The Many Faces of Prayer

Recently in Tucson, my friend Gail, who knows I collect hymn books and prayer books used by various faiths, gave me one I am most pleased to have in my collection.

The book is "Classic Christian Prayers" and is well worth the time to read.  Now, of course, you wonder, were these people just good with words or did they really come to God with their hearts open to Him and His Word in these beautiful ways.

Prayers in my life are highly personal and run the gamut of "Help me, Lord" to poems I have written just to share with Him.  Other's prayers often serve as inspiration for ways to address God.

The first one I want to share with you from the book is under the heading "Artists".  So for all of you who put pen or brush to paper, who do anything creative with your hands, or who spend time in thought, I offer this.

"O God, who by Thy Spirit in our hearts 

dost lead men to desire Your perfection, 

to seek for truths and 

to rejoice in beauty:  illuminate and inspire, 

we beseech Thee, 

all thinkers, writers, artists, and craftsmen; 

that, in whatsoever is true and pure and lovely, 

Thy name may be hallowed and 

Thy kingdom come on earth; 

through Jesus Christ Our Lord."

-prayer found in St. Anselm's Chapel, Canterbury

(painting done by Dee Frank, shown at a Seattle Art Show)

Have a great week.