Prayer of The Day
Prayers in Culture and Music
They say that love can heal the broken;
They say that hope can make you see;
They say that faith can find a Saviour;
If you would follow and believe
With faith like a child.
- "Like A Child" - Jars of Clay
The spirit in me greets the spirit in you.
I bow to the Divine in you;
I honor the place in you that is
Of love, truth and light.
And when you are in that place in you
And I am in that place in me,
We Are One.
- Ancient Sanskrit Greeting
Climb ev'ry mountain, search high and low
Follow ev'ry byway, ev'ry path you know.
Climb ev'ry mountain, ford ev'ry stream,
Follow ev'ry rainbow, til you find your dream!
A dream that will need all the love you can give,
Ev'ry day of your life for as long as you live.
Climb ev'ry mountain, ford ev'ry stream,
Follow ev'ry rainbow til you find your dream!
- Rodgers and Hammerstein
Dream a dream
Of a new tomorrow
When the people learn to
Love their fellow man.
Dare to hope
For a peaceful morning
When we've learned to walk
Together hand in hand.
If we all
Will dare to dream dreams
Of a new and brighter day.
If we work
To make them come true
We will surely
Find a way.
Dream a dream
Of the world we long to see.
Dare to hope
For the day when men are free.
Maybe someday we can see our dreams come true.
- "Dream A Dream" - Words and Music by Ed Robertson
The shining earth with its circling waters;
In splendor established the sun and moon
As lights to illuminate the land of men;
Fairly adorning the fields of earth
With leaves and branches; creating life
In every creature that breathes and moves.
- From "Beowulf," Author Unknown, Translated by Charles W. Kennedy
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.
- Adapted from Gaelic Runes
Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me,
It could be anything.
I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished for one more day with you.
One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again,
I know what it would do:
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you.
First thing I'd do is pray for time to crawl.
Then I'd unplug the telephone
And keep the TV off.
I'd hold you every second.
Say a million I Love You's.
That's what I'd do with one more day with you.
"One More Day" by Diamond Rio
Love is the one business in which
it pays to be an absolute spendthrift:
give it away;
throw it away;
splash it over;
empty your pockets
shake the basket
and tomorrow you'll have even more than ever.
- From "God's Little Instruction Book for New Believers"
Do you feel you've been disowned
Left outside in the cold
And without a home?
Do you think that no one cares
That you're lost an alone
And without a prayer?
Don't give in to the lie
That there's no one you can turn to
Don't lose heart, there is hope
There is someone who will never desert you
If this world is a lonely place for you
Fall into the arms of love
If this world is a lonely place for you
There's a God who you can trust
Who'll comfort you and live you up
Are you looking for a friend
Who will stand by your side
To the very end?
Someone who is always true
To his word, be assured
He won't turn from you
Put your faith in the One
Who will never let you down
He has proven His love
Open up to all He has for you now
He hears your cry, He sees your tears
He knows your pain and all your fears
He waits for you with open arms
He longs to live inside your heart
You'll never be alone again
- "If This World", Jaci Velasquez
Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord be with you, serene Virgin.
Hail to you whose conception,
with solemn rejoicing,
fills heaven and earth
with new joy.
Hail to you whose birth
Was to be our solemnity,
As the rising morning star
Anticipates the true sun.
Hail pious humility,
Fruitful without man,
Whose annunciation
Was to be our salvation
Hail shining example
Of all angelic virtues,
Whose assumption
Was to be our glorification.
O Mother of God,
Be mindful of me. Amen.
- From "Ave Maria" by Josquin Desprez
Latin Version
As a child I walked
with noisy fingers
along the hemline
of so many meadows
back home
Green fabric
stretched out
shy earth
shock of sky
I'd sit on logs like pulpits
listen to the sermon
of sparrows
and find god in Simplicity,
there amongst the dandelion
and thorn
- "As A Child I Walked" by Jewel Kilcher
Think of what you're saying.
You can get it wrong and
still you think that it's alright.
Think of what I'm saying,
We can work it out and get it straight,
or say good night.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.
Life is very short, and there's no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend.
