A Prayer about Prayer
Gracious Love,
in whom we live and move and have our being,Teach us how to pray as you would have us pray:
bring to mind what you would have us remember, and
give us the words to pray for what is needed.Help us to feel your presence which is always with us.
Help us to trust that the words we use to offer our gratitudes and concerns are adequate,
and help us to trust that if we have no words,
and can only offer groans, or silence, or smiles
that your Spirit lifts these to you in all of their fulness.Help us to trust that we feel called to pray, so that
we can tell you what is in our hearts and minds; and,
help us to trust that you also call us to pray so that
your Spirit moving within us
helps us to see as you see; to love as you love;
giving us the words to say what needs to be made real for the good of all.Help us to trust that we are not the only one offering the prayers that are needed this day.
Help us to feel the presence of others in this room and across this land
who are also praying. Lifting up gratitudes; lifting up concerns.
Help us to feel our connection as part of the whole – so much larger than each of us alone.Help us to trust that even before we began to pray,
you are already fully present seeking to make real
the responses that are needed to all the prayers we offer.Grant us this day that our prayers are worthy of your goodness and your generosity.
That we have prayed big enough; that no one and nothing has been left out.Grant us this day whatever we need to be able to live the lives that are the responses to our prayers.
Gracious one, we are grateful to you that we are not the first ones, nor the only ones, praying today.
We come before you as inheritors of a long tradition.
Over so many centuries, in so many languages, in so many ways,
people gather in community to pray.
In particular, we here today recall how many times, and in how many places,
people have gathered and shared with one voice
the prayer that Jesus teaches his followers to say …Our Brother’s Prayer
Holy One, Holy Three
In whom we are one,Fill our world with your wonder.
May the loving right-relations that you eternally are,
Be how we are here on earth.May all living beings receive from their labour
All that is needed for the wellbeing of all.Forgive us the harm our ideas and actions do,
As we receive healing from those wounded by
our stories, our laws, and our commerce.Save us from trials that overwhelm,
And let us not be tricked into believing lies.For the power and the glory of the kin_ship of all living things
Abide in you, now and for ever.May it be so.
—————-
Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials.
Please credit the source as, “David Ewart, http://www.davidewart.ca, August 22, 2023”.
A Prayer for God’s Way
After the painful Presidential Debate, the clouds cried and it rained all night. Many remember the talking points and the shifting conversations. It resembled thunderstorms of undigested thoughts intended to hurt and harm some of the hearers. Today is a new day. Let’s Pray at 1:11 for God’s Way.
1God be gracious to us and bless us ♦
and make Your face to shine upon us,
2That Your way may be known upon earth, ♦
Your saving power among all nations.
3Let the peoples praise You, O God; ♦
let all the peoples praise You
4O God, let the nations rejoice and be glad, ♦
for You will judge the peoples righteously
and govern the nations upon earth.
5Let the peoples praise You, O God; ♦
let all the peoples praise You
6Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, ♦
and God, our own God, will bless us.
7God will bless us, ♦
and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Psalms 67
O God, hear now the prayers of your people who are in our hearts and on our minds. We pray for all who are affected by the pandemic, the fires and the floods. We pray for the First Responders, Teachers, Students, Healthcare Workers, Grocers, Postal Carriers, Workers, Unemployed etc.,
In the face of You, O God we are mindful of Your presence.
Your Light and Glory shines forth,
O God of all the nations;
we call upon You to hear the prayers of all Your people.
O God, make known Your presence and Your grace to us.
Help us to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly in Your ways. Help us to live and to speak Your way. In Your Holy name we pray. Amen.
Stop! In the Name of Life
It’s 1:11 pm 🛑.
Let’s stop in the name of life.
Let’s pray for ourselves and for others. Replace “me” and “my” with other names.
Park and pray at 1:11 pm.
Center yourself.
Focus on your crown
Your heart or navel.
Breathe slow and deep.
Feel God’s presence. Pray:
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow…
Image and embedded https://www.bible.com/2016/psa.139.1-6.
Lord have mercy on…
I’m troubled by…
Help me…
Give me your blessed assurance…
Lead me…Guide me to… Open…
Heal me…
Relieve me..
Renew…
Strengthen…
Create…
Satisfy my…
Hear the silent prayers of my heart.
Holding Our Breath
Let’s us hold our breath at 1:11 pm for 9 seconds.
