Sept 29.99: Light For The Day - "For Friends"

"Always in every prayer of mine for you
all making my prayer with joy."
-- Philippians 1:4

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"For Friends"

My good LORD,
I long to pray to you for my friends,
But I am held back by my sins.
Since I stand in such need of grace myself,
How can I dare ask for grace for other?

I anxiously seek intercession on my own behalf.
Yet even so I shall be so bold
As to intercede for others.
You commend me to pray for my friends,
And love prompts me to do so.

So I pray to You, good and gracious God,
For those who love me for Your sake
And whom I love in You.
If my prayer does not deserve to be answered,
Please love them for their own sakes,
For You are the source of all love.

And make them love you with all their hearts
So that they will speak and do
Only that which pleases You.
My prayer is but a cold affair, LORD,
Because my love burns with such a small flame.

Yet You who are rich in mercy
Will bestow Your grace not according to my prayers
But according to the finite warmth of Your love. 

-- Anselm Of Canterbury
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"And it is my prayer that your love may
abound more and more, with knowledge
and all discernment."
-- Philippians 1:9 (RSV)