1
Praying with others
across the world
Lord, you said that
when two or three
would gather together
in your name,
then you would be
present with them.
I am praying by myself
(or ‘on the Internet’)
but I am uniting
myself
with many individual
Christians
throughout the world
who, though separate,
are gathered together
in another sense
to pray to you,
and I trust that you
are with me now.
(NH)
2
When the thought of
you wakens in us
God our heavenly
Father,
when the thought of
you
wakes in our hearts,
let its awakening
not be like a
startled bird
that flies about in
fear.
Instead, let it be
like a child
waking from sleep
with a heavenly
smile. (Søren Kierkegaard)
3
Christ our Morning
Star
O Christ, our Morning
Star,
Splendour of Light
Eternal,
shining with the
glory of the rainbow,
come and waken us
from the greyness of
our apathy,
and renew in us your
gift of hope. Amen. (Bede the Venerable)
4
Come, Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful,
and enkindle in them
the fire of your love.
Send forth your
Spirit and they shall be created
And you shall renew
the face of the earth.
O God, who has taught
the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the
Holy Spirit,
grant that by the
gift of the same Spirit
we may be always
truly wise
and ever rejoice in
his consolation.
Through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
5
At the rising of
your sun
Lord God, Creator of
light,
at the rising of your
sun each morning,
let the greatest of
all lights - your love -
rise, like the sun,
within my heart.
6
Prayer of St
Columba
Be, Lord Jesus, a
bright flame before me,
a guiding star above
me,
a smooth path below
me,
a kindly shepherd
behind me:
today, tonight, and
forever.
7
I will be busy
O Lord,
you know how busy I
must be this day.
If I forget you,
do not forget me.
(Sir Jacob Astley,
before the Battle of Edgehill, 1642)
8
Prayer of a Breton
fisherman
Lord, the sea is so
wide
and my boat is so
small.
Be with me.
9
Close to me
Lord, you are closer
to me
than my own
breathing,
nearer than my hands
and feet. (St Teresa of Avila)
10
The Grail Prayer
Lord Jesus,
I give you my hands
to do your work.
I give you my feet to
go your way.
I give you my eyes to
see as you do.
I give you my tongue
to speak your words.
I give you my mind
that you may think in me.
I give you my spirit
that you may pray in me.
Above all,
I give you my heart
that you may love in me
your Father and all
mankind.
I give you my whole
self that you may grow in me,
so that it is you,
Lord Jesus,
who live and work and
pray in me.
11
Praying the
offering of self
Lord Jesus,
you told your friends
not to worry about
the future.
You showed them
how to have the
attitude of simple trust
that young children
have,
so that they could
place themselves
into the caring hands
of your Father.
And so I ask for the
power of your Spirit
that I may remain
positive
throughout all that
is ordinary in my daily life.
I know that your
touch
can change people and
situations,
and so I ask you
to join me in
offering to our Father
not only the good
things of this day
but also the
suffering and sacrifices
that I want to offer
cheerfully and lovingly,
and in a quiet and
hidden way.
And so may any
difficulties
and frustration and
pain of this day
be transformed in
your presence
for the benefit of
other people. Amen.
(NH)
12
Knowing me better
I thank you, Lord,
for knowing me better
than I know myself,
and for letting me
know myself
better than others
know me.
Make me, I pray you,
better than they
suppose,
and forgive me for
what they do not know.
(Abu Bekr)
13
from ‘St Patrick’s
Breastplate’
I bind unto myself
today
The power of God to
hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his
might to stay,
His ear to hearken to
my need.
The wisdom of my God
to teach,
His hand to guide,
his shield to ward;
The word of God to
give me speech,
His heavenly host to
be my guard.
Christ be with me,
Christ within me,
Christ behind me,
Christ before me,
Christ beside me,
Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and
restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ
above me,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of
all that love me,
Christ in mouth of
friend and stranger.
14
Seeing and loving
in others
what you see and
love in them
God our Father,
the qualities I see
lived out so well in some people
are a reflection of
your own goodness,
and I know
that I have much to
learn from other people
who reflect your
image and likeness Gen 126
in different ways.
Inspire me
to respect others
fully as my equals,
seeing and loving in
them
what you see and love
in them.
(NH)
15
Prayer of St Anselm
O Lord my God.
Teach my heart this
day
where and how to find
you.
You have made me and
re-made me,
and you have bestowed
on me
all the good things I
possess,
and still I do not
know you.
I have not yet done
that for which I was
made.
Teach me to seek you,
for I cannot seek you
unless you teach me,
or find you
unless you show
yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my
desire;
let me desire you in
my seeking.
Let me find you by
loving you;
let me love you when
I find you.
16
Burn up the dross
O God,
may the fire of the
Holy Spirit
burn up the dross in
our hearts,
warm them with love,
and set them on fire
with zeal for your
service. Amen.
17
Ablaze with the
fire of your Spirit
O Lord,
you have mercy on
all,
take away from me my
sins,
and mercifully set me
ablaze
with the fire of your
Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the
heart of stone,
and give me a human
heart,
a heart to love and
adore you,
a heart to delight in
you,
to follow and enjoy
you. Amen.