Then, let us pray.
We lift our eyes to the hills from where comes our help. Our help comes from you, O God.
We look to you, O God, for help and strength.
We know your eyes are upon us.
Almighty God, there’s none like You.
We are lost without You, O God.
God, You created us in your image and likeness.
But, some people have become hardened, inhumane, wicked, racist, and unashamed. Their behavior rips through the health, spirit, and soul of our nation.
God, we watched George Floyd’s painful death at the hands of intense hatred. It’s breathtaking to watch a man’s life painfully slip away at the hands of a Law Officer or police. His death opened many eyes and united many voices.
We pray, “O God, Have Mercy!” Comfort and support Mr. Floyd’s family! Bring peace, justice, and righteousness!
We hold our breath as we remember the deaths of many other innocent Brown and Black Brothers and Sisters. We can hardly breathe through the flood of tears.
O God, how much longer must we bear witness to the wickedness and suffering of your people?
God, give us ears to hear from you.
Speak to us O God, loud and clear.
O God, stay near. We will not fear.
O, God! Watch over us.
O God, have Mercy on us!
Look upon us, O God. We pray, release the chains and untie the noose around us.
No more running, no more hands up, and no more faces pressed against the ground. We shall no longer be bound by separate set of laws.
Give us freedom and justice. God,end the murdering of our innocent brothers and sisters. How long shall we hold our breath and wait?
O God, set us free.
Lord, have Mercy! Mercy, O God!
We can’t breathe!
But You, O God, can see all things and do what seems impossible.
Deliver us from evil, O God.
O God, help us to hold on, march on, speak out, live on, and embrace your will.
We can “Be Still,” and restless.
You alone are God are Holy.
We will hold our breath as You O God, guide us through the valleys of changes America desperately needs.
God, bless us with Grace and Mercy!
Give us everlasting peace.
Inspired by Psalm 123:1-4 MSG
A Prayer Psalm 57:1
God Move this Mountain
parkandpray111pm.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/god-move-this-mountain-1.m4a
To the God who does extraordinary things through ordinary people. Give us peace.
To the God whose power is bountiful. Let not a virus prevail. Spread your love, O God.
To the God who moves mountains, raised the dead to life and heals all manner of diseases, conquer our fears and all that breaks our body, mind, and spirit.
Holy Spirit, that permeates every cell within us, cleanse whatever is spoiled. Strengthen whatever is vulnerable and protect whatever is healthy.
Bless us with a common love for you and one another.
In our Savior’s Name we pray. Amen
A Prayer for Congressman John Lewis
Merciful God, 
Let not this day and these moment’s be John’s last,
Let not his body rapidly slow down, nor his thoughts wrestle and run too fast,
May every cell in his body behave, cooperate,
May your Spirit, O God rule and dictate, his time and present state,
Almighty God, Ruler, Breath of Life and Bread for life’s journey,
Give Congressman John this day, his Daily Bread and clothe him for the journey ahead.
Forgive him as he forgives loved ones, strangers, coworkers and friends,
O Holy One, deliver John whole and intact to his final destination,
Gracious God, help him to know our agape love and appreciation for his lifetime of witness, work and service.
Lord receive our prayers in Your Holy Name. Amen.
Lincoln Prayed
President Lincoln said, “I’ve been driven many times upon my knees.” I wonder how many of us have been driven upon our knees? If so, then what?
Let’s Park & Pray at 1:11
Merciful God, we are reminded that President Lincoln was driven upon his knees and humbly sought your guidance. Inspire those who declared an oath to serve You and country to humble themselves before your throne of grace.
Inspire our Leaders to be righteous, forgiving and just.
Receive our prayers, wherever and whatever our persuasions may be.
Standing, sitting, falling on bended knees, or lying faced down with outstretched hands, we pray our best from our hearts.
When we pray, “God bless America!” Help us to know that You bless us in unexpected ways.
Give us this day as our daily Bread and deliver us from evil. We pray in Your Holy Name. Amen
Three Grains of Wheat
Very Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies it produces much fruit. Jn 12:24
Sometimes death comes in threes. First, my Auntie Dottie left us peacefully. Her prayers calmed storms, moved mountains of doubts, healed, blessed and renewed our faith. She loved and lived to please Jesus. The Holy Spirit was her constant companion.
