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PRAYERS
Comfort
and Hope
Prayers for All Occasions
A
Christian Prayer Resource
“No one can
believe how powerful prayer is, and what it is able to effect, but those who
have learned it by experience. It is a great matter when in extreme need, to
take hold of prayer. I know, whenever I have earnestly prayed, I have been amply
heard and have obtained more than I prayed for; God, indeed sometimes delayed,
but at last God came through.”
~Martin Luther
“It
is the will to pray
That
is the essence of prayer,
And
the desire to find God,
And
to see God and to love God
Is
the one thing that matters.”
~Thomas Merton
“Prayers
begins where human capacity ends”
~Norman
Vincent Peale
“Leave
all your worries with him, because he cares for you” ~1 Peter 5:7
This prayer resource is intended to be a friendly
tool on your journey in faith. There are many times when our words fail us and
we find it helpful to utter the prayerful words of others. However you choose to
use these prayers and words of encouragement, may you be strengthened as you
lean on the One who always seeks to be known to you.
Healing
Hear my prayer, Eternal God, hear
my prayer for help. In my time of trouble, I call to you, and I know that you
will answer me. When pain and fatigue are my companions, let there be room in my
life for your infinite strength. When days and nights are filled with worry, let
the flame of your divine courage find its place in my soul. Help me to endure
suffering and to cast off all fear. Help me to resist temptations that are
harmful to me. Renew within me the calm spirit of trust and peace as I rest in
your care. Amen!
O Lord Jesus Christ, healer and
physician, touch me with your hands and heal my wounds; ease my pain and keep me
safe from all evil, that whenever, sooner or later, you call me again to the
labor of life, I may serve you with a thankful and joyful heart. Amen!
Divine healer, you share with men
and women your sacred ministry of healing, grant to my caregivers the gifts they
need to diagnose correctly, and the gift of wisdom to know the best treatments.
Give me determination and gracious patience that I may assist the care that they
provide. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, the one who is medicine to the
world. Amen!
Before Surgery
Almighty God, as you have always
sent people to do your healing work, so you are sending women and men as
instruments of your healing power now. Bless the surgeon and all who will attend
me. May their knowledge and skill bring the healing you desire. Grant me the
confidence to know that all my days are in your loving care. May the light of
Jesus Christ accompany me in this journey to wellness. Amen!
God, you are with my in my moments
of strength and of weakness. You know the anxieties I feel as the turning point
draws near. I pray that you will guide the hands of all those who
care for me this day. Grant that I may return to strength and fullness of life,
not for my sake alone, but for those who love me. May I wake from surgery to
know the depths of your holy and healing power. And then, O Guide, help me to
complete all my days on earth with dignity and purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen!
When Recovery is Slow
O God, Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose grace there is strength and patience to
endure, you have brought me this far along the path of recovery; in many ways
you have rewarded you loving kindness to me day by day. Help me now to follow
you to the end, and give me the strength to conquer impatience and hopelessness
that creep upon me.
Lord, bless all
those who support and aid in my recovery; and let sickness not distract my mind.
Guide the hands and hearts of those who minister to me. Do not lay more upon me
than I can bear, but give renewed hope, resolution and patience. Strengthen my
faith that I may never openly complain or secretly murmur against you.
In all my days
of depression, give me a light from heaven, that with the eye of faith I may see
beyond the cloud, and in remembrance of your past mercies, be encouraged to hope
that your comforts will refresh my soul in times to come; that your spirit will
help in illness; that your providence will deliver me out of all my troubles.
These things I pray in confidence for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Uncertainty
My Lord and my God, grant me the
ability to see your love in every experience of my journey in faith. Give me
your divine courage and strength to help me cope in these uncertain days. Help
me to demonstrate patience and tenderness for those around me who do not
understand what I am going through, and so don’t know how to help me. I know
that you are a constant companion each day and night. Help me to trust in your
guidance and to have to confidence in our ability to get through this together.
Amen!
Lord, you have called your
servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet unwalked,
through perils unknown. Give me
faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where I go, but only that your
hand is leading me and your love supporting me; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen!
Loneliness
There are often times, O God, when
I feel so painfully alone. Yet I know through my faith, that I am never alone.
You are always there waiting for me to speak to you of my hopes, desires and
dreams. Yet how seldom I reach out to you to strengthen our connection, or to
voice my gratitude for all that is beautiful in my life…love, family,
friendships, purpose. Help me to change and to reach out more often. Right now
in the midst of doubt and confusion, I need to know that you are beside me in
the very depths of my being. With you, may I truly know that I am never alone.
You are my friend, my strength, my God. Amen!
Trouble
O God, you have been with us
throughout our lives…in times of challenge and in times of celebration. How we
need you to hear our prayers right now, O God, as we struggle through this time
of confusion and chaos. We ask for your courage to help us face the situation
before us. What should we do? Give us the blessing of wisdom to see the right
way, and courage to walk that path. With your love, may we find not only the
right answers, but also the peace that surpasses all understanding, through
Christ we pray. Amen!
