Looking around me, troubles I hear,
Teach me, Lord, in how to pray.
People ask me, hearts full of fear,
Guide me Spirit, in what to say.

So much chaos, the world over,
With anger flaring from all sides.
Even brothers & sisters in Christ,
throwing out words none too wise.

Where do I start, God, while on my knees,
Praying for lands and peoples, too.
Make it better, so without a doubt:
We’d know the Healing is because of you!

Guide our leaders and protect them,
So their decisions would be for the good.
Send aid in deeds, supplies, and prayer,
Have mercy upon cities and neighborhoods.

Calm their hearts, remove their fears,
Separate enemies from each other’s view.
In times of destruction and despair,
Show me what to say, what to do.

 

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Lord, I’m thankful as you draw me near,
And I know internally of your enduring love,
It’s why I’m humming from the inside.

Your forgiving and merciful ways,
And how you either guard or clear my path,
Is what causes my humming from the inside.

Shortly after I awake in the early morning,
I wonder where did I get this tune in my head?
In my heart, humming from the inside.

Each day is a blessing, each turn of the tide,
Knowing you’ll direct me on proper paths,
Keeps me humming from the inside.

I’ll sing to you in worship,
And hum on occasion, too.
All the while, humming from the inside.

When I am troubled, or tempted to err,
I’m thankful for hymns and spiritual song,
Curing my heart, humming from the inside.

You know my heart, Oh Father God.
As Christ’s blood brings us together.
Even with a shout, humming from the inside.

It is well with my soul, in sweet hours of prayer,
Jesus paid it all, such amazing grace,
Compels constant humming from the inside.

 

Photo on Pixabay by jh146

Bring me to a place, Lord,
Where with others I can pray.
If I am to preach, Holy Spirit,
Give me the words to say.

If I am to sing praises, Father,
Please lend your ear to my heart.
If there be any need of service,
A duty of work I’ll do my part.

For I come today in worship,
Perhaps in a gathering of souls;
Looking to you for everything,
Not comparing talents, scars, or moles.

Let me turn to Jesus,
As the best example to seek.
If I do well in following,
Keep this sinner’s heart meek.

I want to know you better,
I want to love you so,
With obedience and faith,
To a place which I should go.

 

Photo on Pixabay by werner22brigitte

As trees dance in the wind,
As water or snow empties from the skies,
As the earth shakes in its rotation,
I watch in wonder, the workings of this earth.

As squirrels scamper about their work,
As birds sing a symphony above,
As dogs love and protect their families,
I watch in wonder, the residents of this earth.

As water flows with multiple reason,
As plants grow for food, air, and shade,
As scenes of beauty are etched by both rock and cloud,
I watch in wonder, the nature of this earth.

As changes come, at times surprise and shocking,
As people are displaced, at times in pain and discomfort,
As cries go out to and about you, at times with bitterness and fear,
I watch in wonder, your work within this earth.

I watch in wonder, the recovery of this earth.
As I see images of other worlds and galaxies,
As I read accounts of historical changes,
As I hear reports of what may be ahead,
I watch in wonder, the universe beyond this earth.

As I hear the cries along changes path,
As I cringe at how some treat your land,
As I pray for mercy for those being changed,
I watch in wonder, the design of your creation, this earth.

I am simply a steward of things you’ve created,
You are the Creator of creation,
And time and again, your ways prove true,
I watch in wonder, your love and creation of this earth.

Faithful as I try to be,
I find myself often falling short.
Distractions, attractions, desires and wants;
Not all of my thoughts are of a good report.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me rest,
Allowing me to gently abide in the vine.
When my mind and heart grow hectic.
I realize I don’t need to rush all the time.

Rather, when I calmly slow down to still,
Pondering your words; kneeling into prayer,
My heart enters peace, my mind tags along,
Once again, of your love, I’m aware.

Make me contagious with this spirit,
Keep me courageous each step of the way.
Thank you for your grace and your mercy.
Always aware and calm, with you I’ll stay.