18
That the Gospel may
be ‘written’ in me
God our Father,
until the time of the
printing press,
people copied the
Gospel,
writing it by hand.
Slowly the Gospel
took shape
- both on the page
and deep within
themselves.
I ask that the Gospel
- the Good News of
your love -
may be written in me
not with ink
but with the Spirit
of God. 2 Cor 33
Only then will I grow
as a credible witness
of the wealth of your
love.
Day by day,
as the pages of my
own life turn over,
remind me
that you write my
name
on the palm of your
hand. Is 4916
I ask this prayer
through Jesus,
who is your Word,
living amongst us.
Amen.
(NH)
19
The living heritage
of our faith
God our Father,
if I could trace back
through the last two
thousand years,
marking out routes
from Jesus himself
and then through
people
whose faith has
touched others
and so reached me,
I would be astounded
by the individuals I
would encounter.
I give thanks,
Father,
for all those people
over two thousand
years
who have inspired
others
and played their part
in passing on
to generation after
generation
the living heritage
of their faith.
Especially I give
thanks
for those who lived
their faith
through difficulties
and hardship and
persecution.
I pray, Father, that
I may grow
in your faith and
love
through good times
and bad. Amen.
(NH)
20
Respecting one
another
God our Father,
you call each of us
by name,
and you treasure each
of us individually
as though no-one else
exists.
Inspire us
to respect and value
each person who comes
into our lives this day.
Amen. (NH)
21
May our ‘way of
looking’ become more like yours
Lord, we come before
you as we are.
We ask you to take
away from us
all that makes us
less than human.
Strengthen us with
the power of your Spirit
that our attitude and
outlook may develop,
and our “way of
looking”
may become more like
yours.
Help us to remain
positive -
encouraging and
appreciating one another,
looking upon people
in the same way that you do. Amen. (NH)
22
Open my eyes and
ears
Lord Jesus,
I ask you to open my
eyes
as you did with the
blind man, Jn 9
so that I may really
see.
Tune my ears
as you did with the
man who was deaf and dumb, Mk 731-37
so that I may really
hear
what you are saying
to me.
May the many
experiences of my senses
remind me to be aware
of others
and of all that is
around me.
May all that I experience
lead me closer to
you.
23
To recognise in
others
Grant me to recognise
in others, Lord God,
the radiance of your
own face.
(Teilhard de Chardin,
SJ)
24
Together as
brothers and sisters
God our Father,
extend our horizons,
widen our vision,
and remind us how
inter-connected we are
as your sons and
daughters.
Breathe your Spirit
into us
that we may live more
truly
as brothers and
sisters
of one another. Amen.
(NH)
25
Appreciating what
we have in common with others
Lord, we ask you to
open our eyes
that we may value and
appreciate all people,
recognising what we
have in common
rather than focusing
on what our
differences might be.
Inspire us to
distinguish
between what is
important
and what is not,
and open our minds
and hearts
that we may always be
people of good will
who bring life and
joy to others. Amen. (NH)
26
You are beside me
Lead me, Lord,
to recognise you
in the person beside
me.
(NH)
27
Sarum Prayer
God be in my head
and in my
understanding.
God be in my eyes
and in my looking.
God be in my mouth
and in my speaking.
God be in my heart
and in my thinking.
God be at my end
and at my departing. (Sarum
Book of Hours, 1514)
28
God in my daily
life
God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking.
God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping.
God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my soul,
God in my heart.
God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber,
God in my ever-living
soul,
God in mine eternity.
(Carmina Gadelica)
29
Judging or valuing
others
Lord, inspire me to
give of my best
and make good use
of the talents you
have given me.
Show me how to be
positive in attitude,
appreciating and
valuing others,
always being ready to
encourage
and give praise.
Sometimes I draw
conclusions about people
in terms of what I
think
is meant by “success”
and “failure”,
but the “failure” of
one person
might count as a
great “success”
of someone with other
talents.
Lead me never to
judge people
but to accept others
as they are,
knowing that it is
together,
each with our
differences,
that we build up your
Kingdom. Amen. (NH)
30
Christ be behind me
Lord, I commit my
failures
as well as my
successes
into your hands,
and I bring for your
healing
the people and the
situations,
the wrongs and the
hurts
of the past.
Give me courage,
strength and generosity
to let go and move
on,
leaving the past
behind me,
and living the
present to the full.
Lead me always to be
positive
as I ‘entrust the
past to your mercy,
the present to your
love,
and the future to
your providence’. St Augustine
(NH)
31
Breathing deeply in
faith
O God,
teach me
to breathe deeply
in faith.
(Søren Kierkegaard)
32
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of God,
have mercy on me,
a sinner.
33
Healing our
memories
Penetrate these murky
corners
where we hide our
memories
and tendencies on
which we do not care to look,
but which we will not
yield freely up to you,
that you may purify
and transmute them.
The persistent buried
grudge,
the half-acknowledged
enmity
which is still
smouldering,
the bitterness of
that loss
we have not turned
into sacrifice,
the private comfort
we cling to,
the secret fear of
failure
which saps our
initiative
and is really
inverted pride,
the pessimism which
is an insult to your joy.
Lord, we bring all
these to you,
and we review them
with shame and
penitence
in your steadfast
light.