O God of strength of all who put
their trust in you; give me the faith to draw upon your power; and in all my
troubles and trials help me to know that in everything, you work for good with
those who love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Forgiveness
O God, forgive all my rebellion,
all my defiance, all my bitterness, all my despair. Forgive my unbelief and my
neglect of prayer. Give me, O God, such certainty of faith that I may let you
order my life according to your plan; through Jesus Christ. Amen!
O God, I have messed up in a big
way this time. My actions are so far away from my desire to please you. So far
from how you want me to act. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. And God, help me to
sincerely learn from my sin. Help me apologize to (name)
with humility and honesty. And in receiving your forgiveness, help me to forgive
myself and truly begin now with a fresh start. Amen!
When Death Draws Near
O Lord, you
have supported me all the days of my life until the pace of my life has slowed
and my work on earth has finished. In your mercy, grant me a safe home in
heaven, a holy rest in your care, and peace at last. May my journey to you be
meaningful for the ones I leave behind. Help them in your special way. Through
my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I give you all that I am. Amen!
Dear Jesus, You are here with us.
You know what it is to face death with tears, and yet to be accepting of this
pathway. At this most sacred time on (name’s)
journey, we need you help. Wrap him/her in the shelter of your care. Take away
any awareness of pain and give him/her knowledge of your Holy presence. You took
away our sins and the finality of death. You gave us forgiveness, grace and the
gift of eternal life. You went to prepare a place for each of us after our
earthly days are over; a place where there is no sickness, no sadness, no
heartache. May (name) be received by
you into that Heavenly realm when the time comes, and may he/she experience a
glorious homecoming with you. Give us strength in this time, and the kind of
love through which we can let him/her go to be with you. We love you and trust
you to care for (name) forever and
ever. Thanks be to God. Amen!
Family and Friends
Dear God, be with my family and
friends. Bring peace to their spirits. Help them to know that their love is a
precious gift. Help me to share my feelings of thankfulness with them more
openly. May the example of Jesus with his good friends and family be my guide.
You have given us this one
lifetime to strengthen our relationships and to care for each other. May I not
take my time with my loved ones for granted, but treat each day and each person
as a gift from you. Thank you God. Amen!
Gratitude
O Lord, your blessings never fail.
I give you thanks for today’s good news; for relief from my worries. By the
power of your Holy Spirit continue to be at work in me. May I grow in wisdom and
courage, and focus on the work that you have given me to do. I am your humble
servant, with Jesus as my teacher. Thank you for this unique moment in time.
Amen!
O God, how relieved and grateful I
am for the good news I have received! I was hoping for the best, but still
worried and imagining the worst. Thank you for being with me and for helping me
bear the tension and anxiety. With your help, may I now devote my thoughts and
energy to becoming more the person you desire. Amen!
Guidance
Lord, make me an instrument of
your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
~Prayer of
St.Francis
Lord, take our
minds and think through them;
Take our lips
and speak through them;
Take
our hearts and set them on fire with the desire to do your holy will. Amen
O
Lord, make your way plain before me; let your glory be my end; your Word my
rule; and as always, your will be done. Amen!
Christ,
as a light, illumine and guide me!
Christ,
as a shield, overshadow and cover me!
Christ,
be under me! Christ be over me!
Christ,
be beside me, on my left and my right!
Christ,
this day be within and without me!
Christ,
the lowly and meek,
Christ,
the all powerful,
Be
in the heart of each who speaks to me,
In
all who draw near me, or see me, or hear me!
~Hymn
of St. Patrick
Prayer of Repentance
Dear Lord
Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that you
died for my sins. I want to turn away from my sins and turn towards you. I now
invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my
Lord and Savior. Amen!
Luther’s Morning Prayers
I give thanks
to you, Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have
protected me through the night from all danger and harm; and I pray that you
would preserve and keep me, this day also, from all sin and evil; that in all my
thoughts, words, and deeds, I may serve
and please you. Into your hands, I commend my body and soul, and all that is
mine. Let your Holy angel have charge over me, that the wicked one have no power
over me. Amen!
In this hour of
this day, fill me, O Lord, with your mercy, that rejoicing throughout the whole
day, I may take delight in your praise; though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Luther’s Evening Prayers
I thank you, my
heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have this day
graciously protected me, and I ask you to forgive me all my sins, and the wrong
which I have done, and by your great mercy defend me from all the perils and
dangers of this night. Into your hands, I commend my body and soul, and all that
is mine. Let your holy angel have charge over me, that the wicked one have
no power over me. Amen!
Abide with me,
Lord, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent. Abide with me and with
your whole church. Abide with me at the end of the day, at the end of my life,
at the end of the world. Abide with me your grace and bounty, with your holy
Word and Sacrament, with your comfort and your blessing. Abide with me when
affliction and fear, doubt and temptation come to me. Abide with me and with all
your faithful ones, through time and eternity. Amen!
