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life{in}grace

live with more presence, passion, & purpose

Bless this house…….

by 23 Comments

Ever get the blahs after you take all your Christmas decorations down?  Everything seems so drab and dull?  And empty?  Or cluttered and all the wrong color?  I woke up today feeling like that.  I’m tired of my color schemes, tired of too much stuff everywhere.  I see painting in my near future if I can just but decide what colors I want for 2009?  I think I’ll lighten things up, literally.  Light colors, more lighting with generous splashes of color.  As I was reading my Treasury of Daily Prayer and my Lutheran prayer book this morning, I came across this prayer for the home that I thought I’d share with you.  We should never take for granted, despite how much we want to change certain things, the blessing of a home.  (It took an inordinate amount of time to type this as ‘puppy’ was chewing on my arm, hand, bible, book, computer, sweater, and so on.  He had Job chapter 5 for breakfast.  Wonder how that’ll go down?)

Lord God, our home is among the most precious gifts we receive in this life.  We realize this all the more as we remember our Lord Jesus.  He set aside home and family.  Having no place to lay His head throughout His ministry, He chose to sojourn among those He came to save.  We prayerfully invite Him to dwell in our earthly home even as He continually invites us by Word and Sacrament to dwell forever in our heavenly home, which He prepares for us. 

Make us ever grateful for this shelter from life’s storms.  Keep this house always the home of comfort, peace, joy, and forgiveness.  According to Your will, protect us not only from the spiritual assaults of Satan, but likewise make our home a fortress against the calamities of nature and the wickedness of sinful men.

Grant us the virtue of hospitality, the joy of harmonious living, and the blessing of gathering around Your word and bringing our families prayers before You.  May all who dwell in our home be blessed by Your presence and Your peace, and may all who go forth give thanks for the grace they receive from You through us, Your dear children.  

We receive Your lovingkindness in our home as a reminder of the eternal home we inherit through Your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.  Amen.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Mandi says

    Wow Edie, yet another wonderful prayer. Can you post the info. on your Lutheran Prayer Book so I can order one? Amazon.com? Hope you have a wonderful Monday, and whatever you decide on your colors will look great. That’s just how it goes with you!

    Reply

  4. Michele says

    What a great prayer to start off a new week. I have been painting also – my bathroom right now! I know you choose great colors!

    Reply

  5. Sarah says

    Thank you for sharing that prayer, it was much needed & appreciated. I just finished getting all of the Christmas put way this weekend & am trying to get the house "clean". I always have those blah's as well. We will resume our studies today, even if slightly low key & "lite". So I can use that to try & focus where I really need to be.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  6. Kelly says

    I feel the same… ready to redecorate but my Christmas spending has my husband asking me to wait until next month:-) Ugh!

    Loved this prayer, and have been looking for the prayer book locally with no success. Where do you find it?

    Reply

  8. edie says

    Morning girls,
    Despite the fact that I’m a day behind in my bible reading, 2 days behind in my running, and 3 days behind in my laundry already……I find a big heap of grace and forgiveness in His mercies everyday. This LPB is fantastic and can be ordered on Amazon. Maybe you should wait to see if you win the giveaway 1st though!
    Love to you all,
    Edie

    Reply

  9. Dana and Daisy says

    too often, my home feels anything but a gift. I must not be treating it as such.

    Like you, I’ve been wanting to lighten up and refresh my surroundings.

    Reply

  10. Dreams of a Country Girl says

    edie — loooking for a new kitchen table — cheap…distressed….circle….any ideas on where to go?

    Reply

  11. Liz says

    Ok, your Farrah Fawcett story made me laugh so hard!

    And I LOVE your inspiration pic. I always get the urge to ‘lighten up’ the house after Christmas too.

    Reply

  12. Blanca says

    Beautiful! I came across your blog via Nesting Place and now I’m hooked. I think you are a fantastic writer. You also seem to be a beautiful person inside and out.

    Reply

  13. Sandy says

    that is a perfect prayer, so heart-felt and right now. our home is such a blessing!
    great post, great visiting you.

    Reply

  14. Musings of a Homeschooling Mom says

    That is a beautiful prayer! I know that I take our house for granted way too often. I’ll remember that! Thank you!

    Reply

  19. Scot K says

    There were agreat number of “favorite” prayers as I put together the Lutheran Book of Prayer, but this one was a stand out. Thanks for mentioning the little book.

    Reply

  20. Hi! I'm Kirsten... says

    “Everything seems so drab and dull” YES!!!!!!!! 🙁

    If I wasn’t so sick, I might notice it even more. But I certainly did feel it enough tonight, so I lit every candle I could find in every silver or glittered container I could find and I smiled at the shadows on the wall. And played some Patty Griffin.

    Reply

  22. dayna says

    Very encouraging words! I just wrote about my post-Christmas blahs…glad to feel I am not alone AND to have Godly EnCouRagMenT!

    dayna

    Reply

  23. jerriann says

    Oh, wow! I love that prayer. I need this prayer. It says it so well.

    I would like to copy that down and post it in my home. No second thought memorized it and put it in my heart.

    Blessings

    Reply

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