For many years, I have practiced set forms and times of prayer in my life. In a former life, I think I was a monk in the deserts of Asia minor somewhere. (Just kidding...I've never been anyone but me!) I do LOVE the monastics, though, and the many (and varied) practices of monasticism that followers of Jesus have engaged in for more than 1,500 years.
Anyway...so, yes, I do practice particular forms of prayer throughout the day as a foundational guide for what I like to think of as a continuing conversation with God. All of my form prayers have been memorized. Sometimes, I stick with just what I've memorized, and, at other times, I use the form as the basis for my prayers and then just allow my heart to expand upon the prayer themes contained within the form. And, sometimes (BUT DON'T TELL ANYONE, OKAY?), I deviate completely from the form.
For many, praying in such a way may seem strange or a bit odd, but what I would like to suggest is that it is a marvelous way to bring the discipline of prayer into your life. In addition, it can provide a road map of sorts to guide you as you pray. I believe very much in structured spontaneity where communication with God is concerned. For me, I need structure, but the really cool thing, though, is that within that structure I get to enjoy great freedom.
So...over the next few weeks, I will introduce many of the various form prayers that are an integral part of my daily prayer practice. It is hoped that you will see that these "forms" are heavily laced with scripture and with prayers inspired by scripture. As with, it is hoped, everything else in my life, it is my desire to return continually to God's Word as a basis for my life and communion with Him.
God's peace to all'y'all and to all those you love.
Being romanced by God,
Bling
"Morning Prayer: Long Sword"
(To be prayed upon awakening each morning.)
Our Father, Who Art in Heaven. Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Heavenly Father, I hallow the Name of Jesus—the Name that is above all names.
Jesus, I know that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that You are Lord to the praise and glory of Your Father. In this moment, Lord, I bow my knees to You, and I confess with my mouth that You are Lord. May Your Father be forever praised and glorified in my life.
Jesus, You are The Lord My Righteousness, The Lord Who Sanctifies Me, The Lord My Peace, The Lord Who’s There, The Lord My Provider, The Lord Who Heals Me, The Lord My Shepherd, The Lord Who Guides, Protects, and Disciplines Me, The Lord My Comforter and Counselor, The Lord Who Sees Me and Calls Me by Name, The Lord My Refuge and Ever Present Help, and The Lord Who Loves Me More than I Could Ever Ask for or Even Imagine.
Lord Jesus Christ, You Are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Jesus, You’re My Lord and Savior, My Heavenly Companion, and My Only Hope. You’re The Creator of All that is Seen and of All that is Unseen, The Master of the Universe, The Alpha and the Omega, The Beginning and the End, and The Author and Finisher of My Faith.
Lord Jesus Christ…Oh how I love Your Name. It’s like honey in my mouth! In my life, Lord, may Your Name be forever hallowed and praised.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still and quiet waters; He restoreth my soul. He guideth my paths in righteousness for His Name’s sake. And yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You. On my bed, I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I will sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
Lord, my heart is open. I want whatever it is that You have for me, today. I want only Your best for me.
Thank you, Father, for everything that has ever happened to me in my life. It has helped me to become more of who I am already. Everything is and has been working for my good. I see that now. I know it. I feel it in my deepest parts.
Lord, I invite you to be a part of every aspect of my life today—even my thoughts. This day—this very moment—is ours…may we live it well together.
Lord Jesus Christ, whether I live or whether I die, I am Yours.
Lord Jesus Christ, whether I live or whether I die, I am Yours.
Lord Jesus Christ, whether I live or whether I die, I am Yours.
Lord Jesus Chris, it is no longer I who lives but You Who lives in me.
Lord Jesus Chris, it is no longer I who lives but You Who lives in me.
Lord Jesus Chris, it is no longer I who lives but You Who lives in me.
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Here I am, Lord, ready to do Your will.
I am and will always be Your servant and friend.
With all my heart, Lord, I want to know You, and I want to be and do all that You ask of me.
May Your will be done in and through me, just as it's already being done in heaven.
Have mercy on me and forgive me, Lord, all my sins.
Cleanse the thoughts of my heart, and wash me in Your Blood.
Have mercy on me and forgive me, Lord, all my sins.
Cleanse the thoughts of my heart, and wash me in Your Blood.
Have mercy on me and forgive me, Lord, all my sins.
Cleanse the thoughts of my heart, and wash me in Your Blood.
Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a redeemed sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a redeemed sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a redeemed sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world, grant me Your peace.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive You; only speak the Word, and I shall be healed.
Not my will, but Thine. Into Your Hands I commit my spirit.
