God hears our cries and joins us in weeping. Join the Psalmist in lifting up your cries in Psalm 6.

Psalm 6

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?

Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love.
Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
    Who praises you from the grave?

I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with weeping
    and drench my couch with tears.
My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
    they fail because of all my foes.

Away from me, all you who do evil,
    for the Lord has heard my weeping.
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;
    the Lord accepts my prayer.
All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;
    they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

(New International Version)

Hate silence? So do I. In this episode, Carolyn introduces a Prayer for Quiet Confidence. She shares her experience struggling to discern God’s will and discusses how she built a stronger relationship with the divine by quieting her self-doubt, leaning into silence, and taking positive action.

A Prayer for Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray you, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(The Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer, page 832)

Feeling lost? In this episode, Carolyn introduces a Prayer for Guidance. Learn about God’s faithfulness even in the darkest times and practice asking God for help in figuring out what steps come next.

A Prayer for Guidance

(traditional)

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldst have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(contemporary)

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in you straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(The Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer, page 832)

It’s okay to not be okay. In this episode, Carolyn features Ecclesiastes 3 and speaks about healing and hope when we’re struggling in our faith.

Take-aways:

A dear friend requested that we feature this prayer – is there a prayer or a spiritual text that is important to you? Let us know and we can feature your prayer in our next episode!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

Amen.

(English Standard Version)

Going through a dry season in your faith? In this episode, Carolyn introduces our new series, “Prayers from the Depths” – words for the times when you don’t feel like God is listening.

Psalm 4

Answer me when I call to you,

How long will you people turn my glory into shame?

Tremble and do not sin;

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”

In peace I will lie down and sleep,

(New International Version)

In this episode, Carolyn discusses the life and legacy of St. Francis of Assisi and introduces a prayer that calls us to make the world just a little bit better.

A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

(The Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer, page 833)

In this episode, Carolyn discusses the Serenity Prayer, the Christian origins of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the difference between wounds that need to heal and the work we are called to do.

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

Trouble falling asleep? In this episode, Carolyn introduces her favorite Evening Prayer, the Song of Simeon, and unpacks our desire to know that God has a plan for us.

The Song of Simeon

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake

Lord, you now have set your servant free

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,

A Light to enlighten the nations,

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake

(based on the Gospel according to Luke, 2:29-32, found in the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer, 134-135)

In this episode, Carolyn introduces the ancient tradition of the “divine offices” and discusses her experience praying into the void. Don’t forget: “God made you. God loves you. God keeps you.”

A Morning Prayer:

Open my lips, O Lord,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Give me the joy of your saving help again
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

(from Psalm 51, the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer, 137)

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. And the God of peace will be with you.

(Philippians 4:5-9, NIV, adapted)