Thursday, February 24, 2011

For humility

Dear God,

There are times when I have fabricated plans and schemes in my head after hours of contemplation and thought. These all seem to be very well developed and entirely examined for flaws and inconsistencies.  I have spent much time on them because they ultimately serve to edify your Kingdom on earth.

Yet, I am guilty of acting out of my own will and not necessarily yours.  I over think and step beyond my boundaries and reach, fully knowledgeable that in so doing I am not completely serving you but I am perhaps serving me more than anyone else.  I am truly sorry.  I get caught in the doing and lose sight of the purpose of my grind and sweat: your praise and honor through every living act.

Give me the grace to wait on you and to listen to your will through the angels you place all around me - givers of good counsel and judgment that will help me in the ministry you have given me to manage.  Give me humility to let go of those things which I have made non-negotiable items of discussion.  Give me the strength to let others speak when I should be silent; to let others lead in your glorification when I should follow; to let your divine providence guide the way in every project in which I embark.  So that, when all is said and done, everyone will know that your intervention made everything perfect and harmonious, promoting love and charity above all other human emotions.

Allow me to be small so that you may be magnificent.

AMEN.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

For those whose life ends unexpectedly

Giver of life,

In you life itself has its origin.  Indeed you are the wellspring of all living organisms that inhabit the earth.  As the chief architect of this matter, it should be your call when a particular life should eclipse.
However, there are times when other living creatures decide that they need to usurp that role from you.
Tonight I pray for those people who, possessed by the most visceral of emotions - anger, retribution, envy, contempt - decide to end the life of another, with confounding violence and malignity.  I pray for their damaged hearts and perturbed minds.  I also pray for those who must endure a shattering loss, surprisingly and devastatingly.  May you provide consolation; may they find solace and ultimately restoration and security that you have embraced and welcomed their loved one amidst the chaos and uncertainty.

Amen.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

For those battered and beaten

Father of Consolation,

I pray this afternoon for all those who might be battered and beaten by those who claim to love them unconditionally; by those who appear as their protectors, husbands, fathers, boyfriends; by those whose actions should be the polar opposite of what actually transpires in daily life.

I pray for the well being of their children.  I pray for the restoration of their dignity, the healing of their wounds both visible and invisible, the realization that no human being is worthy of inflicting injury and damage to such an extent.

I for the psychological health of everyone impacted by the blows and bruises.  May each stakeholder find the strength to emancipate themselves from the slavery of chaos and abuse, fully knowledgeable of your relentless love and support, especially in tribulation of this magnitude.

Come to their aid and lift their spirits so that they may live in joy and peace.

Amen.