Tag: Perspective

Teach Us To Pray

Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

Solemnity of Christmas Day

The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  Luke 2:10–14

Glory to God in the highest!  The celebration of the glorious birth of Christ the Lord has begun…Merry Christmas!

Lord, I love You and adore You.  I thank You for the unfathomable gift of Your divine presence among us.  I thank You, especially, for the invitation You offer me to join the poor shepherds as they come to adore You.  May this Christmas celebration be one in which I understand, more deeply, the incredible love You have for all Your children.  May I know that You came for

Teach Us To Pray

Joyful Noise

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

In Psalm 98, all of creation is called upon to make a joyful noise before God, for the Lord has come to “judge the earth,” and restore His Creation. We should not fail to see our own hand at work in the destruction of creation, in our sins of waste and decadence. This “judgment of the earth” is, in some part, a judgment of us as caretakers. But God is merciful and full of grace, and rather than leave everything in our hands, He gives us the Life-giver. This beautiful hymn makes the connection between the coming of Christ into this world and the beginning of that restoration. Christ brings “joy to the world,” a light where there is darkness, growth where there is decay. And we, along with all Creation, respond with a song of praise. Singing is praying twice so let our hearts sing!

Joy to the world the Lord is come

Let earth receive her king

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and Heaven and nature sing

We will sing, sing, sing

Joy to the world

We will sing, sing, sing

Joy to the world the savior reigns

Let men their songs employ

While fields and floods rocks hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

We will sing, sing, sing

Joy to the world

We will sing, sing, sing

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love

And wonders of His love

And wonders, wonders of His love

Joy to the world

We will sing, sing, sing

Joyful, joyful we adore Thee

God of glory, Lord of love

And hearts unfold like flowers before Thee

Opening to the sun above

Joyful, joyful we adore Thee

God of glory, Lord of love

And hearts unfold like flowers before Thee

Opening to the sun above

Joy to the World (Joyful, Joyful)

Song by Phil Wickham ‧ 2019

Teach Us To Pray

Emmanuel, God With Us

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

O Emmanuel, King and Lawgiver, Desire of the Nations, Savior of all People, come and set us free, Lord our God. 

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appears.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.

Continue reading “Emmanuel, God With Us” →
Teach Us To Pray

King of All Nations

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from dust!

O King of us all.
I find myself standing before
your strength and splendor
watching, waiting
and filled with total joy.

You have lifted my mind in hope.
Now help me to open my life
the coming of the Spirit.

I want to be like Mary, your mother.
Her wonderful courage and strength
inspire me to do the same.
She simply said Yes
and the impossible was done.

Thank you for this Advent journey.
The anticipation has filled my life
and made me long for
a closer relationship with you.

My life gets so busy that I forget to focus.
Thank you for your guidance.
Thank you for the quiet moments
when I have felt your love.

Nothing will be impossible with God.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

Jesus, King of all nations, shine your light on all my allegiances, and show me how they should be ordered. Help me serve your nation – the church – better than I have. Show me how and where to devote myself and my abilities.  Every day it becomes more and more important to celebrate anything that makes us think beyond what it means to be an American in order to become a wild, loving Christian let loose in the world to fill it with love. 

Teach Us To Pray

Key To The Heart

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

O Jesus, you hold the key
that will unlock my constricted heart.
It gives me great hope
that Mary said yes to you and your plan.
She was filled with the Spirit
and put aside her own doubts.

I know you are ready to answer my prayers,
ease my doubts and calm my fears.
Sometimes I don’t hear your messengers
because they aren’t what I expect.
They aren’t wearing wings or halos
but are the people standing in front of me.

How many times have I not listened?
How often have I balked at your messages
and your messengers?

Fill me with the light of your Spirit
and enter, in all your glory
into my life.
Let me rejoice!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

Spend some time reflecting on the things in your life that “chain” you down that you wish Jesus to remove.  Invite the Spirit to convict us only in a manner that invites healing. Christ is the Key who can free us from every prison and all forms of darkness

Teach Us To Pray

Adonai…My Lord

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

O Adonai, dearest Lord,
Compassionate God of justice,
so many areas of my life seem imprisoned
but you promise me real freedom
and peace in my life.

Renew my spirit and free my soul.
Please, open my heart which you have bathed in the longing of Advent.

I am awe-struck as your glory fills the earth and I want to follow you in caring for other.

Grant me the grace to see how you shine your light on the poor who have such a special place in your heart.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

Light a candle today and read the story of the burning bush in Exodus 3. Let the flame of that candle remind you of the way God first revealed himself to Moses on Mount Sinai. Ponder, also, of the day he gave Moses the Ten Commandments, “in cloud and majesty and awe” as the hymn says.  Read the commandments together and vow to keep them better.

Teach Us To Pray

A Humble Servant

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer – photo from prayer table at Ruah Spirituality Center Houston

As we come together in reverence and praise, let us turn our hearts to the God of wisdom. Like a loving parent, He blesses us, knowing our history and guiding our paths. We thank Him for the peace He promises and the strength of His great power. Let us seek the wisdom and courage to serve Him humbly, following the example of those who have come before us. Join me in this prayer of gratitude and devotion, as we rejoice in the coming of Emmanuel, God with us!

Oh, God of wisdom,
I want to praise you and give you my life.

Like a loving parent,
you bless me.
You have watched over me,
knowing my history
and the path that led me to you.

Thank you for the peace
you promise peace in my life.
I ask that I be always aware
of the strength of your great power.
May it never leave me.

So many people before me
in so many generations,
have served you so humbly,
answering your call.
Please give me the wisdom and courage
to be your humble servant.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

Teach Us To Pray

Boundless Grace

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

As we gather in reflection and gratitude, let us lift our hearts to the Lord, acknowledging the countless blessings He bestows upon us each day. In His great love, we find joy, protection, and healing.

Let us rejoice in our hearts with expectation as we watch for sign of God’s coming. Let’s receive His immense love, embracing the freedom and peace that comes from His presence. Join me in this prayer of thanksgiving and openness to God’s boundless grace.

I lift my heart up to you, Lord,
to thank you for the blessings
you shower on me each day.

You are the ‘joy of my soul.’
I know that in your great love,
I am held and protected by you.

I pray and listen to the good news you send;
I ask and feel the healing.
I am freed by you
from the things in this world
that let me hide from you.

I rejoice, I rejoice, down to my soul.
Help me to prepare my heart
to be open and able to receive your immense love.

Teach Us To Pray

Who is Your Strength

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

In times of fear and weakness, we seek the God of Strength for courage and support with grateful hearts. Recognizing our own limitations, we find comfort in His promise to strengthen and save us. As we await the arrival of His Son, we pray for the humility to seek His help and the openness to accept His healing and love in our lives.

God of Strength,
I need your courage.
You offer to make firm the knees that are weak.
Only you know how frightened I so often am.

And you do offer me strength.
There is the promise of your Son’s coming
and knowing that you will save me.
I can’t do this on my own
no matter how often I think I can.

Give me the humility to ask for your help
and open heart to accept
your healing and love in my life.

Teach Us To Pray

Guidance and Light

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

As we enter the season of Advent, a time of anticipation and reflection, we turn to Jesus for guidance and light. In the midst of darkness, we seek the illumination of His word, asking for humility and wisdom to follow His path. We feel His presence in our lives and the world, grateful for the Savior who is to come. With hearts full of hope, gratitude and trust, we look forward to the joy that awaits, confident that He will lead us through the unknown paths of each day.

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