Psalm 62:1. “For God alone my soul in silence waits; from him comes my salvation.” One Sunday, years ago, I knelt to pray before the liturgy began, as was my usual practice. I always had something to tell or ask God. This day, however, was different. I had no words. It wasn’t that I had nothing to say—I simply lacked words capable of expressing what … Continue reading Prayer Begins When the Words End
A few days ago I posted A Litany of Prayer for Aleppo. I was and still am heartbroken and overwhelmed, maybe even possessed, by what is happening in Aleppo. Omran has become for me an icon of that tragedy. His face and silence are ever before me; waiting, questioning, and convicting. I could not not pray. I also know, however, that Aleppo is just a microcosm of … Continue reading Aleppo Doesn’t Need Our Prayers
How long, O Lord, how long? There is no peace in Aleppo. There is no peace in Syria. Every night the people flood their beds with tears and drench their couches with weeping. Their eyes waste away with grief. Their spirits shake with terror. You are the one who took them out of the womb. They have been entrusted to you ever since they were … Continue reading A Litany of Prayer for Aleppo
How long, O Lord, how long? Every week we come to you adding to the list of names; victims, perpetrators, and places of violence and pain in the world. Today we hold before you the people of France and Turkey. Every night we flood our bed with tears and drench our couch with weeping. Our eyes waste away with grief. Our spirit shakes with terror. … Continue reading Prayers for France and Turkey (Again)
O Lord of life, the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens: Our world has once again been shaken by violence, gunfire, and explosions; this time at the Istanbul airport. We are weary because of our groaning. Every night we flood our bed with tears and drench our couch with weeping. Our eyes waste away with grief. Our spirit shakes with terror. How long, … Continue reading Prayers for Turkey and the World
While the civil calendar marks January 1 as New Year’s Day, the Church celebrates January 1 as the Feast of the Holy Name, Jesus. Although the two might be celebrated in different ways, they are not necessarily in opposition. Behind the celebrations, resolutions, and good wishes associated with the New Year I suspect there are, for many people, hope and a deep longing for a … Continue reading Prayers for the New Year
Dear People of God, our world has again been shaken by violence, gunfire, and explosions. Hear then the words of the psalmist who said, “For God alone my soul in silence waits; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.” (62:1-2) Let us, therefore, in silence offer our prayers. For … Continue reading Praying for Beirut and Paris
O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon us. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy upon us. O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful, Have mercy upon us. O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God, Have mercy upon us. Lord, Jesus Christ, receive our prayers for all who suffer persecution for their religious faith … Continue reading A Litany of Prayer for Persecuted Peoples and Religions
The only way to pray is to pray; and the way to pray well is to pray much. If one has no time for this, then one must at least pray regularly. But the less one prays the worse it goes. – Abbot Chapman of Downside quoted by Michael Casey in Sacred Reading, The Art of Lectio Divina, p. 22 Continue reading The Only Way to Pray
A Thanksgiving for America Almighty God, giver of all good gifts; we thank you For this nation, our heritage, and for calling us to be the United States of America; For the founders of this country, the liberty they won for themselves and us, and for the torch of freedom they lit for nations then unborn; For the natural majesty and beauty of this land; … Continue reading Independence Day Prayers for America
