Bob Hostetler's Prayer Blog

Since We Are Too Secure and Torpid in Our Sins

2012-03-12T07:11:00.000-04:00

Grant, Almighty God, that since we are too secure and torpid in our sins, your dread majesty may come to our minds, to humble us, and to remove our fear, that we may learn anxiously to seek reconciliation through Christ, and so abhor ourselves for our sins, that you may then be prepared to receive us: and that unbelief may not shut the door against us, enable us to regard you to be such as you have revealed yourself to be, and to acknowledge that you are not like us, but the fountain of all mercy, that we may thus be led to entertain a firm hope of salvation, and that, relying on the Mediator, your only-begotten Son, we may know him as the throne of grace, full of compassion and mercy. O grant, that we may thus come to you, that through him we may certainly know that you are our Father, so that the covenant you have made with us may never fail through our fault, even this, that we are your people, because you have once adopted us in your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

(a prayer of John Calvin, in his Commentary on Hosea, translated into English in 1846 and updated by me into modern English)

Nothing More

2012-03-11T10:40:00.001-04:00

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As a Little Child

2012-03-10T07:35:00.000-05:00

Lord God,
I thank you wholeheartedly
that many of the joys of childhood
are still mine,
though I don't often appreciate them as I should:
Running,
Jumping,
Throwing,
Eating candy,
Going potty (by myself!),
Watching fireworks,
Cuddling,
Reciting the alphabet,
Counting,
Making noise,
Playing hide 'n' seek,
Playing "Catch Me!,"
Drawing,
Writing my name,
Sliding down a slide,
Splashing in the tub,
Blowing bubbles,
Climbing steps,
Performing somersaults,
Spinning,
Spitting,
Sticking out my tongue,
Kicking a ball, a can, a rock,
Skipping rocks,
Skipping,
and more.

I am richer than I know,
as rich as any three-year-old.

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Traveling Day Prayer

2012-03-09T07:12:00.000-05:00

Father God,
grant me safe and successful travel today.
Make smooth paths
(and flight schedules) for my feet.
Grant safe and timely travel to the airport.
Help me to make my flights
and safely reach my destination.
Protect me from coach cabin infections.
Guide my steps,
guard my thoughts,
and give me sweet communion with you
and pleasant interactions with others.
Protect and bless my lovely Robin while I am away,
and please give me your hand of blessing,
your anointing,
your empowerment,
in my speaking ministry,
in Jesus' name, amen.

Yet

2012-03-08T07:25:00.001-05:00

The Meltings of Thy Heart to Me

2012-03-07T07:04:00.001-05:00

O Lover to the Uttermost,

May I read the meltings of thy heart to me
in the manger of thy birth,
in the garden of thy agony,
in the cross of thy suffering,
in the tomb of thy resurrection,
in the heaven of thy intercession.

Bold in this thought I defy my adversary,
tread down his temptations,
resist his schemings,
renounce the world,
am valiant for truth.

Deepen in me a sense of my holy relationship to thee,
as spiritual Bridegroom,
as Jehovah's Fellow,
as sinners' Friend.

I think of thy glory and my vileness,
thy majesty and my meanness,
thy beauty and my deformity,
thy purity and my filth,
thy righteousness and my iniquity.

Thou hast loved me everlastingly, unchangeably,
may I love thee as I am loved;
Thou has given thyself for me,
may I give myself to thee;
Thou has died for me,
may I live to thee,
in every moment of my time,
in every movement of my mind,
in every pulse of my heart.

May I never dally with the world and its allurements,
but walk by thy side,
listen to thy voice,
be clothed with thy graces,
and adorned with thy righteousness.

(from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers, edited by Arthur Bennett)

2 Thessalonians 1 Prayer

2012-03-06T07:14:00.000-05:00

Great God, please use all persecution and hardship in my life to make me worthy of your calling, and by your power to bring to fruition my every desire for goodness and my every deed prompted by faith, so that the name of my Lord Jesus may be glorified in me, and me in him, according to the grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(based on 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, NIV)

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For Those Who Have Been Devastated

2012-03-05T23:05:00.002-05:00

Father, we pray for those who have been devastated by the recent storms. Heal those who are injured, provide for those who have lost homes and possessions, and comfort those who have lost loved ones. May your grace and love fill their hearts. Amen.

(from the Daily Prayer blog)

My 2,000th Prayer

2012-03-05T07:51:00.000-05:00

Lord, I don't know what I expected
when I started posting some of my prayers
on this blog in 2005.

But I'm sure I hadn't given a thought
to doing it two thousand times,
nor to doing it into 2012.

But it has been such a joy,
to spend these moments in your presence
and to share them with others...
to discover or remember the prayers
of Rossetti and Calvin,
of Baxter, Edwards, and Andrews,
Hildegarde and Francis,
of popes and kings,
and poets and prophets.

Thank you, Lord.
Thank you for prayer.
Thank you for meeting me here, so often and so regularly.
Thank you for the hope that these prayers--
some of them even mine!--
have been of some encouragement
to your flock.
I know they have to me.
Amen.