Second, Barbara Whatmough, my creative Prayer Partner whose art, songs and thoughts created a tapestry of divine glory to God. She embraced a peaceful sleep where “the Heavens declare the glorified God.” Psalms 18:1
Third, Cynthia Corry, my delightful and dependable helper suddenly went up to yonder. She often stayed behind to help pick of the pieces of our Good Friday Service, Luncheon for the Homeless and Fellowship Hour. Her smile was like a candlelight burning and leaving a trail of sweet calm.
Let’s Park and Pray at 1:11
God of Grace and Mercy, thank you for the gift of life and the promise of eternal peace. Make your presence known to us as we mourn the loss of our loved ones and also celebrate their home-going. We park and pray at this moment in Your Holy Name. Amen
And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you. – John 16:22
Free Parking
Park and Pray is
Free,
No Meters,
Ticketless,
No expiration!
It’s Available,
No Limits!
It’s Proven,
It’s Harmless,
No Side Effects!
It Requires: A-T-T-E-N-T-I-O-N
Attention
Time
Talking
Effort
No Coercion
Total Focus
Investment
Open heart
Now or never
Faith in God
What the Lord Promises when you
“Come to me,
all you who are
weary and
burdened, and
I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me,
for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and
you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and
my burden is light.”
Jesus of Nazareth Matt. 11:28–30
Pray
O God, hear the prayers of my heart, mind and soul. I wait with mercy and thankfulness for your response. Amen.
The Bus Stop
What if you’re on your way to an unfamiliar destination. Maybe you’re fearful about getting lost, being alone and abandoned.
Do you feel like you are under watchful eyes?
The Psalmist reminds us:
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalms 121:8
Prayer is a way to acknowledge and accept the Lord’s help.
There are many ways to Park and Pray. You may find yourself parked or sitting on a bench at a bus stop. Maybe you’re willing to stop wherever you may be at 1:11 pm.
At the bus stop you see bystanders, strangers and an onslaught of traffic racing around a rotary. You hear a melody of horns, tires screeching, babies crying and a host of multilingual conversations. You are distracted and confused by the commotion. Your peace of mind diminishes.
Yet, Spirit calls you to mindfully withdraw from the crowds and enter into a sacred space where God waits for you.
You lift up your eyes to the hills and you ask, “Where will my help come?” You are reminded that your help comes from the Lord. (Ps121:1)
So, you to embrace the Light and you feel the presence of the Divine. It’s as if a breeze gently touches and guides you. Feel the raindrops extinguish your doubts and shower you with calmness.
You’re on your way and you’re not alone.
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalms 121:8
Let’s Park and Pray
Almighty God, thank you for waiting and watching over me.
Thank you for awakening me to your presence and for walking with me.
Forgive me for doubting your presence and your promises to love me and never leave me.
Lord, strengthen my faith and renew my hope. Help me to discern your voice, your messages and your will.
Holy Spirit inspire me with passion and patience to prayerfully watch, wait and walk with You always.
Holy one, may I always know your presence, especially when I am lost, feeling hopeless and abandoned at the crowded bus stops in our lives.
Receive my prayer in the powerful name of my Savior. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friends, no matter where you are along life’s journey join us in spirit. Park and Pray at 1:11 pm with us.
Check the menu tab for your name on the prayer list and for additional prayers.
Falling Upward
Falling Upwards
What is it?
Is there such a thing as falling upward?
Is it something you plan to do or is it an accident? What is it that pulls you upwards? What pulls you out of the weeds and close to the clouds?You’re far away from whatever holds you down. Enjoy it!
Hang in there! Hold on!
You’re standing on tree limbs of a sturdy tree. Look around you and now look 👀 up. It feels amazing!Do you wonder how you will get down? Do you care? What if you just stay up there for a while?
How does it feel to fall upwards?
It defies gravity.
But, it does not defy God.
Let’s Park and Pray at 1:11
Almighty God, so great is your power, magnificent is your strength and awesome your wisdom. You are amazing!
Gracious God, help me to find your peace in the midst of the weeds, the trees, the dark clouds and raindrops. Help me to feel your peace especially when I’ve fallen and I struggle to get up. May I hold and share your peace at all times.
Thank you for the blessed assurance of your presence. Holy One, I give myself to you, to safeguard, protect, build and lead as you please.
In Your Holy Name. Amen.
I Can’t Help Myself!
It’s a habit, reflexive, ingrained, intuitive and spontaneous.
