The Society of
Ragamuffin Angels

Welcome

Jesus said Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
Mt. 11:28-30 msgThe Society of Ragamuffin Angels is an informal fellowship for those who are still faithful, but weary. We gather as people whose souls have a limp and whose halos feel a little crooked. We live in the tension of grace received and redemption still unfolding.If you’re ardent but raspy voiced, faithful yet questioning, on mission but bedraggled, or if parts of your story — divorce, doubt, failure, burnout — have left you feeling disqualified; if sometimes you're barely whispering your prayers... welcome, you found your people.We love the Lord, His bride, and our world. Here, weakness is met tenderly, not fixed. We practice prayer, presence, and honest formation together. We encourage one another forward with the victorious limp of grace-drenched saints.We confess we are a mess. No masks. No performance. No audience. We are learning from Jesus to live freely and lightly—step by step becoming known, beloved, and sent.

Prayer is not a pious decoration of life,
but the breath of human existence.
-Henri Nouwen

We pray in need of God's touch, like Bartimaus calling out. Sometimes our voices fail.
When we need to borrow someone else's words,
we pray like this.

Help Me Remember
God,
I know you don't make mistakes,
and you want me in your family,
you want me here forever.
Let that be enough for me.When I want to be impressive-
help me remember you don't need me.
When I want to be to be intelligent-
help me remember you prefer foolishness.
When I want to be strong-
help me remember your power is perfect in weakness.
When I want to be grand-
help me remember you washed feet.
When I want to be secure-
help me remember you did not have a home.
When I want to hold grudges-
help me remember I've been forgiven.For your Name's sake.
Amen.

Ragamuffin Profession
God,
It is enough
that you want me
and that you love me
as I am
and not as I should be.
I need you.
Amen.

Morning Offering
God of creation, please re-order the chaos of my life,
making all things new in your mercy.
Abba in Heaven, help me abide in your joy
and honor your Name.
Christ Jesus, thank you for wanting me;
I desire your will and not my own.
Holy Spirit, fill me anew with your peace, love, and courage,
and guide me for your purposes.
Today, somehow may Good News be found
in my being and doing.
For Your Name's sake.
Amen.

Night Offering
God of redemption, thank you for the moments of this day.Abba in Heaven, in you I find true rest.
Christ Jesus, please redeem for your purposes
all my efforts, love, and follies.
Holy Spirit, give me ears to hear
and eyes to see your presence.I offer you today as it was,
and raise my hallelujah for every minute.
Amen.

Morning Surrender
Abba in Heaven, there is a day before me that you have ordained as witness to your eternal mercy and kindness, lead me into it now.
Jesus, I need your example in word and deed in love for myself and others; help me to see and hear with your heart as I encounter today's moments and all among them.
Holy Spirit, renew in me the joy and peace of your presence, empower me to trust your good and perfect love, word, and will for me today, for you are the deposit of heaven itself in my very life.
Amen

Night Blessing
The day is now behind me, Father, and I thank you for the gift that it was. You saw the efforts, courage, love, and faith of every moment- I am glad that I am ever in your sight and care.
In these moments of sleep now, Jesus, I ask that you would protect my heart and mind from fear and lies, and that you would give my body stillness in your peace.
Holy Spirit, renew my soul for wonder as I remember this day- counsel me to see the beauty and wonder of your presence and in each moment of the next, that I may offer in praise now my hallelujah and amen.

ImperfectionGod,
We come to you today aware that we are not perfect.We hate to say that out loud,
not because we think we are perfect,
we know we are not.But when we say it out loud,
we are a little afraid that you or someone else will say, “It’s about time you noticed.”And will scold us and mock us and shame us.
And as much as we know they are right,
and are already scolding and mocking and shaming ourselves,
it will still hurt.And we know that you’ve said that you love us.
But the truth is, we don’t believe it.Or we are waiting for the rest of the sentence,
the one that starts with, “I love you, but…”
We are filling in the rest.
We forget that this is what you say:
I love you
AND I died for you
AND I’m with you
AND I’m coming for you
AND you will get sick and die
AND it doesn’t mean judgment,
it means you are human
AND I’m with you.Paul was right, of course, that your overwhelming love sounds foolish and leaves us speechless.Help us have glimpses of that love today.
Help us live in the peace it provides.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Failure’s Prayer
Lord I’m in this state of deprivation
It’s hard to see the way forward
My heart is heavy
longing for much moreHelp me see the red letters
In a season that’s felt unending
Please hear me now
Lord, I’m on my kneesGuide me through this day
Heal my heart of ache
It’s so much harder
when you feel aloneRestore what’s been broken
Renew my mind in you
Purify me, and remove what’s not of youAnd now this time alone has me thinking
I’ve beat myself up for failing
But you see more than my eyes will ever seeYou see beauty from the ashes
Broken and made new
A prodigal that has returned homeRemind me what is true
Bring joy through gratitude
Guide each stepAll this is my prayer

The Short One(deep breath)
God... please.
(deep breath)
Thank you.Amen.

