PRAYERS TO BEGIN WITH
Centering Prayer– The Sacred Enneagram by Chris Heuertz
- Sit in an upright posture that allows for an open heart. Place your hands on your lap.
- Gently close your eyes and bring to mind a word, image, or breath as your symbol to invite the presence and action of God within you. Your sacred symbol is intended to be the same every time you pray. It helps to ground you in the present. You may want to choose a name for God: Love, Peace, etc.
- With your eyes closed, silently recall your sacred symbol to begin your prayer. As you notice your thoughts, gently return to your sacred symbol. It’s not about “getting it right”; there’s no judgment in this practice.
- Do this for 10–15 minutes. When completed, transition slowly from your prayer practice into daily life.
The Examen – The Sacred Enneagram by Chris Heuertz
- Pray for enlightenment of God’s love and presence.
- Reflect and thank God for the gifts of and in your life.
- Survey the day for a consolation, a memory or experience in which you felt God moving toward you or in you. Let yourself be held by it and what God may be trying to say to you through it
- Survey the day for a desolation, a moment, attitude, or experience in our day in which we found ourselves moving away from God’s love. If it was an experience where you felt hurt, the person who hurt you isn’t the desolation, but the resentment we might feel toward that person, or our inability to receive God’s healing for it. Acknowledge it as an invitation to grace so as not to be overwhelmed or overcome by it.
- End with a hopeful resolution for the future, and a trust that there is resurrection after death.
The Welcoming Prayer – The Sacred Enneagram by Chris Heuertz
- Focus on, feel, and sink into the feelings, emotions, thoughts, and commentaries in your body. Find your tension and acknowledge it.
- Welcome God into the feelings, emotions, and thoughts. Pray with your bodily discomfort; ask what it is telling you about your fear or your sense of being out of control or your lack of trust or your anxiety.
- When the intensity of the bodily sensation or emotion beings to subside, let go by repeating the following sentences: I let go of the desire for security/affection/control. I let go of the desire to change this feeling/sensation. As you pray, recognize that God is with you.
PRAYERS THROUGHOUT HISTORY
Paraphrased from Prayer by Richard Foster
Dear Jesus,
I need to learn to pray, but when I am honest, I know there are many times I don’t want to. I’m either distracted, burdened, stubborn, or self-centered. In your mercy, Jesus, help me to learn to pray and for my desire to not be simply for what I want but for what you want.
Amen.
Clement of Rome
We ask you, Master, be our helper and defender. Rescue those of our number in distress; raise up the fallen; assist the needy; heal the sick; turn back those of your people who stray; feed the hungry; release our captives; revive the weak; encourage those who lose heart. Let all the nations realize that you are the only God, that Jesus Christ is your Child, and that we are your people and the sheep of your pasture
Isaac the Syrian
O mystery exalted beyond every word and beyond silence,
who became human in order to renew us by means of your voluntary union with the flesh,
reveal to me the path by which I may be raised up to your mysteries,
traveling along a course that is clear and tranquil,
free from the illusions of this world.
Gather my mind into the silence of prayer,
so that wandering thoughts may be silenced within me during that luminous converse of supplication and mystery-filled wonder.
Origen of Alexandria
Jesus, my feet are dirty. Come even as a slave to me, pour water into your bowl, come and wash my feet.
In asking such a thing I know I am overbold,
but I dread what was threatened when you said to me,
“If I do not wash your feet I have no fellowship with you.” Wash my feet then, because I long for your companionship.
An excerpt from St. Patrick’s Lorica
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 when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
Mary’s Magnificat
My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
or he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.
Simeon’s Song
Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.
Zechariah’s Song
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a horn[a] of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us—
to show mercy to our ancestors
and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.
A Blessing for Presence by John O’Donohue
May you awaken to the mystery of being here
And enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
May you respond to the call of your gift
And find the courage to follow its path.
May the flame of anger free you from falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and anxiety never linger about you.
May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift,
Woven around the heart of wonder.
