Tag: Gift

Teach Us To Pray

Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

Solemnity of Christmas Day

The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  Luke 2:10–14

Glory to God in the highest!  The celebration of the glorious birth of Christ the Lord has begun…Merry Christmas!

Lord, I love You and adore You.  I thank You for the unfathomable gift of Your divine presence among us.  I thank You, especially, for the invitation You offer me to join the poor shepherds as they come to adore You.  May this Christmas celebration be one in which I understand, more deeply, the incredible love You have for all Your children.  May I know that You came for

Teach Us To Pray

Joyful Noise

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

In Psalm 98, all of creation is called upon to make a joyful noise before God, for the Lord has come to “judge the earth,” and restore His Creation. We should not fail to see our own hand at work in the destruction of creation, in our sins of waste and decadence. This “judgment of the earth” is, in some part, a judgment of us as caretakers. But God is merciful and full of grace, and rather than leave everything in our hands, He gives us the Life-giver. This beautiful hymn makes the connection between the coming of Christ into this world and the beginning of that restoration. Christ brings “joy to the world,” a light where there is darkness, growth where there is decay. And we, along with all Creation, respond with a song of praise. Singing is praying twice so let our hearts sing!

Joy to the world the Lord is come

Let earth receive her king

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and Heaven and nature sing

We will sing, sing, sing

Joy to the world

We will sing, sing, sing

Joy to the world the savior reigns

Let men their songs employ

While fields and floods rocks hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

We will sing, sing, sing

Joy to the world

We will sing, sing, sing

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love

And wonders of His love

And wonders, wonders of His love

Joy to the world

We will sing, sing, sing

Joyful, joyful we adore Thee

God of glory, Lord of love

And hearts unfold like flowers before Thee

Opening to the sun above

Joyful, joyful we adore Thee

God of glory, Lord of love

And hearts unfold like flowers before Thee

Opening to the sun above

Joy to the World (Joyful, Joyful)

Song by Phil Wickham ‧ 2019

Teach Us To Pray

Emmanuel, God With Us

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

O Emmanuel, King and Lawgiver, Desire of the Nations, Savior of all People, come and set us free, Lord our God. 

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appears.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.

Continue reading “Emmanuel, God With Us” →
Teach Us To Pray

Dawn of the East

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Loving God,
It is growing in my heart:
An awareness and gratitude of your constant love for me;
Like the sun rising in the East
to warm and comfort my life
and to bring new growth.

Continue reading “Dawn of the East” →
Teach Us To Pray

A Humble Servant

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer – photo from prayer table at Ruah Spirituality Center Houston

As we come together in reverence and praise, let us turn our hearts to the God of wisdom. Like a loving parent, He blesses us, knowing our history and guiding our paths. We thank Him for the peace He promises and the strength of His great power. Let us seek the wisdom and courage to serve Him humbly, following the example of those who have come before us. Join me in this prayer of gratitude and devotion, as we rejoice in the coming of Emmanuel, God with us!

Oh, God of wisdom,
I want to praise you and give you my life.

Like a loving parent,
you bless me.
You have watched over me,
knowing my history
and the path that led me to you.

Thank you for the peace
you promise peace in my life.
I ask that I be always aware
of the strength of your great power.
May it never leave me.

So many people before me
in so many generations,
have served you so humbly,
answering your call.
Please give me the wisdom and courage
to be your humble servant.

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

Teach Us To Pray

Boundless Grace

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

As we gather in reflection and gratitude, let us lift our hearts to the Lord, acknowledging the countless blessings He bestows upon us each day. In His great love, we find joy, protection, and healing.

Let us rejoice in our hearts with expectation as we watch for sign of God’s coming. Let’s receive His immense love, embracing the freedom and peace that comes from His presence. Join me in this prayer of thanksgiving and openness to God’s boundless grace.

I lift my heart up to you, Lord,
to thank you for the blessings
you shower on me each day.

You are the ‘joy of my soul.’
I know that in your great love,
I am held and protected by you.

I pray and listen to the good news you send;
I ask and feel the healing.
I am freed by you
from the things in this world
that let me hide from you.

I rejoice, I rejoice, down to my soul.
Help me to prepare my heart
to be open and able to receive your immense love.

Teach Us To Pray

Guidance and Light

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

As we enter the season of Advent, a time of anticipation and reflection, we turn to Jesus for guidance and light. In the midst of darkness, we seek the illumination of His word, asking for humility and wisdom to follow His path. We feel His presence in our lives and the world, grateful for the Savior who is to come. With hearts full of hope, gratitude and trust, we look forward to the joy that awaits, confident that He will lead us through the unknown paths of each day.

Continue reading “Guidance and Light” →
Teach Us To Pray

A Comforting Presence

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

As we come before the Lord in prayer, let us remember with a grateful heart His comforting presence, much like that of a loving parent. In this time of waiting and anticipation, we seek the patience to listen to His guidance and the grace to live our lives in His love. We express our gratitude for the countless blessings He bestows upon us and the assurance that with Him, nothing is impossible.

Continue reading “A Comforting Presence” →
Teach Us To Pray

The Overlooked

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

In this season of Advent, as we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior, let us reflect on the love and compassion that Jesus shows to those who are often overlooked in our world. Inspired by the appearance of Mary to Juan Diego, we seek to open our hearts to those in need, to live simply, and to see the face of Christ in everyone we meet. Let us be guided by the light of God’s word, filled with humility and wisdom, and look forward with hope, trust and gratitude for the Lord’s guidance.

Jesus,  I can see your special love
of those who are so often invisible in this world.
You sent your mother to give hope to the poor by appearing to Juan Diego.
Open my heart to fill with compassion
for those who are hungry and without dignity. Grant me the ability to live simply and to see you in the faces of those around me.
In the darkness of these Advent nights
let me be guided by the light of your word. Give me the humility to be led by you and the wisdom to learn from you.
I am grateful for the Savior who awaits us,
and eagerly await the time of rejoicing.
Let me look forward in hope
and turn to you with great trust,
knowing you will guide my steps
along the unknown path of this day.

 Amen

Teach Us To Pray

Stir of Anticipation

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

As we journey through this sacred season of Advent, our hearts naturally turn towards gratitude. It’s a time to reflect on the blessings we’ve received and the love that surrounds us despite the longing we have in our hearts. In this spirit of thankfulness, I want to share a beautiful prayer that resonates deeply with the theme of gratitude and the anticipation of divine presence. We are filled with gratitude and profound joy as we  welcome God’s presence into our lives. Even when we feel lost, there is always a guiding voice calling us back, rejoicing in our return.

May this season be a time of deep reflection, renewed faith, and abundant gratitude.

Almighty God,

I hear it over and over: you are coming to me.
I feel my heart stir in anticipation,
and I sense that you are inviting me
to enter more deeply
into the mystery of your birth.
Help me to feel renewed patience settle in my heart,
and to lift my face in joy.
I have been like a lost lamb,
but I hear your voice calling me
and I feel how deeply you want me to return.
Somehow I know that you rejoice in my desire to find you.
Help me not to be afraid to say out loud, to believe:
Here is God, coming into my life.

Amen