unprofitable, dangerous, vain, and doubting...
thoughts on prayer, social media, and the news cycle
Today's prayer of the day in the prayer book For All the Saints comes from Samuel Johnson, an 18th century Anglican. I find it especially fitting for Lent, in general, and the perpetual chatter of today's news and social media, in particular:
O Lord, my Maker and Protector...while it shall please Thee to continue me in . . .
Posted in: lentlifeprayerreflectionstheology
Luther on the Greatest Prayer
theology quote of the week
"Thy will be done..."
theology quote of the week
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."
You may say, “Well, did God not endow us with a free will?” I reply: To be sure, he gave you a free will. But why do you want to make it your own will? Why not let it remain free? If you do with it whatever you will, it is not a free will, but your own will. God did not . . .
prayer to be used by God
O Lord, I give myself to Thee, I trust Thee wholly. Thou are wiser than I--more loving to me than I myself. Deign to fulfill Thy high purposes in me whatever they be--work in and through me. I am born to serve Thee, to be Thine, to be Thy instrument. Let me be Thy blind instrument. I ask not to see--I ask not to know--I ask . . .
prayer on Thanksgiving day
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever. Lord God, heavenly Father, You have created me and endowed me with all that I am or have as a pure gift of Your "fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me." You sustain me from day to day with the gifts of daily . . .
Posted in: prayer
Anselm's prayer for love and friends
theology quote of the week
O blessed Lord and Savior, who has commanded us to love one another, grant us grace that, having received your undeserved bounty, we may love every man in you and for you. We implore your clemency for all; but especially for the friends whom your love has given to us. Love them, O Fountain of Love, and make them to love you . . .
family bible reading plans
getting started with family worship and devotionals
Last week I wrote about establishing the practice of family worship and devotionals. There I encouraged the practice of daily scripture reading in our families. That suggestion begs the question of where to start? For those desiring to create the habit of daily bible reading, deciding where to begin and how to proceed can be . . .