This is a beautiful song that is part of my evening ritual when I say good night to my daughter. If you’re looking for a version of the whole song, Sara Groves has a good one.

I find this first verse especially to be an excellent prayer of trust and humility. When things are going well, we feel secure, but we see the truth of our helplessness and need for God when “other helpers fail and comforts flee.” May God give you grace to trust him in prosperity and adversity, and to rejoice in his tender care.

Transcript:

Abide with me

Fast falls the eventide

The darkness deepens

Lord with me abide

When other helpers fail

And comforts flee

Help of the helpless

Abide with me

This is inspired by Galatians 5:6. Here it is with verses 4-5 as well for context:

“You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:4-6‬ ‭NIV

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Transcript:

Come, Holy Spirit.

Your servant, Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, says, that the only thing that counts. is faith expressing itself through love. I lift up to you my desire for that kind of faith.

By your grace. Fill me with that kind of faith. Help me to grow in trust. of you. Expectation of your goodness. help me to see the truth in the goodness. of your word and your ways. And I ask that you'd remove any obstacle. in the way of that faith, expressing itself in love.

Help me to become aware of anything in me That is preventing that faith. from expressing itself in love. And by your grace, help me to let go. Help me to let go of those things. So that the pathway may be clear. for full expression of love. Amen.

This was inspired by a line from a Björk song. The song is “it’s not up to you” and the line is “I can decide what I give, but it’s not up to me what I get given.”

I think it’s a profound insight into our powerlessness over what God or others will give us. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but rather showing that surrender and acceptance is the path to peace, and that our generosity ought to flow freely and from love and not as an attempt to manipulate.

Here’s the transcript:

Come, Holy Spirit.

As I think about today and the things that I may or may not receive from you or other people. and the ways that I want to be treated, that I may or may not happen. I ask your grace to let go of. Knowing in advance, whether they will or will not.

Help me to let go of. Specific things happening, specific ways. Help me to not try to control it or. Use force or manipulation to try to ensure a certain outcome. I want to release all that. and accept that it's not up to me what I get given.

I do ask that you would kindle in me generosity. and delight and the freedom that you have given me. that I do get to choose what I give.

I get to choose what I give to you. my prayers, my time, my attention, my worship. And I get to choose what I give to other people. Help me to see that as a precious gift from you, that freedom.

And I ask that you would fill me the spirit of generosity. so I might delight. in scattering my gifts. far and wide. Amen.

Prayer for yielding today to God

Come, Holy Spirit.

Help me to let go of my plans for today. Help me to let go of my narrow understanding of what it would look like for today to go well. Help me to let go of any a mindset that we try to force certain outcomes.

I ask for the grace of faith and hope. That.... The joy of today is far deeper than any specific good thing or pleasure that could happen in my life. But that you. are weaving today. Into your plan. for the renewal of all things. And you are.. shepherding all of history toward a joy. that is deeper than we can imagine.

I ask for faith and hope in those things. That is able to somehow.. find joy in the anticipation and peace and the trust. that everything that you do is guided by love and wisdom.

And that I am one person among many who is a beneficiary. I am a beneficiary of. your love, that is just the way you are. You are so generous and kind. and inclusive. Amen.

This prayer was inspired by this line in a song called “At Your Mercy” by Jess Ray:

“What will win in the end: love or questions?”

It’s a good question, and this prayer is an expression of desire that, although questions matter and are worthwhile, love is supremely valuable and is what my heart longs for most.

Prayer for awareness and strengthening of weakness (Ignatius rule 14)

Prayer for honest and healthy confiding (Ignatius rule 13)

Prayer for immediate resistance of temptation (Ignatius rule 12)

Prayer for maturity in consolation and desolation (Ignatius rule 11)

Prayer for preparing for desolation (Ignatius rule 10)