Father, Give Me a Good Kick

Father, in the abundance of your blessings, you give me opportunity. Opportunity to serve, to love, to share, to give, opportunities to bless others. But, so much of the time, my fervor to serve, to love, to share, to give, and to bless wanes. I am so preoccupied with my own concerns, needs, activities, and ambitions. With the opportunities you give me, grant to me also a willing heart, motivation, give me a good kick and move me out of my comfort (or my rut) so that I may be about your business, your concerns, to share the blessing of your love with others.

I Try So Hard

O Lord, You know, I try so hard

To be like You everyday;

But one thing, Lord, I truly know,

Is You gave Your life away.

To be like You, and all You are,

Well that's a lot easier to say.

O Lord, You gave Your life for me,

And I'll give You mine today.

(By Lydia Weathersby)

Like a River

Like a river rushing down to the sea

Like a rushing wind You blow into me

Like the falling of the snow

Like the blood that makes me whole

Is the love of God that flows into me

Like a river You come flooding

Thru the desert fo my heart

And like the wind, You come rushing

Blowing life thru ev'ry part

And like the snow, You're falling

On me with the blood of Your Son

And like the sun, You come shining

Making darkness run

Like a river flowing down to the sea

Like a rushing wind You blow into me

Like the falling of the snow

Like the blood that makes me whole

Is the love of God that flows into me

Like a river You come pouring

Out Your love upon my heart

And like the wind, You bring

Harvest down to take Your yeild, and

Like the snow, You come to winter

Touching hearts and making warmth

And like the sun, You raised

A mighty light to calm the storm

Like a river flowing down to the sea

Like a rushing wind You blow into me

Like the falling of the snow

Like the blood that makes me whole

Is the love of God that flows into me

(A song/prayer by Dennis Jernigan, c. 1982)

In the Shelter of Your Wings

God, hear my cry;

listen to my prayer.

I will call to you from the ends of the earth

when I am afraid.

Carry me way to a high mountain.

You have been my protection,

like a strong tower against my enemies.

Let me live in your Holy Tent forever.

Let me find safety in the shelter of your wings.

God, you have heard my promises.

You have given me what belongs

to those who fear you.

(Psalm 61.1-5)

Create In Me

Create in me

A clean heart, O God

Let me be like You

In all my ways

Give me Your strength

Teach me Your song

Shelter me in the shadow

Of Your wings

For we are Your righteousness

If we die to ourselves

And live to Your death

We shall be born

Again to be blessed in Your name

(by Terry Talbot, inspired from Psalm 51)

In My Life, Lord

A simple song, a powerful prayer:

In my life, Lord,

Be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord,

Be glorified today.

In my home, Lord,

Be glorified, be glorified.

In my home, Lord,

Be glorified today.

In your church, Lord,

Be glorified, be glorified.

In your church Lord,

Be glorified today.

(Song by Bob Kilpatrick, c. 1978)

Thank You for the Snow

Lord, what a beautiful morning! Your world, all clothed in white, is a most wondrous view. Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow. Thank you for this special gift.

You are the God of renewal, of new beginnings, of taking the old and transforming it into the new. The sparkling snow reminds me of this, and I praise you. I praise you for your hands of love as the mold and shape me into the one you want me to be. For your patience, as you chip away all that is unsightly and useful for naught. For your love in seeing me through difficult times and foolish moments, for leading me to the place you want me to be.

Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow. Father, thank you for the blanket of white on a landscape barren and dry.

I Have a Boy to Bring Up

Lord, I have a boy to bring up.

Help me to perform my task with wisdom and kinness and good cheer. Help me always to see him clearly as he is. Let not my pride in him hide his faults. Let not my fear for him magnify my doubts and fears lest I make him doubting and fearful in his turn.

Quicken my judgment so that I shall know how to train him to think as a child, to be in all things pure and simple as a child.

I have a boy to bring up.

Give me great patience and a long memory. Let me remember the hard places in my own youth, so that I may help when I see him struggling as I struggled then.

Let me remember the things that made me glad, lest I, sweating in the toil and strain of life, forget a little child's laughter in the light of life.

I have a boy to bring up.

Teach me that love that understandeth all things, the love that knows no weakness, tolerates no selfishness. Keep me from weakening my son through granting him pleasures that end in pain, ease of body that must bring sickness of soul, a vision of life that must end in death. Grant that I love my son wisely and myself not at all.

I have a boy to bring up.

So guide and direct me that I may do this service to Your glory, O God, the service of my country and to my son's happiness.

(Author Unknown; Adapted)

My Feet Stand on Level Ground

A prayer attributed to David (Psalm 26):

Vindicate me, O Lord,

for I have led a blameless life;

I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

Test me, O Lord, and try me,

examine my heart and my mind;

for your love is ever before me,

and I walk continually in your truth.

I do not sit with deceitful men,

nor do I consort with hypocrites;

I abhor the assembly of evildoers

and refuse to sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence,

and go about your altar, O Lord,

proclaiming aloud your praise

and telling of your wonderful deeds.

I love the house where you live, O Lord,

the place where your glory dwells.

Do not take away my soul along with sinners,

my life with bloodthirsty men,

in whose hands are wicked schemes,

whose right hands are full of bribes,

But I lead a blameless life;

redeem me and be merciful to me.

My feet stand on level ground;

in the great assembly I will praise the Lord.

A Little Prayer

A little prayer in the morning

Gives the day a better start

Because it seems to open up

Windows of the heart.

And like a ray of sunshine,

Faith comes beaming in

To brighten hopes and wishes

As each new day begins.

(Author Unknown)