(Evelyn Underhill)
34
Choosing life
rather than death
Lord, I acknowledge
my sinfulness.
I ask you to empower
me
with your Holy
Spirit,
that I may resist
temptation
and “choose life
rather than death”, Deut
3019
- good rather than
evil -
in the ordinary
circumstances
of my daily life.
Amen.
(NH)
35
Acceptance and
forgiveness in the scriptures
Loving Lord,
you tell us in the
Bible
that whatever wrong
we have done
you tread down our
faults
to the bottom of the
sea. Mic 719
We know there is no
need
to keep thinking
about what we have
done in the past, Is 4318
because you pardon
the wrongs we have
done,
and you delight in
showing mercy. Mic 718
You bind up all our
wounds Ps 1473
and you renew us by
your love. Zeph 317
Lord, you love all
that you have made, Wis 1124
and it is your very
nature
to love and forgive.
Lead us to be
generous
in accepting and
forgiving others
in the same way
as you accept and
forgive us. Amen.
(NH)
36
Growing closer to
you who are love
Father,
perhaps you have best
been described as “love” 1 Jn 48
and, as “love keeps
no record of wrongs”, 1 Cor 135
I rejoice in the
completeness
of your personal love
and acceptance
of each one of us.
Lead me each day to
be faithful
and grow closer to
Jesus
who calls me his
friend. Jn 1514
It is through him and
in him, Father,
that I am enabled to
see you most fully: Col 115
you who call me by
name. Is 431
(NH)
37
Psalm 23
Lord, you are like a
shepherd to me,
and so I have all
that I need.
You give me rest
in meadows of green
grass,
and you lead me to
water
where I gain new life
and strength.
You guide me
along the way that is
best for me.
Even when I walk in
darkness
and everything around
seems like death,
you are there,
walking with me,
and the promise
of your love and
faithfulness
helps to conquer my
fear.
In the sight of those
who do me down,
you invite me
to sit at table with
you.
There you offer me
even more than I
need,
and you remind me
that I am significant
and special.
You call me to
goodness and kindness
every day of my life,
and your house will
be my home
my whole life long.
38
My choices and
commitment
Lord, inspire me to
live in such a way
that my choices each
day
and my commitment to
live in a positive way
may transform
the negative into
something positive,
and the ordinariness
of daily life
into something
extraordinary. Amen.
(NH)
39
Negativity,
forgiveness,
and resisting evil
God our Father,
may no-one’s negative
actions
ever overpower my
determination
to choose to live in
a positive way.
I know that to
forgive someone
can be far from being
an easy option,
and I know that
forgiveness
isn’t somehow
pretending
that something wrong
hasn’t happened.
Instead it is being
generous, Father
- as your Son showed
in his dying words -
in being willing to
release the other person
from what natural
justice demands
should be
‘punishment’ for wrong-doing.
Isn’t this, Father,
what is meant by
“your mercy”
and what we are to do
in being called
to “be merciful”
ourselves? Mt 57
For what I have done
wrong, Father,
forgive me
to the extent that I
am generous and gracious
in forgiving - or
truly hoping to forgive -
those who have done
wrong to me. Lk 114
Empower me
to break the cycle
of any hatred,
resentment or bitterness,
always resisting evil
Rom 1221
and conquering it
with goodness.
Bring your healing
and peace and wholeness
into the lives of
those I pray for,
and into mine. Amen.
(NH)
40
“Do not kill” - and
attention to the small things in life
Loving Lord,
I often see on the TV
news
examples of
inhumanity to others
- people being
tortured, abused,
injured or killed.
I need to remind
myself
that the commandment
“do not kill”
also refers to my
attitude
and what I do each
day,
because it is in
smaller ways
that I can destroy
people
if I ignore them
or cut them off
or do them down.
Loving Lord, inspire
me
to take care of the
smaller things of life
as well as the bigger
issues. Amen.
(NH)
41
Respect for all
life
God our Father,
inspire us with a
great respect
for all human life
from the time of the
child
growing in the womb
to the point of
death.
May that respect lead
us
to grow in a sense of
responsibility
for all our brothers
and sisters
throughout the world,
knowing that, where
one person suffers
and is degraded,
all of humanity is belittled
and abused.
May we grow in a
sense of love and care
for those less
fortunate than ourselves,
and lead us to do
something
about the troubles in
our world.
Amen. (NH)
42
Psalm 139
Father and lover of
life,
you know the depths
of my innermost self,
and you understand
me.
You protect me on
every side,
shielding me from all
harm.
When you put me
together
in my mother’s womb,
you knew all about
me.
I thank you for the
wonder of myself,
and I stand in awe
at all that you have
made.
As you know and love
me,
so may I come to know
and love you.
Guide me in your
ways.
(NH: based on Ps 139)
43
Growing in wonder
God our Father,
may the vastness of
your creation
that we can begin to
see through a telescope,
remind us of the
abundance of your love.
May the lowliness
of the smallest
creatures and cells
that we can see
through a microscope,
remind us of how
insignificant - yet special -
we appear to be.
May our vision each
day
of the world around
us
remind us that you so
loved the world
that you sent Jesus,
your Son,
to be one of us.
