Prayers by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This evening we looked at a few prayers of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while discussing the theme "Maturity of Faith"

We Are Made for That Which Is High and Noble and Good'

O God, our gracious heavenly Father, we thank thee for the inspiration of Jesus the Christ, who came to this world to show us the way. And grant that we will see in that life the fact that we are made for that which is high and noble and good. Help us to live in line with that high calling, that great destiny. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

"Grant Us Visions That Shall Lift Us"

O God our eternal Father, we praise thee for gifts of mind with which thou hast endowed us. We are able to rise out of the half-realities of the sense world to a world of ideal beauty and eternal truth. Teach us, we pray Thee, how to use this great gift of reason and imagination so that it shall not be a curse but a blessing. Grant us visions that shall lift us from worldliness and sin into the light of thine own holy presence.

Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

"Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Us Around"

Almighty God, Thou has called us to walk for freedom, even as Thou did the Children of Israel. We pray, dear God, as we go through a wilderness of State Troopers that Thou will hold our hand. We pray, dear God, as we must go through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, that Thou will go with us and strengthen us for the task. Keep us strong. Keep us calm. Help us to love our enemy. And above all, keep the fires of freedom burning in our hearts, so that no matter what happens, ain't gonna let nobody turn us around. 

Because Thou, dear God, has sent us into this place. Thou has sent us to fight, not just for ourselves, but to fight for this nation so that democracy might exist here for the whole world. Keep this vision in our hearts, and may we one day wake up and find the state of Alabama, where all men might vote, where all children might get a decent education, where every man and woman might have a job according to his (or her) abilities, and where every man and woman might live together as brothers, and violence and bloodshed and hatred and prejudice shall be no more. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

"We Thank Thee for Our Foreparents"

Oh God, our gracious, heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the creative insights in the universe. We thank Thee for the lives of great saints and prophets in the past, who have revealed to us that we can stand up amid the problems and difficulties and trials of life and not give in. We thank Thee for our foreparents, who've given us something in the midst of the darkness of exploitation and oppression to keep going.

And grant that we will go on with the proper faith and the proper determination of will, so that we will be able to make a creative contribution to this world and in our lives. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.

"But Lord, I Must Confess That I'm Weak Now"

Lord, I'm down here trying to do what's right. I think I'm right. I think the cause that we represent is right. But Lord, I must confess that I'm weak now, I m faltering, I m losing my courage, and I can't let the people see me like this because if they see me weak and losing my courage, they will begin to get weak.

Source: Thou, Dear God, Prayers that Open Hearts and Spirits by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Beacon Press, Boston 2012 

Peace and Translate

10/17/22 offered by Seza Ouzounian

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.
—St. Francis of Assisi

God please bless Fr Vazken to continue to be the beacon of our people guiding us closer to Jesus.

Thank you for Fr Vazken to translate Jesus' messages to us and especially making it easy for our children to understand Jesus' teachings.

Thank you Fr Vazken for making us realize how unique our Armenian Church is, like a "pearl" and now showing it to the world through epostle.net. Thank you for leading us away from victimhood to being victorious (Kutch yev arokhch) under God's protection and grace.

Amen

For the Soul of Sam Sarkes Boranian

9/19/22 - offered by Yn. Susan Movsesian
(on the evening following his funeral)

Christ our Lord, grant rest to Your servant, Sam Sarkes Boranian (our father) among your saints, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering, but everlasting life.

With the righteous who have rested in Your peace, grant calm to the soul of Your servant, Sam, and set upon him the Blessed life which is from You, merciful Lord.

Lord, remember Your servant Sam, who has fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection. Forgive him every transgression he has committed in thought, word, or deed. Grant him peace and refreshment in a place of light where Your glory delights all the Saints. For you are the resurrection, the tranquility and the life of Your departed servant Sam Sarkes. To you I give glory now and forever.
Amen

Prayer of Thanksgiving

8/30/22 offered by Taleen Marcarian

Prayer of Thanks

Lord, please guide me to always offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in my daily life.

Teach me to pray continually and to be thankful in all circumstances.

I give thanks for Your all powerful presence and love within our Bible Study group. I give

thanks for Father Vazken and his inspiring effect on each person in this group.

I give thanks to the technology that has not only allowed us to come together from all over

the world, but has also opened a path for the ePostle.net ministry to be created and to

continue to spread Your love.

I pray for Your continued protection, strength and guidance for this Bible Study group so

that we may follow our daily paths to fulfill Your greater purpose

Amen

Prayer for Guidance

08/22/2022 offered by Kathy Markarian

Dear Lord,
Give me the ability to trust you with all my heart,
so my intentions and choices are truly yours, not mine.
Let me be able to hear your voice when I am lost.
Allow me to wholeheartedly follow your commands and live the
life you created me for.
In Jesus's Name,
Amen

Destiny, Purpose, Reason

8/15/2022 offered by Carmen Markarian

His destiny was the cross …

His purpose was love …

His reason was you… 

All that is good is yours because of Jesus. 

All that is fulfilling is yours because you serve him. 

All that is peaceful is yours because you love him. 

May the blessing of your day be a wonderful reminder of all Jesus has given us.

Amen 

To Heal Stress

 8/8/2022 offered by Michelle Markarian

Prayer to Heal Stress

Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart. 

My soul is like a turbulent sea. I can't seem to find my balance so I stumble and worry constantly. 

Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path you've laid out for me. 

I trust your Love God, and know that you will heal this stress. 

Just as the sun rises each day against the dark of night. Please bring me clarity with the light of God. 

In your name I pray. Amen.