Place of Prayer Protection

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Place of Prayer Protection

People who need people are the luckiest people in the world. No man is an island, and all that. Each person has a connection with each other person. Connection, attachment, kinship, relationship. We do need each other. But, that isn’t all.

I know I need a relationship with my God. If I am separated from God, I am in bad straits. Cut off from God and cut off from other people? Not a very good situation, at all.

How our enemy loves to cut us off from each other, and separate each one from God. How dare they? I’ll tell you: through natural happenings, through human error, through emotional or psychological or physical attachment gone awry. And sometimes, through something as straightforward as loneliness, or grief, or anger, or boredom, or fear.

What can you and I do about this? The answer in part is: prayer. Prayer stands as a protection and strength.

Dear Lord, gracious God, thank You for Your presence. I appreciate You acting as a refuge and strength. God, You are my rock and fortress, sure to be there for me and with me. I know the Lord is there when I go through the thick of things. Just like King David said, even though each of us is walking down the solitary path through the valley of shadow. No matter! We are still on God’s side. And, God will keep each one under the shadow of heavenly wings. Thank God.

@chaplaineliza

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

Frail is My Vessel, and the Ocean is Wide

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, October 22, 2015

Frail is My Vessel, and the Ocean is Wide

I live in the middle of North America, and far from either coast. Yet, I live near one of the largest inland lakes—Lake Michigan. Since I was a child, I have been intrigued by stories, poems and other writings about ships, boats and other vessels. Yes, I have been on smaller boats. Yet, not in a storm. I only vaguely understand how frightening that must be.

This prayer moved me deeply. It uses the continuing metaphor of the people of God traveling “the tempestuous sea of this mortal life.” I know a little about boats, and I would like to learn more. Yet, I can well understand feeling tempest-tossed in the middle of a rough storm.

Today’s prayer is about Protection. This prayer is attributed to St. Augustine (354-430). It comes under the section “Deliver Us from Evil.” (Prayer 413, page123) [1] What follows is a portion of this prayer:

“Watch over us who are still in our dangerous voyage; and remember such as lie exposed to the rough storms of trouble and temptations. Frail is our vessel, and the ocean is wide; but as in Thy mercy Thou hast set our course, so steer the vessel of our life toward the everlasting shore of peace, and bring us at length to the quiet haven of our heart’s desire, where Thou, O our God, are blessed, and livest and reignest for ever and ever.

Lord, I am in the middle of this dangerous voyage (or trip), as Augustine says. (Even though it is on land, in my case.) Oh, don’t I know about the various troubles and temptations that beset me! I know, full well, what a frail vessel—or casing—in which my soul is contained. Yes, Lord, the ocean—this world—is wide. Dangerous, full of rocks on which I might very well come to grief.

Dear God, thank You that You are steering me towards safe harbor and a quiet haven. I know I am not there yet. However, You have promised to remain at my side. With me, beside me on this dangerous voyage. Thank You for Your company, Your presence, Your protection. Thank You for Augustine and his promise that You will bring us to our heart’s desire. Lord, in Your mercy, hear my prayer.

@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), 123.

Pray. End of the Month.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, August 31, 2015

Pray. End of the Month.

As I started to unpack the last few mitts of great awareness on this 31^st day of August, I knew what I would be writing about. Simeon’s song, at the end of Compline. (Also known as the Canticle of Simeon, or the Nunc dimittis.)

Simeon’s words were sung when the baby Jesus had been brought to the Temple. And, Simeon recognized who the baby Jesus was and what He would grow up to be and become. This reading from the Gospel of Luke holds huge significance to me. In the Lutheran church where I was a child, I remember the Nunc dimittis closing each Sunday morning worship service.

In the structure of Compline (or, Night Prayer), “The service concludes with 1) a calling on God for protection through the coming night and 2) a simple blessing.” [1] The Canticle of Simeon is a most appropriate ending to prayer.

I will miss these reflections on the website’s www.dailyoffice.org Evening Service. I have greatly appreciated this month. Tomorrow begins another month. Another practice of prayer.

It is so appropriate to close tonight’s prayer with the Nunc dimittis:

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people;

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Amen. Alleluia.

The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.

@chaplaineliza

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

Visit the website http://dailyoffice.org/ to find out more about Morning and Evening Prayer!

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] https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/daily2/night/introstructurenotes.aspx