Pray for Pinky

I've been remiss in writing my blogs lately but hopefully everyone will understand that I have been consumed with a new job that I really dig! I think that maybe God hasn't inspired me to write anything because I needed something that inspired me to share. Maybe not.

I've been working on houses in Houston doing various things. For a guy that's always driven a desk, driving my truck around town with my lawn mower in the back is somewhat liberating. It's fun to be outside, and feels great to come home and know that I have done an honest days work, and earned an honest days pay.

Anyway, I digress.

Today I took on a last minute assignment to do the yard on a house in one of the more depressed neighborhoods. I would imagine that many people would be afraid to go to this part of town but because I believe God will protect me, I had no second thoughts about going there.

As I cut the grass a women named "Pinky" came up and asked me if she could help me. I said "Sure" and she asked me how much I would pay her. I told her if she would mow the back yard I would pay her $10.00. After a brief discussion she told me that she was homeless and did drugs. I asked her to promise me that if I gave her $10.00 she would not spend it on drugs. She promised.

As we stood by my car, she told me a bit about her story. It was sad to say the least.

I got her set up to mow the back yard, and she did a great job! I was really impressed!

As we stood by my truck and I gave her the money, I asked her if she believed in God. She told me she did and asked why I wanted to know.

I told her that I wanted to pray for her. That she would find her way off drugs, and off the street. She was touched that I offer to pray for her.

This women really touched me. She worked hard, was kind, friendly, and wanted to have a better life. I wish I could do all of that for her.

I feel very fortunate to be connected to God. I hope that all of the blessings I have enjoyed, can be shared through God with Pinky. Meeting people like her make me remember how fortunate I have to have a family that loves me, friends who care about me, and that God is watching over me. God has touched me, you, and those around us. Hopefully we can all pass this along to those less fortunate than our self.

Heavenly Father, bless Pinky with strength, direction, and your touch. She is a kind soul to whom I will be eternally grateful for the reminder of how fortunate some of us are.

Peace.

MPK

Prayer for the sick Monday, January 26, 2009

So hear it's flu season, fortunately I am feeling great. For anyone that's sick, I found a nice prayer on Catholic Online. I also get quite a few prayers for people or their loved ones that are sick. The prayer below seems to apply for anyone.

Prayer for the Sick
Omnipotent and eternal God, the everlasting Salvation of those who believe, hear us on behalf of Thy sick servant, [insert name] for whom we beg the aid of Thy pitying mercy, that, with his bodily health restored, he may give thanks to Thee in Thy church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Everyone have a great week, may God bless, protect, and inspire you to become a better version of yourself in the coming days.

Peace!!

The Prayerman is not M.I.A.

He's just been super busy with two new projects over the past three days.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the work, the opportunity to earn some money, and the ability you have blessed me with. Hopefully you know I've been working in your shadow. Please bless all of the people that have helped me, TB, KC, my family, and friends. With out them and your help we would not have been able to accomplish what we have. Thank you for the blessing, and for protecting those around me as well as myself.

I pray that everyone will use their heart, hands, eyes, and strength to continue to work in your favor.

In your name we pray, Amen.

Prayer for Revival for Wednesday, January 21, 2009

On the first official day as President of the United States for Barack Obama, I felt moved to pray for revival.

Below is an excerpt from a great blog I read this morning:

"Pray to see His Spirit pour out across this land to bring thousands and thousands to Him. Let us love one another and share the love of Christ. May God be glorified through His people coming before Him with the souls of our countrymen and women on our hearts. God does not desire that any should perish but that all should have eternal life."

http://www.allaboutprayer.org/how-to-pray-for-revival.htm

Everyone have a great day! My God bless and revive us all!

Prayer for Peace, Wisdom, and President Obama

Heavenly Father, bless us that in the coming days we shall receive your gift of peace so that we may love our neighbors as ourselves, that we unite and be guided by your wisdom, and that President Obama leads us all in a new direction. Let us all pray "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

In your name we pray,

Amen.

