pastor || writer || speaker
The feast day of your birth resembles You, Lord, Because it brings joy to all humanity. Old people and infants alike enjoy your day. Your day is celebrated from generation to generation. Kings and emperors may pass away, And the festivals to commemorate them soon lapse. But your festival will be remembered until the end …
Continue reading "An Advent Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian"
Jesu, the Father's only Son, whose death for all redemption won, before the worlds, of God most high, begotten all ineffably. The Father's Light and Splendor Thou their endless Hope to Thee that bow: accept the prayers and praise today that through the world Thy servants pay. Salvation's author, call to mind how, taking the …
Continue reading "A Hymn Prayer to Christ from the 6th Century"
Let Your goodness, Lord, appear to us, that we, made in your image, conform ourselves to it. In our own strength we cannot imitate Your majesty, power, and wonder, nor is it fitting for us to try. But Your mercy reaches from the heavens through the clouds to the earth below. You have come to …
Continue reading "An Advent Prayer of St. Bernard of Clairvaux"
God, if this day my journey end, I thank You first for many a friend, The sturdy and unquestioned piers That run beneath my bridge of years. Next, for the power You’ve given me To view the whole world mirthfully, For laughter, paraclete of pain, Like April suns across the rain. Also that, being not …
Continue reading "Hymn in Contemplation of Sudden Death by Dorothy Sayers"
Today we have more than enough activity but less than enough praying in the church today. Today we have more than enough hearts distracted by many things and less than enough hearts that live with the solitary focus of approaching God in prayer. I do not say this to make us feel guilty, but to …
Matthew Erickson 