This first item is not a Prayer, rather it is a fascinating "definition" of
Prayer from Gandhi :
Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the Soul.
It is daily admission of one's weakness ... .
It is better in Prayer to have a heart without words,
than words without a heart.
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I recently came across the following Prayer, it is said to be a very
old prayer, but to me it seems to hold up very well.
"The Deer's Cry" or "The Breast-plate of St. Patrick"
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of
creation.
I arise today through the strength of Christ with His Baptism, through
the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burial,through the strength
of His Resurrection with His Ascension, through the strength of His
descent for the Judgment of Doom.
I arise today through the strength of the Love of Cherubim,in obedience
of Angels, in the service of the Archangels, in hope of resurrection
to meet with reward, in Prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets,
in preaching of Apostles, in Faiths of Confessors, in innocence of Holy
Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.
I arise today, through the strength of Heaven: light of Sun, brilliance
of Moon, splendor of Fire, speed of Lighting, swiftness of Wind, depth
of Sea, stability of Rock.
I arise today through God's strength to Pilot me: God's might to uphold
me, God's Wisdom to guide me,God's eye to look before me, God's ear to
hear me, God's Word to speak for me, God's Hand to guard me, God'sa way
to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's Host to secure me:
against snares of devils, against temptations of vices, against
inclinations of nature, against everyone who shall wish me ill, afar
and anear, alone and in a crowd.
I summon today all the powers between me (and these evils): against
every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and my soul,
against incantations of false prophets, against black laws of heathenry,
against false laws of heretics, against crafts of idolatry, against
spells of witches and smiths and wizards, against every knowledge that
endagers man's body and soul. Christ to protect me today, against poison,
against burning, against drowning, against wounding, so that there may
come an abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my
left, Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in heigt, Christ in
the Heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every
man who speaks of me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of
the Creator of Creation
--AMEN
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The following Prayer has long been one of my most favorites, it comes
from Black Elk, an Oglala Sioux Holy Man, who lived from 1863-1950.
{I hope no one is disturbed by the use of the phrase Great Spirit, I
feel that God is great enough to have many names and titles.}
"Earth Prayer"
"Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me here on Earth and lean to
hear my feeble voice. You lived first, and you are older than all need,
older than all Prayer. All things belong to you--the two-legged, the
four-legged, the wings of the air, and all green things that live.
You have set the powers of the four quarters of the Earth to cross each
other. You have made me cross the good road and road of difficulties,
and where they cross, the place is Holy. Day in, day out, forevermore,
You are the life of things.
Hey! Lean to hear my feeble voice.
At the centerof the Sacred Hoop, you have said I should make the
tree to bloom.
With tears running, O Great Spirit, my Grandfather,
with running eyes I must say, "The tree has never bloomed".
Here I stand, and the tree is withered.
Again I recall the great vision You gave me.
It may be that some little root of the Sacred tree still lives.
Nourish it then that it may leaf, and bloom, and fill with singing birds !
Hear me, that my people may once again find the good road,
and the shielding tree !!
---AMEN
(Please read more about Black Elk in the book entitled "Black Elk Speaks")
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Sweet Lord, Fashion our desires and deeds in accord with Your will,
that we may be instrumental in building a new world of righteous.
Give us hearts that are full enough, imaginations that are large
enough, and strengths that are great enough to meet, and over come,
the challenges that we must face.
--AMEN
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Dear Lord, there are needs in this world of which we are unaware,
and needs which we feel powerless to meet. We seem so inadequate,
yet we can do something, if we will at least try to do something.
If we will commit to the effort, and come to You for aid, we will
find, that "with Thee all things are possible !
--AMEN
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Dear sweet Jesus, Today and everyday give me your strenghth to
rise above my weaknesses, I know that they are many, but I also
know that your loving strenghth, just like your forgiveness and
understanding, is boundless.
I am the embodiment of the flesh being weak, my anger,
frustration, and my selfishness, are all too often in the
driver's seat, instead of you.
Please stay beside me, even when I am pushing you away,
realize that I know better, but still I struggle, still I stumble
over my "self". Please hold me in your Love, even when I hate
myself, even when I am doing, thinking, speaking, or saying "wrong"!
--AMEN
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