Say What? Lenten Ramblings 3-17-17

1 Thessalonians 5:17


 This verse from has been  variously translated: 
 Pray without ceasing.
 Never stop praying.  
 Pray constantly. 
 Pray at all times.

 Gloria Dei is focusing on the topic of prayer for Lent. I ditched the lectionary and will spend my six Wednesday blog reflections with thoughts on prayer.

NOTE: This week was out of control, so instead of “what to say when you pray”, here are what some saints said when they prayed. They offer some wonderful words!  
Still would love to hear your comments or questions. 


In honor of todayA prayer attributed to St. Patrick

As I arise today, 
may the strength of God pilot me, 
the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me. 
May the eye of God look before me, 
the ear of God hear me, the Word of God speak for me. 
May the hand of God protect me, 
the way of God lie before me, 
the shield of God defend me, the host of God save me. 
May Christ shield me today.

Christ with me, Christ before me, 
Christ behind me, Christ in me, 
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, 
Christ on my right, Christ on my left, 
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit,
Christ when I stand, 
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, 
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, 
Christ in every eye that sees me, 
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Amen


One of my favorites:

A prayer attributed to Francis of Assisi

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. 
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon; 
where there is discord, union; 
where there is doubt, faith; 
where there is despair, hope; 
where there is darkness, light; 
where there is sadness, joy. 
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; 
to be loved as to love. 
For it is in giving that we receive; 
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
 and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

And from one of the great women pray-ers of history:

A prayer of Julian of Norwich
In you, Father all-mighty, we have our preservation and our bliss. In you, Christ, we have our restoring and our saving. You are our mother, brother, and savior. In you, our Lord the Holy Spirit, is marvelous and plenteous grace. 
You are our clothing; for love you wrap us and embrace us. You are our maker, our lover, our keeper. 
Teach us to believe that by your grace all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
Amen.

And last, but never least:

A prayer of Martin Luther
Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. 
I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. 
I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. 
I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you. 
In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have.
I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. 
I am a sinner; you are upright. With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore I will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give.
Amen.

How to Find Us





Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City

Gathered by grace. Scattered for service.

123 E Market Street
Iowa City, IA 52245