a listening tour. Listen. Share. Pursue PEACE. Coming for Lent!

@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), 80.

Pray for a World Emancipated from Violence

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, February 4, 2016

Pray for a World Emancipated from Violence

Imagine a world of peace. That was what our prayer from The Oxford Book of Prayer spoke of today.

Good overcoming evil? Good triumphing over the evil perpetrated by individuals, as well as angry mobs, or fearsome armies? Oh, to live in such a wonderful place. To be able to trust people openly, on a regular basis! That would be an amazing experience.

Love overcoming hatred? When I think of all of the twisted ways in which one group of people hates another, I feel physically ill. I watched an older television program—a science fiction show, with aliens, where one alien race hated the guts of another alien race. And, how could this be alleviated, much less eradicated?

And, then, to have a world emancipated from violence? Violence, horror, despicable behavior of every imaginable kind? The thought of this causes me to tremble. Tremble with fear and deep sorrow, because I am afraid it will never, ever happen while this earth exists.

Yes, this prayer asks God for such things as no more fear, no more injustice. This prayer wishes to have selfishness evaporate, along with the suffering that accompanies it. [1]

Dear Lord, this prayer for World Peace zeros in on so many worthwhile requests. Please, gracious God, bring more peace, more harmony. Lower anxiety and fear. Help individuals and groups all over the world to live together, converse together, eat together. And, not kill each other. Gracious, peace-loving God, hear us, we pray.

@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), 78-79.

Pray for the Peace of Our Need

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Pray for the Peace of Our Need

It is a new month. February (my birthday month!). I have been wondering what to pray for in this new month, and peace came to mind. With all of the bickering, fighting, dissension and alienation in the world today, I think the world needs some peace. Certainly the city of Chicago and the suburbs surrounding it need peace.

Not only does this country need peace, but also the political process which will go on for some nine months. Not only the disparate regions and tribes and political parties of the world need peace, but also the warring nations and factions and opposition groups from all over.

And—I need some peace. Very much so.

I opened one of my lovely collections of prayer, The Oxford Book of Prayer. I turned to the small section on peace, and found one from the editor, George Appleton (Prayer 225). [1] In it, Mr. Appleton has the words “We pray for peace … The peace of Your will/The peace of our need.”

That last line of the prayer struck me. “The peace of our need.” Our corporate need (and needs), as well as each individual’s need. On top of that, I considered “the peace of my need.”

What is the peace of my need, Lord? I know I did not pray for very long. Perhaps I didn’t listen hard enough, or calm my heart enough to hear Your voice, Lord. Please, tell me. Help me to find out. Let Your peace infiltrate my heart and mind. I pray for Your peace—like a quiet rabbit or mouse—to make its way softly into my very soul. I pray this not only for myself, dear God, but for all who wish for peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of 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), 78.

Depending on God – in Prayer

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, October 1, 2015

Depending on God – in Prayer

October the first. A new month, a clean calendar page—and another method of praying in this Year of Everyday Prayers. That’s me praying every day, just to be crystal clear.

And now, for something completely different. I am turning to The Oxford Book of Prayer, edited by George Appleton. I’ve chosen to pray this month with the section entitled “Prayers of Christians: Personal and Occasional.” These are prayers covering almost 2000 years, prayers from all over the world.

These prayers are also arranged in the framework of the Lord’s Prayer, from Matthew 6:9b-13. Focused on “Our Father,” today’s prayer is about dependence. (Prayer 137, page 53) [1]

Martin Luther wrote this prayer of dependence. I was so struck with the opening: “Behold, Lord. An empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it.” Good God!—such honesty. Such a straight-forward way of asking You to fill him with whatever You had for him, today. (Or, on the day that he prayed this prayer.)

Lord, do I have that same honesty? Honest enough to be up front with You? You know me so much better than I can possibly know myself. But can I be honest enough to bring you myself? As flawed and broken as I am, and ask You to fill me? But, that’s not all. Martin calls himself “an empty vessel.” I think he had the idea that he wanted to be used by You. (And not in a bad, manipulative way, either.) Rather, used like a trusty tool, or a favorite baking dish. Something useful, greatly appreciated, and even well loved.

Dear Lord, with Martin I ask You to fill me, an empty vessel.. Fill me with the love You radiate to others. Fill me with the kindness You display. Fill me with the caring You show in abundance. Fill me with the willingness to serve. Dear Lord, gracious God, fill me with all that You wish to give me. And, lastly, with Martin I pray that You strengthen my faith and trust in You. Amen.

@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), 53.