The Mystery of MercyMy God, my God
Why hast thou accepted me
You took my sin and wrapped me in
Your robe and your ringMy God, my God
Why hast thou accepted me
When all my love was vinegar
To a thirsty kingMy God, my God
Why hast thou accepted me
It's a mystery of mercy
...
Hallelujah.

The Lord's PrayerAbba in Heaven,
Your name is highest of all!
Your Kingdom is here and coming-
may your will be done all around this world
as it is in Heaven.Provide for us today only what we need,
And forgive our failures, debts, and sins
as fully as we forgive others.Don't let me wander from your side,
but help me live in your victory over evil and temptation.
Because You are Lord of all, forever.
Amen.

The Hitchhiker's PrayerWell, God, I guess I need help.

Praying When AngryGod,
This sucks
I’m so tired of this crap
I’m so tired of getting dumped on
I’m so tired of having to wade through it
And work in it
And just deal with it
when You know
I didn’t ask for any of thisI’ve done my best
I’ve tried
I’ve tried… hard
You know I just took it
Do I have to anymoreAren’t you going to help me
I know you see it all
Why don’t you step in
Have you just forgotten me
It’s all so wrong
I know you knowJust… when you bring the Kingdom
Please remember me
Amen… I guess

Praying When AnxiousGod.
We are afraid.
We call it nervous.
Or having an abundance of caution.
Or being concerned for others.
And we know that maybe we shouldn’t feel this way.
But it’s what we feel.We are afraid.
We are afraid of what might happen to us.
We are afraid of what might happen to people we love.
We are afraid of not knowing what to do
when everything is unsettled.We are afraid of the people
who are not afraid,
who are not cautious,
who mock us.
We are afraid.God, you are the one who said
“Fear not” every time you showed up
in a fear-inspiring way.
You are the one who said
“Perfect love drives away fear.”Hearing those as commands isn’t helpful.
But hearing those as promises does help.Especially when we hear your tone of voice, not ours.God, I ask for all of us that we will hear your quiet voice
with more clarity than we hear the shouting all around us.
I ask for all of us that we will know your love in ways so real
that fear starts to slip away.
I ask for each of us that you will offer us
the peace that passes understanding
as we turn to you instead of our own understanding.
I ask that you will hold your fearful ones close.Through Christ our Lord,
Amen.

Henri's Psalm
O Lord, who else or what else can I desire but you?
You are my Lord, Lord of my heart, mind, and soul.
You know me through and through. In and through you everything that is finds its origin and goal. You embrace all that exists and care for it with divine love and compassion.Why, then, do I keep expecting happiness and satisfaction outside of you? Why do I keep relating to you as one of my many relationships, instead of my only relationship, in which all other ones are grounded?Why do I keep looking for popularity, respect from others, success, acclaim, and sensual pleasures? Why, Lord, is it so hard for me to make you the only one? Why do I keep hesitating to surrender myself totally to you?Help me, O Lord, to let my old self die, to let me die to the thousand big and small ways in which I am still building up my false self and trying to cling to my false desires.Let me be reborn in you and see through you the world in the right way, so that all my actions, words, and thoughts can become a hymn of praise to you.I need your loving grace to travel on this hard road that leads to the death of my old self to a new life in and for you. I know and trust that this is the road to freedomLord, dispel my mistrust and help me become a trusting friend.
Amen.

Inigo's SurrenderTake, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
all I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
Amen.

The Ragamuffin PrayerDear Jesus,
gift us to stop grandstanding and trying to get attention,
to do the truth quietly without display,
to let the dishonesties in our lives fade away,
to accept our limitations,
to cling to the gospel of grace,
and to delight in Your love.
Amen.

From Ephesians 3I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower me/us with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in me/our hearts as I/we trust in him. These roots will grow down into God’s love and keep strong!And may I/we have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is!May I/we experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully--Then I/we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!Amen.

