The March for Life in Washington, D. C. yesterday encouraged me. Tens of thousands of people rallying for the right of unborn children to live. I am reminded of a Bible verse (more than one, really) “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Sometimes we have a tendency to ignore verses we disagree with or we try to explain them away. The Bible resonates with admonitions, promises, and hope. I’ve collected a few prayers found in the Bible and some not found in the Bible but I like them anyway.
The Prayer of Jabez–Oh, that thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldst keep me from evil, that it might not grieve me! (I Chronicles 4:10).
The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi–Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hate, may I bring love; where offense, may I bring pardon; May I bring union in place of discord; Truth, replacing error; Faith, where once there was doubt; Hope, for despair; Light, where was darkness; Joy to replace sadness. Make me not to so crave to be loved as to love. Help me to learn that in giving I may receive; In forgetting self, I may find life eternal.
A Psalm of David–Oh my God…do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. But you, O Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me (Psalm 22:11, 19).
A Prayer by Ralph Waldo Emerson–For this new morning with its light, Father, we thank Thee. For rest and shelter of the night, Father, we thank Thee. For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends, Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
Roseann Alexander Isham–Lord…give me the gift of faith to be renewed and shared with others each day. Teach me to live this moment only, looking neither to the past with regret, nor the future with apprehension. Let love be my aim and my life a prayer.”
I have noticed that God’s promise of abundant blessing is contingent upon our will to obey Him. How can we expect to be blessed if we disregard our Creator?
http://pen-l.com/Mystery.html
http://www.amazon.com/Blanche-Day-Manos/e/B0090018EI/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
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