Painting of two fishermen by Thomas Doughty

Two Fishermen, Thomas Doughty, 1828

Prayers

A collection of prayers I’ve written for personal devotion and public worship

Painting of two fishermen by Thomas Doughty

Two Fishermen, Thomas Doughty, 1828

Balboa Park Conservatory in San Diego, California

For the Sake of the World

A pastoral prayer: “Our God and Father, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we lift up hearts filled with gratitude to you.”

photo of a man's face obscured by shadows

Even the Darkness Isn’t Dark to You

A prayer based on Psalm 139:11–12 for those who feel alone in the darkness. "Lord God, heavenly Father, I no longer can see your radiant face. The darkness threatens to overwhelm me. I fear it will crush me under its weight. But you see me; you are with me, even in this dark pit."

A 1929 landscape painting by William Henry Holmes

A Community of Praise

A pastoral prayer. “Our gracious God and Father in heaven, we thank you for sending your Son to us. We thank you for showing us who you are in Jesus: a God of stunning glory and grace…”

A 1923 painting of Christ and Nicodemus on a rooftop by Henry Ossswa Tanner

Bowed Down With Guilt

A prayer based on Psalm 39. “Lord God, heavenly Father, our sins are piled up higher than the tops of our heads. They are too heavy for us to bear…”

A painting by Austrian landscape painter Hugo Darnaut titled Spring

We Don’t Last Long

A prayer based on Psalm 49. “Lord God, heavenly Father, you who are the source of all true wisdom, guard us from the folly of thinking we will live forever…”

Photo of a bowl of fresh strawberries

Thank You For Unnecessary Goodness

A pastoral prayer delivered on June 30, 2024, at Grace Bible Church in Escondido, California. “Our God and Father, we bow in your presence this morning. You are the almighty Creator of heaven and earth. We join our voices with the choir of creation to rejoice in your glory and goodness…”

Abstract painting using shades of blue, orange, and white

Merciful and Mighty

A pastoral prayer. “Our God, we praise your holy name this morning. You are merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity. We join our voices with the angels in heaven and all your people throughout the world, to declare that there is no one like you, perfect in power, love, and purity.”

close up of an ocean wave

Your Name Is Steadfast and Faithful

A collect based on Psalm 9. "Our gracious God and Father in heaven, your name is Steadfast and Faithful. We are weak. We are lonely. Our friends have rejected us. Our enemies attack us with words sharp as swords. But you, O God…"

mountain range under clear blue sky

Taking Our Place in the Cosmic Choir

A collect based on Psalm 150. "O Lord, you whose greatness surpasses our wildest imaginations, thrill us with your majesty, goodness, and grace so that we might take our place in the cosmic choir…"

photo of Crested Butte

How You Have Loved Us!

“Loving Father, how you have loved us! You did not spare your beloved Son but delivered him up for us all. He left the glories of heaven for the brokenness of this world. He who was King became a servant to sinners. He who is Life gave himself over to Death for our sake, because of your great love for us….”

purple and maroon abstract painting photo

Grant Us Grace To Walk in Your Ways

A collect based on Psalm 112. "Our Lord and our God, you whose Word is light and life, grant us grace to walk in your ways, so that we may embody your grace, mercy, and justice…"