Lament, Short

A Short Sigh To God – Martin Luther

A short sigh to God the Father… O God, Father of all poor, miserable souls! Give us all your grace and enlighten us with your truth. To you be praise, glory and thanks forever. Amen – Martin Luther (1483-1546AD)

Thanksgiving

Thank You Thank You – Michel Quoist

Thank you Lord, thank you. Thank you for all the gifts that you have given me today,Thank you for all I have seen, heard, received. Thank you for the water that woke me up, the soap that smells good, the toothpaste that refreshes.Thank you for the clothes that protect me, for their color and their cut.Thank you for the newspaper…

More

Confession

Know My Poor Soul – Martin Luther

O my dearest Lord Jesus Christ,you know my poor souland my great transgressions,and I cry out to you alonewith an open heart.I am sorrythat I do not havewill or intentions as I shouldand I fall behind daily,for I am a poor, sick sinner.You knowthat I want to have good will and good intentions,but my foe strikesand leads me captive.Redeem me,a…

More

Confession

I Have Fallen – Michel Quoist

I have fallen, Lord,Once more.I can’t go on, I’ll never succeed.I am ashamed, I don’t dare look at you.And yet I struggled, Lord, for I knew you were right near me, bending over me, watching.But temptation blew like a hurricane,And instead of looking at you I turned my head away,I stepped asideWhile you stood, silent and sorrowful,Like the spurned lover…

More

Need Or Trial, Pain, Scholars

At Life’s End – Martin Luther

I pray, my Lord Jesus Christ,take my soul into your hands. Heavenly Father,I know thatalthough I will live this bodyand be taken from this life,I will live with you forever,and that no one can pluck meout of your hands. God so loved the worldthat he gave his only-begotten Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish,but have eternal life. Our…

More

Christmas, Short

Epiphany Prayer – Martin Luther

Dear God,lead us with the Wise Menby the star of your holy Wordto your Son, Christ Jesus,and always protect usfrom every attack. Then we will returnto our home countryby another route,that is, to Godby whom we are created,and finally come to the source again,as in a great golden ring. God help us,through Christ,our King and Priest,forever and ever.Amen. – Martin…

More

Pastors, Preaching & Reflecting

Before Preaching – Martin Luther

Eternal God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give us your Holy Spirit who writes the preached Word into our hearts. May we receive and believe it and be cheered and comforted by it in eternity. Glorify your Word in our hearts and make it so bright and warm that we may find pleasure in it, through your Holy…

More

Longing, Poets

Time – Michel Quoist

All complain that they haven’t enough time.They look at their lives from too human a point of view.There is always time to do what God wants us to do,but we must put ourselves completely into each moment offered now.I went out, Lord. People were coming and going, walking and running. Everything was rushing; cars, trucks, the street, the whole town.Rushing…

More

Prayer Of Church

Lord’s Prayer For The Church – Martin Luther

Dear friends in Christ, lift up your hearts to God and pray with me as Christ has taught us and graciously promised to hear us… God, our Father in heaven, look with mercy on us, your needy children. Grant us grace, so that your name will be holy among us and all the world. Turn from us all false teaching…

More

Faith, Pain

Enough – Terisa Of Avila

Do not be disturbed or frightened, Everything passes, but God stays. Patience goes beyond all things. The one who has God, lacks nothing. God alone is enough. Lift your thinking, raise it up to heaven, Let nothing anguish you, let nothing disturb you. Follow Jesus Christ with an open heart, and no matter what may come, you need not fear.…

More