The Art of Advent by Jane Williams
Lord Jesus Christ,
You lived and died as a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief:
Give us the Spirit of compassion for those who suffer
And the Spirit of courage to fight against injustice, for the glory of the Father.
Amen.
VARIOUS PRAYERS
Prayers Using the Names of God
Our Father who is in heaven Hallowed be Your name.
I bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless Your holy name I adore you and make known to you my adoration and love this day.
I bless Your name Elohim, the creator of Heaven and Earth, who was in the beginning. It is you who made me, and you are crowned me with Glory and Honor. You are the God of my strength. I bless Your name!
I bless Your name, Adonai, my Lord and my master. You are Jehovah - the completely self-existing one, always present, revealed and Jesus who is the same yesterday today and forever. I bless Your name!
I bless Your name, Jehovah-Jireh oh, the one who sees my needs and provides for them. I bless Your name!
I bless Your name, Jehovah-Rapha oh, my healer and the one who makes bitter experiences sweet. You sent Your word and healed me. You forgive all my sins and you healed all of my diseases. I bless Your name!
I bless Your name, Jehovah-M'kaddesh, the Lord my sanctifier. You have set me apart for Yourself. I bless Your name!
Jehovah-Nissi, you are my victory, my banner, and my standard. Your Banner Over Me Is Love. When the enemy comes in like a flood, you raise a standard against him. I bless Your name!
Jehovah-Shalom, I bless Your name. You are my peace - the peace that goes beyond all of my understanding, which guards my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. I bless Your name!
I bless you, Jehovah-Tsidkenu, my righteousness. Thank you for becoming sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I bless Your name!
Jehovah-Rohi, you are my shepherd and I shall not want for any good or beneficial thing. I bless Your name!
Hallelujah to Jehovah-Shammah who will never leave or forsake me. You are always there. I take comfort and am encouraged and confidently and boldly say, the Lord is my helper, I will not be seized with alarm - I will not fear or dread or be terrified. What can man do to me? I bless Your name!
I worship and adore you, El Elyon, the most high God who is the first cause of everything, the possessor of the heavens and earth. You are the Everlasting God, the great God, the Living God, the merciful god, the faithful God, the Mighty God. You are truth, justice, righteousness, and Perfection. You are El-Elyon - the highest Sovereign of the heavens and the Earth. I bless Your name!
Father, you have exalted Above All Else, Your name and Your word, and you have magnified Your word above all Your name! The word was made flesh, and dwelt Among Us, and his name is Jesus! I bless Your name!
Healing For Damaged Emotions
Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to you with a feeling of Shame and emotional hurt. I confess my sins to you. You are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. You are my Hiding Place and you, Lord, preserve me from trouble. You surround me with songs and shouts of Deliverance. I've chosen life and according to Your word you saw me while I was being formed in my mother's womb and on the authority of Your word I was wonderfully made. Now, I am Your handiwork, recreated in Christ Jesus.
Father, you have delivered me from the spirit of fear and I will not be ashamed. Neither will I be angry or depressed. You gave me Beauty for Ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the Garment of Praise for the spirit of heaviness that I might be a tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that you might be glorified. I speak out and songs, hymns, and spiritual songs, offering praise with my voice and making Melody with my heart to the Lord. Just as David did in 1st Samuel 30:6. I encourage myself in the Lord.
I believe in God who raised Jesus from the dead, who was betrayed and put to death because of my misdeeds and was raised to secure my freedom, freeing me from all guilt before god. Father, you anointed Jesus and sent him to bind up and heal my broken heart, and liberate me from the shame of my youth and the imperfections of my caretakers. In the name of Jesus, I choose to forgive all those who wronged me in any way. You will not leave me without support as I complete the Forgiveness process. I take comfort and I'm encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my helper I will not be seized with alarm what can man do to me?”
