Psalm 16:1, 5-11 – a prayer of David

 

Keep me out of harm's way, O God,

for I’ve come to You for safe haven.

 

You alone are my legacy,

my cup of blessing.

You guard all that is mine.

 

What a pleasant place You have given me!

What a wonderful inheritance!

 

God bless You, Lord, for guiding me.

Even at night, You instruct my heart.

 

I know You are always with me.

With You right here, I will not be shaken!

 

No wonder my glad heart rejoices,

for I rest in safety, knowing

You will not abandon my soul to death,

nor let Your Holy One decay in a grave.

 

You will show me The Way of Life in You,

granting me joy in Your presence

and the pleasure of living with You

forever.

 

 

from the Book of Bible Prayers

Mary Harwell Sayler 

Praying Through A Warning

 

Leviticus 26:14-20 – “If you turn away from Me and refuse to follow My instructions, expect terror to follow! All manner of ills will surround you, and all your hard work will come to nothing. The sky will be like iron against you and the soil like bronze, and the sources of your pride will be destroyed.”

 

Lord, this is not the kind of promise we want to hear! But thank You for letting us know what to expect. Thank You for reminding us that our choices and actions have consequences – as surely as when a child disobeys a parent or teacher, especially after being warned.

Heavenly Father, You have instructed us. You have warned us. If we start to turn from You – or if our friends, family, church, or country start to turn away – please coax us back before we go too far astray. Thank You, Lord.

 

 

Mary Harwell Sayler
from the book, Kneeling on the Promises of God 

 

Colossians 1:14-19 – a prayer of Paul

 

God, fill Your people

with the knowledge of Your will,

so we’ll have the spiritual wisdom

and understanding we need.

 

May we live lives worthy of You, Lord.

 

May we please You in every way:

bearing fruit in each good work,

growing in our knowledge of You,

being strengthened

through Your glorious might

with the power we need.

 

May we have the ability

to be patient and endure,

giving joyful thanks to You, Father,

for You have qualified us

to share in Your gifts

with all Your people

in Your kingdom of light,

for You have rescued us

from the clutches of darkness,

and You have brought us

into the kingdom of Your beloved Son

in Whom we have been redeemed –

in Whom we have been forgiven.

 

Mary Harwell Sayler

from the Book of Bible Prayers