Prayerman nominated for an award

The Prayerman blog was nominated for a Social Media Award by The Austin Stateman. OK...so that's pretty cool in my mind!!

There is a comment form on the Austin Statemans website if you would like to enter a few thoughts.

Peace!

Hold on!

I found this video on youtube. It's got a great message in it for all of us!

....pray on just a little while longer cause everythings gonna be alright!

Peace!!!

Pray for MLK day

Heavenly Father, let us remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King that one day we will all live in a world where we" will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character". Let us band together "to march ahead" against racial injustices for together "we shall over come." In your name we pray. Amen

From the works of Dr. Martin Luther King:
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."²

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

I haven't forgotten the post for today!

I just haven't felt inspired to share a prayer on a particular topic today. Mainly because I have so many good things in the works that I can't stay focused long enough to find something profound to share. I am going to do my own private devotion and mediation I do everyday however.

I am thankful and distracted by a new opportunity that I have been working diligently on. While I'm not going to completetly let the cat out of the bag, I am working with a local Mission to get some of the Men in their program back to work. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to help some Men get back on the right track.

I'm thankful to God for many things! My friends, my family, my ability, my drive, and my ability to work through problems. I believe that all of these are gifts from God, therefore I am grateful.

Please pray for a couple of friends of mine...SS that she find her purpose, KP that she become the women God made her to be, ST that resolve will be positive, and SW for God to bless and renew her relationship.

For everyone else, may God bless you with a great attitude, open mind, and clean heart.

God does listen!!!

Thank you to everyone for blessing me!!!

Prayers for Gods Grace for Tuesday, January 13, 2009

O Lord my God, who created me in Your own image and likeness, grant me this great grace, so necessary for my salvation, so that I may overcome my fallen nature which drags me down to sin and the loss of my soul. I see in my fallen nature the law of sin opposing the law of my mind (Ro 7:23), leading me captive to sensuality.

Without the assistance of your holy grace, infused copiously into my heart (Eph 1:7), I cannot resist these passions.

I need a great abundance of your grace to overcome my fallen nature, which has an inclination toward evil even from my youth (Gn 8:21).

O Lord, how absolutely necessary Your grace is for me, both to begin a good work and to persevere until I accomplish it. Without grace I can do nothing (Jn 15:5), but I can do all things in You, when Your grace strengthens me (Ph 4:13).

Prayer for Those Seeking Meaning - Monday, January 12, 2009

Eternal Wisdom,
source of life and grace,
bless all who are seeking
the meaning of life.
Endow them with courage to risk the unknown.
Bless them with wonder
to be still and rejoice.
Anoint them with wisdom
to understand the potential of their dreams.
Blessed is your name, now and ever more.
Amen.

- Vienna Cobb Anderson

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Prayer/Prayer-of-the-Day.aspx

End of Advent Prayer for Sunday, January 11, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Father in heaven, you revealed Christ as your son by the voice that spoke over the waters of the Jordan.

May all who share in the sonship of Christ, follow in his path of service to man, and reflect the glory of his kingdomeven to the ends of the earth.

For he is Lord forever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus. 1 John 3

"The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen." Mt. 4

Jesus comes down to the Jordan and, in a profound gesture, enters our lives even more dramatically: he humbles himself to be one with us in the waters of baptism. In these days after Epiphany, let us keep letting the light shine into the places of darkness within us and around us. And where we have seen and felt his enlightening, freeing presence, let us continue to rejoice with Christmas joy.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
Our redeemer desired to be baptized in the Jordan by John; let us make this prayer to him: Lord, have mercy.

Christ, you made your light shine on us by revealing yourself, grant us the spirit of humble service to all people.

Christ, you humbled yourself and received baptism from your servant to show us the way of humility, grant us the spirit of humble service to our fellow men.

Christ, through your baptism you cleansed us of every blemish and made us children of your father, bestow your spirit of adoption on all who see you.

Christ, through baptism you have consecrated creation and opened the door of repentance to all who prepare for baptism, make us servants of your Gospel in the world.

