Inside: These short petitions help us refocus when our strength falters or our hearts veer in anxious directions. ~
I don’t know about you, but my prayer life often benefits from petitions that originate with someone besides me.
This summer, two such prayers are helping to reorient me when my strength falters, my faith wavers or my heart veers in an anxious direction. They’re not complicated, but they are full of solid theological truth.
Daily Assistance
I came across the first one when I was reading through the book of Isaiah several months ago.
“O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.” (Isaiah 33:2)
As I offer up these words early in the morning, they affirm God’s kindness and consistent presence in my life. They also remind me not to be surprised when trouble comes and point me back to the true Source of my strength and salvation.
Peace of Soul
My blogger friend Michele Morin recently quoted the second petition in her Substack newsletter. I have since learned that these powerful words are part of a 19th-century Eastern Orthodox prayer known as the Morning Prayer of Metropolitan Philaret:
“Teach me to treat all that comes to me this day with peace of soul and with the firm conviction that your will governs all.”
Peace of soul, not fretful thoughts. God’s will, not mine.
Over and over again, this prayer settles my heart and refocuses my attitude. I hope it does the same for you today.
• • •
No Post Here Next Week
Next week, I’ll send out my subscriber-only, email newsletter, Courage, Dear Heart, which replaces my third blog post of each month. If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter yet, I’d love for you to do so here:
As my way of saying thanks, you’ll receive a free copy of my 7-day devotional, Faith, Fear, and the God Who Goes Before Us.
If you fill out the subscription form and don’t receive anything in your inbox, check your junk or spam folder for the confirmation email. And be sure to add the newsletter’s email address to your safe list so you don’t miss anything else.
♥ Lois
O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble. (Isaiah 33:2) Share on X Peace of soul, not fretful thoughts. God’s will, not mine. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with Senior Salon Pitstop, InstaEncouragements and Let’s Have Coffee.
12 comments
I love a good written prayer. It keeps my mind from wandering, keeps me focused, enlivens my spirit, puts me in the good company of other believers.
Thanks for this encouragement, dear friend. May God bless your week with His peaceful presence.
Linda, those are such good benefits of written prayer. I hope you are having a peace-filled week too! ❤️
Throughout the day, I talk to God in my own words like anyone else. But in my morning prayer time, I like to pray prayers I have made note of in Scripture. I’ve assembled a list of them over the years and sometimes rotate through them. I had missed that one in Isaiah! I have more trouble with distracting thoughts when I sit down to pray than at any other time. So having a little structure helps keep me focused. Plus I know I am praying Scripturally when I am praying God’s Word.
I know what you mean about distracting thoughts that impede our prayers, Barbara. Structure helps me stay focused too. And amen to praying God’s Word. So powerful.
Lovely thoughts, Lois! I find a brief prayer uttered quietly in a silent moment at the start of my day of true value. One of my favorites, “God I know you will be speaking to me today through events, people, things, and all creation. Give me ears, eyes, and a heart to perceive You, no matter how veiled your presence.” This reminds me God is over all, in all, and through all.
What a wonderful prayer for the start of each new day, Donna. Thanks so much for sharing it. The last line, especially, speaks to me today: “No matter how veiled your presence.” Such an important truth to remember. We may not see Him, but He’s always working. Hugs, friend.
Thank you for sharing with us at SSPS 419. See you soon, and do not miss checking what’s new tomorrow, July 16
I love the two quick prayers you quoted and will add that to my list.
I hope the prayers encourage your soul, Esme. I’m thankful for your linkup!
Beautiful prayers to lift the soul, Lois. Thank you for sharing them. You, too, Michele. Love and blessings for peace of soul resting in God’s will!
“Peace of soul resting in God’s will.” Such a comforting thought, Trudy. I hope you are resting well this summer, dear friend. ❤️
I so love that morning prayer. And I’ve been praying the evening prayer most nights after turning out my light. Maybe I suffer from a lack of creativity, but I find that borrowed words really help me to frame my own thoughts around what I NEED to be praying (rather than the chaos that sometimes bubbles to the surface). “Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord, and by thy great mercy, defend us from all the terrors and dangers of this night, for the love of your only son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Oh Michele. Thanks so much for sharing the evening prayer. I love it.