Stand Archives - Prayer matters

Stand firm

A timely exhortation from James as we enter another Advent season.

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

James 5:7-9

A Psalm of Celebration

loosely inspired by Psalm 118

Though we have known hardship and pain,
though life has not always turned out as we had hoped,
we will stand here and say:
God’s steadfast love endures for ever!

Though life becomes more complex,
the deepest questions remain unanswered,
and the mystery of faith deepens, we will say:
God’s steadfast love endures for ever!

And though the pain of the world
often seems more than we can bear or address,
we will stand firm in our faith and say:
God’s steadfast love endures for ever!

~ written by Ann Siddall, posted on re:worship

This prayer also appears in an earlier blog post:
Theme: Rejoice in the Lord always [prayer sheet]

From the blog
imagine … no war …
In the school of prayer with St Francis of Assisi
Mightier than the crashing waves

3 prayers for prisoners of conscience

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Hebrews 13:3

Here are 3 prayers for those who took a stand against injustice and pay the price.

#1

Lord, I pray for my brothers and sisters
who are in prison because of their stand against injustice,
and for all the other people who have ‘disappeared’.
I pray for those undergoing torture;
Lord, give them strength, and the sense that they are not alone.
In particular I hold before you
those who believe that the world has forgotten them.
May they know that there are people who care,
and who are praying for them.
Jesus, arrested and tortured yourself,
be with them now,
and hold them in your wounded hands.

~ written by Angela Ashwin,
from The Book of a Thousand Prayers by Angela Ashwin, #457

#2

Uphold, O God, all who are
persecuted or imprisoned for their beliefs.
Be to them a light showing the way ahead;
a rock giving them strength to stand;
a song singing of all things overcome.

~ written by Richard Harries,
from The Book of a Thousand Prayers by Angela Ashwin, #461

#3

We pray justice
for the falsely accused,
freedom for the wrongly imprisoned,
healing for the tortured or abused,
care for the orphan and widow,
concern for the refugee and dispossessed,
and above all forgiveness
for our emotional detachment.
May we weep as you weep,
love as you love,
and not be afraid to be angry
for the sake of your children,
wherever they might be.
In our helplessness we ask,
Lord, enfold them in your love.

~ written by John Birch,
posted on faithandworship.com

From the blog
Song in the night
People of the way
Theme: He heals the brokenhearted [prayer sheet]

Stand still for a moment

Namaqualand daisies, West Coast National Park, South Africa

Call to Worship

based on Micah 6:1-8

Children of God,
it’s time to take off your shoes,
step out of your comfort zone, and
wade with trust into the stream of God’s mercy.
Stand still for a moment, barefoot, on holy ground.
Let the healing waters wash your feet.
Take a deep breath as Love soaks into your soul.
Be silent and listen for God’s word to us today.

Read Micah 6:6-8:

With what shall I come before the Lord
    and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.

How shall we worship our God?
We have heard what the Lord requires of us.
Leave empty talk and pride behind.
We must walk the walk.
Prepare to step out in faith, even into troubled waters.
Only God knows where we might need to go.
Don’t be afraid.
Jesus will guide our steps along the way,
teaching us to walk humbly,
to love boldly,
to serve God with body, soul, mind, and strength.
Let us pray for the humility and courage
to follow where the Spirit leads.

~ written by Mary Jo Bowman, posted on re:worship

From the blog
Say grace
3 Prayers for courage
In the school of prayer with the Celtic Saints

Unless the Lord stands watch

Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.

Psalm 127:1

The Mercy of Justice

Where are things heading, God of wisdom?
Unless you are a God of justice and judgement,
the future of this arrogant world is dismal.
Unless you are a God of grace and mercy,
our place in your future is hopeless.

With the anger of a temple cleansing,
      overthrow greed and scatter our indifference.
With the suffering of your crucified Son,
      forgive our sins and heal our diseases.
With the mercy of justice and the justice
      of your unique mercy, lead us on towards
      the consummation of your kingdom.

You alone are our help and hope.
You alone are our health and happiness.

Through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen!

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on www.bruceprewer.com

From the blog
Yield as sacrifice
Prayer poem: Not unless
On Writing Prayer-Poems