Prayer Cross

The Prayer Cross or Serenity Cross can be any cross shape; the main feature is the set of prayer words or Bible text, inscribed or printed on the cross. (See also Crosses with lettering.)

Often the text is tiny and difficult to read; especially when it's a hand-held cross. For some people, having a Prayer Cross is like having a lucky charm. Prayer Crosses are found in church gift-shops as well as secular shops that also sell Lucky Seven and angel pendants.

To have some sanctifying words on a cross gives it more 'energy'. It doesn't matter if the text is illegible and it doesn't matter what the words say. It's sufficient that words are there.

However, there's no doubt that for many people, reading such a cross gives an immense source of inner comfort and hope. There's something about a cross with lettering that makes you want to read what is printed. Therefore the words might be simple yet lead to a profound meaning. It is a cross; a cross adorned with a bonus feature.

There are countless different prayer words used and here are a few of the more popular ones:

God, grant me
the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the
wisdom
to know
the
difference.

Serenity

Our Father,
who art
in heaven,
Hallowed be
thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive
those who
trespass
against us.
Lead us not
into temptation,
But deliver
us from evil.
For thine
is the kingdom,
the power,
and the glory,
for ever
and ever.
Amen.

The "Lord's Prayer"
from the Book of
Common Prayer (1928)
Matt. 6:9-13
and Luke 11:1-4
See also Paternoster Cross

The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want.
he makes me down to lie
in pastures green; he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make
within the paths of righteousness,
even for his own Name's sake.

Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
yet will I fear no ill;
for thou art with me; and thy rod
and staff my comfort still.

My table thou hast furnished
in presence of my foes;
my head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me;
and in God's house forevermore
my dwelling place shall be.

Hymn by
Francis Rowe
(1650)
Ps. 23

Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud. It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not
delight in evil
but rejoices
with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres.

Love never fails.

1 Cor. 13:4-8