Amy CarmichaelMy Father, quiet me
'Til in Thy holy presence, hushed
I think Thy thoughts with Thee.

Keith's AdorationOh Lord, You're beautiful
Your face is all I seek
For when Your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to meOh Lord, please light the fire
That once burned bright and clear
Replace the lamp of my first love
That burns with holy fearI wanna to take Your word and shine it all around
But first help me to just, live it Lord
And when I'm doing well,
help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is
giving glory to You

Frederick's PleaDear Lord, bring me through darkness into light. Bring me through pain into peace. Bring me through death into life. Be with me wherever I go, and with everyone I love. In Christ’s name I ask it.
Amen

Howard's ThanksgivingToday, I make my Sacrament of Thanksgiving.
I begin with the simple things of my days:
Fresh air to breathe,
Cool water to drink,
The taste of food,
The protection of houses and clothes,
The comforts of home.
For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day!I bring to mind all the warmth of humankind that I have known:
My mother’s arms,
The strength of my father
The playmates of my childhood,
The wonderful stories brought to me from the lives
Of many who talked of days gone by when fairies
And giants and all kinds of magic held sway;
The tears I have shed, the tears I have seen;
The excitement of laughter and the twinkle in the
Eye with its reminder that life is good.
For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day!I finger one by one the messages of hope that awaited me at the crossroads:
The smile of approval from those who held in their hands the reins of my security;
The tightening of the grip in a simple handshake when I
Feared the step before me in darkness;
The whisper in my heart when the temptation was fiercest
And the claims of appetite were not to be denied;
The crucial word said, the simple sentence from an open
Page when my decision hung in the balance.
For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day.I pass before me the main springs of my heritage:
The fruits of labors of countless generations who lived before me,
Without whom my own life would have no meaning;
The seers who saw visions and dreamed dreams;
The prophets who sensed a truth greater than the mind could grasp
And whose words would only find fulfillment
In the years which they would never see;
The workers whose sweat has watered the trees,
The leaves of which are for the healing of the nations;
The pilgrims who set their sails for lands beyond all horizons,
Whose courage made paths into new worlds and far off places;
The saviors whose blood was shed with a recklessness that only a dream
Could inspire and God could command.
For all this I make an act of Thanksgiving this day.I linger over the meaning of my own life and the commitment
To which I give the loyalty of my heart and mind:
The little purposes in which I have shared my loves,
My desires, my gifts;
The restlessness which bottoms all I do with its stark insistence
That I have never done my best, I have never dared
To reach for the highest;
The big hope that never quite deserts me, that I and my kind
Will study war no more, that love and tenderness and all the
inner graces of Almighty affection will cover the life of the
children of God as the waters cover the sea.
All these and more than mind can think and heart can feel,
I make as my sacrament of Thanksgiving to Thee,
Our Father, in humbleness of mind and simplicity of heart.

Rich's WhisperHold me, Jesus
I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been king of my glory
Please be my prince of peace