In all that we
observe,
open our eyes
so that we may really
see
and grow in wonder
and appreciation. Amen. (NH)
44
The Canticle of
Creation
O Most High,
all-powerful, good Lord God,
to you belong praise,
glory,
honour and all blessing.
Be praised, my Lord,
for all your creation
and especially for
our Brother Sun,
who brings us the day
and the light;
he is strong and
shines magnificently.
O Lord, we think of
you when we look at him.
Be praised, my Lord,
for Sister Moon,
and for the stars
which you have set
shining and lovely
in the heavens.
Be praised, my Lord,
for our Brothers Wind
and Air
and every kind of
weather
by which you, Lord,
uphold life in all
your creatures.
Be praised, my Lord,
for Sister Water,
who is very useful to
us,
and humble and
precious and pure.
Be praised, my Lord,
for Brother Fire,
through whom you give
us light in the darkness:
he is bright and
lively and strong.
Be praised, my Lord,
for Sister Earth, our
Mother,
who nourishes us and
sustains us,
bringing forth
fruits and vegetables
of many kinds
and flowers of many
colours.
Be praised, my Lord,
for those who forgive
for love of you;
and for those
who bear sickness and
weakness
in peace and patience
- you will grant them
a crown.
Be praised, my Lord,
for our Sister Death,
whom we must all
face.
I praise and bless
you, Lord,
and I give thanks to
you,
and I will serve you
in all humility. (St Francis of Assisi)
45
Psalm 8
Lord, our God and
King,
your greatness is
seen
throughout the earth.
When I gaze at the heavens
which your fingers
have formed,
and look at the moon
and the stars
which you have set
there,
I realise how small
we are
in the magnificence
of your creation.
Yet you treasure us
above all that you
have made,
and you give us
control
over all the works of
your hand
- animals both wild
and tame,
birds in the air,
and the creatures of
the sea.
Lord, our God and
King,
your greatness is
seen
throughout the earth.
(NH)
46
Psalm 104
Lord our God, how
great you are,
and I give thanks to
you.
You stretch out the
heavens like a tent,
with the sun to mark
our days of work
and the moon for our
nights of rest.
Your fingers created
the earth
and wrapped it with
the ocean like a cloak.
There the ships sail,
and beneath them
glide the great sea creatures
that you made to play
with.
You pour down rain
which the ground
takes up.
You set springs
gushing forth in the valleys,
and streams that flow
between the
mountains,
giving water to all
that lives.
You make grass grow
for the cattle
and crops in
abundance for our needs.
You bring goodness to
the trees,
and in their branches
the birds build their
nests.
Swarms of all living
creatures
are so many
that they could never
be counted.
What variety you have
created, Lord,
arranging everything
so wisely!
You send your Spirit,
and all things have life.
Fill us with your
Spirit, Lord,
and give us new life,
and renew the earth
that you love.
(NH)
47
Justice and Peace
and the care of creation
God our Father,
we give you thanks
for the talents you
have given to mankind,
and for the blessings
received
through those who use
their gifts well.
We think of the
beauty of the world
which you proclaimed
to be good,
but we are also
conscious of our misuse
of what you have
given to us:
- from the ore in the
ground
we fashion bullets
and weapons;
- from the oil under
the sea
we derive explosives;
- we damage and
pollute
our own environment
for short-term gains;
- from the atoms of
existence
we produce bombs of
mass destruction.
Our governments spend
money in our name
maintaining “butter
mountains” and “wine lakes”,
and we subsidise
farmers
to “set aside” land
so that less food is
produced,
even though our
brothers and sisters
die each day from
hunger.
On our paper money
we print the images
of famous people,
yet often do not
treasure and uphold
the dignity of all
who are made
in your image and
likeness.
Open our hearts
to be influenced for
good,
and inspire us
to touch the hearts
of others.
Enable us to change
the things that
contradict your love,
and may all your
people
work and grow
together
as brothers and
sisters,
building up your
kingdom on earth. Amen.
(NH)
48
Injustice and my
own attitude
Lord, it’s good
to be actively
concerned
about the abuses of
human rights
in other countries,
but I must not lose
sight
of the mis-treatment
of others closer to me.
Most particularly,
Lord,
point out to me my
own failings
in lacking respect
for those who come
into my daily life.
I readily condemn
slavery,
but help me to
liberate those I know
who are overburdened.
I condemn torture,
but lead me to
discourage the use
of cruel words and
actions.
Remind me
that those who
degrade others
are themselves
diminished.
Enlighten me
so that I do not
jump to conclusions
about people,
or be judgmental.
Lead me always to
respect individuals
for who they are,
realising that their
experiences
may be different from
my own,
as each follows paths
in life
that are individual
to them.
May I grow in
appreciation
that those who think
differently from me
can hold equally
valid views.
In these and other
ways, Lord,
may I grow in respect
for all people.
This day, may others
respect me
as much as I respect
them.
Amen. (NH)
49
God’s love and our
concern
Lord, we remember
before you
all our brothers and
sisters
who are weighed down
with suffering.
Bless and guide us
that your love may be
reflected
in our concern for
the hungry,
the oppressed and the
unloved.
