Prayer to Start the Week

Few have shaped contemporary Christian attitudes as much as Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855).

Like Augustine, most of Kierkegaard's prayers are found here and there in his writings. They weren't written to be prayed by others. They were written when the author was finally compelled to speak to no one else but the Lord. Those are some of the best prayers, like this one that I'm praying today . . .

There is much to drag us back, O Lord: empty pursuits, trivial pleasures, unworthy cares.

There is much to frighten us away: pride that makes us reluctant to accept help; cowardice that recoils from sharing your suffering; anguish at the prospect of confessing our sins to you.

But you are stronger than all these forces. We call you our redeemer and savior because you redeem us from our empty, trivial existence. You save us from our foolish fears.

So we thank you, Lord. Amen.