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Household Prayers
Week of August 15, 2024
Household Prayer: Morning[1]
Lord God, my sun and shield, a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. Let the favor of your presence strengthen me and accompany me everywhere I go today. Prepare me to be a sanctuary, that your light and love may radiate through me. Through Christ my Lord. Amen.
Household Prayer: Evening
Lord God my strength, your Spirit never tires; your love never fails. I bring you my struggles, stresses, questions, and worries of this day. Where else can I go? You have the words of eternal life. Let your promises sustain my soul and comfort my heart as I rest in you, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
“Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name . . . and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you” (1 Kgs. 8:41–43). Are there people of other nationalities, ethnic groups, or faith traditions in your workplace, neighborhood, community, or congregation? What are some ways in which you and your congregation can express the welcome of God to those who are different from you?
Daily Awareness Reflection[2]
At the end of the day, I’ve been asking myself the following questions. I jot down the answers and ask them again the next evening. I’ve found it helps me to remain centered as well as increasing my awareness of God in my life. It takes about 10 minutes.
[1] The Morning & Evening Prayer and Question for Reflection are reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion. Copyright 2014.
[2] Elizabeth Liebert, The Soul of Discernment (Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 2015), 31.
Week of August 15, 2024
Household Prayer: Morning[1]
Lord God, my sun and shield, a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. Let the favor of your presence strengthen me and accompany me everywhere I go today. Prepare me to be a sanctuary, that your light and love may radiate through me. Through Christ my Lord. Amen.
Household Prayer: Evening
Lord God my strength, your Spirit never tires; your love never fails. I bring you my struggles, stresses, questions, and worries of this day. Where else can I go? You have the words of eternal life. Let your promises sustain my soul and comfort my heart as I rest in you, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
“Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name . . . and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you” (1 Kgs. 8:41–43). Are there people of other nationalities, ethnic groups, or faith traditions in your workplace, neighborhood, community, or congregation? What are some ways in which you and your congregation can express the welcome of God to those who are different from you?
Daily Awareness Reflection[2]
At the end of the day, I’ve been asking myself the following questions. I jot down the answers and ask them again the next evening. I’ve found it helps me to remain centered as well as increasing my awareness of God in my life. It takes about 10 minutes.
- Slow down. Stop. Prepare yourself to pray by becoming aware of the love with which God looks on you …
- Note the gifts God has given you today. Give thanks to God for them …
- Ask God that this be a time of special grace and revelation …
- With God, review the day. Look at the stirrings of your heart, your thoughts, and your choices as the day progressed. Which have been of God? Which have not? What does God want to say to you about both? …
- Ask for forgiveness for failures/omissions, for healing from their effects …
[1] The Morning & Evening Prayer and Question for Reflection are reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion. Copyright 2014.
[2] Elizabeth Liebert, The Soul of Discernment (Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 2015), 31.
Prayers reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from
Feasting on the Word ® Worship Companion. Copyright 2013.
Feasting on the Word ® Worship Companion. Copyright 2013.