That We May Not Bring Forth Wild Grapes

2012-03-04T07:35:00.002-05:00

Grant, Almighty God, that as you train us up with so much diligence and assiduous care, and regard us as dear and precious like an hereditary vine--O, grant that we may not bring forth wild grapes, and that our fruit may not be bitter and unpleasant to you, but that we may strive to so form our whole life in obedience to your law, that all our actions and thoughts may be pleasant and sweet fruits to you. And as there is ever some sin mixed up with our works, even when we desire to serve you sincerely and from the heart, grant that all stains in our works may be so cleansed and washed away by the sacrifice of your Son, that they may be sweet-smelling sacrifices to you, through the same, even Christ Jesus, who has so reconciled us to you as to obtain pardon even for our works. Amen.

(a prayer of John Calvin, in his Commentary on Hosea, translated into English in 1846 and updated by me into modern English)

It Is Finished

2012-03-03T07:01:00.000-05:00

Dear Lord, let me recount to Thee
Some of the great things thou hast done
For me, even me
Thy little one.

It was not I that cared for Thee,--
But Thou didst set Thy heart upon
Me, even me
Thy little one.

And therefore was it sweet to Thee
To leave Thy Majesty and Throne,
And grow like me
A Little One,

A swaddled Baby on the knee
Of a dear Mother of Thine own,
Quite weak like me
Thy little one.

Thou didst assume my misery,
And reap the harvest I had sown,
Comforting me
Thy little one.

Jerusalem and Galilee,--
Thy love embraced not those alone,
But also me
Thy little one.

Thy unblemished Body on the Tree
Was bared and broken to atone
For me, for me
Thy little one.

Thou lovedst me upon the Tree,--
Still me, hid by the ponderous stone,--
Me always,--me
Thy little one.

And love of me arose with Thee
When death and hell lay overthrown:
Thou lovedst me
Thy little one.

And love of me went up with Thee
To sit upon Thy Father's Throne:
Thou lovest me
Thy little one.

Lord, as Thou me, so would I Thee
Love in pure love's communion,
For Thou lov'st me
Thy little one:

Which love of me brings back with Thee
To Judgment when the Trump is blown,
Still loving me
Thy little one.

(a prayer by Christina Rossetti)

A Prayer from My New Book

2012-03-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

Lord Jesus, thank you for your insistent knock at the door of my heart…the door of my life.

Show me how to keep company with you. Teach me how to include you in the rhythms and responsibilities of my day. Help me, like Zacchaeus, to jump at the chance to eat with you, and spend time with you. Enable me to share my life with you, to learn to chat with you, to tell you what I’m thinking, to listen as you tell me what you’re thinking, and even haggle, complain, consult, and wrestle with you as I go through my day.

I open to you. I will save a chair for you. Come in, Lord. Amen.

(a prayer from my new book, Quit Going to Church)

Sleep

2012-03-01T07:26:00.000-05:00

Abba, you don't sleep.
You never slumber.
You give your beloved ones sleep,
but it is a gift
you don't need
and a pleasure
in which you don't indulge.
That amazes me
because I love sleep.
It is a kindness.
A blessing.
And a comfort,
especially since I know while I sleep,
you watch. And work.
So thank you
for all you do
and what you don't do.

Instead of the Man It's Easy to Be

2012-02-29T07:34:00.004-05:00

Father, wean me from sin, my pet sins, my most grievous sins. I know that in me dwells no good thing, but I also know that you are able to keep me from falling. I know that when I sin, not only that moment is defiled, but my hunger for sin and its empty promises is fed, and my strength to resist and please you more is doubly diminished like an athlete who not only skips a workout but spends the workout hour in strength-sapping activity. So, Lord, please change me, strengthen me, wean me from pride, lust, greed, self-centeredness, faithlessness, laziness, and all such things, that I may build up the muscles of my character and be the man I want to be instead of the man it's easy to be, in Jesus' name, amen.

(photo by Zach Dischner)

Sunrise Prayer

2012-02-28T07:15:00.000-05:00

O greater Maker of this Thy great sun,
Give me the strength this one day's race to run,
Fill me with light, fill me with sun-like strength,
Fill me with joy to rob the day its length.
Light from within, light that will outward shine,
Strength to make strong some weaker heart than mine,
Joy to make glad each soul that feels its touch;
Great Father of the sun, I ask this much.

(a prayer by James Weldon Johnson)

Window

2012-02-27T07:06:00.000-05:00

Lord, your light has shined
into my life,
by grace through faith.

Let light shine out
of my life,
by grace through faith.

In Jesus' name, amen.

