A Step Along the Way: Dedicated to Archbishop Oscar Romero

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“It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.

Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.

No prayer fully expresses our faith.

No confession brings perfection.

No pastoral visit brings wholeness.

No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.

No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about.

We plant the seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.

We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.

This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.

It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.”



A Prayer for Living the Gospel

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“God of yesterday, today and tomorrow,
we call to mind your presence within us and around us.

Open our ears that we may hear your Word.
Open our hearts that we may understand your Word.
Open our mouths that we may speak your World.

Inspire us with the Gospel message,
that we may celebrate all that is life-giving,
restore hope where it has been lost,
and work to bring about change where it is needed.

May we live the Gospel with courage,
constancy and love.
May we be open to the challenge
of your call to true freedom.
May we be faithful to you in our daily choices and decisions.
May we make your love known
through our words and actions.

May the triune God reign in our hearts, now and forever.

Amen



A Christian Prayer for Peace of Mind

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“Almighty God, We bless you for our lives, we give you praise for your abundant mercy and grace we receive. We thank you for your faithfulness even though we are not that faithful to you.
Lord Jesus, we ask you to give us all around peace in our mind, body, soul and spirit. We want you to heal and remove everything that is causing stress, grief, and sorrow in our lives.
Please guide our path through life and make our enemies be at peace with us. Let your peace reign in our family, at our place of work, businesses and everything we lay our hands on.
Let your angels of peace go ahead of us when we go out and stay by our side when we return.
In Jesus' name,"

Amen.

(Author Unknown)


  • Found at Jesuit Resources


A Prayer For the Unemployed

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“Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer
want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this
land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find
suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment
for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Amen.


  • Found at the Online Book of Common Prayer


A Christian Litany of Humility

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“O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.”

(Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val)


  • Found at Jesuit Resources


Jewish Blessing of the Mourners

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“Those who are worn out and crushed by this mourning, let your hearts consider this:
this is the path that has existed from the time of creation and will exist forever.
Many have drunk from it and many will yet drink.
As was the first meal, so shall be the last.
May the master of comfort comfort you.
Blessed are those who comforts the mourners.”



Prayer to Celebrate our Differences as Uniqueness

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“God has made all of us alike, yet different in so many ways.
People in our place of work, and in our school, come from different backgrounds.
Many of us have different customs and speak different languages.
Each and every one of us has a different way of reacting to any given situation.
We should show respect for all those who have entered our lives
and accept them for who they really are--Children of God.”

(Author Unknown)


  • Found at Jesuit Resources


A Spiritual Understanding of Diversity

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“There is great diversity among human beings. Physically we differ from each other in things such as size, body structure, skin color, and facial features. We also differ from one another mentally, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.

One of the greatest challenges of a healthy spirituality is learning to tolerate the differences we find in one another and not to view these differences as threats to ourselves.

Moreover, a healthy spirituality should lead us to celebrate our differences and to see them as a reflection of God's beneficence and creativity.”

- Melannie Svoboda from Traits of a Healthy Spirituality


  • Found at Jesuit Resources


A Prayer For the Diversity of Races and Cultures

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“O God,
you created all people in your image.
We thank you for the astonishing variety
of races and cultures in this world.
Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of friendship,
and show us your presence
in those who differ most from us,
until our knowledge of your love is made perfect
in our love for all your children;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

(Author Unknown)


  • Found at Jesuit Resources


A Prayer Celebrating Diversity

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“Almighty God, through your Holy Spirit you created unity in the midst of diversity;
We acknowledge that human diversity is an expression of your manifold love for your creation;
We confess that in our brokenness as human beings we turn diversity into a source of alienation, injustice, oppression, and wounding.
Empower us to recognize and celebrate differences as your great gift to the human family.
Enable us to be the architects of understanding, of respect and love;
Through the Lord, the ground of all unity, we pray.”

(Author Unknown)


  • Found at Jesuit Resources


A Diversity Blessing

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“May the God who created a world of diversity and vibrancy,
Go with us as we embrace life in all its fullness.

May the Son who teaches us to care for stranger and foreigners,
Go with us as we try to be good neighbors in our communities.

May the Spirit who breaks down our barriers and celebrates community,
Go with us as we find the courage to create a place of welcome for all.”

(Attributed to Clare McBeath and Tim Presswood)


  • Found at Jesuit Resources


A Prayer Before Falling Asleep by John Calvin

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“O Lord God, who hast given man the night for rest,
....as thou hast created the day
....in which he may employ himself in labour,
grant, I pray, that my body may so rest during this night
....that my mind cease not to be awake to thee,
....nor my heart faint or be overcome with torpor,
....preventing it from adhering steadfastly to the love of thee.

While laying aside my cares to relax and relieve my mind,
....may I not, in the meanwhile, forget thee,
nor may the remembrance of thy goodness and grace,
which ought always to be deeply engraven on my mind,
....escape my memory.
In like manner, also, as the body rests may my conscience enjoy rest.

Grant, moreover, that in taking sleep
....I may not give indulgence to the flesh,
but only allow myself as much as
....the weakness of this natural state requires,
to my being enabled thereafter to be more alert in thy service.

Be pleased to keep me so chaste and unpolluted,
not less in mind than in body,
and safe from all dangers,
that my sleep itself may turn to the glory of thy name.

