New Testament
The Body of Christ
the gift of peace
O Christ, whose body was broken for the peace of the world, give
your patient and compassionate Spirit
to all who pray and work for peace;
and the courage to reject
all symbols and semblances of power
in the pursuit of unity and reconciliation,
following in the way of your own suffering and weakness. Amen.
sublime unity
O God our Father,
good beyond and that is good,
fair beyond all that is fair
in whom is calmness and peace:
Heal the dissensions which divide us from one another,
and bring us back into a unity of love,
which may bear some likeness to your sublime nature.
Grant that we may be spiritually one,
as well in ourselves as in each other,
through that peace of yours that makes all things peaceful,
and through the grace, mercy and tenderness of your only Son.
Amen.
Falling in Love with God
God, your love is amazing.
Thank you for showing to me….the many facets of your love for me.
Thank you for showing to me….the many facets of your love for me.
You knew me and loved me before I was even born.
You loved me from the moment of my first breath.
You loved me in my sin.
You loved me and gave your Son for me.
You loved me in Christ.
You loved me in all my waywardness.
You loved me in all my clumsy attempts to please you.
You loved me like a rock.
You loved me steadfastly.
You loved me like a lion, calling me back to your side.
You love me still.
You will love me ever.
Thank you for your unfathomable love,
from before the foundation of the world until now.
Teach me to love you more truly.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Inviting the Trinity
Father, grant that I may always turn to you in prayer for every need –
for my needs,
for the needs of your Church, and
for the needs of your world.
Jesus, grant I may always meditate on your love –
manifest within my heart,
manifest in your Church, and
manifest throughout your world.
Spirit, grant that I may always be a channel of your grace –
grace within my own thoughts and emotions,
grace within your Church, and
grace within your world.
Holy Trinity, grant that I may glorify you in all my actions –
privately in my home, and
publicly in your Church and your world.
An interceding heart
My heart and my soul,
my arms and pockets are filled
with the people I pray for, Lord…
You know who they are and what they need
and don’t need me
to speak their names…
But something’s sacred
in saying aloud the names of those
who’ve asked for my prayers…
Something’s holy
in whispering to you
what they once whispered to me…
And something’s graced
in simply remembering
the prayer I saw in their eyes…
My heart and my soul,
my arms and pockets are filled
with the people I pray for, Lord…
Hear every prayer I whisper
for all of those who’ve asked me
to mention their names to you…
Amen.
Freedom through Grace
God, you know our hearts,
and you see our temptations and struggles.
Have pity on us and deliver us from the sins
which make war upon our souls.
You are all-powerful,
and we are weak and erring.
Faithful God, our trust is in you.
Deliver us from the bondage of evil,
and grant that we may from now on
be your devoted servants,
serving you in the freedoms of holy love,
for Jesus Christ’s sake.
Eugene Bersier, 1831-1889. Swiss Reformed pastor
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Christian Prayers & Devotions
prayer & verse 
