pat loughery

I carry around with me this lovely little prayer book:

“Prayer Rhythms for Busy People” (Ray Simpson)

It’s in my backpack, which also contains my work laptop, so it’s safe to say that it’s generally always in reach. It’s a great little prayer book for my tastes. The book has 7 days of prayers, organized for morning/midday/evening/bedtime. Each day has its own theme.

My favorite phrase comes from Monday midday prayers. I always forget it’s there, but I love the poetry and the “gotcha” that always gets me when I read and pray it.

O Son of God, change my heart.

Your Spirit composes the songs of the birds

and the buzz of the bees.

Your creation is a million wondrous miracles,

beautiful to look upon,

I ask of you just one more miracle:

Beautify my soul.

Whenever I read that, it stops me in my tracks and reminds me of a great truth: My soul can be beautified, and in fact that’s my great hope – that Christ can and will beautify my soul.