Prayer Quotes from Psalm, Origen, Erasmus, Black Elk, Irish Prayer

Let the words of my mouth and

the meditation of my heart

be acceptable to you,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.


—PSALM 19:14



I would be true for there are those who trust me.

I would be pure for there are those who care.

I would be strong for there is much to suffer.

I would be brave for there is much to dare.

I would be friend of all, the foe, the friendless.

I would be forgiving and then forget the gift.

I would be humble for I know my weakness.

I would look up, and laugh, and love, and live.



—ANONYMOUS




Lord, inspire us to read your Scriptures

and meditate upon them day and night.

We beg you to give us real understanding

of what we need, that we in turn

may put its precepts into practice.

Yet we know that understanding

and good intentions are worthless,

unless rooted in your graceful love.

So we ask that the words of Scriptures

may also be not just signs on a page,

but channels of grace into our hearts.


—ORIGEN




In Serious Illness


Lord, you are the only source of health

for the living, and you promise eternal life

to the dying. I entrust myself

to your holy will. If you wish me

to stay longer in this world, I pray that you

will heal me of my present sickness.

If you wish me to leave this world, I readily

lay aside this mortal body, in the sure hope

of receiving an immortal body which shall enjoy

everlasting health. I ask only that you relieve me

of pain, that whether I live or I die, I may rest

peaceful and contented.


—ERASMUS





Great Spirit, Great Spirit,

my Grandfather, all over the earth

the faces of living things are all alike.

With tenderness have these come up

out of the ground.

Look upon these faces of children

without number

and with children in their arms,

that they may face the winds

and walk the good road

to the day of quiet.


—BLACK ELK




May there always be work

for your hands to do.

May your purse always

hold a coin or two.

May the sun always shine upon

your windowpane.

May a rainbow be certain

to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend

always be near to you and

May God fill your heart

with gladness to cheer you.



-- Irish Prayer