Be present, O
merciful God, and protect me through the silent hours of night, so that all of
us who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world may rest
upon your eternal changelessness; through the everlasting Christ our Lord. Amen!
Into your
hands, O God, I commend myself this night, and all who are dear to me. The
darkness is no darkness to you, but the night shines as the day. Watch over me
while I rest, and give me sleep as you see fit, so that in the morning I may
arise refreshed and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen!
I
will lay me down in peace,
And take my rest;
For it is you Lord, only,
That makes me dwell in safety.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me,
O Lord, God of truth.
Amen!
General Morning Prayers
O God of love, whatever happens
during this day is in your hands. Strengthen me in my weakness, give me courage
to walk in your ways, and grant me confidence and faith through your Holy
Spirit. Through Jesus Christ my Lord, I pray. Amen!
As you cause the sun to rise, O
God, bring the light of Christ to dawn in our souls and get rid of all the
feelings of darkness. Give us the ability to reflect Christ’s glory. Let his
love show in our thoughtful actions, His presence shine in our words, and His
healing in our touch, that all may give Him praise. Amen!
God of all life, you want the best
for me and my family this day. Thank you for your amazing love and for your
forgiveness and grace. May the fullness of life that is ours, never be taken for
granted. Help us to celebrate our love for you and each other! Help me to share
your concern and care with everyone I meet today. May I be a clear reflection of
Jesus love. Amen!
Before Sleep
O Heavenly One, you have given us
the gift of sleep as a means of rest and refreshment. At the end of this day, I
place myself in your gentle arms and pray to be free from care and anxiety.
Grant that I may awake tomorrow refreshed and ready to receive the care you
provide. Let my dreams lead me to understand your desire for my life. Through
Jesus Christ, my Lord, I pray. Amen!
As you have made this day, O God,
you also make the night. Come upon me with quietness and still my soul that I
may listen for the whisper of your Spirit and be attentive to your awareness in
my dreams. Amen!
Lord’s Prayer (Traditional)
Our
Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed
be thy Name.
Thy
kingdom come.
Thy
will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give
us this day our daily bread.
And
forgive us our trespasses,
As
we forgive those who trespass against us.
And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For
thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer (Modern Translation)
Our
Father in heaven
hallowed
be your name,
your
kingdom come,
your
will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give
us today our daily bread.
Forgive
us our sins,
as
we forgive those who sin against us.
Save
us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil
For the
kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Amen.
Psalm 23 (Traditional)
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall
not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil; for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows,
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23 – Japanese
Lord you are my pacesetter, I
shall not rush.
You make me stop and rest for
quite intervals.
You provide me with images of
stillness which restores my serenity.
You lead me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
And your guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great
many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for your presence
is here.
Your timelessness, your
all-importance, will keep me in balance.
You prepare refreshment and
renewal in the midst of my activity,
By anointing my mind with oils of
tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness
shall be the fruit of my hours;
For I shall walk at your pace,
Lord,
And dwell in your house forever.
Scripture Readings
“In the
morning, O Lord, you hear my voice. In the morning, I lay my requests before you
and wait with expectations.”
~Psalm 5:3
“For your
part, Lord, do not withhold your kindness from me! May your love and
faithfulness constantly preserve me.”
~Psalm 40:11
“God is
our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not
fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of
the sea.”
~ Psalm 46: 1-2
“It is
good to give thanks to the Lord,
To sing praises
to your name, O Most High,
To declare your
steadfast love in the morning,
And your
faithfulness by night
~ Psalm 92: 1-2
“To
everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven”
~Ecclesiastes 3:1
“But now says
the Lord, he who created you, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have
called you by name, you are mine… you are precious in my sight, and honored,
and I love you…Do not fear, for I am with you.”
~Isaiah 43:1-5
“The Lord is
the everlasting God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow
weary… He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless…those who
wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings
like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
~Isaiah 49:28, 29, 31
“Do not
worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your
body, what you will wear… can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your
span of life? But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and
all these things will be given to you as well.”
~Matthew 6:25, 27, 33
“And
remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
~Matthew 28: 20
“For
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes
in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
~John 3:16
“Rejoice
in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to
everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… I can do all things through him who
strengthens me.”
~Philippians 4:4-7, 13
“If
we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
~1 John 1:9
“See,
the time of God is among the mortals…he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the
former things have passed away.”
~Revelation 21: 3 – 4
“Whatsoever
things are true,
Whatsoever
things are honest,
Whatsoever
things are just,
Whatsoever
things are pure,
Whatsoever
things are lovely,
Whatsoever
things are of good report;
If
there be any virtue,
And if there be
any praise,
Help us, O
Lord, to think on these things. Amen.”
~Philippians 4: 8
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