pray kennbivins

16 weeks ago, I embarked on an idea that I could document excerpts from my daily prayers. This has been both challenging and amazing. I love the dialogue that has been initiated both online and offline. Sadly, I will not be able to consistently continue my intended 37-week run at this time. Personal and career obligations have thrown me so far behind on entries that I simply can’t keep up with the days.

But…

Please continue to follow my adventures and mishaps at musing.kennbivins.com.

Lord, thank you for giving me the ability to be able to succeed in failure. Thank you for all that have contributed to this blog and inspired thought. Thank you (even) for those who sent me hate mail because I chose declare to stand for something. Bless them all, Dad as I pray that they may know your loving grace as I continue to taste of it daily.

Amen.

Ask for a sense of what Hell is like so fear may keep you from sin — if you forget the Lord’s love. What is Hell like?

Lord, I don’t deny that there is a Hell for you’ve said so in your word.

but…

I have a problem with visualizing Hell as fiction and popular culture over the ages have dictated. I get a sense that Hell is a separation from you. Quite frankly, there are some occurances here on Earth that would easily rival the imagined accounts of Hell. The things that people have done to other people and the longevity of suffering in some areas of the world are far worse than what I draw from the meditation of St. Ignatius. Help me to see and learn more of you and may fear not be the catalyst to my relationship with you. Amen.

Go back over your life with Jesus. Ask him to let you know your sins, disorder, temptation. Ask him to help you get your life in order.

Lord, I am already pricked at the mere thought of asking you to draw all of my secrets and sin into the light that I might face them. I am already afraid at the silence that will avail your voice to me. I am already hemorrhaging tears at the reality that I have grieved your Spirit more time than my conscience can bear.

but…

I want to be in your favor… moreso. Help me, Father. Amen.

Go back over your life with Jesus. Ask him to let you know your sins, disorder, temptation. Ask him to help you get your life in order.

Jesus, I have been guilty of compartmentalizing. Put in a box and tuck it away. Feel nothing. Protect self. Move on.

The problem with this is I not only don’t learn from my mistakes - my pride grows. I’m never faced with my wrongs to repent. Jesus, you suffered for my sin. All of it. Show it to me that I might properly put it away. Forever.

Amen.

Go back over your life with Mary. Ask her to let you know your sins, disorder, temptation. Ask her to help you get your life in order.

Lord, I don’t hold to the Catholic tradition of praying to saints for direction. I come to you and ask that you put your finger on the things that you want me to change. Have mercy on me as you have always and save me from myself. Draw order into the chaos that my life is right now that is making these prayer blogs increasingly difficult to keep up. Amen.

In John 8:1-11 and Luke 7:36-50, you have Jesus forgiving. Put yourself in those scenes and tell Jesus your feelings.

Lord, I try not to be judgmental of others but I know I have a latent tendency to. As an example, I have been guilty of judging smokers, divorcees, and addicts. I am no different from them nor am I any better than them. We all have sin and blood on our hands. We all have struggles. That knowledge should draw compassion out of me when I look at others no matter what they have done or been victim to. Lord help me to respond more and more like Jesus did and would. Amen.

In Hebrews 7:25 it says Jesus is always praying for you. Show some gratitude.

Lord, thank you for interceding for me. These past few weeks have challenged my prayer time and my time with you. Thank you for speaking for me where I am not eloquent enough to. Amen.

In John 17:20, Jesus promises to pray for you. When has this been evident in your life?

The good days. The bad days when at the end, it’s not so bad. The lonely days where I’m reminded that I’m not alone. The thankful days when a whisper is so loud that I experienced that day because he prays for me. Amen.

Luke 22:32, Jesus to Peter: “I have prayed for you.” Jesus says and does the same for you. When was it?

Lord, there are times when I don’t know what to say before you.  I kneel to express thankfulness or to ask something of you and words just won’t come.  During those times when my heart and mouth can’t articulate, Jesus prays for me.   Thank you, Lord.  Amen.

Think of people who have prayed for you. Show your gratitude.

Lord, I can consider my mother prayed for me and solicited prayers for me when I was a child.  I can also consider people who I have asked to pray for me in different circumstances of my life.  And then I can consider the people who have watched me and/or listened to me and prayed for me  apart from my knowledge.  Lord, I thank you for all of these people and I ask that you touch them with your grace and mercy abundantly right now.  Amen.

Romans 8:14-39 tells you who God is and who God wants to be for you.

Lord, you say that nothing can separate me from you. Nothing. I dwell there for the rest of my days until I see you. Amen.

Read Isaiah 43:1. What you are in the sight of God is what you are, no more, no less. Can you rest in that?

Dad, I long to see myself (and others) daily through your eyes of unconditional love. I am still learning the freedom and rest in that fact. I rest there more today. Amen.

Psalm 32 is true. Is it about you?

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity, Lord. This past week I have been musing on my sin and your eternal forgiveness. It’s amazing to read one Psalm of David and how he is full of despair followed another where he is singing your praises due to the freedom of confession. Is this me? Yes, Lord. Amen.

Isaiah 59 is sobering. Reflect on it.

Lord, surely your arm is not too short to save us. This chapter is so negative in reality but you offer redemption at the same time. This chapter is our time now. How many hearts hate the mere mention of you, Lord. Your people are regarded as intolerant, hate mongers but it is those who accuse who are intolerant. And still you love them - us. Still your arm is not too short to save us. Thank you for your mercy. Amen.

Psalm 38 is sobering. Reflect on it.

Lord, “I confess my iniquity. I am troubled by my sin.” I can relate to the words of David. Obviously his heart is breaking because he has realized his sin fully. I know what it’s like to be there and feel so far from you that it must be what hell and separation from you is like. Have mercy on my, oh God. Amen.