Prayer, day 2678: for strength

O God of Hope,
accept our prayers and praises
as we lay them before You in morning's light.

Our times are in your hand, O Creator,
and our trust is in You
as we navigate the pathways of life.
With your benevolent help, Lord Jesus,
teach us to walk the good road,
and reconcile us to each other.
Make us humble,
aware of our own manifold faults,
especially our seeking advantage over each other,
rather than rejoicing in the bonds of love and mercy.
Pour out your peace and grace
like oil upon the turbulent waters,
that we may be unified by love.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
renew our hearts and minds in holiness
and bless and keep those we remember before You.

Amen.

Prayer 1868: Faith in the Storm

Creator of All Life,
we turn our faces to You
in hope and gratitude:
may we center ourselves within your will today.

Teach us to pull together,
setting our course
by the light of your love, O Savior.
Lord Jesus, you are with us in tempests and trials;
your presence brings light in the midst of darkness,
and heals the turbulence in our hearts.
Let our hearts not be hardened,
but give us eyes to see your abundant grace,
and to rest in your assurance of mercy and healing.

Holy Spirit, pour out your wisdom,
and strengthen us to persevere in faith
to center our intentions upon your commandments,
walking in love as disciples in truth.
Gather into your safekeeping
all in danger, sorrow, or trouble, O Holy One,
especially those we now name.

Amen.

Image: Rembrandt, Christ in the Storm on the Lake of Galilee.

Prayer 1784: Support and Protection

Have mercy upon us,
Most Merciful God:
bend near as we seek You,
our Rock, our Light, and our Hope.

Spirit of God, dwell within our hearts,
that we may be led by your love
and brought to healing and reconciliation.
Help us to persevere in faith, O Savior,
and resist falling into sin and contempt.

Holy One, be our shield and comfort
as we seek our path today.
Give rest to the weary, Lord Christ,
and comfort to the anxious;
be our companion in joy
and in sorrow.

Remembering your promises of mercy,
your lovingkindness which never ceases,
renew and revive our souls this day, O God,
and pour out your blessing over the concerns we lay before You.

Amen.

Prayer, day 1388: For hope moving forward

Almighty God, what is done is done. 
Teach us what to do with that,
and teach us how to be wiser.
Teach us to truly love our neighbor,
and remember that our neighbor
includes the stranger in our midst.
Teach us that our first duty is not suspicion,
but love.
Help us reorient our hearts,
dear God, that we be united,
not divided.
Help us to see You
in the face of every person we encounter,
even in the faces of those
of different races, creeds, or religions.
Heal the hearts of those
who are in pain, distress, anger, or grief,
O Lover of our souls.

Amen.
177
(This prayer was originally written after the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin on July 14, 2013)

Prayer 104

O Lord, you are our very-present help in times of trouble. We live in anxious times and uncertainty: let us rest our heads upon your breast as we seek respite. Help us to see your mighty works and saving deeds in the world today, for it is only our own turmoil that obscures them. Having rested in You, let us rise to persevere and to conquer with your banner of Love always before us. Having conquered our fears, let us be strengthened to offer comfort to those we meet who are suffering or frightened. We think especially today of these, your children.

Amen.   

Prayer 103- adapted from a prayer at Compline

Blessings and honor and praise are yours, O Holy One, whose mercy is everlasting. You tend the sick and minister to them as a mother soothes her infant's brow. You give rest to the weary, who have watched through the night in hope of the dawn. You bless the dying, welcoming them into your arms with promise of glory. You soothe the suffering ones with the cool water of your mercy. You give comfort to the afflicted, consoling them with the balm of your Spirit in their distress. You shield the joyous, laughing with them as they exult in their blessings. For your Love's sake, let your Spirit hover over those for whom we pray this day.

Amen.