My spirit is the candle of the Lord searching all the innermost parts of my being and the Holy Spirit leads me into all truth. When reality exposes shame and emotional pain, I remembered that the sufferings of this present life are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to me and in me and for me and Given to me! The punishment needed to obtain my peace and well-being was Upon Jesus, and with the stripes that wounded him I am healed and made whole. As Your child, father, I have a joyful and confident hope of Eternal salvation. This hope will never disappoint, delude or shame me, for God's love has been poured out in my heart through the Holy Spirit who has been given to me.
Prayer for Victory over Depression
Father, you are my refuge and my high tower and my stronghold in times of trouble. I leaned on and confidently put my trust in you, for you've never left me. I seek You on the authority of Your word the right of my knees. I praise you, the help of my Countenance and my God.
Lord, you lift up those who are broken. Therefore, I'm strong and my heart takes courage. I established myself on righteousness - right standing in line with Your will. I am far even from the thought of Oppression or destruction, because I don't fear. I am far from Terror, because it will not come near me.
Father, you have thoughts and plans for my life and peace. My mind is stayed on you, because I stop allowing myself to be agitated and Disturbed and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.
Satan, I resist you and every oppressive spirit in the name of Jesus. I resist fear, discouragement, self-pity, and depression. I speak the word of truth, and the power of God, and I give you no place, Satan; I give no opportunity to you. I am delivered from oppression and depression by the blood of the Lamb.
Father, I thank you that I have been given a spirit of power and of love and of a calm and well-balanced mind. I have discipline and self-control. I have the mind of Christ and hold the thoughts, feelings, and purposes of his heart. I have a fresh mental and spiritual attitude, because I am constantly renewed in the spirit of my mind with Your word, father.
Therefore, I prepare and give strength to and cut through and make firm and straightened paths for my feet - Safe and up right and happy paths that go in the right direction. I arise from the depression and oppression in which circumstances have kept me. I Rise to New Life, I shine and I am radiant with the glory of the Lord.
Thank you, father, in Jesus name that I am set free from every evil work. I praise you that the joy of the Lord is my strength and Strong Tower!
Harmonious Marriage
Father, in the name of Jesus, it is written in Your Word that love is planted in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given to us. Because you are in us, we acknowledge that love reigns supreme. We believe that love is displayed in full expression in folding and knitting us together in truth, making us united for every good work to do Your will, working in us that which is pleasing in Your sight.
We live and conduct ourselves and our marriage honorably and becomingly. We esteem it as precious, worthy, and of great price. We commit ourselves to live in mutual harmony and accord with one another delighting in each other, being of the same mind and united in spirit.
Father, we believe and say that we are gentle, compassionate, courteous, tender-hearted, and humble minded. We seek peace, and it keeps our hearts in quietness and assurance. Because we follow after love and peace. We are heirs together in the grace of God by the work and power of Jesus.
Our marriage grows stronger day by day in the bond of unity and because it is founded on Your word and rooted and grounded in Your love. Father, we thank you for the performance of it, in Jesus name.
Prayer for Employment
Father, you are my source of Comfort, and encouragement. I am courageous and grow in strength.
My desire is to not live in debt so that I might be positioned to be generous with the resources You provide. My wages are not counted as a favor or a gift, but as an extension of the hard work I have performed in mind, body and spirit. I make it my ambition and endeavor to live humbly and peacefully, minding my own business, and work with my hands. I am correct and honorable and command the respect of the outside world, being self-supporting, dependent on no one and having nothing of need, because you, Father, supply everything I need to the fullest.
I work in quietness, earn my own food and other necessities. I am not weary of doing right and will continue in doing well without growing weak. I will learn to apply myself to Good Deeds - to honest labor and honorable employment - so that I am able to meet necessary demands whenever the occasion may require.
Father, you know the record of my works and what I am doing. You have set before me a door wide open, which no one is able to shut.
I will not fear or be dismayed, because you, father, strengthen me. You, father, help me in Jesus name, 4 in Jesus I have perfect peace and confidence and will be of good cheer, because Jesus overcame the world and deprived it of its power to harm me. I do not fret or have anxiety about anything. Father, guard my heart and mind.
I prize your wisdom, father, and acknowledge you. You direct my path and you promote me. Therefore, father oh, I increase in your wisdom and in stature and years, and in favor with you, father, and with man!