Christ, through your baptism you revealed to us the Holy Trinity when the Father called you his beloved Sonand the Holy Spirit came down upon you, renew the spirit of adoption among the royal priesthood of the baptized.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, this incredible season comes to an end todaybut not the joy I have discovered in these weeks.

Daily Prayer for Saturday January 10, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
God our Father, through your Son you made us a new creation. He shared our nature and became one of us; with his help, may we become more like him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
And we have this confidence in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours. 1 John 5

He must increase; I must decrease. John 3

Confidence in Jesus is so freeing. Until we have complete trust in Jesus, we will always be tempted to be the center of attention, and too absorbed with our needs and too discouraged if our needs aren't being met. When we have confidence in Jesus, we can ask for anything that he desires in us, and we will have it. If we ask that I might grow smaller in my desires, and the needs of others might grow in my attention, then he will increase his place in our hearts, and fill us with even greater love for others.

May we know how much he loves us. May he become the center of our lives.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
Let us give glory to Christ, the image of God, as we call upon him in faith: Christ, Son of God, hear us.

Son of God, you showed us the Father’s love, reveal him to men and women through the love we show toward one another.

You revealed yourself as Lord of life, now grant us the fullness of your life.

Let our bodies be signs of your life, as we bear your dying in our flesh.

Illuminate our hearts, with the brilliant knowledge of God’s light.

Closing Prayer:
You have said that we could ask for anything and you would grant it. Give me only the ability to trust you, Lord.

My mind and heart are so often at war with each other and I am used to a life in which my own needs come first. But I long to live my life as you lived yours, filled with the love of and compassion for others.

Give me the great grace to be more humble and to demand less in my life. Let me see the needs of others as more important than my own.

Too often I am at the center of my life; Help me to do the impossible: to put you in that central place.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Daily Prayer for Friday January 9, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
All-powerful Father, you have made known the birth of the Savior by the light of a star. May he continue to guide us with his light, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 1 John 5

"I do will it. Be made clean." Luke 5

Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean. That's our prayer, our desire. We have life in Jesus, a life that has integrity and peace.

Let us ask for what we need this week. Whatever is keeping us from real joy, real integrity, can be made clean and put into balance by him. May he heal anything that hinders our ability to love freely.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
Give honor and glory to Jesus Christ who comes to create a new heart and a new spirit in all. We call on him as we say: By the power of your birth, make us new persons.

You took on our life and offered us in return the mystery of God’s life, help us to recognize you in the mysteries of your word and your eucharist which you entrusted to your Church. Founder of the human race, through the spotless Virgin you became one of us, through her intercession, may we touch your divinity and be healed.

Our Redeemer, you descended upon the earth as the rain which fell upon the sheepskin of Gideon, now drench our lives in the living water that springs up to provide eternal life.
As we celebrate the beginning of your life on this earth, let us imitate that perfect manhood which you revealed in your life among us.

Closing Prayer:
Oh God of Wonder, even though I often feel like I am stumbling in the dark, I know you are there to guide me with the perfect light of your love. I know you can heal me and I believe that you want to do just that. I beg you now to look at me with your loving eyes and 'make me clean. Let my life reflect the balance of my faith in you and a love of those in my life. Help me to love more freely. Help me to love as you do.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Daily Prayer for January 8, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
God our Father, through Christ your Son the hope of eternal life dawned on our world. Give to us the light of faith that we may always acknowledge him as our Redeemer and come to the glory of his kingdom, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings
Daily Meditation:
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God. 1 John 4

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." Luke 4

The mission of Jesus is so clear. He has come to show us how to love; how to love those who most in need of love. Sometimes the poorest, neediest person, is the person in my own house that I have the least patience with. I can't say I love God and ignore the one I'm called to love.

May we have the light, the grace, of this week, all about love, to love more and more, starting out very close to home.

