***The Bible is filled with prayers from the saints of old. They are a model for us and at times help us pray to God when words our absent from our tongues. 

This is a Prayer of David adapted from the Message translation of 1 Chronicles 29:10–22 and Psalm 86

Blessed are you, God of Israel, our father from of old and forever. To you, O God, belong the greatness and the might, the glory, the victory, the majesty, the splendor; Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth; the kingdom all yours! You’ve raised yourself high over all. Riches and glory come from you, you’re ruler over all; You hold strength and power in the palm of your hand to build up and strengthen all. And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you, praising your splendid Name.

But God- who are we? We are just mortal man. Who are we that we should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we’re doing is giving back what we’ve been given from your generous hand. As far as you’re concerned, we’re homeless, shiftless wanderers like our ancestors, our lives mere shadows, hardly anything to us. God, our God, all these materials—these piles of stuff for building a house of worship for you, honoring your Holy Name—it all came from you! It was all yours in the first place! I know, dear God, that you care nothing for the surface—you want us, our true selves—and so I have given from the heart, honestly and happily. And now see all these people doing the same, giving freely, willingly—what a joy! O God, keep this generous spirit alive forever in these people always, keep their hearts set firmly in you. Give us Lord, an uncluttered and focused heart so that we can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel, and carry through with glorifying you in all things.

There’s no one quite like you among the gods, O Lord, there’s no one but you! Train us, God, to walk straight; so that we will follow your true path. Put us together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, we’ll worship in joyful fear. From the bottom of our heart we thank you, dear Lord; You’ve always been great toward us—what love! You, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit. So we ask that you show kindness, give us the strength to go on, save your dear, dear child! Make a show of how much you love us so the world will stand in awe of you, As you, God, gently and powerfully put us back on our feet.

Blessed are you O Lord, our God and Father. Together, in your name we pray.

Amen.