Prayer for Knowing God’s Will
Father, I thank you that you are instructing me in the way which I should go and that you are guiding me with your hand. I thank you for your guidance and leading concerning your will, your plan, and your purpose for my life. I do hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, for I know you and follow you. You lead me in the paths of righteousness for your name's sake.
Thank you father, that my path is growing brighter and brighter until it reaches the full light of day. As I follow you Lord, I believe my path is becoming clearer each day.
Thank you father, that Jesus was made unto me wisdom. Confusion is not a part of my life. I am not confused about your will for my life. I trust in you and do not lean on my own understanding. As I acknowledge you in all of my ways, you are directing my path. I believe that as I trust you completely, you will show me the path of life.
Prayer for Health and Healing
Father, in the name of Jesus, I confess your word concerning my healing. As I do this, I believe and say that your word will not return to you void, but will accomplish what it says it will. Therefore, I Believe In The Name of Jesus that I am healed, according to 1st Peter 2:24. it is written in your word that Jesus himself took on our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. Therefore with great boldness and confidence I say on the authority of that written word that I am redeemed from the curse of sickness, and I refuse to tolerate it's simple.
Satan, I speak to you in the name of Jesus and say that your principalities, Powers, your spirits who ruled the present darkness, and your spiritual wickedness in Heavenly places are bound from operating against me in any way. I am the property of almighty God, and I give you no place in me. I dwell in the secret place of the most high God. Bide, remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the almighty, whose power no foe can withstand.
Now father, because I reverence and worship you, I have the Assurance of your word that the angel of the Lord and camps around me and delivers me from every evil work. No evil will befall me, no plague or Calamity will come near me and my house. I confess the word of God as it abide in me and delivers to me a sound mind and wholeness in the body and spirit from the deepest parts of my nature in My Immortal Spirit even to the joint and Marrow of my bones. That word is medication and Life to my flesh for the law of the spirit of Life operates in me and makes me free from the law of sin and death.
I have on the whole armor of God, and the shield of Faith protect me from all the fiery darts of the wicked. Jesus is the high priest of My Confession and I hold fast to My Confession of faith in your word. I stand immovable and fixed in full assurance that I have help and healing now in the name of Jesus.
Praying for Our Children
Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray and confess your word over my children and surround them with my faith - faith in your word that you watch over it to performance! I confess and believe that my children are Disciples of Christ taught of the Lord and obedient to your will. My children will have great peace and undisturbed composure because of you God, and because you fight against that which fights with my children, and you give them safety and ease them.
Father, you will perfect that which concerns me. I commit and cast the care of my children once and for all over on you, Father. They are in your hands, and I am positively persuaded that you are able to guard and keep that which I have committed to you. You are more than enough!
I Confess that my children obey their parents in the Lord as his Representatives, because this is just and right. My children will honor, esteem, and value their parents as precious; because this is the first commandment with a promise: that all may be well with my children and that they may live long on Earth. I believe and confess that my children choose life and love you, Lord, obey your voice, and cling to you; you are their life and the length of their days. Therefore my children are the head and not the tail, and will be above only and not beneath. They are blessed when they come in and when they go out.
I believe in confess that you give your angels charge over my children to accompany and defend and preserve them and all their ways. You Lord, are there refuge and Fortress. You are their glory and the lifter of their heads.
As parents, we will not provoke, irritate, or fret our children. We will not be hard on them or harass them, or cause them to become discouraged, Sullen, depressed, or feel inferior and frustrated. We will not break or wound their spirits, but I will rear them tenderly in the training, discipline, counsel, and admonition of the Lord. I will train them in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it.
O Lord my God, how excellent Lord my God, how excellent is your name in all the Earth! You have set your glory on or above the heavens. Out of the mouth babes and infants you have established strength because of your foes, that you might silence the enemy and the Avenger. I sing praises to your name, O most high. The enemy is turned back from my children in the name of Jesus! They increase in wisdom and in favor with God and man.