Help us to
acknowledge
and grow in
appreciation
that all people are
made
in your image and
likeness. Amen. (NH)
50
A prayer of Pope
Paul VI
Make us worthy, Lord,
to serve our brothers
and sisters
throughout the world
who live and die in
poverty and hunger.
Give them by our
hands
this day their daily
bread,
and by our
understanding love
give peace and joy.
Amen.
51
Hear my voice, Lord
- a Prayer of Pope
John Paul II
for Justice and
Peace
To you, Creator of
nature and humanity,
of truth and beauty,
I pray:
Hear my voice,
for it is the voice
of the victims of all
wars and violence
among individuals and
nations.
Hear my voice,
for it is the voice
of all children who
suffer and who will suffer
when people put their
faith in weapons and war.
Hear my voice
when I beg you to
instil
into the hearts of
all human beings
the vision of peace,
the strength of
justice
and the joy of
fellowship.
Hear my voice,
for I speak for the
multitudes
in every country and
in every period of history
who do not want war
and are ready to walk
the road of peace.
Hear my voice
and grant insight and
strength
so that we may always
respond
to hatred with love,
to injustice with
total dedication to justice,
to need with the
sharing of self,
to war with peace.
O God, hear my voice,
and grant to the
world your everlasting peace.
(Pope John Paul II at
Hiroshima, Japan,
1981)
52
Giving praise
because they do what they were created to do
God our Father,
you made the great lights
in our sky:
the sun to rule in
the day,
and the moon and the
stars in the night
- all because your
great love lasts for ever.
Our sun and moon
and the stars that
you call by name
all give you praise,
because they do what
they were created to do.
Lead me, Father,
to reflect the light
of Christ your Son
and so live fully
as, in your love, you
created me to do. Amen.
(Psalms 1367-9, 1474,
1483)
(NH)
53
Living simply
Lord, may we who have
plenty
live simply
so that others may
simply live.
Amen. (NH)
54
Hunger and justice
O God,
to those who have
hunger, give bread,
and to us who have
bread,
give the hunger for
justice.
(World Council of
Churches)
55
Deep compassion
Father,
fill our hearts with
deep compassion
for those who suffer,
and may the day come quickly
of your kingdom of
justice and truth. Amen.
(Eugène Bersier)
56
My small sacrifice
Lord, as many human
hands
transform many grains
of wheat
into a loaf of bread,
so may our small
sacrifices
help towards the
building up
of our human family.
We ask this through
Jesus,
who is our brother,
and who fed the
hungry. Amen.
(NH)
57
A prayer of St
Augustine
Lord, you were rich
yet, for our sakes,
you became poor.
You promised in your
Gospel
that whatever is done
for the least of your
brothers and sisters
is done for you.
Give us grace to be
always willing and ready
to provide for the
needs
of those whose
parents have died
or whose homes are
broken,
that your kingdom of
service and love
may extend throughout
the world,
to your unending
glory.
58
A prayer of St
Thomas More
The things that we
pray for, good Lord,
give us your grace to
work for.
59
A prayer of Mother
Teresa
Lord, increase my
faith,
bless my efforts and
work,
now and for evermore.
Amen.
60
Prayer of Peace
Lord, make me an
instrument of your peace;
where there is
hatred, let me sow love,
where there is
injury, pardon,
where there is doubt,
faith,
where there is
despair, hope,
where there is
darkness, light,
and where there is
sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not
so much seek
to be consoled as to
console,
to be understood as
to understand,
to be loved as to
love,
for it is in giving
that we receive,
it is in pardoning
that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying
that we are born to eternal life.
(attributed to St
Francis of Assisi)
61
The Clown’s Prayer
As I stumble through
this life,
help me to create
more laughter than tears,
dispense more
happiness than gloom,
spread more cheer
than despair.
Never let me become
so indifferent
that I will fail to
see the wonder
in the eyes of a
child
or the twinkle in the
eyes of the aged.
Never let me forget
that my total effort
is to cheer people,
make them happy
and forget - at least
momentarily -
all the
unpleasantness in their lives.
And, in my final
moment,
may I hear You
whisper:
‘When you made My
people smile,
you made Me smile’.
(Author unknown)
62
Choices in good
times
and in difficult
times
God our Father,
in good times
may I live in such a
way
that I will be
strengthened
for the difficult
times
that all of us face
in our lives.
Lead me now
to make positive
choices
to value friendship
and loyalty,
and develop attitudes
and values,
treasuring all that
is lasting and important.
Throughout difficult
times
may I build on
the positive choices
of my past,
looking outward in
the service of others
and avoiding
self-pity.
May I grow in the
faith
that, whatever my
circumstances,
I need have no
regrets
but may entrust
my past to your
mercy,
my present to your
love,
and my future to your
Providence.
Amen.
(NH)
63
Doing the little
and the great things
Teach us, Lord,
to do the little
things
as though they were
great
because of the
majesty of Christ
who does them in us
and who lives our
life.
Teach us to do the
greatest things
as though they were
little and easy
because of his
omnipotence. (Blaise Pascal)
64
Balance in my life
God our Father,
lead me to grow in
faith
and keep a healthy
balance in my life.
Remind me that I need
to
give time and space
for myself
as well as for
others.
