Prayers From Anthony

  • Jesus, you said: “If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices . . .” [Matt 18:10] And: “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” [Luke 5:32] Lord, I admit that deep inside I sometimes feel lost, and that I have fallen short of becoming the person I want to be. Its good to know that’s okay. Come find me again. Put me back on the right path. If I feel self-confident, let it only be because I know you will always love me. If I think myself wise, let it be because the voice of your Holy Spirit is whispering in my ear. If I consider myself good, don't let me forget it is only because you gave your life for mine.

  • Start each day with prayer

    The Dawn proclaims your majesty Lord.

    It displays your mercy as we are given another chance to start anew.

    It manifests your love and provision for all humankind.

    Let me start this day with a right heart.

    My first purpose today is to do your will – to love and honor you, and to love my sisters and brothers.

    I call to mind all I have to be thankful for. Above all, that you have purchased for me, at great price, a clean soul.

    I accept this gift by putting all my prior mistakes and transgressions behind me.

    I will forgive as I have been forgiven.

    Open my eyes to the opportunities you put in my path today to share your love and mercy.

    Provide for me and my family today Lord, and protect us from evil.

    Now let your new day begin

  • Lord, let my eye be the lamp of my body, filling it with light. Help me close my eyes to the dark things that only fill me with fear, anger, lust and greed. Open my eyes to your holy Word, your beautiful creation, your constant loving-kindness in my earthly life, and your promise I will one day be with you – the light that fills me with peace, mercy, faith and love. Let your Holy light illuminate every part of my soul, and leave no part in shadow.

    Taken from Luke 11:34-36

  • Let my heart seek you Lord. Let me see your creative hand in all nature, in the plants and animals, the sunrise, the Milky Way. Let me see your control over my destiny in all my daily ups and downs. Let me see your spirit in all people. You made each of us with equal perfection according to your will, and only you can rightly judge who is pleasing in your eyes. Let me feel your presence around me and in me whenever I make a decision, so that I can remember Jesus: “I only serve one master – you.” Let me find peace in your shadow whenever I feel lonely, anxious or depressed, and remember that none of these emotions make any sense so long as you are smiling upon me.

    Inspired by Psalm 19

  • We live in a world that does not fear God, surrounded by a proud people who mock him, as though they are not subject to stand before him in judgement one day. And I know, in this life, I have been condemned justly. I am a sinner and every bad thing that has happened to me on earth is no worse than I deserve. But even as I hang here dying, I choose the one path that can save me – I recognize Jesus. He is beside me and I beg him, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he replies, “Amen I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

    The Prayer of the Thief on the Cross - Luke 23:41-44

  • Lord, let me be one of whom you say: “Much was forgiven because he loved much.” I’m a wretched man Lord, as you well know, but I love you. I contemplate your mercy in the dark watches of the night, and I delight in your handiwork surrounding me each day. Behind you, I would weep Lord – I would wash your feet with my tears and dry them with my hair. I would kiss your feet and pour perfume on them. And you would not despise my repentant and humble heart. You would turn to me and say “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; be at peace.”

    Taken from Luke 7:36-50

  • O Lord, be my shepherd. Free me from want and worry. Lead me back to your garden, let me find rest there in the meadow, and peace beside its tranquil waters. Heal my errant soul. Make me righteous in your sight through the blood of your Son, for the glory of the Father. When I find myself surrounded by evil, when it seems my very life is imperiled, fill me with courage because you, the Almighty, are my protector! In dire calamity, do not forsake me, but acknowledge me before all, as you would your son, and pour down your blessing on me. Grant me your loving-kindness and mercy, and gather me into your holy presence for all eternity.

    A New Testament version of Psalm 23

  • “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Jesus. Lord, help me seek the place my heart finds peace, and know real treasure when I find it. For my greatest treasure is your love. Let my heart dwell with you always, in happy times and sad. Soften my heart towards my brethren, let me treasure sharing your love with them. Grant me happiness in serving my brothers and sisters with all my heart, by your example.

    Taken from Matthew 6:21

  • Jesus came to die for our sins. But Christmas reminds us that he had to be born first. While we were (and still are) all sinners, God loved us so much that sent his only Son down from heaven to be born and live among us, in order to save us.  Jesus was born into chaos, swaddled in an animal’s food trough. His family immediately had to flee to a distant land as the tyrannical governor of his homeland sought to kill him. That’s how much God loves us, and how important it was to him to be born fully into the danger and insecurity of the human experience. Thank you God for sending your very heart and soul down into our squalor to lift us out. Your birth here 2000 years ago is one of the two greatest signs of hope in all history. May your name be glorified forever.

    A Christmas Prayer 2023

  • While I read from John, I imagined myself in Lazarus’ place: “Where have you laid Anthony?” Jesus asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. So they took away the stone. Jesus called in a loud voice, “Anthony come out!” And I came out, my hands and feet still wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around my face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Then Jesus said to me, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now abide in my love.“ Thank you Jesus for resurrecting me when I was dead in my sins. Thanks for setting me free and loving me with eternal unconditional love. The only thing you commanded me to do is to abide in your love – to stay by your side. Lord, I will stay.

  • Jesus, even though I’ve been born again through my faith in you, I sometimes feel like I haven’t really changed. I still get mad at people, I’m unkind at times. I’m not always faithful in my thoughts. It makes me ashamed of myself. You say I’m clean, but I don’t always feel that way. Lord, grant me this wisdom: to see myself as you do. For who is the truer judge? Grant me to know, deep in my bones, that I am free from sin. I don’t have to be in denial, because your titanic sacrifice is overwhelmingly sufficient to cover any mistake I could ever make. Grant me to know that my new life in you is eternal, and that nothing that happens to me, whether it seems good or bad, is random. Everything happens according to your will along the path you predestined for me long before I was conceived. Finally, grant me to know that through your blood, I am worthy, so worthy – that you will lift me up and seat me at your table to receive the greatest honor – which even the angels envy – to be called a child of the Most High.

    The prayer of a wretched man.

  • “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” I live in a nice neighborhood. I would rather that beggars, refugees, homeless people and criminals are kept away. But Jesus, you were a refugee. You were homeless. You were treated as though you were a criminal. I’m afraid to ask you to put me in the path of these people. To be honest, I’m scared of them, and not sure how to help them. But I serve you. Send them my way as you see fit, and help me see your face in theirs whenever I encounter them. Count me among your sheep on your right hand, to whom you say: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the World.”

    Taken from Matthew 25: 33-40.

  • Lord, you are the one that comforts. Don’t leave us living in fear of mortal enemies while forgetting that our Creator stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the Earth. Free us from terror of those bent on our destruction, for their wrath is nothing compared to your safekeeping. What can they do to hurt the children of the Most High? Even if they threw us all in prison to die, we would soon be set free, for our protector is He who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar. “The Lord Almighty” is his name! Put your words in our mouths and cover us with the shadow of your hand. Look down on us with favor and call us your people.

    A prayer taken from Isaiah 51:12-16.

  • Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, who art my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You will not despise.

    From Psalm 51

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