Tag: Prayer

Teach Us To Pray

Strengthen Our Roots

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

O Root of Jesse which stands as a sign among the peoples; before whom the kings keep silence, and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come and save us, and do not delay.

O Jesus who descended from Jesse,
you are a sign of God’s love.
I feel hopeful and expectant,
filled with a rebirth of joy and love.

I depend on you so much.
You are a rock for my belief
and a sign of God’s love.

Fill me with your praise!
I want to sing your glory,
filled with joy
for the message of hope you send.

I don’t always understand
when you are acting on my behalf.
Thank you for the message of hope you send me.
Give me true faith and love
as I celebrate the mystery
of how you came to be with us.

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

Take a walk in nature, ponder about all the things with roots and steam – how they grow and flourish with the help of water and sunlight. Recall one way the Lord has helped you flourish over this past year. 

Teach Us To Pray

Adonai…My Lord

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

O Adonai, dearest Lord,
Compassionate God of justice,
so many areas of my life seem imprisoned
but you promise me real freedom
and peace in my life.

Renew my spirit and free my soul.
Please, open my heart which you have bathed in the longing of Advent.

I am awe-struck as your glory fills the earth and I want to follow you in caring for other.

Grant me the grace to see how you shine your light on the poor who have such a special place in your heart.

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

Light a candle today and read the story of the burning bush in Exodus 3. Let the flame of that candle remind you of the way God first revealed himself to Moses on Mount Sinai. Ponder, also, of the day he gave Moses the Ten Commandments, “in cloud and majesty and awe” as the hymn says.  Read the commandments together and vow to keep them better.

Teach Us To Pray

Relying on Wisdom

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

Advent is the coming of Christ into this world.  Did you know there are 198 different names and titles for Jesus in the Sacred Scriptures?  They each describe different characteristics of God and his desire for a relationship with us by uniting divinity with humanity in Jesus.  Since at least the eighth century, the Catholic Church has been singing the “O Antiphons;” the mystery of Christ in our salvation history. The coming of the Son of God in our human nature culminates in the solemn chant of the O’Antiphons from December 17 to 23.  Their repeated use of the imperative “Come!” embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.

O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love, come to teach us the path of knowledge! 

Oh, come, that wisdom, from on high, and order all things far and I; to us, the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.

Lord Jesus Christ, so many times we seek the wisdom of this world for guidance in our lives. Come into our lives this advent, that we might know God’s will for our lives with the wisdom that only you can give.  In your holy names, we pray Amen.

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

Who is Your Strength

Smitten With Goodness
Season of thanksgiving in prayer

In times of fear and weakness, we seek the God of Strength for courage and support with grateful hearts. Recognizing our own limitations, we find comfort in His promise to strengthen and save us. As we await the arrival of His Son, we pray for the humility to seek His help and the openness to accept His healing and love in our lives.

God of Strength,
I need your courage.
You offer to make firm the knees that are weak.
Only you know how frightened I so often am.

And you do offer me strength.
There is the promise of your Son’s coming
and knowing that you will save me.
I can’t do this on my own
no matter how often I think I can.

Give me the humility to ask for your help
and open heart to accept
your healing and love in my life.

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