best
loved
Prayers
& Words of Wisdom
Compiled by Martin H. Manser
Associate Editor: Nicola L. Bull
Contents
Introduction
Indexes
Author Index
Index of Bible References
Index of Titles and First Lines
Best-Loved Prayers and Words of Wisdom
Acknowledgements
Copyright
Introduction
We live in an age that demands quick fixes to problems and immediate answers to difficulties. Alongside such a desire for instant solutions to major issues, another, deeper, desire surfaces from time to time. Such a longing recognizes that at least some of our difficulties can be resolved by looking at lasting, time-honoured values of human experience and wisdom such as faith in God through Jesus Christ, the importance of prayer, love and service, strength of character, integrity, loyalty and humility.
As we explore for ourselves what generations before us have discovered as the qualities of being human, we realize afresh we are not alone but many before us have trodden a similar path. Our task then is to stop and listen, to follow in their footsteps, to move in the direction they point us to, to apply the principles that underpinned their lives to our own way of living.
>We have had in mind two kinds of readers as we have compiled this collection of readings, prayers and quotations. First, those planning a gathering such as a wedding or a funeral who are looking beyond mere quick ‘sound bites’ to more profound wisdom. Secondly, those who are seeking for deeper meaning and purpose in life or who want inspiration above the ordinary daily routine.
Each reading is given an introduction which sets its background or gives interesting or helpful information. All the readings are arranged in alphabetical order of title (ignoring ‘A’ or ‘The’ at the beginning of a title). For ease of reference there are also indexes to help you locate a particular reading.
The voices of the speakers and writers quoted in these pages echo to us through the ages to say, ‘There is more to life than your present experience.’ Our desire is that we will all not only stop and listen but also respond to the message given here so that we will find the refreshment, peace and light for our own journey that we can then pass on to others.
Martin H. Manser
Nicola L. Bull
Indexes
Author Index
| Aidan, St | St Aidan’s prayer |
| Andrew of Crete | Crying to God |
| Andrewes, Lancelot | Blessing and honour |
| Anonymous | Confession |
| All other love | |
| As the sun sets | |
| Belief in the unseen | |
| Dare to believe | |
| Dedicating all to God | |
| Food for all | |
| For the church | |
| Gathered in God’s granary | |
| God in all things | |
| Guard me | |
| Holy desire | |
| An island prayer | |
| Life be in my speech | |
| The Lord goes with you | |
| Love, and go on | |
| Loving Communion | |
| May God shield us | |
| Motorist’s prayer | |
| My colours | |
| The new year | |
| Prayer for mourners | |
| Protect our journey | |
| Risking love | |
| Solomon’s wisdom | |
| Time is precious | |
| Traditional Gaelic prayer | |
| Anselm, St | Have mercy on me |
| Aquinas, Thomas | Food for the faithful |
| Aristides | Epistle to Diognetus |
| Augustine of Hippo, St | Alleluia |
| An evening prayer | |
| What do I love? | |
| Baillie, John | Evening prayer |
| Barclay, William | Prayer for humility |
| Basil of Caesarea | Marks of a Christian |
| Bass, Dorothy C | Time as gift |
| Baxter, Richard | Daily seeking after God |
| Meek and lowly | |
| Beecher, Henry Ward | Steer by the Bible |
| Benedict of Nursia | The help of God |
| Bernard of Clairvaux | Like a reservoir |
| O little Bethlehem | |
| Betjeman, John | Take warning |
| Blake, William | The Lamb |
| Bonaventure | Journey into God |
| Bonhoeffer, Dietrich | Help me to pray |
| Thanking God | |
| Bright, William | Deliver us from cold hearts |
| Brontë, Anne | Last lines |
| Brooks, Phillips | Looking through the Bible |
| Browne, R E Charles | What is prayer? |
| Browning, Elizabeth Barrett | How do I love thee? |
| Bryan, William Jennings | Immortality |
| The miracle of the radish | |
| Bunyan, John | Pilgrim’s Progress |
| Who would true valour see | |
| Calvin, John | Obedience |
| Carey, William | Expect great things |
| Chadwick, Samuel | Prevailing prayer |
| Chambers, Oswald | Discipleship |
| Not to criticise | |
| Chesterton, G K | The donkey |
| Chrysostom, John | Richer than all men |
| Clare, John | Nature acknowledges God |
| Clement of Alexandria | Beauty |
| God’s first Bible | |
| Coleridge, Mary | Lord of the winds |
| Colonna, Vittoria | The Cross |
| Columba, St | Safe in God’s hand |
| Common Worship, 2000 | Gloria in Excelsis |
| Loving God above all things | |
| Counsell, Michael | Thank God |
| Cranmer, Thomas | Accept our sacrifice |
| Cropper, Margaret | Jesus’ hands |
| Croucher, Rowland | Go with the Lord |
| Cyprian | Encouraging words |
| Davenant, John | Justification of believers |
| de Blois, Louis | Self-will |
| de Foucauld, Charles | Abandonment to God |
| Dickens, Charles | At Christmas |
| Dimitrii of Rostov, St | Illumine our darkness |
| Dolben, Digby Mackworth | I asked for peace |
| Donne, John | Distractions |
| Keep us, Lord | |
| No man is an island | |
| Dostoevsky, Fyodor | Don’t be afraid |
| Doyle, Stephen | The end of a pilgrimage |
| Edwards, Jonathan | Signs of conversion |
| Elliot, Jim | A good exchange |
| Erasmus, Desiderius | The way, the truth and the life |
| Fee, Gordon | The gathered church |
| Fénelon, François | Dying daily |
| Spiritual trials | |
| Forsyth, P T | Problem solving |
| Fox, George | The bright morning star |
| Francis of Assisi, St | Canticle of the Sun |
| The prayer of St Francis | |
| Share the gospel | |
| Shout joyfully | |
| You are holy | |
| Gibran, Kahlil | Man’s purpose is to be happy |
| The nature of love | |
| Speak to us of prayer | |
| Gregory of Nyssa | Seeing God |
| Grellet, Stephen | Doing good today |
| Hale, Matthew | Observing the Lord’s Day |
| Henry, Matthew | Man’s equal |
| Seeing more of God | |
| Henson, Herbert Hensley | Christ’s ladder to heaven |
| Herbert, George | Love
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