Not my will, but Thine. Into Your Hands I commit my spirit.
Not my will, but Thine. Into Your Hands I commit my spirit.
Father, I want to walk before You in holiness, humility, and purity all the days of my life.
Father, I want to walk before You in holiness, humility, and purity all the days of my life.
Father, I want to walk before You in holiness, humility, and purity all the days of my life.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and restore a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Father, help me to forgive my brothers, help me to forgive my sisters, help me to forgive myself, and help me to forgive You. Please help me, Lord, to let go of the bitterness and resentment I hold on to so tightly, and, as I do so, may I become a more open conduit of Your loving-kindness, joy, compassion, and equanimity. Father, please place within me Your Own Heart of genuine love, grace, and mercy that those around me might see and recognize You more fully as Your Image is reflected in and through me.
Lord, though mine enemies be many, and though they be encamped about me—hemming me in on every side—I know this: And that is that victory is assured; for greater is He, Who is in me, than he that is in the world.
Lord Jesus Christ, place a hedge of thorns around my heart, soul, mind, and body. Please protect me from the attacks and assaults of my enemies.
Rise up, O Jesus, and defend me. Come quickly to my aid, and rescue me from the fowler’s snare; for Thou Art my refuge and ever present help in times of difficulty and trouble.
The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Be you, let people feel the weight of who you are, and let them deal with it.
Be you, let people feel the weight of who you are, and let them deal with it.
Be you, let people feel the weight of who you are, and let them deal with it.
Give way to nothing; set your heart and face like flint.
Give way to nothing; set your heart and face like flint.
Give way to nothing; set your heart and face like flint.
Never offer a hollow greeting of peace, never turn away from someone who needs your love, always speak the truth from your heart.
Never offer a hollow greeting of peace, never turn away from someone who needs your love, always speak the truth from your heart.
Never offer a hollow greeting of peace, never turn away from someone who needs your love, always speak the truth from your heart.
Never do for others what they can do for themselves. Never. Only do that which has been asked for…after careful consideration.
Never do for others what they can do for themselves. Never. Only do that which has been asked for…after careful consideration.
Never do for others what they can do for themselves. Never. Only do that which has been asked for…after careful consideration.
Live and act from a place of either acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm.
Live and act from a place of either acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm.
Live and act from a place of either acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm.
Be happy…all the time…without a reason in the world.
Be happy…all the time…without a reason in the world.
Be happy…all the time…without a reason in the world.
Behold, O Shepherd, Thy servant “acceptance-with-Joy,” “Bearing-the-Cost,” and “Self-controlled-by-Love.” How happy it is to love…to be the fragrance of Love’s flower.”
Behold, O Shepherd, Thy servant “acceptance-with-Joy,” “Bearing-the-Cost,” and “Self-controlled-by-Love.” How happy it is to love…to be the fragrance of Love’s flower.”
Behold, O Shepherd, Thy servant “acceptance-with-Joy,” “Bearing-the-Cost,” and “Self-controlled-by-Love.” How happy it is to love…to be the fragrance of Love’s flower.”
Love does not consider not being loved in return that big of a deal.
Love does not consider not being loved in return that big of a deal.
Love does not consider not being loved in return that big of a deal.
Lord, in this moment, I invoke the four energies available to me. I invoke the Warrior [You, Jesus], the Sensuous Lover [You, Jesus], the Magician/Sage [You, Jesus], and the Benevolent King [You, Jesus]. May I, in my spiritual core, be submitted to Your Lordship and to the energies You’ve given to help me in my life. May all four energies, in their integrated fullness, be appropriated in my life to the fullest extent possible, may I be a good steward of all that You’ve given me, and may my life be a benefit to all within the realm of my influence and existence.
Lord, when confronted with my visional field of deadly snakes, if it is my destiny to cross, enable me to venture forth with courage, honor, openness, and humility. May the night lights guide each step I take, and, as I’m bitten in the crossing, may I absorb that which each snake has to offer me. Enable me to transmute the poison into that which gives life.