Let There Be LightShort Version:
Jesus,
You came in the fulness of time as "the true light that gives light to everyone." You bring hope and grace moment by moment and the gates of hell itself cannot resist you. You are the Light of reality and the darkness cannot overcome it.Let there be light- on earth as it is in heaven, for Your Name’s sake, for You are the One and True Living God, You are the light by which we learn to see now and we will perfectly see in the age to come, and You cannot be overcome.Long Version:
Lord of All,
My heart is glad to know You are above all powers, thrones, authorities, governments, and realms- seen and unseen. As Your child I am secure and walk with Your peace at all times. You oversee the order of all reality, willing every flower to open all over the earth in Your kindness and tenderness, watching every sparrow flit and fly for Your pleasure, permitting my heart another beat within this chest by Your patience, grace, and love!You keep Your word until its end. You govern the universe well for Your Name’s sake. Though there is a celebration of darkness and rebellion on earth so often, and today I rejoice to know that darkness is not anything in itself! Darkness is merely a lack of light- because You spoke everything into being and called it good- making chaos submit to Your good plans, giving darkness boundaries. The shadow falls where the light hasn’t yet arrived, and I know that your Kingdom advances minute by minute, redeeming lives, removing obstacles to your light-love.You came in the fulness of time as "the true light that gives light to everyone." You bring hope and grace moment by moment and the gates of hell itself cannot resist you. You are the Light of reality and the darkness cannot overcome it.So indeed, Lord Jesus, again I pray today, let there be light!𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: in my ways, for I am a child by Your blood and will, an ambassador of Your Name, commissioned in Your Kingdom; may the joy and peace of being Yours and walking with You emanate into every space I set foot today as I bear witness to the good news of Your goodness, love, and salvation.𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: in my mind, being filled by thoughts of Your truth and wisdom, perceiving Your presence in moments of pain and well-being, exultation and lament.𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: in my words, declaring holiness and life in all those exchanged with my family, with my coworkers, with my traffic-partners, strangers, and You.
𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: in my hands, extending kindness and grace, palms out to welcome peaceful connection, bringing others both by hand and in offering to You.𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: in my heart, persuaded by Your presence that each one, near-as-the-mirror and far-as-language-can-divide, are made in Your image and bestowed an echo of Your glory, beloved in Your blood, and invited to eternity by Your grace.𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: in the midst the doubt and pain from this sin-hardened world, as the darkness seems so great because the light feels so small; Vision-Healer, give me eyes to see all I need to see, if only a flickering hope and a mustard seed’s faith that You won’t snuff it out.𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: on earth as it is in heaven, for Your Name’s sake, for You are the One and True Living God, You are the light by which we learn to see now and we will perfectly see in the age to come, and You cannot be overcome.Let there be light today, oh Lord, my God; 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.Amen

The Sinner's PrayerOh God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Pentecost PrayerGod of convincing power
You pour out your Spirit
on all who call on you.
Restore us with the breath of your holy presence,
that we may see the vision of your shalom
and proclaim your good news to the world.
Through Jesus, who taught us,
we pray for the coming of your reign:
Our Father in Heaven…….
If we sow to the Spirit,
we will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
So let us not grow weary
in doing what is right,
for we will reap at harvest-time,
if we do not give up.
So then, whenever we have an opportunity,
let us work for the good of all,
and especially for those of the family of faith.
Amen.

When confession feels necessary, and mercy feels possible. Know that in Christ you are already heard, yet we may still peacefully declare our deep need as David's Psalm 51.The Scottish HymnGod be merciful to me
on Thy grace, I rest my plea
Plenteous in compassion Thou
Blot out my transgressions now
Wash me, make me pure within
Cleanse, oh, cleanse me from my sinMy transgressions I confess
Grief and guilt my soul oppress
I have sinned against Thy grace
And provoked Thee to Thy face
I confess Thy judgment just
Speechless, I, Thy mercy trustI am evil born in sin
Thou desirest truth within
Thou alone my Savior art
Teach Thy wisdom to my heart
Make me pure, Thy grace bestow
Wash me whiter than the snowBroken, humbled to the dust
By Thy wrath and judgment just
Let my contrite heart rejoice
And in gladness hear Thy voice
From my sins O hide Thy face
Blot them out in boundless graceGracious God, my heart renew
Make my spirit right and true
Cast me not away from Thee,
Let Thy Spirit dwell in me
Thy salvation's joy impart
Steadfast make my willing heartSinners then shall learn from me,
And return, O God, to Thee
Savior all my guilt remove,
And my tongue shall sing Thy love
Touch my silent lips, O Lord,
And my mouth shall praise accord

Patrick's BreastplateI bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three.I bind this today to me forever
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river,
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb,
His riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom
I bind unto myself today.I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of Cherubim;
The sweet ‘Well done’ in judgment hour,
The service of the Seraphim,
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord
And purity of virgin souls.I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the star lit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea
Around the old eternal rocks.I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility
I bind to me these holy powers.Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
By Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.
Amen.

We are a Society of Ragamuffin Angels.

Their souls have a limp.
His wings have patches.
Her halo is crooked.
But they are wanted,
and they are sent.
They know the good news of amazing grace:
God so loved the world—how wonderful.
Jesus loves me—how impossible!
They weep with those who weep.
They rejoice with those who rejoice.
The crumbs of grace are their daily bread,
and they revel in the feast
as those surprised by joy.
~
We are people who meet weakness tenderly.
We are people who tell the truth about our limits.
We are people who stay
when it would be easier to leave.
We are people who receive grace
in crumbs and in feasts.
We are people who weep with those who weep
and rejoice with those who rejoice.
We are people who believe we are wanted,
and who live as those sent.
We are people surprised—again and again—by joy.

Yes, You Belong

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