The first “prayer before a sermon” I posted some time ago has become one of the most-read posts on this blog. IMO it’s a great prayer but not necessarily for contemporary worship use!
But because so many have checked it out, I wanted to post a prayer I *do* think is good for worship use. It’s one my pastor uses regularly. I know it pre-dates him, and I believe it is of British origin but I’m not certain. If any of my readers know who wrote it please post and tell me!
The prayer is:
“Now, O Lord, take my lips and speak through them;
Take our minds and think through them;
Take our hearts and set them on fire with love for Yourself, Lord Jesus. Amen.”
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Thank you! I so needed the wording for this prayer!
You are wonderful to post!
It’s one of my favorites — glad you can use it too!
this was good because I really needed a prayer and this one was perfect love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jones girl
Peg, I’ve always loved this prayer, too, and have just found it in what MAY be its source!!
In Prayers from the Book of Common Order (Copyright © Panel on Worship of the Church of Scotland) there is a “Prayer for Kindness” (see last 6 lines):
Lord Jesus Christ,
your kindly Spirit sets us free
from hastiness and angry tempers,
from harshness and ill-will.
Help us so to live
in the brightness of your presence,
that we may bring your sunshine
into cloudy places.
Take our hands and work with them;
take our lips and speak through them;
take our minds and think with them;
take our hearts and set them on fire
with love for you and all your people;
for your name’s sake. Amen.
It may be that the author borrowed the words from an even more ‘original’ source, but this puts them into lovely context! Thanks for posting…..
Janet – Thank you for sharing this! The Book of Common Order is a fairly old book, so it probably is the source. And the context is beautiful! I’m very glad to have it and look forward to using it.
It is so wonderful and effective. Thank you so much