"Lord, teach us to pray...." A Circle of Friends

Do you have favorite prayers that bring you closer into the presence of God?

Here is one of my favorite prayers written by a man who will always be remembered for his association with the Social Gospel of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Walter Rauschenbusch was an American Baptist minister who desired to “do the hard work of God.” Born in Rochester, New York and a graduate of the Rochester Theological Seminary, Rauschenbusch moved to New York City and pastored in the bowels of Hell’s Kitchen ministering to the working poor and championing the cause for social reform, better health care, better food and the elimination of child labor.

“Rauschenbusch's view of Christianity was that its purpose was to spread a Kingdom of God, not through a fire and brimstone style of preaching but by leading a Christ-like life. Rauschenbusch did not view Jesus' death as an act of substitutionary atonement but in his words, he died ‘to substitute love for selfishness as the basis of human society.’ He wrote that ‘Christianity is in its nature revolutionary’ and tried to remind society of that. He explained that the Kingdom of God ‘is not a matter of getting individuals to heaven, but of transforming the life on earth into the harmony of heaven.’” (Wikipedia.com)

He wrote a beautiful prayer that I tucked away years ago and rediscovered during a recent move. My life has been so blessed over the last year by a unique “circle of friends”. I pray that this prayer of thanksgiving will bring grace to your life as it has to mine.

A circle of friends is a blessed thing.

Sweet is the breaking of bread with friends.

For honor of their presence at our board

We are deeply grateful, Lord.

Thanks be to Thee for friendship shared,

Thanks be to Thee for food prepared.

Bless Thou the cup; bless Thou the bread;

Thy blessing rest upon each head.

                             Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918)

Love One Another - Brian