So Much Madness Everywhere Prevailing

2012-02-26T07:30:00.000-05:00

Grant, Almighty God, that since the rule of your true and lawful worship is sufficiently known to us, and you continue to exhort us to persevere in our course and abide in that pure and simple worship which you have fully approved--O, grant that we may, in true obedience of faith, respond to you. And, though we now see the whole world carried here and there, and all places full of the awful examples of apostasy, and so much madness everywhere prevailing, that men become more and more hardened daily--O, grant that, being fortified by invincible faith against these many temptations, we may persevere in true religion, and never at any time turn aside form the teaching of your Word, until we be at length gathered to Christ our King, under whom, as our head, you have promised that we shall ever be safe, and until we attain that happy life which is laid up for us in heaven, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(a prayer of John Calvin, in his Commentary on Hosea, translated into English in 1846 and updated by me into modern English)

Give Us a Steadfast, Living Faith

2012-02-25T07:16:00.000-05:00

We give you praise and thanks, holy Father, for you have created everything: heaven and earth, the sea and everything that is upon and within it. You are forever faithful; you give justice to those suffering injustice. You have saved all who have believed and trusted in you since the dawn of time, all who fear you. We ask you to give us a steadfast, living faith, a firm trust, a holy hope and a perfect love so that we may serve you wholeheartedly, with all our life and strength until our very end. Amen.

(from the book Amish Prayers, compiled by Beverly Lewis)

Evening Prayer

2012-02-24T21:44:00.000-05:00

If I have wounded any soul today,
If I have caused one foot to go astray,
If I have walked in my own willful way,
Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have uttered idle words or vain,
If I have turned aside from want or pain,
Lest I myself shall suffer through the strain,
Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have been perverse or hard, or cold,
If I have longed for shelter in Thy fold,
When Thou hast given me some fort to hold,
Dear Lord, forgive!

Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee;
Forgive the secret sins I do not see;
O guide me, love me and my keeper be,
Dear Lord, Amen.

I Will Arise

2012-02-24T07:07:00.000-05:00

Weary and weak,--accept my weariness;
Weary and weak and downcast in my soul,
With hope growing less and less,
And with the goal
Distant and dim,--accept my sore distress.
I thought to reach the goal so long ago,
At outset of the race I dreamed of rest,
Not knowing what now I know
Of breathless haste,
Of long-drawn straining effort across the waste.

One only thing I knew, Thy love of me;
One only thing I know, Thy sacred same
Love of me full and free,
A craving flame
Of selfless love of me which burns in Thee.
How can I think of thee, and yet grow chill;
Of Thee, and yet grow cold and nigh to death?
Re-energize my will,
Rebuild my faith;
I will arise and run, Thou giving me breath.

I will arise, repenting and in pain;
I will arise, and smite upon my breast
And turn to Thee again;
Thou choosest best,
Lead me along the road Thou makest plain.
Lead me a little way, and carry me
A little way, and listen to my sighs,
And store my tears with Thee,
And deign replies
To feeble prayers;--O Lord, I will arise.

(a prayer by Christina Rossetti)

Request for Success

2012-02-23T07:04:00.000-05:00

Lord God Adonai, you have been so good to bless me and the lovely Robin with the children and grandchildren we have. My cup runneth over.

And though the two youngest face the daily challenge presented by Cystic Fibrosis, I pray that it will not be a lifelong challenge, but that our efforts and the efforts of many others, including the CF Foundation, will result in eradication of this disease very soon.

To that end, Lord, I beseech your help in my family's GREAT STRIDES efforts this year. Please guide me in my efforts to get the word out. Please bring to me five or more team members to work with and walk with. Please stir up the hearts of those I'm contacting to participate, donate, and otherwise support this effort. Please make this year's GREAT STRIDES efforts a success from YOUR perspective, and use our efforts--and every donation--to bring about a cure, in Jesus' name, amen.

(Visit my GREAT STRIDES homepage here)

Prayer for Ash Wednesday

2012-02-22T07:12:00.001-05:00

Grant, Lord, that during this season of Lent, I may
fast from discontent and feast on gratitude;
fast from anger and feast on patience;
fast from bitterness and feast on forgiveness;
fast from self-concern and feast on compassion;
fast from discouragement and feast on hope;
fast from laziness and feast on commitment;
fast from complaining and feast on acceptance;
fast from lust and feast on respect;
fast from prejudice and feast on understanding;
fast from resentment and feast on reconciliation;
fast from lies and feast on the truth;
fast from wasted time and feast on honest work;
fast from grimness and feast on joy;
fast from suspicion and feast on trust;
fast from idle talk and feast on prayer and silence;
fast from guilt and feast on the mercy of God.

(based on lines attributed to William Arthur Ward)

Prayer for Watchfulness

2012-02-21T07:08:00.000-05:00

Keep us, O Lord,
while we tarry on this earth,
in a serious seeking after you,
and in an affectionate walking with you,
every day of our lives;
that when you come,
we may be found not hiding our talent,
nor serving the flesh,
nor yet asleep with our lamp unfurnished,
but waiting and longing for our Lord,
our glorious God forever,
amen.

(a prayer of Richard Baxter)

Free

2012-02-20T07:22:00.000-05:00

Thank you for my freedom
To love anyone and everyone,
To show grace
And have mercy
And give hospitality
And extend blessing
To one and all,
In Jesus' name, amen.

My Prayer Before Worship

2012-02-19T07:58:00.000-05:00

Lord, let me worship you truly today.

Quicken my conscience with your holiness.
Purge our imagination with your beauty.
Open my heart to your love.
And help me to fully devote my will to your purpose, in Jesus' name, amen.

(Based on a stanza by Dr. William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury).