Evenings with Ann

Bible reading: Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV); Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Prayer: based on Teresa of Avila’s writings

Let nothing, O Lord, 

disturb the silence of this night. 

It is easy here by myself,                

wrapped around by your presence 

to promise you the world and my whole heart, 

but by tomorrow I may be a coward again, 

clutching desperately to the things 

that tonight have no importance.              

Take pity on me, 

even as I say my brave, generous prayers. 

Grant that I might accomplish, 

for your honour and glory, 

at least some of my dreams 

and overcome some of my cowardice.     

For deep within my heart and soul 

I desire only you, God.

References:

Chittester, J. 2009. The Breath of the Soul: Reflections on Prayer. The Columba Press: Dublin.

Kirvan, J (Ed.). 2008. Let Nothing Disturb You: Teresa of Avila, 30 days with a great spiritual teacher. Ave Maria Press: Notre Dame, Indianna.

Muggeridge, M. 1976. Something Beautiful for God. Fontana Books: London.

Reimer, R. 2005. River Dwellers: Living in the Fullness of the Spirit. Carpenter’s Son Publishing: Franklin, Tennessee.

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Ann Herbert
Sent: Monday, 21 June 2021 5:10 PM
 To: Dale Herbert
Subject: EWA S3.14 - Prayer is a Gift

Evenings with Ann 

Episode 14 – Prayer is a Gift

Description

The gift of prayer is being able to put your life into God’s hands, and trust the path that opens before you. When you meet God in prayer, it can change you. It brings you under Christ’s influence so he may think his thoughts in your mind and do his work through your hands.                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Full Description

Bible reading: Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV); Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Prayer: By Richard Chilson, based on Teresa of Avila’s writings

Let nothing, O Lord, 

disturb the silence of this night. 

It is easy here by myself,                

wrapped around by your presence 

to promise you the world and my whole heart, 

but by tomorrow I may be a coward again, 

clutching desperately to the things 

that tonight have no importance.              

Take pity on me, 

even as I say my brave, generous prayers. 

Grant that I might accomplish, 

for your honour and glory, 

at least some of my dreams 

and overcome some of my cowardice.     

For deep within my heart and soul 

I desire only you, God.

References:

Chilson, R. 2008. Let Nothing Disturb You: Teresa of Avila, 30 days with a great spiritual teacher, (J. Kirvan, Series Editor). Ave Maria Press: Notre Dame, Indianna 

Chittester, J. 2009. The Breath of the Soul: Reflections on Prayer. The Columba Press: Dublin.

Kirvan, J (Ed.). 2008. Let Nothing Disturb You: Teresa of Avila, 30 days with a great spiritual teacher. Ave Maria Press: Notre Dame, Indianna.

Muggeridge, M. 1976. Something Beautiful for God. Fontana Books: London.

Reimer, R. 2005. River Dwellers: Living in the Fullness of the Spirit. Carpenter’s Son Publishing: Franklin, Tennessee.

Bible reading: Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV); Psalm 91:3-6, 9-11, 15 (MSG)

References:

Hymn 433, The Baptist Hymn Book, 1978. Psalms and Hymns Trust: London.

Miller, C. 2008. The Path of Celtic Prayer: An ancient way to contemporary joy. The Bible Reading Fellowship: Abingdon.

Valters-Paintner, 2018. The Soul’s Slow Ripening: 12 Celtic practices seeking the sacred. Sorin Books: Notre Dame, Indiana.

Bible reading: Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)

Bible reading: John 17 (NIV)

Prayer of Affirmation, by Studdert Kennedy

In all these things we can be more than conquerors through Him Who loves us, because through prayer He can pour into us the gift of the splendid, [unbroken and unstained] spirit. And it does not end there, for having poured it into us, He can, through our prayers for others, pour it through us into them. The splendid spirit can run through the people who really pray, like a stream of living fire, out into the world of men and women who need just that, and only that, for with that comes all that’s best worth having in this world.

References: 

Kennedy, G.A.S. 1918. The Hardest Part. Hodder and Stoughton: London.

Bible readings: Deuteronomy 13 (NIV); James 5:16 (MSG)

References: 

Bonhoeffer, D. 1949. Life Together. SCM Press: London.

Chittester, J. 2009. The Breath of the Soul: Reflections on Prayer. The Columba Press: Dublin.

Claiborne, S., Wilson-Hartgrove, J., & Okoro, E.2010. Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals. Zondervan: Nashville.

Bible readings: Isaiah 61:1a, 3 (NIV); Psalm 34:1; Psalm 42:3-4b, 5, 11a (TPT)

Prayer: Psalm 42

Day and night,   my tears keep falling                                                                                                                       

and my heart keeps crying for your help, 

while my enemies mock me over and over, saying,             

“Where is this God of yours?        

Why doesn’t he help you?” 

So, I speak over my heartbroken soul, 

“Take courage. 

Remember when you used to be 

right out front    leading the procession of praise 

when the great crowd of worshipers 

gathered to go into the presence of the Lord? …                                  

So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? 

Why would you sink into despair? 

Just keep hoping and waiting on God your Saviour. 

For no matter what, I will still sing with praise,                    

for you are my saving grace! ….                                                                                                                                                                                                  

So, I say to my soul, 

“Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed.                                                           

For I know my God will break through for me.”

References: 

Law, T. 1985, The Power of Praise and Worship. Victory House Publishers: Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Bible readings: Luke 10:1-21 (NIV); Psalm 100:1-5 (NIV)

Prayer: Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.                                                                                    

Worship the Lord with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the Lord is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

and his courts [his presence] with [the password of] praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures for ever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Bible readings: Mark 12:30-31 (NIV and MSG); Matthew 5:8 (MSG); Isaiah 58:6-9 (MSG)

Prayer: Love Your Neighbour as You Love Yourself. Based on words by Terese D’Avila

Let nothing, O Lord, 

disturb the silence of this night. 

Let nothing make me afraid. 

Let me wake refreshed, 

ready to love and care for my neighbour                                                                                               

as you have loved and cared for me, 

and indeed, as I love and care for myself. 

For if I do not love others, 

I cannot fool myself into believing that I love you. 

I am, I know, as this day ends 

very far from such a love.

But hear my prayer. 

When I see others, let me see you. 

Let me show them 

the same reverence and respect that I would show you. 

And I will want for nothing.

References: 

Kirvan, J. (Ed.). 2008, Let Nothing Disturb You: Teresa of Avila, p. 30. Ave Maria Press: Notre Dame, Indiana. 

Muggeridge, M. 1971, Something Beautiful for God: Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Collins/Fontana Books: Middlesex.

Bible readings: Matthew 6:7-11, 25 (NIV); Matthew 6:30-34 (MSG); Matthew 7:7-11

Prayer: Jesus Lives. By David Adam

In light defeating darkness, 

In wisdom conquering foolishness, 

In trust overcoming fearfulness, 

Jesus lives.

In strength coming to weakness, 

In health rescuing from sickness, 

In hope saving from despair,       

Jesus lives.

In love victorious over hatred, 

In forgiveness dispelling anger, 

In glory dispersing drabness, 

Jesus lives.

In joy growing from sorrow, 

In life rising from death, 

In God giving the victory, 

Jesus lives.

He holds the keys of love, of peace 

He holds the keys of life, of death 

He holds the keys of heaven, of earth 

He holds the keys of now, and of eternity.

References: 

Adam, D. 1995, Tides and Seasons: Modern Prayers in the Celtic Tradition, Triangle: London.

Bible readings: Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV); Psalm 139 (TPT); Song of Songs 1:3, 4 and Song of Songs 2:10b, 14b (TPT)

References: 

Guyon, J. 2000, Experiencing the depths of Jesus Christ: The Autobiography of Madam Guyon. Thomas Nelson: Nashville.