 

Photo on Pixabay by RyanMcGuire

Not About Me

Cover me, Lord
in your comfort,
So I can testify of your kindness.

Strengthen me,
for spiritual battle,
So I may witness your victory in the midst

Weaken me,
from my own self-destruction,
So I rely on your ways and understanding.

Guide me,
on righteous paths,
So I can be secure in your love.

Teach me,
to live on a Roman road,
So I can lead others along the way.

Prove me,
to grow more fruitful,
So I can better serve those in my path.

Guard me,
with your armor,
So I might recognize and defeat the enemy.

Protect me,
with your Word,
So I might always do well in your eyes.

Fill me,
with your joy,
So I will be a contagious light among others.

Hide me,
from my fears,
So that I may stay courageous.

Equip me,
to share good news,
So others may know of your goodness.

Hold me,
in your enduring love,
So I might not falter or grow weary.

Correct me,
in my temptation,
So that I don’t sin against you.

Forgive me,
in my error and sin,
So I might testify of your tender mercies.

Remove me,
from my judgmental ways,
So I don’t dismiss others too quickly.

Humble me,
when I think highly of myself.
So I might only rely on your strength.

Keep me,
from my opponent’s harm,
So that I may show them your loving kindness.

Feed me,
for today only,
So my trust is always and only for you.

Show me, God,
in all these things;
how to serve, not for me:
but for Kingdom sake

Always Open

Whether it’s short.
Whether it’s long.
Drowning with tears,
or praising with song.

To know that your presence, God
With me anytime, anywhere;
Always Open,
For spontaneous prayer.

If I hurt, hear my cry,
If I rejoice, hear my praise,
Thank you for being Always Open,
All my nights, all my days.

 

Photo on Pixabay by bykst

So They Know

They are hurting. My Family. My friends.
Some in their body. Others in their heart,
Sick, or lonely, maybe even defeated,
Their lives seem to be coming apart.

Heal their hurts, God.
From dark paths remove them soon.
Show them light in such a way
So they know it comes from you.

Without explanation but one,
Astonishing as it may be.
Rescue them from darkness,
So they can clearly see.

That your love, Father, covers in comfort,
And Christ’s blood cleanses white as snow.
How the Holy Spirit can guide them,
Strengthen their faith so they may know.

Bring them into the fold, Dear Lord,
Draw them near to you now.
Do so in such a way,
they can only say,
It must’ve been God’s doing.
So they know,
What I know,
Of your incredible, powerful, awesome, healing love.
Please.

Thank you, God. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

 

Photo on Pixabay by skeeze

A Judging Lament

Neither judge or jury am I,
Forgive me my thoughts.
Allow me to discern with love,
passing judgment or punishing not.

Other may share practices and opinions,
I think are wrong and in error.
To hold my thoughts about it too long,
Does not give you honor.

Seeking first your kingdom,
Showering them in charitable love:
Either in word, deed, or silent prayer.
Trusting in you for all things good.

Forgive me for such thinking, my God
Through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit keep my thoughts on high,
From trying to make things right.

Whenever I see an action or word,
Let me remember with Christ-like care:
Grab hold of me not to pass judgment,
Rather move me to love in prayer.

 

Photo on Pixabay by succo

To Church

As I prepare to enter your house of worship, Lord
With plenty of people in entering within:
Let me focus my whole being and mindset
seeking and praising your mighty name.

No matter what is going on with me (or others)
This is a place of refuge, a safety zone.
Remind me some arrive hurting or wanting,
Seeking … something, some even showing off.

In all the moods and purpose of others,
Keep my heart and mind focused on you.
If the preaching is dry, I will pray around the room
If my singing is off, I will sing to you in my heart.
If my mind wanders, may it wander in your direction.

Let my greetings please you,
May my singing honor you,
Hear my praying thanking you,
Allow my service to glorify you,
Make my listening wait on you,
Move my way with others to love you.

Not just on this day,
Not only with these people.
Nor because I’m in your house.
But every day, with all, anywhere.

Always, in worship of you
praising you, loving you!

 

Photo on Pixabay by hamist, overlay with PicMonkey