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Rejoice in the wonderful works of the Lord for he has given us hope through the birth of his Son. Let us all cry out with great joy:Glory to God in the highest.
With the angels and patriarchs and prophets, we praise you, Lord.
With Mary, the Virgin Mother of God,- our whole being proclaims your greatness, Lord.
With the apostles and evangelists,- we give you thanks, Lord.
With all the holy martyrs,-we offer our bodies to you as consecrated victims.
With all your holy witnesses in the Church, we dedicate our lives to you in deepest faith.

Closing Prayer:
You have given me the great gift of faith that offers so much meaning in my life. You call me to see with new eyes, those who are in my life and ask me to love them as you love me. Such a challenge, Lord!

As you touched the eyes of the blind and let in the light, touch my heart and help me to open it to those who most annoy me, those who are hardest for me to love.

I know that I am only redeemed through you and I beg you to fan the flame of hope in my life.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Daily Prayer for Wednesday January 7, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
God, light of all nations, give us the joy of lasting peace, and fill us with your radiance
as you filled the hearts of our fathers.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. ...There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. 1 John 4

"Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were (completely) astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened. Mark 6

How often fear takes away our ability to love! But, love drives out fear. It appears that the key is to "understand the incident of the loaves. "If Jesus has power, then it is foolish for us to fear. If we won't let Jesus have power in our lives, then our hearts are still hardened.

Let us surrender our hearts to the Lord, that we might let him love us and take away all our fears, that we might love more courageously, more completely.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
In the fullness of time, the eternal Word was begotten of the Father. He is the child who is born for us, the son who is given to us. To him we lift our voices in joy: Praise be to you, Lord.

Son of the living God, you existed before the world was made and you came on earth to save all, enable us to be witnesses to your Gospel.

Sun of Justice, whose brightness shone forth from the bosom of the Father and flooded the entire world, be light for all who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

You became a little child and lay in a manger, renew in us the simplicity of little children.

For our sake you became the living bread of eternal life, fill us with joy through the sacrament of your altar.

Closing Prayer:
My love for you is so imperfect, Lord. I know I am filled with fear and yet I long to taste the depths of your love.

Give me the joy of lasting peace and fill my heart with so much love that there is no more room for the worry and dread. Open my eyes to those around me and give me the courage to act in justiceto make their lives better as you would do for me.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Let us all be greatful! Daily Prayer for Tuesday, January 9, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Father, your Son became like us when he revealed himself in our nature: help us to become more like him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. 1 John 4

O God, give your judgment to the king; your justice to the son of kings; That he may govern your people with justice, your oppressed with right judgment, ...That he may defend the oppressed among the people, save the poor and crush the oppressor. Psalm 72

His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. ...They all ate and were satisfied. Mark 4

Jesus is full of compassion for us in his unconditional love for us. Even when it seems impossible, he still shows us the way and nourishes us with his love.

May we be grateful for his love for us these days. May we be like him in our love for one another.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
Let us rejoice in the compassion of Christ, who came to free mankind from the slavery of corruption and to give us the freedom of the sons of God. Trusting in this divine compassion, we plead: By your birth, deliver us from evil.

Lord, you existed before the ages, yet you entered into a new life, renew us continually through the mystery of your birth.

Without surrendering your divinity, you wondrously took on our humanity, grant that our lives may press on to a fuller participation in your divinity.

You came to be a light to the nations, the teacher of holiness, let your words be a light along our way.

Word of God made flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, you entered this world, live in our hearts always through faith.

Closing Prayer:
Jesus, you became one of us on this earth. What I want now is to be more like you: more compassionate and patient, more guided by your Holy Spirit.

'In this is love.' It is impossible to believe in the kind of love you have for me. If only I believed it how different my life would be! It seems impossible that you could love me as you do and yet you are the very center of that impossible love. Help me to be more grateful for all you have given me so that my response might be one of generosity to you and those you have placed in my life.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Daily Prayer for Monday, January 5, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Lord, let the light of your glory shine within us, and lead us through the darkness of this world to the radiant joy of our eternal home.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus. 1 John 3

"The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen." Mt. 4

Jesus hears that John has been jailed. He realizes his time has come. He begins by quoting Isaiah, chapter 8. He is the light who has come into our lives, which are so often overshadowed by death, in so many ways.

