by
A collection of prayers from "Thursday
Night Church"
|
The death of long time friend, Judge Al Dibb, with memorials directed to Moment Ministries, prompted a decision to publish this booklet. At the time of his retirement I was invited to pray the invocation and benediction. At the time, I lived in Corvallis, Oregon. He lived in Huntington Park, California. We made the trip and did the prayers. Al and Betty Ann moved to Medford, Oregon after his retirement and enjoyed happy years until his death in February of 1997. Again, we traveled from our home to his to do the prayers. Although a person of faith, the judge didn't collect prayers. Rocks and stamps, maybe, but not prayers. I have wanted to put together this
collection for a long time, so offer my appreciation to the Dibb family
for getting me going.
|
One of the worst parts of the clergy business is having to pray. At a Women's Fellowship brunch, for
instance.
Lord, forgive us here for presuming to ask YouIt was a few minutes before the conversation rose to its previous level. I was never again invited to say grace for the Women's Fellowship dessert brunch. * * * Others look straight ahead or at the prayer maker. Some look upward or around the room. I wonder what people are "seeing" with their eyes closed. Are those with eyes open looking for the One to whom the prayer is being addressed? Is the Recipient of prayers up, inside, forward, all around—or anyplace? |
Here's my read on the situation. If God is, then there's no place where God isn't. The psalmist probably has it right who said: O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me!It makes one wonder at the point of praying. If our behavior and thoughts are known by the God of this place, the saying of prayers is unnecessary. Why pray at all if the message has been received before we can think to deliver it? Just a thought. * * * * * * weather. A joke, of course. I think they suspect prayers don't change anything. It's quite a presumption when you think about it. Imagine any of us attempting to alter the actions of the Management of the universe. Yet, turn on Sunday TV and listen to preachers daring that very thing. One of the mysteries of religion is that people are invited—urged—to appeal to God for whatever they want with an expectation that it will be delivered. * * * * * * |
According to religious surveys, most of us pray anyway. Probably not in church or in any formal way. Often an appeal. Or an emergency request in a time of crisis. People who don't think they believe in prayer tend to be pleased to have someone pray for them in their difficult moments. One doesn't have to be much of a believer to pray—"If there's anyone out there, please help me." A tough old bird in my first parish used to curse God and told me during my first visit that one good man with a pistol was more use than a preacher. When he got cancer, however, he wanted me to visit regularly. He especially wanted me to pray. * * * |
"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me." * * * * * * * * * |
Can non-believers pray? They do, of course. There's even a special prayer for non-believers to pray. "Lord, I believe; help Thou my unbelief." Not to believe is not evil. It is more likely honesty. A lady once told me she wouldn't marry her beloved because he didn't believe. If he would join her in church and be baptized she would marry. I asked, "would you rather your husband be a dishonest member, or an honest non-member?" Alas. * * * THESE PRAYERS "I only pray on Thursday nights." A lady told me that, following one or our Thursday Night ("Never on Sunday") gatherings. All of these prayers have been used at "Thursday Night Church." My own prayers are those without other identification. A number of other prayers from a variety of sources are also included. I am of the opinion that our best and most sincere prayers are those which rise from deepest feelings and yearnings, expressions too deep for words. What we have left are the formal gathering of words, hopefully expressing some of the richness of those deep feelings. |
1 for our lives for supportive friendships for people to sing and talk and think with for time to lift hopes and fears for a few minutes to seek a holy moment.