Inspire me
to remaining
committed in my work,
sharing quality time
with my family,
and enjoying
sufficient rest and
recreation. Amen.
(NH)
65
In busy days of
noise and action
We read in the
Gospel, Lord,
that you went away to
lonely places to pray.
In my busy days of
noise and action,
remind me of my need
for time alone
and for peace and
quiet
and silence within.
Be with me now
as I pause for a few
moments in quietness.
(NH)
66
Amidst
difficulties; breaking the cycle of hatred and bitterness
We know, Lord,
that throughout our
lives
each of us will
experience
problems and difficulties.
Give us courage and
strength at those times
and prevent us then
from looking only at
ourselves.
Keep our vision wide
so that, even in
times of difficulty,
we may still be of
help to others.
Help us not to be
bitter
towards people or
situations,
but empower us to
take the initiative
and break the cycle
of hatred,
bitterness, and evil actions.
Help us to transform
the difficulties that
come our way
into opportunities
for personal growth
and service of
others. Amen.
(NH)
67
Christ be below me
Lord, I rejoice
that nothing
can come between me
and your love,
even when I feel
alone or in difficulty,
when in sickness or
am troubled. Rom 831-39
Even if attacked or
afraid,
‘no abyss of mine is
so deep
that your love is not
deeper still’. Corrie Ten Boom
Lord,
you have experienced
many hells of this world
but descended so that
you can lift us up.
Be always near. (NH)
68
My own difficulties
to lead me to be sensitive to others
Lord our God,
you have made me in
your own likeness
and you love all that
you have made.
I thank you
for all that has been
positive in my life.
I ask that I may live
in such a way
that I may learn
from whatever I may
find
is negative or
hurtful in my life.
May my disabilities
and weaknesses
teach me how to be
sensitive to individuals,
that I may grow more
caring and compassionate
for others who
experience difficulties.
May I grow in
strength of character
through all that
happens to me,
living fully each
day. Amen. (NH)
69
A prayer of William
Penn
Lord,
help me not to
despise or oppose
what I do not
understand.
70
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me
the serenity to
accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change
the things I can,
and the wisdom
to distinguish the
one from the other. (Reinhold Niebuhr)
71
To give and not to
count the cost
Teach us, good Lord,
to serve you as you
deserve,
to give and not to
count the cost,
to fight and not to
heed the wounds,
to toil and not to
seek for rest,
to labour and not to
ask for any reward,
save that of knowing
that we do your will. Amen. (St Ignatius Loyola)
72
A prayer of the
Kikuyu, Kenya
O Father,
your power is greater
than all powers.
O Son,
under your leadership
we cannot fear anything.
O Spirit,
under your protection
there is nothing we cannot overcome.
73
The Way, the Truth
and the Life
Lord Jesus Christ,
you have said
that you are the Way,
the Truth and the Life.
Do not allow us to
stray from you,
who are the Way,
not to distrust you,
who are the Truth,
nor to rest in
anything other than you,
who are the Life. (Erasmus)
74
Courage to accompany
you, Lord
Lord, give us all the
courage we need
to go the way you
shepherd us,
that when you call
we may go
unfrightened.
If you bid us come to
you across the waters,
that we may not be
frightened as we go.
And if you bid us
climb the hill,
may we not notice
that it is a hill,
mindful only of the
happiness of your company.
You made us for
yourself,
that we should travel
with you
and see you at last
in your unveiled beauty
in the abiding city,
where you are light
and happiness
and endless home.
(Bede Jarrett, OP -
adapted)
75
Signing with the
cross
Lord Jesus,
I sign my heart with
the sign of the cross,
reminding myself
of your love for each
person.
I ask that I may grow
in faithfulness
as your friend.
I sign my lips with
the sign of the cross,
that I may speak as
you would speak.
I sign my hands with
the sign of the cross
asking that you
enable me
to do your work,
and be your hands
in our world which
you love so much.
I sign my eyes with
the sign of your cross
that I may really
see, Lord,
and be aware
of all that is around
me.
I sign my ears with
the sign of your cross
that I may listen and
really hear
the communication
that comes to me
in different ways
- from you
and from the people
you place into my
life.
I sign my shoulders,
Lord, with your cross,
knowing that you call
me
to carry my own cross
each day
and support others
in the burdens and
difficulties
that they have.
All that I do today
I set out to do
in the name of the
Father (+)
and of the Son
and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen. (NH)
76
Day by day
Thanks be to you, my
Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits
which you have given me,
for all the pains and
insults
which you have borne
for me.
O most merciful
Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
may I know you more
clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more
nearly,
day by day.
(St Richard of
Chichester)
77
Prayer of Charles
de Foucauld
Father,
I abandon myself into
your hands;
do with me what you
will.
Whatever you may do,
I thank you:
I am ready for all, I
accept all.
Let only your will be
done in me
and in all your
creatures.
I wish no more than
this, O Lord.
Into your hands I
commend my soul:
I offer it to you
with all the love of
my heart,
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give
myself,
to surrender myself
into your hands
without reserve,
and with boundless
confidence,
for you are my
Father.
78
Transform, Lord, my
weakness and poverty
Look, Lord,
on an empty vessel
that needs to be filled.
