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Collecting Prayers Using My Word of the Year

May 10, 2022 By Jean Wise

collecting prayers

All is my word of the year and I have watching for and collecting prayers containing this word.  Such a simple word – you would think I would have an endless list by now but alas, the list grows slowly.

Slowly – that in itself is a good lesson. I tend to rush, skim, get it done. Looks like God is inviting me to savor and enjoy each prayer. To allow its word to seep into my soul. To feel its “all” to permeate my heart and shape me.

I find the prayers deepens if I copy its words, not by the printer or computer but unhurriedly with a pen into my journal. These prayers accompany me through my morning devotions and linger with me throughout the day.  Holy companions, these prayers.

Here are a few of my new friends shedding light on “all.”

Covenant Prayer – John Wesley
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,
Praised for you or criticized for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service.
And now, O wonderful and holy God,
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
you are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
Let it also be made in heaven.  Amen.

Empty Vessel – Martin Luther
Behold, Lord, An empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in faith; Strengthen thou me. I am cold in love; Warm me and make me fervent That my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; At times I doubt and am unable to trust thee altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in thee. In thee I have sealed the treasures of all I have. I am poor; Thou art rich and didst come to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; Thou art upright. With me there is an abundance of sin; In thee is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore, I will remain with thee of who I can receive But to whom I may not give. Amen.

Lead Me – Thomas Merton
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahed 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. And I know that, if I do this, You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will 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.

Beloved – John Wesley
Now, to God the Father, who first loved us, and made us accepted in the Beloved;
to God the Son, who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood;
to God the Holy Ghost, who sheddeth the love of God abroad in our hearts,
be all love and all glory in time and to all eternity.
Amen.

A PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA:
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.

Elisabeth Elliot

Loving Lord and heavenly Father, I offer up today all that I am, all that I have, all that I do, and all that I suffer, to be Yours today and Yours forever. Give me grace, Lord, to do all that I know of Your holy will. Purify my heart, sanctify my thinking, correct my desires. Teach me, in all of today’s work and trouble and joy, to respond with honest praise, simple trust, and instant obedience, that my life may be in truth a living sacrifice, by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, my Master and my all. Amen

Do you have a prayer written by someone else that guides your way?

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Filed Under: prayer, spiritual practices

Comments

  1. Lisa Blair says

    July 1, 2022 at 3:47 pm

    This is a great idea, Jean! Thanks for sharing!

    • blankJeanWise says

      July 3, 2022 at 4:31 pm

      Thanks Lisa. Has been helpful for me!

  2. blankBarb Hegreberg says

    June 14, 2022 at 8:36 am

    Personally, when I take the time to write things out they make more of an impact on me than if I did a quick copy/paste, screen shot or typed a note.

    • blankJeanWise says

      June 14, 2022 at 9:13 am

      I certainly agree. There is power in writing things out! This is one reason why I journal often.

  3. blankCorinne Rodrigues says

    May 30, 2022 at 12:19 pm

    I had that Thomas Merton prayer printed out and stuck to my Bible for years! I love your word of the year – so encompassing! Thanks for sharing these lovely prayers.

    • blankJeanWise says

      May 30, 2022 at 1:58 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Corinne. That Merton prayer is my go to prayer. Just prayed it this morning.

  4. blankAstrid says

    May 29, 2022 at 2:25 pm

    I love this post! I honestly had never seen any of these prayers, but I love them all. The Thomas Merton one in particular speaks to me. Thanks for sharing!

    • blankJeanWise says

      May 29, 2022 at 3:11 pm

      Thanks for stopping by. That Thomas Merton one touches my heart too and one I say quite often.

  5. blankLisa notes says

    May 15, 2022 at 7:14 pm

    What a beautiful practice to be keeping these prayers, Jean! I’ve collected a few quotes and scripture along the way with my word this year, but I haven’t particularly looked for prayers. I appreciate your spiritual example and discipline!

    • blankJeanWise says

      May 16, 2022 at 4:09 pm

      Thanks Lisa. I love “borrowed prayers”

  6. blankLinda Stoll says

    May 13, 2022 at 9:46 am

    I love this post and the emphasis on prayer and that chosen word. It’s beautiful when we see how God sends along exactly what we need to read, or people to meet, or a task to do … all for Him. Bless you this weekend, Jean …

    • blankJeanWise says

      May 13, 2022 at 4:50 pm

      Thank you, Linda. When going through tough times like you are right now, borrowed prayers can be powerful! Blessings on your weekend too.

  7. blankNancy Ruegg says

    May 10, 2022 at 5:05 pm

    These are wonderful prayers of commitment, Jean! I especially found the first John Wesley prayer and Thomas Merton’s to speak for me. So thankful you shared them! I’ve been reading the prayers and liturgies of Doug McKelvey in Every Moment Holy for such occasions as doing the laundry, preparing a meal, washing the windows, working in the garden, and many more. Lo and behold, as I was perusing for a worthy snippet to include as a sample here, look what I happened upon: “Give grace that I might perform the task before me, not in grudging irritation, but in gentleness and generosity of spirit as a caretaker of your blessings, and as an act of loving service to ALL family, friends, or strangers who will . . . enjoy fellowship beneath this roof” (emphasis added).

    • blankJeanWise says

      May 13, 2022 at 4:51 pm

      I will check out his prayers too. Love the one you shared. That Merton prayer is one of my favorites!

  8. blankMartha J Orlando says

    May 10, 2022 at 4:45 pm

    These prayers soothed my soul and quieted my mind as I read them, Jean. I have been feeling unfocused these days, and these certainly centered my focus on God in a new and dedicated way.
    Blessings!

    • blankJeanWise says

      May 13, 2022 at 4:52 pm

      So glad they brought you peace, Martha. I know they did for m e too. Give yourself grace with being unfocused. You have been through a rough time and still recovering! Prayers!

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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