Prayers

Love So Easy and So Hard

Can it be that easy, Jesus?

Can it be that hard?
That what You want for us is just to love
and be loved?

Is it possible that even those who have tried the hardest,
signed on the dotted line,
sat for years in classes
and strained their eyes from reading,
dressed in all the most appropriate garments,
and spoken with only the most measured words…
that these can miss You?

How can it be when those who have hardly tried at all,
who have damaged themselves and others so much,
that in the end they have nowhere else to turn
but to throw themselves on Your grace…
that these are the ones You search out?

How do we make sense of this, Jesus?
How do we love so scandalously, so inclusively?
How do we allow ourselves to be loved enough,
that all our hard and sharp edges
grow soft and round?

Help us to find the humility and courage,
the boldness and grace,
that in our loving and being loved,
we may somehow ignite our world with a compassion so fierce
that violence and abuse,
rejection and condemnation,
neglect and greed
become unthinkable.

Amen.

~ written by John van de Laar, and posted on Sacredise.
http://sacredise.com/

Prayer

Our Father,
each day is a little life,
each night a tiny death;
help us to live with faith and hope and love.
Lift our duty above drudgery;
let not our strength fail, or the vision fade,
in the heat and burden of the day.

O God, make us patient and pitiful one with another
in the fret and jar of life,
remembering that each fights a hard fight
and walks a lonely way.
Forgive us, Lord, if we hurt our fellow souls;
teach us a gentler tone, a sweeter charity of words,
and a more healing touch.
Sustain us, O God, when we must face sorrow;
give us courage for the day and hope for the morrow.
Day unto day may we lay hold of thy hand and look up into thy face,
whatever befall,
until our work is finished and the day is done.

Amen.

~ Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226. Posted on thisischurch.com
http://thisischurch.com/

Prayer of Commitment (inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

Lord,
Because love is patient…
Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen,
hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage,
remembering your endless patience with me.

Because love is kind…
Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful.
Remind me to smile and to say “Please” and “Thank You”
because those little things still mean so much.

Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud…
Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others.
May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am,
as well as doing the same for those around me.

Because love is not rude or self-seeking…
Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart.
When I’m tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world,
remind me there’s a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.

Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs…
Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me.
When I want to hold onto a grudge,
gently help me release it
so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.

Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth…
Help me stand up for what is right and good.
May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless.
Show me how I can make a difference.

Because love always protects and always trusts…
Help me to be a refuge for those around me.
When the world outside is harsh and cold,
may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.

Finally, because love always perseveres…
Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others.
Thank you for showing us what the word love really means. Amen.

~ written by Holley Gerth, and posted on Taking it one step at a time.
http://onestep87.blogspot.ca/