In faith I am weak -
strengthen me.
In love I am cold -
warm me and make me fervent
so that my love may
go out to my neighbour.
I doubt and am unable
to trust you completely.
Lord, strengthen my
faith and trust in you.
You are all the
treasure I possess.
I am poor, you are
rich,
and you came to have
mercy on the poor.
I am a sinner, you
are goodness.
From you I can receive
goodness,
but I can give you
nothing.
Therefore I shall
stay with you.
(Martin Luther)
79
An evening prayer
O Lord my God,
thank you for
bringing this day to a close.
Thank you for giving
me rest
in body and soul.
Your hand has been
over me
and has guarded and
preserved me.
Forgive my lack of
faith
and any wrong that I
have done today,
and help me to
forgive all who have wronged us.
Let me sleep in peace
under your protection,
and keep me from all
the temptations of darkness.
Into your hands I
commend my loved ones.
I commend to you my
body and soul.
O God, your holy name
be praised.
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
80
Christ in my
sleeping
Lord, you mark when I
walk or lie down;
all my ways lie open
to you. Ps 1391-3
When I cease
activity,
calm my mind.
When I am by myself,
be my companion and
friend.
When I am weary and
heavily laden,
may your Spirit renew
me.
When I lie down, may
it be in peace
for sleep to heal and
refresh me,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in
safety. Ps 49
Watch my sleeping,
guard my waking,
be always near.
81
Till the shades
lengthen
May the Lord support
us all the day long
till the shades
lengthen
and the evening
comes,
and the busy world is
hushed,
and the fever of life
is over
and our work is done.
Then, in his mercy,
may he give us a safe
lodging and a holy rest
and peace at the
last.
(John Henry Newman)
82
The constancy of
your faithfulness
Lord, the day is far
gone
and the night is at
hand. Lk 2429
May the constancy
of the setting of the
sun,
and its rising
on those who need it elsewhere,
remind me of your
faithfulness and your promise
to be with us always:
ready to help us to
transform
darkness into light,
hatred into love,
and bitterness into
joy. Amen.
83
Knowing, loving and
serving you
Eternal God,
who are the light of
the minds that know you,
the joy of the hearts
that love you,
and the strength of
the wills that serve you;
grant us so to know
you
that we may truly
love you,
and so to love you
that we may fully
serve you,
whom to serve is
perfect freedom,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
(St Augustine)
84
Emptying into
eternal life
You who are love
itself,
give me the grace of
love,
give me yourself,
so that all my days
may finally empty
into the one day of
your eternal life. (Karl Rahner)
85
Take, Lord
Take, Lord, all my
liberty.
Receive my memory, my
understanding,
and my whole will.
Whatever I have and
possess,
you have given to me;
to you I will restore
it wholly,
and to your will
I utterly surrender
it for my direction.
Give me the love of
you only, with your grace,
and I shall be rich
enough;
nor do I ask anything
besides,
(St Ignatius Loyola)
86
The grasp of your
hand in my failure
Let me not pray to be
sheltered from dangers
but to be fearless in
facing them.
Let me not beg for
the stilling of my pain,
but for the heart to
conquer it.
Let me not crave in
anxious fear to be saved,
but hope for the
patience to win my freedom.
Grant me that I may
not be a coward,
feeling your mercy in
my success alone,
but let me find the
grasp of your hand
in my failure.
(Rabindranath Tagore)
87
Reflecting on
growing older
as a new year
begins
Almighty God,
by whose mercy
my life has continued
for another year,
I pray that, as my
years increase,
my sins may not
increase.
As age advances,
let me become more
open,
more faithful and
more trusting in you.
Let me not be
distracted by lesser things
from what is truly
important.
And if I become
infirm as I grow old,
may I not be
overwhelmed
by self-pity or
bitterness.
Continue and increase
your loving kindness
towards me
so that, when you
finally call me to yourself,
I may enter into
eternal happiness with you,
through Christ our
Lord.
Amen.
(Dr Samuel Johnson,
1709-1784)
88
Those who are sick,
afraid, worried
Lord Jesus,
we ask you to bring
your healing touch
to those whom we know
to be sick, afraid,
or worried.
Bring them your peace
and healing. Amen.
89
The one you love is
ill
Lord, as your friend
Lazarus lay ill,
others remarked to
you
that "the one
you love is ill."
People said:
"See his love for him."
Today, Lord Jesus,
we pray for ______
because he - the one
you love - is ill.
We ask you to bring
your healing and
peace
to him and his
family. Amen.
(re ‘Lazarus’, see
John 11)
(NH)
90
Sick, hungry,
thirsty and needy
Trusting in your
goodness
and great mercy,
Lord, I come:
sick - I come to my
Saviour;
hungry and thirsty -
to the well of Life;
needy - to the King
of Heaven.
(Thomas à Kempis)
91
Patience and
strength in sickness and in health
Lord,
teach me the art of
patience whilst I am well,
and give m the use of
it when I am sick.
In that day,
either lighten my
burden
or strengthen my
back.
Make me
(who so often in my
health
have discovered my
weakness,
presuming on my own
strength)
be strong in my
sickness
when I solely rely on
your assistance.
