A Moment of Prayer

Vacation

2008-07-31T07:33:00.003-05:00

God,

Thank you for the opportunity to take a rest; help me actually rest on vacation. I also ask that you watch over my family as we travel and that we have a safe return.

Amen.

Knight of Coins

2008-07-30T10:02:00.002-05:00

God,

Thank you for always being ready for my rescue, especially when I though I didn't need it. Inspire me with your courageousness and strength so that I might better witness to your truth.

Amen.

Queen of Wands

2008-07-29T11:40:00.002-05:00

God,

Help me to be more nurturing and supportive of others. Too often I get wrapped up in my own projects and my own business that I miss people hurting around me. I miss the obvious ministry before me; too often I am the priest and Levite who keeps walking by the half-dead man on the side of the road. Inspire me to be the Good Samaritan, subversively and fully attentive to those who need me to reflect your love.

Amen.

VI - The Lovers

2008-07-28T09:38:00.002-05:00

God,

I stand in wonder today once again contemplating the creation of Man and Woman, Nature, and the Fall of Humanity. While we remain fallen, I give praise for the gift of flesh. Although my flesh causes temptation, sin, and evil, it is also the ground of pleasure, beauty, and love. May my flesh also be a ground for holiness and praise to you and reflect the goodness of your nature.

Amen.

Two of Coins

2008-07-27T13:41:00.002-05:00

God,

I make my life too busy and too chaotic and need to be reminded that I only have two hands and there are only so many things I can do. I think that some of why I keep giving myself more and more to do is not only a lack of patience but a lack of faith that you deliver in your own time. While I need healing in this area of my own life, I wish to hold on to the zeal for more of your will to be done.

Amen.

Seven of Coins

2008-07-26T10:31:00.002-05:00

God,

Thank you for the time to comtemplate my spiritual location in the world, but now also may I find grace in following your Word. After careful deliberation, the risky choice is now not so risky, and I step into new decisions in faith rather than rationale. Also, just as I am predestined to fall by virtue of my flesh, I give thanks for the ability to change directions from time to time, to transcend myself against my old self in your life-giving renewal and regeneration.

Amen.

IX - The Hermit

2008-07-21T08:47:00.002-05:00

God,

Thank you for establishing the Sabbath as an opportunity for reflection, renewal, and worship. Even though I am always looking for guidance, I also need diversions and reminders to take the slower, less traveled road, to sometimes get lost, to fell the uncertain breath of unexplored space. In this I also hope for new challenges and opportunities to blaze new paths.

Amen

King of Coins

2008-07-20T17:08:00.003-05:00

God,

Help me to be inspired by your generosity so that I might be more generous. Just as you have given everything out of love for me, so also I am called to give more of myself out of love for you. But at this I am rarely faithful. When it comes to loving and giving for you I need to me less frugal and more frivilous.

Amen.

Six of Wands

2008-07-19T18:26:00.002-05:00

God,

Today I remember the victory on the cross over death. But in this victory continually remind me not to be prideful or boastful of my salvation and justification, even as I am a witness of it to others. Remind me also of the dark journey toward the light, that in the final triumph over death is an implicit desecent into hell.

Amen.

Seven of Wands

2008-07-18T09:41:00.002-05:00

God,

Grant me the courage to stand up for the faith. Help me to look upon times I have been hurt in the past when taking risky stances as graced moments. Help me to forgive those who have oppressed and supressed me. Resurrect me from these descents into a continuing ascent toward your truth.

Amen.

Nine of Swords

2008-07-17T14:10:00.002-05:00

God,

Lead me to the liberation from my own guilt and sin. As I seek out your transcendence, Lord, help me to transcend myself. As Divine Physician, Christ, I call out for your mercy. Heal my disposition toward myself so that I may help you in the healing of the world.

Amen.

King of Wands

2008-07-16T20:22:00.003-05:00

Father God,

Instill in me an open spirit, like the waters, ready for you to sweep over and establish your firmaments. Mold me with holy potential. In my vocation to serve you, Lord, I ask for the blessing to be a magnetic force to attract others to you, that my creativity and intuition might reflect and always serve yours.

Amen.

Eight of Swords

2008-07-15T08:19:00.002-05:00

God,

Today I ask for help in walking the line between the law and freedom from the law. Your law has guided me through think and thin and protected me from sharp razors all around me. The freedom offered to me has allowed me to make mistakes and have more faith in you. Guide me in walking the boundary.

Amen.

Four of Wands

2008-07-14T08:17:00.002-05:00

God,

I feel jubilant about the future and I thank you for new opportunities and challenges. Instill a sense of new creativity that reflects yours; help me to bring about a New Creation while I wander through the deep.

Amen.

Knight of Cups

2008-07-14T08:13:00.002-05:00

God,

Just as your son revealed his heart, so also do I seek to expose mine. Help me to think and love more from my heart rather than my head and my flesh, and renew in me a clean heart. In my going about the world, guide me to love those who love me rather than hurt them. Instruct me to use my knowledge to promote loving and the love of you with others.

Amen.

King of Swords

2008-07-11T08:44:00.002-05:00

Father,

Today I thank you for the moral example of my father and the spiritual ideal of you, my heavenly Father. Although I rebel from your authority, I always love you; and while I often stray from your good sense, I wish to seek your truth more often.

Amen.

Ten of Cups

2008-07-02T13:29:00.001-05:00

God,

Thank you for transitioning me into a new period of grace. In this new period, help me to find your joy and look beyond the obvious for something deeper.

Amen.

Shoo-Fly Pie

2008-07-01T09:22:00.002-05:00

God,

Thank you for reminding me of the Shoo-Fly Pie argument for your existence, which transcends all others. It's just too good and sticky.

Amen.

Home

2008-06-30T17:54:00.002-05:00

Loving God, I appreciate having a full and busy life, with lots of good and meaningful work to do. I am grateful for traveling mercies as I've been on the road so much. But I'm really glad to be home. I love my wife and don't like being away from her for so long. I can even tolerate our dog and am (maybe) just a little happy to see him too. Thanks for a home to come to and love to share. Amen.

New Friends

2008-06-26T19:11:00.003-05:00

Hey, God, thanks for putting new friends in my life, especially friends that I would never have considered a friend 10 or 15 years ago. Thanks for your love and the love you give us to share with each other.

For prisoners

2008-06-26T09:26:00.003-05:00

God-

Open the hearts of those in prison today that you too are in prison with them.

Amen.

Faith in Church

2008-06-25T19:50:00.003-05:00

Loving God, I trust you and love you and try my best to follow you. But sometimes I have a hard time believing in the church. Thank you for renewing my faith in the church, even at the moments when my doubt is greatest. Give me patience, God. Give me trust. Give me love. Amen.

A Prayer for the General Assembly

2008-06-22T16:45:00.003-05:00

Thank you, God, for the wider church that you have called me to serve and join in service to others. You know that we are not perfect. We may spend more time arguing with each other than listening for your voice. But we are trying. And with your help, may actually do some good. Bless our work, our mission, and our ministry. Amen.

Father's Day

2008-06-16T07:02:00.002-05:00

Father,

Thank you for blessing me with a great father, as I continue to discern my vocation as a father. I ask for your blessings on those who are new fathers as well as those who do not have fathers.

Amen.

For Julia Kay

2008-06-10T08:48:00.001-05:00

Thanks, God, for welcoming safely Julia Kay into the world. Grant us today the hope that the world will be better for the youngest of us.

Amen.