The other day, we had some people over talking about the problem of unanswered prayer. I prepared a short handout ahead of time that included (perhaps ironically) several prayers from sources of various eras. Here they are…
“O gracious and holy Father,
give us wisdom to perceive Thee,
intelligence to understand Thee,
diligence to seek Thee,
patience to wait for Thee,
eyes to behold Thee,
a heart to meditate upon Thee,
and a life to proclaim Thee;
through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord.”
– Benedict of Nursia
“Teach me, O God,
so to use all the circumstances of my life today
that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness
rather than the fruits of sin.
Let me use disappointment as material for patience.
Let me use success as material for thankfulness.
Let me use trouble as material for perseverance.
Let me use danger as material for courage.
Let me use reproach as material for long suffering.
Let me use praise as material for humility.
Let me use pleasures as material for temperance.
Let me use pain as material for endurance.”
– John Baillie
“…And thank You for the things You never gave to me.
When I wanted less than what You had in mind,
when I wanted more than I could handle at the time,
when I needed You, but turned away,
You wouldn’t let me slip out of Your hand…”
– David Meece
4th Point 