In this week after Epiphany, let us keep letting the light shine into the places of darkness within us and around us. And where we have seen and felt his enlightening, freeing presence, let us continue to rejoice with Christmas joy.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
All the ends of the earth have seen Jesus Christ, the saving power of God. Let us praise him and cry out in joy: Glory be to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Redeemer of all, you came to tear down the walls separating Jew from Gentile root out the prejudices which erode the depths of our humanity.

Through your incarnation and your birth you established your presence among us, teach us to recognize the many forms of your presence in the Church and in one another.

You are the fullest revelation of God to men and women, show us how we can assent to your word with integrity of faith and action.

You are God-with-us, wondrously transforming all creation, let every heart, every voice, every deed throughout the universe now be transformed.

Closing Prayer:
Radiance. Your radiant light blazes in my world today. I know I will have difficult times and the darkness will gather around me again. But today the shining light of your love comes into my life and frees me.

There are other days that are shadowy, when I don't always know where I am going, Lord. When the gloom gathers in my life, lead me through it. I will reach out my hand in the darkness, put aside my fears and walk next to you, comforted by your presence and the warmth of your unending love.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Feast of the Epiphany - January 4, 2009

Daily Prayer
"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Entrance Antiphon:
The Lord and ruler is coming; kingship is his, and government and power.

Opening Prayer:
Let us pray(that we will be guided by the light of faith) Father, you revealed your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to your glory in heaven by the light of faith.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Alternative Opening Prayer:
Let us pray(grateful for the glory revealed today through God made man)
Father of light, unchanging God, today you reveal to people of faith the resplendent fact of the Word made flesh.

Your light is strong, your love is near; draw us beyond the limits which this world imposes, to the life where your Spirit makes all life complete.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. Isaiah 60

May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, the kings of Arabia and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him. For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who have no one to help. He shows pity to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor. Psalm 72

The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Ephesians 3

This great feast celebrated in the East as the Baptism of the Lord - is a feast of "revelation." Jesus is the beloved Son of God, a light for the whole world, the very one who comes to us in time, this year,to be our savior: to rescue the poor, to hear our cry,to save us in our need, in our poverty.

May we bring him the gifts of our faith and trust and hope. May we recognize him as our savior who gave his own life to set us free from the power of sin and death.Come, let us adore him.

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Today our Savior was adored by the Magi. Let us also worship him with joy as we pray Light from Light, shine on us this day.

Christ, you revealed yourself in the flesh, sanctify us through prayer and the word of God.
Christ, your witness was the Spirit, free our lives from the spirit of doubt.
Christ, you revealed yourself to the angels, help us to feel the joy of heaven on earth.
Christ, you were proclaimed to the nations, by the power of the Holy Spirit open the hearts of all.
Christ, you generated faith in the world, renew the faith of all believers.
Christ, you were taken up in glory, enkindle in us a longing for your kingdom.

Closing Prayer:
Light of the world, You have come into my life; you are here for me in my poverty. I am dazzled by the gifts you bring to me on this day:"Your light is strong, your love is near."

Truly you have drawn me far beyond the limits of the world,and into the limit less boundaries of your dizzying love. My gifts are small, and often filled with fear. They are my trust and my hope.

Please accept them and heal me and let me be free enough to rejoice that you are the Beloved Sonand that you have come for me.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Daily Prayer for Saturday January 3, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
All powerful Father, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to bring the new light of salvation to the world. May he enlighten us with his radiance, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings
Daily Meditation:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 2

(John) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. John 1

John recognizes Jesus, from the Light that descended from Heaven, and invites the disciples - and us - to recognize Jesus. He's the one who takes away our sins.

May we continue to welcome him, more deeply into our hearts this week. May we continue to celebrate the gift we havein Jesus, now, and where we need it.

