From a new prayer book I am writing/compiling.  It should be available in a couple of months.

From a new prayer book I am writing/compiling.  It should be available in a couple of months.

The Eyes of the Lord

"The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." (Proverbs 15:3)

There is nothing that God does not see.  He sees everything - the good, the bad, the indifferent.  He is aware of our every thought, word, and action.  What we need to bear in mind is that He loves all of us whether we are good or bad, loving or unloving, sinful or virtuous - we are loved.  And, God desires that we be aware of His love for us and realize that He is always, ALWAYS with us no matter where we are or what we are doing.  May we acknowledge God's constant love and presence and do our best to make good, loving and holy choices that keep us in His will and allow us to be a blessing to others.

Prayer:

Lord, I know You are with me always.  You see everything and are aware of my every thought, word, and action.  Help me to glorify You in all I say and do.  Help me to honor You with my choices.  Thank You for Your love for me even in my sinfulness.  I am humbled by Your care for me and hope that I can give You more of my heart each day until it belongs completely to You. Amen.

Understanding

"Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart." (Psalm 119:34)

So often we cry out to the Lord seeking wisdom and understanding.  We want to be assured that we are keeping God's ordinances and obeying them in all we think, say, and do.  We desire with all our hearts and souls to lovingly obey God's will for us so that we can enter into the fullness of God's glory when we die.

At times wisdom and understanding seem to elude us.  We struggle with anxiety and worry.  In those moments we need to open our hearts, minds, and souls to the power of the Holy Spirit and embrace every gift and grace that is being poured out on us.  

God never leaves us alone.  He is always with us blessing, leading, guiding us in the fullness of His love.  He wants us to know and understand this so that we can rest in the comfort of His love both now and forever.

Prayer:

Lord, I want to open my heart, mind, and soul to Your Holy Spirit.  Fill me to overflowing with every gift and grace I need to fully understand the depth and breadth of Your love for me.  Thank You for always remaining with me, blessing, leading, guiding me to union with You.  I love You. Amen.

"Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence."

St. Augustine

Guilt and Reconciliation

"My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear." (Psalm 38:4)

There is no need for us to ever be overwhelmed with guilt.  Guilt is a gift, a clear indicator that we need to seek God's mercy, healing, and forgiveness. Guilt allows our hearts and minds to recognize when we have sinned or turned away from God's will for us.  It is the Holy Spirit within us leading us to acknowledge our sinfulness or obstinance and guiding us back to Himself through admission and confession.  

God loves us and never wishes for us to be burdened by guilt.  When we feel guilt, let's examine our consciences and acknowledge the areas of our lives we need to submit to God in Reconciliation.  God loves us and desires for us to have peace.  If we acknowledge our sins and turn to God in Reconciliation He can take the burden of guilt away from us, cleanse our souls, and fill our hearts and minds with His healing, forgiveness and peace.  

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the ability to feel guilt.  May it help me to recognize my sinfulness and direct me to You in Reconciliation where I can experience Your love, healing and forgiveness.  Amen.

Whoever Does God's Will Lives Forever

"The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17)

Everything that has life comes into being at God's designated time and it dies at God's appointed time. God alone determines life's cycles.  Since we are in the process of passing away let's fix our eyes, our hearts, our minds, and our souls on God and His Holy Will for us.  If we are completely surrendered to the will of God we will walk in the fullness of His love until we enter into eternal life with Him when we will encounter Him in the fullness of His glory forever and ever.  This is our life's goal.  This is why we exist - to do God's will on earth and live in His love so that we can enter into eternal union with Him in Heaven.  

Prayer:

Lord, I wish to surrender to You Holy Will for my life.  I am not sure what that will entail, but I know that You will be blessing me with the fullness of Your love and filling my heart with peace as I seek deeper union with You.  I want to live with You forever in Heaven praising You and glorifying You.  May Your will be done in my life.  Amen.

"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."

St. John of the Cross

"At the end of our life, we shall be judged by love."

St. John of the Cross

Do Everything with Love

"Do everything without grumbling or arguing." (Philippians 2:14)

In everything you do  - love.  If you approach everything with love you will do all with kindness, gentleness, and thanksgiving.  It is with a disposition of love that all can be done without complaint.  In love, God's love flows forth blessing all.  As God's love flows forth His will is accomplished and grace abounds.  If you approach everything you do with God as your guide you will accomplish all you set out to do and more.  Know that in Love all is possible.

Prayer:

Lord, I choose to do all with love.  Let Your love flow forth from me blessing all.  I choose to have a loving disposition and to allow You full reign in my life. Please love through me.  Thank You, Lord.  Amen.

"God always speaks to you when you approach Him plainly and simply."

St. Catherine Laboure

There are so many reasons for a new start: new job, new semester, new relationship, ended relationship, illness, recovery, loss of a loved one, new baby/child, engagement, wedding, etc.  So I wrote this for all the new beginnings.  I hope it's a blessing.

From a new prayer book I am writing/compiling.  It should be available in a couple of months.