3 4 For a time in which to live and have a place in history… For years of seasons to experience life… For hours of waking and sleeping, being and doing… For minutes of talking and going and living… For moments when deep emotions surface, joys rise up, tears glisten, and memories are locked into eternity… For the times and moments of life, we give thanks. |
6 that some noble souls from the ranks of organized religion broke loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity and joined us as active partners in the struggle for freedom." (Martin Luther King) 7 Remind me of the promise: Ask and you shall receive Seek and you shall find Knock and the door will be opened. Remind me that to believe in God means to believe in possibilities. 8 the Father of this universe, the Mother, the Supporter, the Grandsire and Grandmother the Holy One, the Foundation. Blessed be the name of the Creative one of all life. 9 and want a God to rescue us again, teach and remind my faltering soul that prayer has its beginning when I become ready to be part of the answer. |
we want to say "Thank You" — to someone. When a lump nearly shuts off our voice, we want to speak our hurt — to someone. When weakness makes us wobble, we want to ask for strength — from someone. When helplessness overcomes us we want to find assistance — from someone. When we have done wrong, we want to ask forgiveness — from someone. When lost along life's way, we want to get direction — from someone. 11 For all life's fortunes, great or small; For our daily bread; For companions along life's journey; For the wonder of each moment. 12 sacrifice of life for other life." (Albert Schweitzer) 13 14 Blessed be ones who come to establish justice for the oppressed. Blessed be ones who care for the poor. Blessed be ones who offer shelter and food and clothing. Blessed be ones who assist the troubled and confused. Blessed be ones who minister to the sick. Blessed be She—or anyone—who comes in the name of the Lord. |
If our dreams be selfish, enlarge them to include others. If our dreams be short-term, extend them to farther horizons If our dreams be unworthy, lift them to lofty heights. May the words of our mouths, and dreams of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight. 16 We affirm the dream that each life shall grow and thrive. We affirm the ideal of freedom, health and happiness for all. We realize that we are unusually and undeservedly blessed. We affirm the faith that teaches us to love God, and love our neighbors as ourselves. 17 The infinite mystery is personal and dwells within us. We were nothing, yet we are part of eternity. We are made to grow in ability to love and to receive love. We find more joy in giving and serving than in receiving and achieving. We live in gratitude for a life too valuable to be meaningless. 18 As my life ages my center of being is less and less material. My focus is more and more mental and spiritual. My desire is changing from possessing the land to enjoying the sky. My need is to move from needing attention from people, to wanting relationships with people. My worries are less about my own survival and more about the survival of values that will outlive me. My growth needs are not for knowledge of facts, but for knowledge of my own central self. My goal is to rise above any pettiness, childishness and selfishness. God help my up-rising! |
I praise you for the toughness of my ancestors, whose blood flows in me. In times of weakness and doubt, may I remember my strength. I would be strong and not afraid. For I exist by a strength not my own. 20 We admit to trembling as we face life's many pressures. So much we can't control, or do anything about - Except to remain steady and calm and grounded within. This is Your territory, God, so we seek the foundation You promise. We pray this for ourselves and for those who matter to us—even those unknown to us who share this journey called life. 21 I accept my life as an opportunity to experience amazing things. I share the joy of life with other people special to me. I take responsibility for my feelings and actions. I seek to be part of the harmony of the universe, rather than the chaos. I belong to life and life belongs to me. 22 We beat our plowshares into swords and trade bread for bombs. Today the United Nations convenes yet another disarmament conference. We pray—again—that human sanity will overpower human depravity. 23 That I am miraculously, marvelously alive! That I have the power and will to choose how I think and act and feel. And , though my knowledge has its limits, I also affirm that I am the one creature most able to know myself, others and God. |
that those whom we love who die, do not die without meaning; that the ties which bind us in life are not severed by death; that whatever the future holds is dependent upon forces we don't control; that whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's; that our duty is to life, to living as happily and hopefully and lovingly as we possibly can. 25 Thy kilowatts come, Thy safeguards be done, in Pebble Springs as they are at Hanford. Give us this day our daily plutonium, and forgive us our radiation as forgive those who radiate against us. And lead us not into safety, but deliver us from worry about the future. For radio-active waste is the kingdom and the power and the worry, forever, and ever and ever and……." (John Conner - Presbyterian
Minister)
Blessed be the Life-Giver. New-born lamb, awakening cricket, love attracting… Blessed be the Life-Giver. Missile-removing, nerve-gas destroying, bomb-test ending… Blessed be the Life-Giver. 27 to foster in me an enrichment of compassion and justice that will guide me on
an action path that is appropriate for me."
(G. Hayden Stewart)
(G. Hayden Stewart)
without judgment." (G. Hayden Stewart) |
may Thy kingdom come. Our bread for the morrow give us day by day; And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive those who are indebted to us; And do not lead us into temptation." (Early Lord's Prayer) 31 nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done." (Jesus, Gethsemane)
And when we are right, make us easy to live with." (Peter Marshall)
the courage to change what can be changed; and the wisdom to know the difference." (Reinhold Niebuhr) in his moccasins." (Sioux Prayer) 36 37 until it rests in Thee." (St. Augustine) |
to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do Thy will." (St. Ignatious) 39 so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Paul, Romans) 40 of this house, for the bread of this table." (Jewish Table Prayer) 41 42 take our lives, oh Father; we are Yours, we are Yours. Yours as we stand at the table You set; Yours as we eat the bread our hearts can't forget. We are the sign of Your life with us yet, we are Yours, we are Yours…." 43 Holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagles." (Psalm 103) - end - |