Back in 2015, my daughter, Jamie, led a course to coincide with her first book: Book of Hours: In Shadow and Sun. We wrote prayers for different hours of the day. Even David, in Psalm 119:164, mentioned that seven times a day he praised God for His righteous judgments. Midday is a good time to stop, refocus and evaluate the day. Today I will share a poem/prayer I wrote for the midday hour.
I think it’s a good idea to pause throughout the day to give thanks to God and acknowledge that He is with us. Besides giving us a chance to pause and refocus, it also reminds us to follow the exhortation in I Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (CSB)
Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
May this poem/prayer encourage you to pause as you go through your day. Remember that God is always with us through the good and the bad times.
A Midday Prayer
At this midday hour may I pause to remember what is important.
Keep my focus on the One who loves me and gives me strength.
Lord, I am weak of will. I let distractions pull me away from my purpose.
May I find grace in this hour to keep my eyes on You and stay the course.
May I remember that my body also needs attention in order to function well.
Give me wisdom to prioritize plans and balance times for work, exercise, rest.
May I take time to prepare food that nurtures, sustains and is appealing.
Please give me strength to do all these things well.
May I be in prayer for each family member in my home and those who live elsewhere.
May I be open to the needs of people around me as I interact in person and online.
Give me patience, love and a tender heart to relate well even when I feel agitated.
May I cultivate magnanimity of hospitality and generosity toward everyone I meet.
Let my life be a demonstration of the power of Your love.
May I be an instrument of peace beginning in my own home.
Let this peace and love extend to my neighbors and beyond.
May the whole world come to know the peace that only You can give.
Father, nothing comes close to the extent of Your love for me.
May I bow in reverence and lift my voice in praise to You.
Lord, I am weak of will. I let distractions pull me away from you.
May I find grace in this hour to keep my eyes on You and stay the course.
~gsw~
May we become people who “pray without ceasing” as we learn to communicate moment by moment with our Savior.
I’m linking up with:
This is so beautiful, Gayl. I am going to save this and return to pray through it – especially because I was just sitting here lamenting how I had stopped abiding as the day progressed. What a great idea to set times to return and rest. I do that morning and evening, but a lunch stop to do this is a great idea. Yes: my heart like yours is to pray without ceasing. To keep abiding. Thank you so much for this.
Thank you, dear Anna. I’m glad it was an encouragement to you. I really do want to remember to pray throughout the day. I used to have times set on my phone. I might do that again, because it really helped me remember to pause if even for just a minute to say thank you to God. Much love to you, dear Anna. Blessings and hugs! xoxo
Dear Gayl, this is so beautiful for this day. I loved Jamie’s book, and your prayer fits so well with the midday pause. I think that sometimes I need Him most in the thick of the day, when everything else presses in. May I remember to pause, as you invited, and turn the day back into His hands. Love & blessings to you, dear sister/poet/friend.
Thank you, dear Bettie. Yes, Jamie’s book was a blessing. I know what you mean about needing Him in the thick of the day. It’s so easy to get busy and try to push through, forgetting that taking time to pause could actually help us through the rest of the day. I want to remember to keep putting the day back into His hands as you said. Love and blessings to you, too, my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
Gayl, thank you for this message. Beautiful.
Thank you, Melissa. I’m glad it encouraged you. Blessings to you! xo
The “middle” prayer is vital, isn’t it? I like this. Never say amen.
Oh, yes, the “middle” prayer and I hope I can remember to pray at noon every day as well as throughout the day. I love your thought – “Never say amen.” Blessings and love to you, dear sister! xo
Gayl, this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this post again. It has made me more aware of the midday prayer and to pause and stay focused on Him.
Thank you so much, Christina. I am glad it has inspired and encourage you. Blessings to you!
Somedays I like to pray prayers from the Valley of Vision, a book of Puritan prayers. Included are prayers for various times and events, as well as subjects. This is like a modern version of one of their prayers. Very powerful! Hope you and your family are well!
Donna, I think it’s a good idea sometimes to pray the prayers already written. They really do help to remind us of who and what to pray for. I sometimes use the Book of Common Prayer. Thank you for your encouraging comment. I’m sorry it took me so long to respond. So far our family is keeping well amidst this pandemic. I trust you are well, too. Blessings to you!
Thank you Gayl. pinning this
Thank you, Mandy! I need to come back to this prayer often. Blessings to you! xo
What a beautiful reminder for us to be continually in prayer!
Thank you, Tabatha! Blessings to you!