Matthew 5:1-12 NRSV
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus,
We receive your blessings and pray for the Holy Spirit to make them real in our lives.
Renew a right spirit within us, a poor spirit, a spirit that knows our deep need of your grace and deliverance. Free us from trying to save ourselves. Free us for the fullness of your kingdom.
Soften our hard hearts with the gift of tears. Help us mourn our brokenness and the brokenness of our world. Help us feel it fully. Help us welcome the refreshment of your comfort and share it well with others.
Generous Savior, you fill each person with gifts, talents, and strength. Open us to meekness, so we may gladly surrender them to your authority and discipline. In our hands, they are often weapons. With you, they are refined for your glory and the common good.
Bread of Life, sour every false and destructive appetite, so we may hunger and thirst for righteousness alone- a right relationship with you, a right relationship with others and between others, a right relationship with ourselves, a right relationship with your creation.
We bless you and honor you for your unending mercy, a flood of grace, pouring out and spilling over. Make us mercy-full. May all people know you like this.
Suffering One, break our hearts as yours is broken. In the breaking, create in us clean hearts, pure hearts, undivided hearts. Our deepest desire is to see you at work in us and all around us and to one day see you face to face.
In your grace, please don’t stop with our hearts. Re-Birth us fully in the breaking and creating. Named your beloved, your children, forever.
Make us
One with you and each other
One in your great work of peace
One in your words and ways
One in commitment to reconciliation and righteousness
One in facing of falsehood
One in the bloody bonds of persecution
One in your joy
One in your promises
One on earth and one in heaven
Amen
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A Prayer Inspired by the Beatitudes © 2019 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.
Revlisad.com 
Dear Rev. Lisa
I hope all is well with you. I found your prayer inspired by the Beatitudes today. It’s great. Would you be okay if I used it in online and physical services over coming weeks as we go through a series on the Beatitudes? I serve in a church, Roxeth Community Church, in NW London. I’d like to use more and more of the the prayer as we travel onto the another Beatitude after another. Blessings and grace, David
You are most welcome to use it online and in services. I love the idea of using more and more of it as you make your way through the scripture. Many blessings to you and those you serve. – Lisa <
Dear Revd. Lisa
Like David above, I found your prayer very inspiring. I am always seeking modern language in our services so as to help people understand that our faith is not a museum piece covered in dust and ‘olde wordes’. I am a churchwarden looking after a tiny 10th century church in Norfolk, England, and we have had no minister for a few years. The challenge is not to be held back by our 1100-year history. From April 2020 during lockdown we went embraced the new, went online and amazingly people have been coming in droves! We have had a series of online services in the last month in which we have also tried to understand the situation of Ukraine so that we can pray for them and find ways to make sense as Christians. In this context I find the beatitudes very grounding, and I’d like to use your powerful prayer. May I?
I’m so excited to hear of new life in your congregation. Glory to God! You’re most welcome to use this and anything else you find helpful on the site for worship or devotion. It’s an honor to be a useful resource for you. Your sister and servant in Christ- Lisa <
I would love to share this with the people in our church who are not able to be with in person. I know they would love this prayer. Thank you.
Wonderful! Please do so – Lisa <
Thank you very much.
Hello , My name is Pastor Bea Santiago of a small new start ministry called Ministerio Nueva Creacion(New Creation Ministry). I found your prayer and it was so thoughtful and beautiful I would like to use it as a benediction prayer for the ending of our service this Sunday. Please let me know if this is ok. I credit you as the author when I pray.
Peace and Blessings to you
Bea Santiago.
Absolutely! Blessings to you Bea and to your congregation. – Lisa <
Hello , My name is Pastor Bea Santiago of a small new start ministry called Ministerio Nueva Creacion(New Creation Ministry). I found your prayer and it was so thoughtful and beautiful I would like to use it as a benediction prayer for the ending of our service this Sunday. Please let me know if this is ok. I credit you as the author when I pray.
Peace and Blessings to you
Bea Santiago.
I so enjoyed this prayer and would like to ask your permission use it as one of the prayers in our Church this Sunday. With thanks for these lovely words.
Beatrice Campbell, Elder, St Mungo’s Church, Alloa, Scotland,
Absolutely. What a treat to hear from you in Scotland. Please pass along my greetings and blessings from Coronado Community United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Rev. Lisa, I would be most appreciative if you would allow me to share this with our congregation tomorrow (citing you, of course) in our worship service.
Hi Jo, you’re most welcome to share this with your congregation. Blessings to you and those you serve.
Beautifully written. Would love to use it in worship with accreditation tomorrow as part of my pastoral prayer.
Absolutely! Peace be with you, Jake!
Dear Lisa,
What a beautiful prayer. Well thougt out and Spirit filled. Very inspiring to live out the Beatitudes in one’s life. With your permission, I would like to use your prayer after our small group Bible study tomorrow evening on the Beatitudes.
God bless you.
Thank you for the encouragement, Matt. You’re most welcome to use the prayer. – Lisa <