I have always thought that it's a crime,
So I will ask you once again.
Try to see it my way,
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.
- From "We Can Work It Out" by The Beatles
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the World -
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the World.
- Traditional Song
You are the One; there's no one else
Who lifts me up
And gives me water from the well
But there's a hole
That seems to drain it all away
And once again I'm left in fear and doubt
When all my strength is crying out
So here I am again
Willing to be opened up and
broken like a flower in the rain
Tell me what have I to do
To die and then be raised
To reach beyond the pain
Like a flower in the rain
The evil wind, it blows a storm
To rock my world
Just when I think I'm safe and warm
I'm led astray far too easily
It's always hard for me to say I'm wrong
Until I know I can't go on
So here I am again
Willing to be opened up and
broken like a flower in the rain
Tell me what have I to do
To die and then be raised
To reach beyond the pain
Like a flower in the rain
- From "Flower in the Rain" by Jaci Velasquez
I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
- From Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech.
Full version
Some kids have and some kids don't
And some of us are wondering why.
Mom won't watch the news at night
There's too much stuff (that's) making her cry.
We need some help
Down here on earth
A thousand prayers, a million words
But one voice was heard.
A house, a yard, a neighborhood
Where you can ride your new bike to school.
The kind of world where mom and dad
Still believe the golden rule
Life's not that simple
Down here on earth.
A thousand prayers, a million words
But one voice was heard.
One voice, one simple word
Hearts know what to say.
One dream can change the world
Keep believing till you find your way.
Yesterday while walking home
I saw some kid on Newbury Road
He took a pistol from his bag
And tossed it in the river below.
Thanks for the help
Down here on Earth.
A thousand prayers, a million words
One voice was heard.
- "One Voice" - Sung by Billy Gilman
The long-awaited rain has just fallen hard upon the thirsty ground
Have carved their way to where the wild and rushing river can be found
And like the rain I have been carried here to where the river flows
My heart is racin' and my knees are weak as I walk to the edge
I know there is no turning back once my feet have left the ledge
And in the rush I hear a voice telling me it's time to
Take a leap of faith
So here I go
I'm diving in
I'm going deep
In over my head I wanna be
Caught in the rush
Lost in the flow
In over my head I wanna go
The river's deep
The river's wide
The river's water is alive
So sink or swim
I'm diving in
There is a supernatural power in this mighty river's flow
We can bring the dead to life, we can fill an empty soul
And give a heart the only thing worth living and dying for
But we will never know the awesome power of the grace of God
Until we let ourselves be swept away into this holy flood
So if you'll take my hand and close your eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith
Come on let's go
- From "Dive" by Steven Curtis Chapman
So close no matter how far
couldn't be much more from the heart
forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters
never opened myself this way
life is ours, we live it our way
all these words I don't just say
and nothing else matters
trust I seek and I find in you
every day for us something new
open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
but I know
so close no matter how far
couldn't be much more from the heart
forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
but I know
never opened myself this way
life is ours, we live it our way
all these words I don't just say
trust I seek and I find in you
every day for us something new
open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they say
never cared for games they play
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
and I know
so close no matter how far
couldn't be much more from the heart
forever trusting who we are
no nothing else matters
- "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica
Everything's different
But nothing has changed
Are we going in circles
It's Christmas again.
Can't you hear the sleigh bells ring
All our voices unite
And look up to the Heavens
See the stars shinning bright
Everybody needs a little lovin'
Around Christmas time
Somehow you got to know you're gonna be all right
Do you remember how it used to be
Sitting under the Christmas tree
In your heart you'll
Find the season
We've been blessed by the children
Black, Yellow and White
They believe in the things
We try to deny
So throw down your weapons
But continue the fight
And let's love one another
On this Holy night
Everybody need a little lovin'
Around Christmas time
Somehow you got to know you're gonna be all right
Do you really remember how it use to be
Sitting under the Christmas tree
In your heart you'll
Find the season
Oh, reach down inside your heart
and see all the love
Oh, in your heart you'll
Find the reason
- From "Christmas Time" by Hanson
May there always be work for your hands to do
May your purse always hold a coin or two
May the sun always shine on your windowpane
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain
May the hand of a friend always be near you
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you
- An Irish Blessing
In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.
