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Praying Each Day in May
MAY I come into your presence, Father, and ask that you help me to be as trusting and close to you as many little children are with their parents. May my life today reflect that you rejoice in my company. May I rejoice in yours. Let us pray: On this day, Lord, we can celebrate many achievements of humanity as a whole, but never let us forget that each and every individual needs to be held in respect. We pray today for the unemployed and for those unable to work, and we ask you to give success to the work of our hands. Amen. http://angelwinks.ca/images/iq/qcteddy385.jpg Quote:
All that I am; Come let us go up to the Lord; I am with you for ever (all who labour); I give my hands; Lord, make me a means; Lord of all hopefulness (verse 2 refers to labouring); Make me a channel; Peace, perfect peace; Take my hands; Thank you for fathers This is an excerpt from the page of this date in ‘Praying Each Day of the Year’, a 3-volume book by Nicholas Hutchinson, FSC. |
Let us pray: God our Father, open our eyes to see the vision that you have for each of us, and lead us to grow in confidence in who we are, and in the faith that you call each of us by name. Show us how to live in such a way that we respect and accept others for who they are, and do not judge them as we ourselves do not want to be judged. Inspire us to be generous in praising others and in showing appreciation for their achievements. Amen. http://www.angelwinks.ca/iq/quick44.jpg |
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, we read in the Gospels that you brought healing and acceptance to many people, In your love stretch out your hands and touch me and bring healing and wholeness in my life. Amen. Quote:
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Let us pray: O God, we are conscious that many centuries of blindness have blinded our eyes so that we no longer see the beauty of your Chosen People. Across the centuries our Jewish brothers and sisters have lain in the blood which we drew or caused to be shed by forgetting your love. Forgive us for the curse we falsely attached to their name as Jews. Forgive us for crucifying you a second time in their flesh. For we knew not what we did. Amen. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...Z1p6BhKuGrClsw |
Let us pray: Lord, lead us to be peace-makers, building connections between individuals, focusing on what unites people rather than on what separates us and highlights our differences. Lord, it’s easy to harm relationships; instead, give us the power of your Spirit that we may build up and make new the bonds between people. Amen. http://angelwinks.ca/images/iq/qc2bearsblanket.jpg |
“We all have ideals, and as we have grown up we have the choice whether to pursue them or to give them up. If we pursue them we may not attain them. At times we may wonder whether there is any point in the pursuit, because of the sacrifices involved. “We need to strive to achieve more and more, not for purely selfish motives, but because of the recognition of some higher purpose. The aim is to move with the greatest possible freedom towards the realisation of the best within us. This is the quest of a lifetime, and sport plays only a small part in it.” Let us pray: Lord, each of us has different talents and abilities. We ask you to inspire us to discover and develop the best within us. Lead us to be both humble and generous in praising others for the good use of their talents. Amen. http://angelwinks.ca/images/iq/qcgirlwdande.jpg |
One of the world’s greatest musicians, Ludwig van Beethoven, began to lose his hearing when he was only 26. This was particularly tragic for someone so gifted in using sound as music. When he realised he could not be cured of his deafness, he wrote the following prayer. As we hear his words, we can pray for those who are going through difficulties at this time: O God, give me strength to be victorious over myself. O guide my spirit and raise me up from these dark depths, so that I may fearlessly struggle upward in fiery flight. For it is you alone, Lord, who understand me and can inspire me. Amen Quote:
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We’ll use as our prayer today some words written by Pope Paul VI (the sixth) about 25 years later: Lord, God of peace, we thank you for the hopes, the efforts and the achievements which your Spirit of peace has inspired in our days - stirring up love where there was hate, sympathy where there was suspicion, care where there was indifference. Open our minds and our hearts even more to the specific demands which love for others makes upon us, so that we may be more truly makers of peace. Remember, God of mercies, those who are oppressed, those who are suffering and dying for the birth of a world in which all people will be more truly a single human family. May your kingdom come for all people of every race and language - your kingdom of justice, of peace, of love, and may all the earth be filled with your glory. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...Mk7iocOGfEeXNQ |