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Let us glorify the Word of God who was revealed in the flesh, appeared to the angels, and was proclaimed to the nations. Let us faithfully acknowledge him: We adore you, only begotten Son of the Father.

Liberator of mankind, through the Virgin Mary you came to renew us, through her intercession keep us from our old ways.

You made your uncreated justice radiate from heaven to earth, direct our days and our nights in the brightness of the Sun.

Son of God, you have shown us the Father’s love, help us to show him to one another by our love.

You chose to dwell with us, make us worthy of your companionship.

Closing Prayer:
Lord of Light, how many times do I walk by youand not see you?

You have come onto this earth to live in my life and embrace the humanity of us all. I ask that you give me the light to see you and to recognize your presence in others. Take away my sins: my sins of blindness and ignorance and of indifference.

Help me to share in your great and compassionate heart and the loving vision with which you see each one of us.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Daily Prayer for January 2, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
God our Father,when your Son was born of the Virgin Mary he became like us in all things but sin. May we who have been reborn in him be free from our sinful ways.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming. 1 John 2

John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." John 1

Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. All that has prepared us for his coming gives witness to his presence with us now.

May we remain in the one who has come to be with us.

May we place our trust in the one who promises us life.

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Let us joyfully invoke the Son of God, our Redeemer, who became man in order to restore man: Be with us, Emmanuel.

Jesus, Son of the living God, King of glory, and Son of the Virgin Mary, brighten this day with the glory of your incarnation.

Jesus, Wonder-Counselor, Mighty -God, Father of the future, Prince of peace, direct our lives according to the holiness of your human nature.

Jesus, all-powerful, patient, obedient, meek and humble of heart, show the power of your gentleness to all.

Jesus, Father of the poor, immeasurable goodness, our way and our life, grant your Church the spirit of poverty.

Closing Prayer:
I beg you, Lord, give me the sight I needso that I can see you in those around me and welcome you into my heartwith the joy of celebration.

If only my eyes could be opened! Give me the wisdom and internal vision to see and I will recognize you as my saviornot only in my heart today but in my life every day.

I ask that you help me to open my heart more fullyto your own dizzying love for me. Help me to be grateful for your incredible gifts to me.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God- January 1, 2009 World Day of Prayer for Peace

Daily Prayer:
Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

Opening Prayer:
Let us pray that Mary, the mother of the Lord, will help us by her prayers God our Father, may we always profit by the prayers of the Virgin Mother Mary, for you bring us life and salvation through Jesus Christ her Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Alternative Opening Prayer:
Let us pray in the name of Jesus, born of a virgin and Son of God
Father, source of light in every age, the virgin conceived and bore your Son who is called Wonderful God, Prince of Peace.

May her prayer, the gift of a mother’s love,be your people’s joy through all ages. May her response, born of a humble heart, draw your Spirit to rest on your people.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
The LORD bless you and keep you!

The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! Numbers 6

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus,the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2

The beginning of the New Year gives us an opportunity to reflect upon so much.We begin by dedicating this new year to Mary. And because she gave birth to the Prince of Peace it is a wonderful day to join with one another around the world to pray for peace.

Let us all make our resolutions in light of the graces that have been offered us throughout this Advent and Christmas Season.

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Mt. 1

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Let us give glory to Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, and let us pray to him:

Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us. Christ born of the Virgin Mary, you are the Wonder Counselor and Prince of Peace, give your peace to the world.

Our King and our God, you have raised us up by your coming help us to honor you all the days of our lives, by our faith and our deeds. You made yourself like us, in your mercy, grant that we may become more like you.

You made yourself a citizen of our earthly city, grant that we may become citizens of our true homeland, your Kingdom in Heaven.

Closing Prayer:
Gracious God,what a gift Mary is in my life. I run from humility and yet I am touched by her response to you. I am headstrong and arrogant and she shows me how to say Yes. By her spirit, her example, her love she helps bring peace into the world. Help me to be just a small glimmer of your lightin the midst of a dark world.

Oh, Lord, let your face shine on me!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.