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”
When we seek to know God’s will, we are always given what we need. Perhaps this doesn’t correspond to what we want but we thank you.
Lord of all,
you are a God of plenty, a Lord who provides
for us in our need.
As I begin these early days of Advent
help me to believe that you know what I need.
Give me the courage to listen to your voice
and the freedom to open my heart to the graces you are offering me to place my trust in you.
Amen
We can be blind to what truly matters as we walk this journey of life. Our focus can be on the urgent things driven by the demands of our culture and we become blind to the things that enrich our life and provide meaning.
Blindness in the Bible is very often a symbol of spiritual blindness: the incapacity to see what truly matters. Focused on the worldly goods of wealth, pleasure, power, and honor, most people don’t see how blind they are to the truly important things: giving oneself to the grace of God and living a life of love. If you have not surrendered to the grace of God, you are blind.
Thank you Lord that we can cry out to God in our need for physical healing and much more. We can ask you for that one thing that finally matters: spiritual vision—to know what my life is about, to know the big picture, to know where I’m going. I can have wealth, pleasure, honor, and power. I can have all the worldly goods I desire. But if I don’t see spiritually, it will do me no good and it will probably destroy me. Through your love, I am healed and I thank you. Waiting for your renewed arrival this Advent season. Amen
As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, let’s invite God into our plans and preparations with a posture of humility and gratitude.
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!’
Amen.
– Henri J.M. Nouwen
The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God. Pray in gratitude every day.
Psalm 100 instructs the soul to, “enter his gates with thanksgiving.” Gratitude is the key to God’s Heart, the place to begin in prayer. When you thank God, you’re acknowledging reality: God is real and He is the Source of all gifts and graces you receive in life —He is the Source of your very life!
Thank Him for Who He is: Savior, Healer, Redeemer, Lover, Friend. Thank Him for what He’s done. For giving you life, for His forgiveness and mercy, for the myriad of ways He’s provided for you both daily and in times of crisis, for speaking to you through His Word and the Church and in the silence of your heart. For blessings and for the beautiful mystery of suffering.
And it will open up your own heart, too. Thanksgiving will lift the veil of comparison and consumerism to see all that God has already done, all that He gives, all that He is. It will lift your heart and inflame your love. Thanksgiving will make you more content with what you have and more hopeful for what’s to come. Practice thanksgiving every single day and soon it will become a habit and your habits will become your life.
Start here: Thank you, Jesus, for…
There are two loves, the love of God and the love of the world. If the love of the world takes possession of you, there is no way for the love of God to enter into you. Let the love of the world take the second place, and let the love of God dwell in you. Let the better love take over. —St. Augustine
Thank you Holy Spirit for giving me the courage and strength to fight for love. You are welcome to overwhelm my heart and enlighten any neglected, hardened darkened places with Your loving light. Help me be a star of light filled with optimism, truth, faith and service. Amen
As we begin the advent season, how can we not contemplate Mary’s journey in the final days of her pregnancy. Her journey mirrors ours as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. Take some time today to reflect on what sacred longings are in your heart. What are the joys you long for?
What are the joys you are currently experiencing? How do I maintain the balance and lean towards gratitude during uncertain times not falling into the spiral of fear?
Lord, every day can be our yes, our Fiat, like Mary allowing your love to be born in our heart. Help me say yes today out of love for you. Amen
A beautiful prayer for our Thanksgiving meal can express gratitude for the blessings we have received.
Heavenly Father,
We gather together today to give You thanks for the many blessings You have bestowed upon us. We thank You for this meal, for the hands that prepared it, and for the love that surrounds us.
As we share this food, may we also share our love and kindness with one another. Bless our time together, and may it strengthen our bonds as family and friends.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Lord, when worries arise, help me turn them into prayers of thanksgiving. I trust that you hear me and are with me in every situation.
Continue reading “Grateful for Reality”
This past Sunday, we celebrated Christ the King and ended the liturgical year. Who is Christ for you? Is he the sovereign king that you cherish and obey when times are only good? We are called to let him sit on the throne of our heart always and we can do this through the lens of gratitude. I love this quote: gratitude is the memory of the heart – St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier. Let us remember today and always!
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
Thank you Lord, in every task, big or small, you draw me to do it with a thankful heart. Let me listen to your voice that encourages me to see every moment as an opportunity to action and give thanks. Amen
Smitten With Goodness 