A Muslim once said: “At night you Westerners see thousands of stars in the sky. We Muslims see only a few stars - and God.” Let us pray: God of all nations and all people, inspire us to live in your presence each day. On our journey through life lead us to choose the right direction, and show us how to respect and value others, even if we do not agree with them. May we find other people as willing to help us as we are willing to help them. Amen. http://www.animated-gifs.eu/phone-24...stars/0031.gif |
Let us pray: We know, Lord, that throughout our lives each of us will experience problems and difficulties. Give us courage and strength at those times and prevent us then from looking only at ourselves. Keep our vision wide so that, even in times of difficulty, we may still be of help to others. Help us not to be bitter towards people or situations, but empower us to take the initiative and break the cycle of hatred, bitterness, and evil actions. Help us to transform the difficulties that come our way into opportunities for personal growth and service of others. Amen. http://angelwinks.ca/images/greeting...tingspod61.jpg |
Tomorrow, 12th May, is the anniversary in 1935 of the start of “Alcoholics Anonymous”. Two men in New York began to support each other to stay sober. “Alcoholics Anonymous” - or “A.A.”, as it is often known - has small group meetings in many towns each week. Those who feel they have a drink problem are welcome to attend group meetings, where everyone is anonymous. No one is ever charged money to attend. Members encourage and support one another to live a day at a time. A.A. has “12 Steps for Recovery” from alcoholism. Some people who don’t have alcohol problems still find A.A.’s 12 “Steps for Recovery” to be a good guide when times are difficult. The ‘12 Steps’ include the following: - Realising and admitting that I am powerless over my problem, and have made a mess of my life; - believing that only a Power greater than myself can make me better, so handing my life over to God’s care; - taking responsibility for what has gone wrong in the past, and admitting my mistakes to God and to one other person; - asking God to remove my inner problems of character, and bring me healing. We’ll use as our prayer today some words used every day by A.A. members. This prayer is often said together at their group meetings. Let us pray: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Amen. http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/...imothy_1-7.jpg |
Let us pray: Lord, remind us that, along with our rights, each of us has duties and responsibilities towards others. Amen. http://angelwinks.ca/images/nostalgi...algicpod95.jpg |
May 13 Let us pray: Lord, we pray for justice and peace in our world. We pray, too, that those who use violence as a weapon may be touched by the reaction of people who have been hurt by violence. Influence each of us, Lord, to bring justice and peace to our own part of the world this day. Amen. http://angelwinks.ca/images/nostalgi...algicpod97.jpg |
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John Baptist De La Salle was declared the Patron Saint of teachers on this day in 1950. 300 years ago, John Baptist De La Salle encouraged teachers to look upon their students as individuals, rather than as a group. He talked of people needing to “touch hearts”. “Touching hearts” is about acknowledging and relating with people as individuals - helping each person feel that they are noticed and matter, and are significant and special. A personal approach or reaction can make all the difference to an individual, showing that someone is “bothered enough” to care. Someone today can be made to feel “worthwhile” if I call them by their name. I can show human warmth and concern today if I acknowledge individuals with eye-contact, a nod, a smile, or a word. I can “touch someone’s heart” if I set out to remember what the person says or does. At another time I can repeat those personal details, showing that someone cares enough about them to remember. I can build up people today if I help them to experience success or meaning in their lives, and feel good about themselves. I can help raise someone’s self-esteem today if I show that I respect and appreciate that individual and bear in mind their own special circumstances. Someone today can feel valued if I invite them to become part of conversation, to become part of what is going on; setting out to make sure people feel included rather than excluded. I can “touch hearts” today if I compliment individuals. Let us pray: Loving Lord, inspire me to bring out the best in others and “touch hearts” by being welcoming and generous and always positive in attitude, showing individuals that they matter and are important. May those who are part of my life this day treat me in the same way as I treat them. Amen. http://angelwinks.ca/iq/qcprayforpeace3.jpg Quote:
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