I simply can't build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death.
I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness,
I hear the ever-approaching thunder, which will destroy us, too,
I can feel the suffering of millions, and yet, if I look up into the heavens,
I think that it will all come out right, that this cruelty will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.
In the meantime, I must hold up my ideals for perhaps the time will come when I shall be able to carry them out.
- Anne Frank
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
- "Imagine" by John Lennon
There is no future
There is no past
Thank God this moment's not the last
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret
Or life is yours to miss
No other road
No other way
No day but today
I can't control
My destiny
I trust my soul
My only goal is just to be
There's only now
There's only here
Give in to love
Or live in fear
No other path
No other way
No Day But Today
- Rent, by Jonathan Larson
If I'm gone when you wake up,
please don't cry.
And if I'm gone when you wake up,
it's not goodbye.
Don't look back at this time
as a time of heartbreak and distress.
Remember me, remember me,
cause I'll be with you in your dreams,
I'll be with you.
If I'm gone when you wake up,
please don't cry.
If I'm gone when you wake up,
don't ask why.
Don't look back at this time
as a time of heartbreak and distress.
Remember me, remember me,
cause I'll be with you in your dreams.
Don't cry, I'm with you,
don't cry, I'm by your side.
Don't cry, I'm with you,
don't cry, I'm by your side.
I'll be with you in your dreams.
- From "With You In Your Dreams" by Hanson
Beloved God, known to your creation by a thousand different names, we thank you for giving us power through your Spirit to reveal your life to the world: strengthen, bless, and guide all that we do.
Teach your children that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of earth.
This we know, the earth does not belong to us; We belong to the earth.
This we know, all things are connected.
Our God is the same God whose compassion is equal for all,
For we did not weave the web of life; We are mearly strands of it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
Let us give thanks for the web of life in the circle that connects us.
Thanks be to God, the God of all, the God known by a thousand names.
Amen.
- From the speeches of Chief Seattle
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right it front of me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer
Let it be
For though they may be parted there is
still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
yeah, there will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow
Let it be
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
There will be an answer
Let it be
- From "Let It Be" by the Beatles
This ain't comin' from no prophet
Just an ordinary man
When I close my eyes I see
The way this world shall be
When we all walk hand in hand
When the last child cries for a crust of bread
When the last man dies for just words that he said
When there's shelter over the poorest head
We shall be free
When the last thing we notice is the color of skin
And the first thing we look for is the beauty within
When the skies and the oceans are clean again
Then we shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud
'Cause we shall be free
When we're free to love anyone we choose
When this world's big enough for all different views
When we all can worship from our own kind of pew
Then we shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
Have a little faith
Hold out
'Cause we shall be free
And when money talks for the very last time
And nobody walks a step behind
When there's only one race and that's mankind
Then we shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud, have a little faith, hold out
We shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, have a little faith
We shall be free
- "We Shall Be Free" from the Garth Brooks album 'The Chase.'
The voice that beautifies the land!
The voice above,
The voice of thunder,
Among the dark clouds
Again and again it sounds,
The voice that beautifies the land!
The voice that beautifies the land!
The voice below,
The voice of the grasshopper,
Among the flowers and grasses
Again and again it sounds,
The voice that beautifies the land!
- Mountain Chant (Navajo)
When dreaming, I'm guided through another world
Time and time again
At sunrise I fight to stay asleep
'Cause I don't want to leave the comfort of this place
'Cause there's a hunger, a longing to escape
From the life I live when I'm awake
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?
Can you take me higher?
To the place where blind men see
Can you take me higher?
To the place with golden streets
Although I would like our world to change
It helps me to appreciate
Those nights and those dreams
But, my friend, I'd sacrifice all those nights
If I could make the Earth and my dreams the same
The only difference is
To let love replace all our hate
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?
Up high I feel like I'm alive for the very first time
Up high I'm strong enough to take these dreams
And make them mine
- "Higher" by Creed
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