Historical
St. Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians Filmed in Ephesus, Turkey
On a visit to the ancient ruins of Ephesus in Turkey I repeated Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians while standing in the city where St. Paul walked and preached 2,000 years ago. The prayer is in the Bible in a letter he wrote to the community of believers as found in Ephesians 3:16-21. It contains…
Read MoreJohn Wesley’s Covenant Prayer
A way to celebrate New Year’s Eve or a new beginning with prayer is to attend a Watch Night Service where we dedicate ourselves to God’s work in the coming year. A prayer commonly used during this service is from John Wesley’s Covenant Service. John Wesley, who is the founder of Methodism begins the…
Read MoreThe Prayers of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
St. Bernard of Clairvaux lived from 1070-1153 and was a dynamic force for Christianity. Today his prayers are still used by many. Here are some of that resonate with me. “Prayer is a wine which makes glad the heart of man” High and Holy God, give me this day a word of truth to silence…
Read MoreSaint Theresa’s Prayer of Daily Trust and Joy
This prayer of Saint Theresa has this powerful line, “May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.” She is known as the Saint of the Little Ways because she did the ordinary things of life well and with great love. Saint Theresa’s Prayer May today there be peace within.May…
Read MoreSaint Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer
Saint Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer asks for God’s protection from all forms of evil and also for Christ’s presence to infuse all parts of our body, soul, mind, spirit and our relationships with other. This prayer is also useful in the part of prayer called spiritual warfare where we pray for protection from evil. I arise…
Read MoreSaint Augustine on Prayer
Here are some ideas about prayer from St. Augustine where he speaks of how to know God is to praise him and this leads us to prayer. Thou awakest us to delight in praising thee; for thou hast made us for thyself and our hearts are restless till they find rest in thee. (from The…
Read MoreJohn Wesley’s Teaching on Praying Continually
How do you pray continually as it says in the Bible verse in I Thessalonians 5:17? Here is very practical advice from John Wesley who was the founder of the Methodist Church. God’s command to “pray without ceasing” is founded on the necessity we have of his grace to preserve the life of God in…
Read MoreThe Aaronic or Priestly Blessing
The Aaronic or Priestly Blessing is used by Christians and is derived from the Jewish blessing given to Aaron to use over the people of Israel. The blessing is found in Numbers 6:24-26. “May the Lord bless you and keep you.May the Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.May the…
Read MorePrayer for a Word of Truth
Need to know the truth about yourself and your situation? Praying for the truth can help you gain the insight you need. Here are some promises to claim and some historical prayers for truth: From the Jesus: You tell us that “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to…
Read MoreSeeking God in Prayer – Anselm of Canterbury
Come now, little man! Flee for a while from your tasks, hide yourself for a little space from the turmoil of your thoughts. Come, cast aside your burdensome cares, and put aside your laborious pursuits. For a little while give your time to God, and rest in him for a little while. Enter into the…
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