Praying the Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up the mountain, sat down, and called His disciples to come close. He then taught them (and us!) the attitudes to aim for, pray for, and keep with confidence in His Name:

God bless you
who are humble in spirit
for the Kingdom of Heaven is yours.

God bless you who mourn
for God Himself will comfort you.

God bless you who are gentle
for you will inherit the earth!

God bless you who are hungry
and thirsty for all that is right
for you will be satisfied.

God bless you who are merciful.
God will show mercy to you.

God bless you who have pure hearts
and pure motives
for you shall see God clearly.

God bless you, Peacemakers!
You shall be called children of God.

God bless you who are persecuted
for following God’s will.
The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to you.

God bless you who are insulted,
mistreated, and abused because
of your faith in Christ. Rejoice!
Be glad! What a huge reward
will greet you in Heaven
in the company of the prophets
who were treated as you have been.


© 2015, Mary Harwell Sayler prayer-a-phrased today’s Bible reading in Matthew from translations provided on Bible Gateway.

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Soul prayer

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
May all that is within me
bless Your holy Name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul.
May I not forget
God’s benefits.

For the LORD
forgives all my sins
and heals all my infirmities.

God redeems my life from death
and covers me with mercy
and loving-kindness.

The LORD satisfies me
with good things
and renews my youth
like an eagle’s.

Bless the LORD, O my soul.
Bless the LORD.

©2013, Mary Harwell Sayler, prayer-a-phrase of my favorite Psalm 103 from today’s Daily Bible Readings

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New Year begins with God’s Blessing

The Daily Bible Reading starts the New Year with the prayer the Lord gave (and still gives!) leaders to pray over the people of God, blessing them and us with God’s shine.

The LORD spoke to Moses,
saying:

Speak to the leaders
and say,

Let this be the way
you bless My people, saying:

May the LORD bless you and keep you.

May the LORD cause His face
on you

to shine.

May the LORD be gracious
to you,

and lift you

into the image of God
and give you peace.

Shalom.

In this way, the leaders
may bless the people of God
with the Name of God,

and on each of them
the LORD’s own
“God bless” will rest.

Shalom.

© 2013, Mary Harwell Sayler, prayer-a-phrased poem from Numbers 6:22-27

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