Sharp About Your Prayers

the challenges, absurdities, and joys of an urban faith

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Entries Tagged as 'Sharp Prayers'

Maundy Thursday Prayer

April 20th, 2011 · 2 Comments · Sharp Prayers

Communion Prayer Maundy Thursday 2011 Host! When we stand around this table, Holy God, that is what we call you… “The Host.” It reminds us that we are here, not because we deserve it, not because we are part of an exclusive club, not because we have the right answers or know a special handshake, [...]

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Prayer in a Time of Turmoil

April 4th, 2011 · 2 Comments · Sharp Prayers

Prayers of the People Second Sunday in Lent March 20, 2011   God of Holy Mystery, God of Love, God of the Hidden Heart, we pray to you. We bow our heads before you, humbled by the news of the past week, troubled by the scenes of devastation in Japan, shuddering at the violence in [...]

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Praying for Japan

March 12th, 2011 · 1 Comment · Sharp Prayers

I know that your hearts go to the people of Japan and those countries and islands affected by the earthquake and tsunami in the Pacific. This morning I have been using the following prayer (adapted from a prayer by St. Augustine): O loving God, to stand before you is to abide forever. Grant us, dear [...]

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Prayers

February 22nd, 2011 · Comments Off · Sharp Prayers

Our prayers go out to the people of New Zealand this day as they recover from the effects of a terrible earthquake and as they mourn terrible losses. In addition to our neighbors in the South Pacific, I would like to direct one other person to you for prayers this week. A few months ago, [...]

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How Do You Pray?

September 15th, 2010 · 40 Comments · Sharp Prayers

How do you do it–the whole prayer thing? Do you get down on your knees?  Do you lie in bed and stare at the ceiling?  Do you murmur a petition as the 6 Train roars into Grand Central (surely only God can hear those!)?  My mother used to say that she would pray at stoplights–quick [...]

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An Ash Wednesday Prayer

February 13th, 2010 · Comments Off · Sharp Prayers

Lent has arrived. Here is a prayer to start the season from one of my favorites, Walter Brueggemann… Marked by Ashes Ruler of the Night, Guarantor of the day . . . This day — a gift from you. This day — like none other you have ever given, or we have ever received. This Wednesday dazzles us [...]

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Augustine’s Prayer

January 28th, 2010 · Comments Off · Sharp Prayers

One of my all-time favorite prayers… O loving God, to turn away from you is to fall, to turn toward you is to rise, and to stand before you is to abide forever. Grant us, dear God, in all our duties your help; in all our uncertainties your guidance; in all our dangers your protection; [...]

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A Prayer for Haiti

January 13th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Sharp Prayers

Holy God, we look at the images coming to us from Haiti, we hear the wails echoing from Port-au-Prince, and we are shaken. This terrible earthquake has dumped concrete and rubble on countless men and women and children. It has devastated a place already struggling with the blight of poverty. It has brought a country [...]

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New Year’s Prayer (Niebuhr)

January 1st, 2010 · Comments Off · Sharp Prayers

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen. –Reinhold Niebuhr Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

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