It’s 1:11 and it’s time to 🙏🏾.
Time to press the reset button in my day and in my life.
Reset back to a peaceful time. Yes, it’s time to get centered. Time to connect with the Holy. Praying renews my strength.
One day while shopping at 🛌 🛀 and Beyond I parked my 🛒 in a quiet corner of the store. I leaned forward and rested on my 🛒.
I parked and 🙏🏾 at 1:11pm.
Holy One, thank you for watching and waiting for us to call you. O God, we need you. We need you to shine your Light in the darkest places in our society. Destroy hatred and injustice. It’s evil, contagious and it’s killing your people.
“Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to you O God, who is merciful.” Isaiah 55:7
Gracious God, “deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” In Our Savior’s Name. Amen
Finished
Hated by the world,
Sold for thirty pieces of silver,
Sweating blood in Your agony,
Betrayed by Judas,
Forsaken by Your disciples,
Struck upon the cheek,
Accused by false witnesses,
Spit upon in the face,
Denied by Peter, .
Mocked by Herod,
Scourged by Pilate, .
Rejected for Barabbas,
Loaded with the cross,
Crowned with thorns,
Stripped of Your garments,
Nailed to the tree,
Reviled by the people,
Scoffed at by the malefactor,
Wounded in the side,
Shedding Your last drop of blood, .
Forsaken by Your Father,
Dying for our sins,
Taken down from the cross, .
Laid in the sepulchre,
Rising gloriously,
Ascending into Heaven,
Sending down the Paraclete, .
Jesus the Innocent Lamb of God,
sacrificed for us, Jesus our Mediator,
Jesus our Redeemer,
Be merciful, Spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
https://www.cbmidwest.org/prayers/0307SevenLastWordsofJesus.pdf
A Prayer of Lament
The WORD
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eye—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” – (Job 19:25-27)
Grieving our loss & Celebrating their lives
A PRAYER of LAMENT
By Debbie Przybylski
Lord, I know that you are faithful over all things, even the hard, dark times of my life. Help me not back away from you in my time of grief. Help me instead to lean into you and trust you, even when I do not understand your ways. Please keep my head above the waters of anguish and my feet from slipping off the ground of truth. Help me see you in these hard moments and glorify you in my response. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Falling Up
My adult son revisited his childhood book and he found new meaning –>
What matters most?
The fall or the getting up? ——->—>
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Nelson Mandela
Let us Park and Pray at 1:11
Holy One, you are amazing! You show up when I need you. You speak to my heart and soul. You give me strength to hold onto the ledges, edges and cliffs of life’s journey. When I fall down on my knees you welcome me and lift my burdens. Falling in love with you is an incredible journey. Spirit of the Living and Loving God fall fresh on me so I may fall up when I’ve fallen down. Draw me close to you so I may follow the Light of your Holy presence. In my Savior’s name. Amen
Christmas Blessings
http://bible.com/97/luk.2.13-14.msg
A Prayer for a Blessed Christmas
Almighty God, with a reverent heart, we give thanks, honor and praise to you for your great love in the gift of your Son. We pray for “A Blessed Christmas and New Year!” Gracious God with a grateful heart we receive your gift and share this gift of love. Help us to do your will, follow in your ways remembering your call to make, “Peace on earth, good will toward all.”In Your Holy Name I pray. Amen.
Power in Peace
Park and Pray at 1:11 pm
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27
Almighty God, as each day begins, help me to be aware that there is power in the peace that you give me. Help me to hold onto this power and peace. Merciful God, help me to resist any temptation, apathy or tendency, that may cause me to relinquish it. O God, I call you at 1:11 pm and I prayerfully look to you to renew my power, refresh, restore and maintain my peace and my neighbor’s peace. At the end of the day, may I rest and sleep in peace and gratitude for the gift of power and contentment in Your Holy presence. In my Savior’s name. Amen.
Aretha, Beauty, Virtuous & Excellent
Dear God, thank you for blessing us with Aretha Franklin. Her gifted voice and powerful spirit continue to edify your name. Your teachings about love, respect, righteousness and more are woven in her songs. Her music represents a tapestry of life. Holy One, thank you for inspiring and equipping Aretha with a powerful voice, an instrument of love, peace, and healing. There’s no sitting still when Aretha, the Queen of Soul’s voice is heard. Her spirit filled voice propels us to rise, hold our heads high, reach beyond the sky. We remember her manner of praise in her life and song as an extravagant and awesome gift!