But since this day has not passed away
without my having in many ways offended thee
....through my proneness to evil,
in like manner as all things are now covered
....by the darkness of the night,
so let every thing that is sinful in me lie buried in thy mercy.

Hear me, O God, Father and Preserver, through Jesus Christ thy Son.”

- John Calvin


  • Found at Jesuit Resources


Traditional Buddhist Prayer (Author Unknown)

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“May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness;
May all be free from sorrow and the causes of sorrow;
May all never be separated from the sacred happiness which is sorrowless;
And may all live in equanimity, without too much attachment and too much aversion,
And live believing in the equality of all that lives.”


  • Found at Jesuit Resources


Golden Chain Prayer

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“We are a link in Amida's golden chain of love that stretches around the world, we will keep our link bright and strong.

We will be kind and gentle to every living thing and protect all who are weaker than ourselves.

We will think pure and beautiful thoughts, say pure and beautiful words, and do pure and beautiful deeds.

May every link in Amida's chain of love be bright and strong, and may we all attain perfect peace.”

- Buddha


  • Found at Jesuit Resources


A Reading For Good Friday

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O Christ,
Thou Lamb of God,
slain for the sin of the whole world,
with penitent heart I come to Thy Cross,
pleading for mercy and forgiveness.
My sins — and they are many —
have added to the burden of Thy suffering
and have nailed Thee to the accursed tree.
For me Thou has tasted the agony of the utter darkness
that I might not perish but have everlasting life.
Have mercy upon me.

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God,
embrace me with Thy love,
and forgive me all my sins.
Thy death brings healing to my soul,
peace to my mind,
cleansing to my heart.
If Thou wouldst mark iniquity,
I could not come;
for my hands are unclean,
my lips are sullied,
and my heart is blackened by sin.
But beholding Thee bleeding,
despised, forsaken, dying, pierced,
I come to be cleansed and forgiven.

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God,
grant that I may hate sin and wickedness more and more
as I behold Thee in Thy great agony.
My grateful heart today finds hope in Thy words,
comfort in Thy promises,
salvation in Thy finished work on the Cross,
by which Though has overcome sin, Satan, and death.

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God,
grant that I may daily walk by faith,
crucifying all sinful desires
and giving myself and dedicating my all to Thee.
Keep me faithful to the end of my days,
until I stand before Thy throne to worship Thee,
the Lamb once slain but now living and reigning forever,
adored by the multitude of heaven.
Hear my cry, Redeemer of my soul.
Amen.


  • From the 1951 Lutheran Book of Prayer


A Responsive Reading For Maundy Thursday

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“Eternal Savior,
how can my heart show its appreciation for Thy love?
How can I serve Thee best,
who has loved me and given Thy life for me?
Thous has sealed unto me the forgiveness of all my sins
and offered me reconciliation and peace
in the blessed Sacrament
which Thou didst institute on this day.
Thou hast promised to give me with the bread and the cup
Thy body and blood for the remission of all my sins.

Oh, what Amazing Love!

What riches of divine wisdom!

In awe and wonderment I ponder this gracious gift.
May I ever appreciate this blessed Sacrament
that Thou has bidden me to use oft in remembrance of Thee.
May I come worthily each time when I approach Thine altar.

O Savior, cast me not away from Thy presence.
Let not my sins remain with me because of impenitence of heart
or because I doubt Thy Word and promises.
Let me become one with this blessed Sacrament.
Make me Thine, and give me strength to amend my sinful life
and walk closer to Thee.

Preserve in Thy Christian Church
this blessed Sacrament given on this day.
Let thousands and ten thousands find through it the
assurance of forgiveness, peace, and salvation.
And grant to me and all those that are Thine
to be faithful to Thy Word and Sacraments,
that Thy name be glorified,
Thy will be done,
and we at last live with Thee in Thine eternal kingdom, Thine forevermore.
Amen.


  • From the 1951 Lutheran Book of Prayer


A Prayer of Condolences by Zenju

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“May the sweet light of change shine in the darkness,
May the first breath of each morning begin life again,
May the memories unfold as prayers for life,
May the love continue to fill the silence.

(Attributed to Zenju)



We Thank You, Creator God

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“We thank you, creator God,
for the goodly heritage you offer us,
from green downland
to the deep salt seas,
and for the abundant world
we share with your creation.
Keep us so mindful of its needs
and those of all with whom we share,
that open to your Spirit
we may discern and practice
all that makes for its wellbeing,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.

(attributed to Rev. Peter Lippiett)



Canticle of the Creatures

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“All praise be yours, My Lord
through all that you have made.

And first my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day...
How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;
In the heavens you have made them, bright and precious and fair.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air...

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,
So useful, lowly, precious and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you brighten up the night...

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother,
Who feeds us...and produces various fruits
With colored flowers and herbs...

Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,
And serve him with great humility.”

- Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi



A Buddhist Meal Time Prayer

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“This food is the gift of the whole universe,
Each morsel is a sacrifice of life,
May I be worthy to receive it.
May the energy in this food,
Give me the strength,
To transform my unwholesome qualities
into wholesome ones.
I am grateful for this food,
May I realize the Path of Awakening,
For the sake of all beings.

The joys and pains of all beings
are present in the gift of this food.
Let us receive it in love
and gratitude...

And in mindfulness of our sisters and brothers
among living beings of every kind
who are hungry or homeless,
sick or injured,
or suffering in any way.”

(Author Unknown)