PRAYERS WORTH MENTIONING... EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
(simply some of my personal favorites)
If you'd like to add one, please insert in the box below, provide your name & e-mail, and hit 'submit':
THE DAY WILL BREAK
Martin Willett c. 1990
(a song sang at our Church recently)
The day will break when those in poverty’s oppression find release.
The day will break when shouts of anger break no more from city streets,
when the cries of the unwelcome and forgotten children cease,
the day the captor liberates,
when hate no longer separates,
when all creation celebrates Gods’ saving reign of peace.
The day will break, the sun will rise upon a new creation right before our eyes;
The lame will take to dancing, the mute will find a voice,
and those who live in eimptiness and sorrow will rejoice.
The deaf will hear, the blind will see, the exile and the prisoner will be set free,
the sword become a ploughshare, the wall an open door,
the lion and the lamb lie down in peace forevermore.
The day will break, the light will dawn, when we awake to find our thirst for war is over;
When wealth will have no power,
when fear will have no reign,
when faith and hope and love rise up to take the place of pain.
The lost be found, the truth be heard,
The heart of stone made flesh by God’s redeeming word,
The weeping soul find laughter, the sleeping soul awake,
The people who in darkness walk will find the day will break.
NOVENA PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Come, Spirit of Wisdom,
dispose our hearts to know and value the things of heaven above the things of earth
and show us the way to salvation.
Come, Spirit of Understanding,
enlighten our minds to the mysteries of salvation
and grant that we may come to a fuller knowledge of you.
Come, Spirit of Counsel,
guide us in the way of your commandements; incline us to do good; keep us from evil
and bring us to everlasting life
Come, Spirit of Fortitude,
strengthen us in every trial and help us in our struggle against evil
and never let us be parted from you.
Come,Spirit of Knowledge,
help us to see beyond the passing joys of this world
to the glories you have prepared for us.
Come, Spirit of Piety,
stir up our hearts to true holiness and love of you
and May we laways seek you in spirit and in truth.
Come, Spirit of the Fear of the Lord,
teach us ever to set the Lord before us
and to avoid whatever is displeasing to you.
Bring us all one day to the fullness of your love.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, isnow and will be forever.
Amern
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From Jacqueline Bergan and S. Marie Shwan
[Honoring St. Ignatius of Loyola]
Lord My God: When Your love spilled over into creation,
you thought of me.
I am from love of love for love.
Let my heart, O God, always recognize, cherish and enJoy your goodness in all creation.
Direct all that is me toward your praise.
Team me reverence for every person, all things.
Energize me in your service.
Lord God, may nothing ever distract me from your love...
Neither health nor sickness;
Wealth nor poverty;
Honor nor dishonor;
Long life nor short life.
May I never seek nor choose to be other than You intend or wish.
Amen.
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From Alina:
> Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.
> I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.
> And it's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
> I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for t hose t hat are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those that don't believe.
> But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
> I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.
Amen
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Not really a prayer, but a very nice thought nonetheless...
FROM CARMENCITA
One of my favorite singer-songwriters was Harry Chapin. Until his death in a car accident in the early eighties, he was arguably the best at distilling the emotion and meaning that resides in the back of all of our minds. Below are the words to Harry's "Cat's in a Cradle" and as we prepare to honor our fathers, it is well worth reading...
My child arrived just the other day,
He came to the world in the usual way.
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay,
He learned to walk while I was away;
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it,
And as he grew he'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad,
You know I'm gonna be like you."
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When ya comin' home, Dad?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then,
You know we'll have a good time then."
My son turned ten just the other day,
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play.
Can you teach me to throw? "I said, "Not today, I got a lot to do."
He said, "That s okay." And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed,
It said. "I'm gonna be like him, yeah, You know I'm gonna be like him."
Well, he came from college just the other day,
So much like a man, l just had to say, "
Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for awhile?"
He shook his head and he said with a smile.
"What I'd really like Dad, is to borrow the car keys.
See you later, can I have them please?"
I've long since retired, my sons moved away.
I called him up just the other day. I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind.
"He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if can find the time.
You see, my new jobs a hassle and the kids have the flu,
But it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad, It's been sure nice talkin' to you."
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me,
He'd grown up just like me, my boy was just like me.
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon. "When you comin' home, Son?"
"I don't know when, But we'll get together then, Dad, We're gonna have a good time then."
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George Washington's Prayer:
'Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'
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THE JESUIT EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
“To be done anytime, anywhere.”
1.
THANKSGIVING
THANKSGIVINGLord, I realize that all, even myself, is a gift from you.
Today, for what things am I most grateful?
2.INTENTION
INTENTIONLord, open my eyes and ears to be more honest with myself.
Today, what do I really want for myself?
3.EXAMINATION
EXAMINATIONLord, show me what has been happening to me - and in me - this day.
Today, in what ways have I experienced your love?
4.CONTRITION
CONTRITIONLord, I am still learning to grow in your love.
Today, what choices have been inadequate responses to your love?
5.HOPE
HOPELord, let me look with longing toward the future.
Today, how will I let you lead me to a brighter tomorrow?
Adapted from "Through All the Days of Life" a collection of payers compiled by Fr. Nick Schiro, S.J.
FOR A FULLER DESCRIPTION AND DETAILED "EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE", GO HERE
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