Thank you Almighty God for Aretha, who experienced your holy presence early and throughout her life. Her music reflected the times in which we live. Times when we shed tears and laughed with her! Aretha, the Queen of Soul, often grounded us in your Supreme Love, a Divine Love. Aretha’s life and her songs are also reflections of our joys and sorrows. Queen Aretha reminded us in her life and in her passing that still waters run deep. In the midst of troubled waters, there is hope. You are One Lord of all who is the Bridge, the Way Maker, the everlasting Savior who gives us Life, Breath, Pulse, and Passion. Aretha means Beauty; Virtuous; and Excellent! She lived her life as the Queen of Soul, who ministered to many souls. Aretha, the Queen of Heart whose music still tugs on our heartstrings. Aretha, gone but never forgotten.
Eternal God, receive her into your everlasting peace. In our Savior’s name. Amen.
It’s 1:11 p.m! Where Are You?
It’s 1:11 p.m! Where are you praying?
It was a sunny day when I parked under this tree to pray at 1:11 p.m. Here’s what happened.
After praying I looked down and the ground was covered with blackberries!
I looked up at the trees above my head and I snatched a handful of this sweet fruit.
I looked up at the trees above my head and I snatched a handful of this sweet fruit. 
I stayed under the covering of these beautiful trees and I enjoyed these gifts.
I embraced the sunlight that pierced through the branches. I stayed and prayed.
Lord, I give thanks with a grateful heart for our time together. Thank you for your grace. Your blessings are unconditional and your love is boundless. Your Fruits of the Spirit nourishes the body, mind and spirit. Lord help your spiritually malnourished children receive you and use your food according to your will. Bless all with a constant flow of compassion for all your children. May serving you with passion be our first and last meal of each day.
Parking and Praying at 1:11 p.m. in our Savior’s name. Amen
God’s Presence, Power & Purpose
It’s amazing what we miss when we fail to simply park and pray at 1:11pm.
There are signs of God’s Divine presence, power and purpose all around us. God’s creation is filled with signs that we can see, feel, touch and hear. God speaks to us in many ways. God wants to be in our lives.
Sometimes I barely say a spoken word when I pray. When I park and pray at 1:11pm outdoors, I listen to the sounds around me. I am reminded of this great hymn “How Great Thou Art!” It becomes a chant in response to burdens I’m carrying. “How Great Thou Art!”
In the midst of your inner challenges try chanting “How Great Thou Art!” Look around you and imagine the branches of the trees clapping. Listen to the birds sing and the sounds of squirrels running across the grass. Feel each mighty breeze brush against your back as if you grow wings. There’s a power that stirs within us as and offers a blessed assurance that God knows our joys and our tribulations.
For many years, I searched for God’s presence and I wanted to strengthen my relation with God. This is what I discovered. First, believe God is present. Second, believe God can and will fulfill your needs. Third, believe in the power of prayer and then, Pray. My life changed as I became aware of God’s presence.
Let us pray.
Almighty God you make your presence known day and night. You are the Light that pierced through dark clouds, trees and landscapes. You meet us at the crossroads of our lives. You call us to “Be still and know that I Am God.” You remind us to call on You and ask for “Amazing Grace.”
Thank you Lord. Thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for picking us up when we fall down. Thank you for holding our hands and at times carrying us when our burdens weigh us down.
Have mercy O God! Lord forgive us. God, renew, strengthen, guide and bless us. Bless our neighbors near and far. Shine your light on us and in us. Give us your everlasting peace.
God teach us to pray.
Amen (Let It Be).
Lord we need your peace. We are thirsty for your peace. Yet, in the midst of our tribulations we are double minded. We try our ways only to fall back down the slippery slope. It pulls us apart from you. Lord, God draw us close to you and never let us go. Bathe us in your peace. Fill our cups, O Savior Divine. Stay near, feed us and drink with us. We shall drink your peace with gladness. We give thanks for your everlasting Peace. In Your Holy Name we Pray. Amen.
Why Park and Pray at 1:11 pm?
I needed a time to press the reset button. There are days when I need to restore the Peace that God gives us early, just before we’re awake. Sometimes in my haste to start the day, I forget to receive the gift of God’s Peace. Prayer is a way to receive the Peace.