Accept, choose, and embrace what is and whatever arises with enlightened wisdom—that is, without judgment, without resistance, without attachment. Welcome it with unconditional friendliness. Forgive eagerly, completely, and freely all those who’ve hurt you in your life, and, in as much as it’s up to you, make your peace…with God, with everything, and with everyone—including yourself. Cause no harm. Deescalate your aggression (especially toward yourself and toward those you love and care about), and let go of all defensiveness. Pay attention to your efforts to preserve who it is you think you are as well as your efforts to hold on to that which you think is yours. Recognize, also, when you’re beginning to engage in abusive or discursive self-talk, and, in those moments, be kind to yourself, engage your wisdom mind, surround and rise above your thoughts, and make peace in and with the present moment by keeping an open heart and by not shutting down. Breathe in the sufferings of others, and die again and again and again with each outbreath. Be a conduit of God’s loving-kindness, joy, compassion, and equanimity. Slow down, pay attention to your surroundings, acknowledge what’s happening and what’s being “put out there,” and, with uplifted head and shoulders, be who you are, and be mindful in every act. Side-step attacks (if at all possible), absorb direct blows like water, and, when the storms come (and they will come), be like the willow, and bend with the breeze, looking to God and remembering that, as with everything, “this, too, shall pass.” Practice. Practice everything…practice all the time…even when you’re distracted, discouraged, tired, or just don’t feel like it. Discover the wisdom of “no escape”—that is, of staying on the spot, leaning in to the sharp things, and making friends with your hopes and your fears. Go to the places that scare you, relax into your own groundlessness, hold nothing back, and be happy…all the time…without a reason in the world.
A warrior practices everything. He relinquishes his pride, he lays down his efforts to orchestrate his life, he cleans up his habits, he lets go of attachments, he becomes increasingly mindful of his emotional states and of his connection to all things, and he takes responsibility for his thoughts, feelings, and actions (and nothing more than that). A warrior allows life to express itself through him in whatever forms it might take. He uses his mind and his body in ways few people have the courage to. He meditates in every action. He neither seeks nor runs from pain or adversity; when it comes, he embraces it and uses it to purify his soul. A warrior keeps death and his life’s purposes in the forefront of his mind. He’s genuine, authentically present, and open…to life, to God, and to those around him. A warrior is infinitely happy, he’s at peace with himself, he’s frugal—yet exceptionally generous, he’s a gentle and approachable soul—yet extremely dangerous. A warrior enjoys the simple pleasures of his own company as well as that of others, he smiles at death and laughs at himself, and he does what he loves. Above all else, a warrior is a servant, a humble servant…dedicated not just to a great cause, but to all humanity, to God, and, at times, even to himself. A warrior fights for what he believes in and, when required, lays his life down gladly in the defense of those beliefs.
Today is a GREAT day...to live and to die. And should today be my last, I know this: And that is, that my spirit will live on forever in the presence of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who lived, died, and rose again, eternally reconciling me with Himself and proving Himself to be Whom He said He was—the Only begotten Son of the Living God, through Whom all things were made and brought into being. He is the Light of the world, my Life, and my Salvation, and in Him, I live and move and have my very being. Because of Him, I am a new creature today. Behold, all things have become new, and my heart is filled with such gratefulness.
Behold, I bear a new name…
My name is Jonathan-David,
Gift and Friend of God,
Tender-hearted Warrior,
Catcher of Tears and Lifter of Hearts,
Beloved Lionheart of God,
Loyal Servant of the Good Shepherd,
Samurai of the Most High.
I was fashioned and trained by God in the outback of creation. Beware…for my spirit is fierce. I will not run; I will not back down. In Christ, I will make my stand. I am a being, who also happens to be human, and I will create the dream of my life one step at a time. I will live according to my own reality, my own intuition, and my own internal compass. I will remember who I am, Whose I am, and from where I came. In my heart, true paradise is found, and my greatest happiness is experienced in choosing and surrendering to “what is”—without judgment, without resistance, without attachment. I will treat everyone I meet with the utmost kindness, respect, dignity, and compassion, and I will consider my service, both to God and to others, to be my highest purpose and calling in life. I will live and demonstrate the principles of self-respect and consideration for others; I will stand up for myself while supporting others at the same time. I will extend and give of myself courageously and unashamedly, express myself openly and honestly, and share “my song” with all who wish to listen.
Behold, I bear a new name…
My name is Jonathan-David,
Gift and Friend of God,
Tender-hearted Warrior,
Catcher of Tears and Lifter of Hearts,
Beloved Lionheart of God,
Loyal Servant of the Good Shepherd,
Samurai of the Most High.
I was fashioned and trained by God in the outback of creation. Beware…for my spirit is fierce. I will not run; I will not back down. In Christ, I will make my stand.
Lord, may my life-song sing to You.
Father…today is the first day of the rest of my life. I want to make You my heart’s desire, and I want to pursue You like I never have before. Help me, Lord, to do these very things.
My soul glorifies the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
My soul glorifies the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
My soul glorifies the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who Was and Is and Is to come.
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who Was and Is and Is to come.
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who Was and Is and Is to come.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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