The Secret of Contentment~ The Northumbria Community.

"Help me know the secret of contentment lies in organizing the self in the direction of simplicity."

~ The Northumbria Community.

Artwork from Valériane Leblond  http://www.valeriane-leblond.eu/

More at https://www.northumbriacommunity.org/

Don't Wait ~ Virginia Shurman

"As modern people, we may be struggling with many questions about prayer. How can we influence God? Should we try to do so? How can we pray rightly? What are we to think when our prayers appear to go unanswered? It is important to begin to pray, no matter where you are in regard to these questions. It is known from experience that prayer brings us closer to God, so don’t wait until you have solved these questions to pray. London Yearly Meeting encourages Friends “reverently yet daringly to make fuller experiment of the life of trust and consecration through prayer, that they may know relief from the burden of anxiety and perplexity and realize the joy of health and victory, whereby they may become centers of radiant energy for the help and healing of others.”"

~ Virginia Shurman

More at http://www.tractassociation.org/tracts/prayer/

Artwork from wORKINGaRTs at 
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/wORKINGaRTs?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav

For What is Thine ~ William Penn

"We give them back to you Dear Lord,
who gavest them to us.
Yet as thou didst not lose them in giving,
so we have not lost them by their return.
For what is thine is ours always if we are thine."

~

PS I found this in a book of children's prayers credited as a 'Quaker Prayer'. It is obviously drawn from William Penn (see below)

"We give back to you, O God, those whom you gave to us. You did not lose them when you gave them to us, and we do not lose them by their return to you. Your dear son has taught us that life is eternal, and love cannot die. So death is only an horizon, and an horizon is only the limit of our sight. Open our eyes to see more clearly, and draw us closer to you that we may know that we are nearer to our loved ones, who are with you. You have told us that you are preparing a place for us; prepare us also for that place, that where you are we may also be always, O dear Lord of life and death."

~ William Penn

More at  The Lion Book of 1000 Prayers for Children
Artwork from Deborah Champion http://www.deborahchampion.co.uk/2011_05_01_archive.html

By their Name ~ Lois Rock

I say a prayer
for those who are known by their number:
prisoners in their cells;
refugees in the campgrounds;
victims of war and famine.
Dear God,
Speak to each of them
and call them by their name.

~ Lois Rock

More at http://www.lionhudson.com/author_display.asp?SF1=sort_name&ST1=ROCKLOIS

Protect our Decisions ~ Paulo Coelho

"Lord, protect our doubts, because Doubt is a way of praying. It is Doubt that makes us grow because it forces us to look fearlessly at the many answers that exist to one question. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect our decisions, because making Decisions is a way of praying. Give us the courage, after our doubts, to be able to choose between one road and another. May our YES always be a YES and our NO always be a NO. Once we have chosen our road, may we never look back nor allow our soul to be eaten away by remorse. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect our actions, because Action is a way of praying. May our daily bread be the result of the very best that we carry within us. May we, through work and Action, share a little of the love we receive. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect our dreams, because to Dream is a way of praying. Make sure that, regardless of our age or our circumstances, we are capable of keeping alight in our heart the sacred flame of hope and perseverance. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, give us enthusiasm, because Enthusiasm is a way of praying. It is what binds us to the Heavens and to Earth, to grown-ups and to children, it is what tells us that our desires are important and deserve our best efforts. It is Enthusiasm that reaffirms to us that everything is possible, as long as we are totally committed to what we are doing. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect us, because Life is the only way we have of making manifest Your miracle. May the earth continue to transform seeds into wheat, may we continue to transmute wheat into bread. And this is only possible if we have Love; therefore, do not leave us in solitude. Always give us Your company, and the company of men and women who have doubts, who act and dream and feel enthusiasm, and who live each day as if it were totally dedicated to Your glory."

~ Paulo Coelho

More at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Coelho

Artwork by Artemio Rodriguez  http://sacredartpilgrim.com/collection/view/90

Not in Vain ~ Jane Austen

“Give us grace, Almighty Father, so to pray, as to deserve to be heard, to address thee with our Hearts, as with our lips.
Thou art every where present, from Thee no secrets can be hid.
May the knowledge of this, teach us to fix our Thoughts on Thee, with Reverence and Devotion that we pray not in vain.”

 ~ Jane Austen

More at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Austen

Morning Prayer of the Optina Elders

O Lord, grant that I may meet all that this coming day brings to me with spiritual tranquility. Grant that I may fully surrender myself to your holy will.
At every hour of this day, direct and support me in all things. Whatsoever news may reach me in the course of the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and the firm conviction that all is subject to your holy will.
Direct my thoughts and feelings in all my words and actions. In all unexpected occurrences, do not let me forget that all is under your care.
Grant that I may deal straightforwardly and wisely with every member of my family, neither embarrassing nor saddening anyone.
O Lord, grant me the strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events that take place during it. Direct my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to be patient, to forgive, and to love. Amen.

More at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optina_Monastery

Artwork by Budko Viktor Spring a Russian artist about whom I can find no information.

In All Simplicity ~ Christina Rossetti

"O Lord, whose way is perfect, 
help us, we pray Thee, always to trust in Thy goodness:
that walking with Thee and following Thee in all simplicity
we may possess quiet and contented minds and trust ourselves 
to the love of our heavenly Father
now and evermore"

~ Christina Rossetti

More at http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/christina-rossetti/11534.html

Artwork by Iain MacNab http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iain_Macnab

Down to the Gates ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

"Give us grace and strength to forbear and to persevere. Give us courage and gaiety, and the quiet mind. Spare to us our friends, soften to us our enemies. Bless us, if it may be, in all our innocent endeavours. If it may not, give us the strength to encounter that which is to come, that we may be brave in peril, constant in tribulation, temparate in wrath, and in all changes of fortune, and down to the gates of death, loyal and loving to one another."

— Robert Louis Stevenson

More at  http://www.robert-louis-stevenson.org/life

Free e-books and Kindle editions http://www.manybooks.net/search.php?search=Robert+Louis+Stevenson

Artist Dee Nickerson http://www.southwoldgallery.co.uk/artists/128/dee-nickerson