(Thomas Fuller)
92
Those very ill
God our Father,
we bring before you
today
those who suffer
from chronic illness
or disability
- those for whom
sickness or disability
profoundly affects
their lives.
When they feel
diminished,
remind them that you
call them by name
and hold them
in the palm of your
hand. Is 431
When they feel
fragile and broken,
mould them and heal
them,
that they may more
closely resemble
the image of Jesus,
your Son and our
Brother.
When they are
reminded
of different times in
the past,
lead them to grow in
the faith
that you love them
today, as they are,
in the reality of
their lives this day.
When they feel
uncertain about the future,
lead them to that
perfect love
which casts out all
fear. 1 John 418
When situations
remind them
- not of what they
can do,
but of what they
cannot do -
remind them
that “love never
fails”, 1 Cor 138
and that, living in
your love,
they will bear your
fruit in plenty. Jn 155,9
May all of us
- whatever our
circumstances -
never be so taken up
with our own concerns
that we do not see or
respond to
the needs of others.
May we live with
courage
the different
challenges
that each of us
faces.
Amen.
(NH)
93
Watch, Lord, with
those in need
Watch, dear Lord,
with those who cannot
sleep
and those who weep
this night.
Tend the sick,
give rest to the
weary
and bless the dying.
Relieve those who are
suffering,
have pity on those in
great distress,
and shield those who
are happy.
Amen. (St Augustine)
94
The Last Words of
St Teresa of Avila
My Lord, it is time
to move on.
Well then, may your
will be done.
O my Lord and my
Spouse,
the hour that I have
longed for has come.
It is time for us to
meet one another.
95
A Song of Farewell (for
accompanying the dying,
or for one who has
just died)
Go forth, DEAR
BROTHER, (or ‘sister’, or the person’s name)
upon your final
journey.
Go from this world
and rest in peace
in the presence of
God the Father,
who created you;
in the love of Jesus
our Lord,
who calls you his
friend,
and in the warmth of
the Holy Spirit,
who has made his home
in you.
In death
your life is now
changed, not ended,
and we give you back
to our faithful God
who first gave you to
us.
On our common
pilgrimage
we have accompanied
you
as far as we can go
together.
Our ways part for now
but, beyond our
horizon,
you will be met by
Jesus
who is himself the
Way.
May the angels lead
you into paradise,
and the saints take
you by the hand
and walk with you
into the presence of
God.
There, face-to-face,
you will meet our
loving Father.
His hands will be
swift to welcome,
and he will hold you
close:
his tender love is
that of a mother for her child,
and he has written
your name
on the palm of his
hands.
You will find rest
in Christ, the Good
Shepherd,
who carries you and
says: “Do not be afraid.”
His peace will be
yours
in a place where pain
and sorrow will be no more.
There in God’s kingdom
of light, happiness
and peace
the Holy Spirit will
heal and renew
and strengthen you.
The end of your
pilgrimage
will be a new
beginning
in the bright dawn of
eternal day.
Go forth, DEAR
BROTHER,
upon your final
journey.
Go from this world,
and be with God. (NH)
96
For someone who has
died
Loving Father,
to you the dead do
not die
and, in death, our
life is changed - not ended.
We believe that all
that binds us together
in love and
friendship
does not end with
death.
Hear our prayers for
_____
who has died.
As you have made each
of us
in your image and
likeness
and have called us by
name,
hold him/her safely
in your love
in your kingdom
of light, happiness
and peace. Amen.
97
Lord, welcome those
who have died
Lord,
welcome into your
calm and peaceful kingdom
those who have
departed out of this present life
to be with you.
Grant them rest
and a place with the
spirits of the just;
and give them the
life that knows no age,
the reward that
passes not away,
through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
(St Ignatius Loyola)
98
For the deceased
and those who mourn
Father,
your Son declared
"blessed"
all those who mourn,
knowing that no-one
can mourn
unless they love very
much.
Bring courage and
strength
to those who now
mourn
because they have
loved greatly.
In your loving kindness
bring them healing
and inner peace,
and lead the one they
mourn
into your kingdom
of light, happiness,
and peace. Amen.
(NH)
99
For those who mourn
Lord Jesus, you tell
us
that those who mourn
are “blessed”,
knowing that only
those who love greatly
can mourn.
We know, too,
that it is better
to have loved and
lost someone
than never to have
loved at all.
Be with ______
and may the members
of his/her family
be strengthened,
knowing that others
care for them
and hold them in
prayer. Amen.
(NH)
100
The Angelus
The angel of the Lord
declared unto Mary
And she conceived by
the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of
grace,
the Lord is with
thee.
Blessed art thou
among women,
and blessed is the
fruit of they womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of
God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour
of our death. Amen.
Behold the handmaid
of the Lord.
Be it done to me
according to your word.
Hail Mary....
And the Word was made
flesh
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary....
Pray for us, O holy
Mother of God
That we may be made worthy
of the promises of
Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we
beseech thee, O Lord,
thy grace into our
hearts,
that we, to whom the
incarnation of Christ, thy Son,
was made known by the
message of an angel
may, by his passion
and cross,
be brought to the glory
of his resurrection,
through the same
Christ our Lord. Amen.
