Loving God,
you speak to us through all of life.
Help me to trust you
and to trust that what you desire for me
lies in the deepest part of my heart.
And, what you desire
is that which allows me to grow
and to be the person you created me to be -
fully human and fully alive.
May I always center my life
on you and hear joyfully your call
to be your companion.
Help me to follow
my desire to live my life
as best I can
and to serve others
with the special gifts
you have given
me.
Oh God of peace,
who hast taught us that
in
returning and rest we shall be saved,
in quietness and in confidence
shall be our strength:
By the might of thy Spirit lift us,
we pray thee,
to thy presence,
where we may be still
and know that thou art God.
O gracious God,
we will never understand
the sorrows of the world,
but by your grace
we will not turn away from them.
Renew and sustain in us
the spirit of love that crosses miles.
Cheer and encourage those who labor
to help the injured,
the homeless, the hungry and those in despair.
Bless and soften the hearts
of those who would take advantage
of tragedy for their own profit,
that they may come to know
where true joy is to be found.
Unite us in prayer
with all those who look for help,
and use us to come speedily to them
with the things that they need.
We ask these things
in your own most Holy Name.
Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.
Chief Seattle, 1854
The only place
where dreams are impossible
is in your own mind.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5
The Eagle
by Emily M. Parris
The eagle
is a magnificent bird
Who soars
with graceful ease
He's a symbol of our heritage
As he glides
upon the breeze
He's a symbol
of our freedom
In his soaring boundless flight
A beacon for humanity
And a splendid,
noble sight
His huge wingspan maneuvers him
In boundless soaring flight
Oh eagle,
in your majesty
May we follow you tonight
May we soar like eagles
on the wings
Of dreams composed of light
Oh, eagle,
in your splendor
May we follow you
tonight.
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
Dear God,
I pray for
optimum health, wisdom, mental clarity
and political prosperity
for Barack Obama,
and for all those in this new administration
who now assume roles
of such high responsibility.
We know that you and you alone
are sovereign;
that you rule over all,
and that you alone
are able to keep and defend us.
We know that our times are in your hands,
and that "the king's heart
is like channels of water
in the hand of the Lord" [Proverbs 21:1].
Our confidence is in you
and in you alone.
We come before you as a people
who acknowledge
our constant need for your
provision, wisdom, and protection.
God bless
President Obama, his family
and
all the nations
of the world.
Amen.
The Unborn
Lord God, our Eternal Father,
we come to
Thy Throne full of awe
and reverence
at Thy saving power.
Through our Savior Jesus Christ,
we beg Thee to help us
stop the widespread slaughter
of unborn babies in our land.
May our love
for our innocent brothers and sisters
closely resemble the love
that exists in the Holy Family.
Help us provide
all human life with protection
under our civil laws.
We know that
through the intercession
of our Mother Mary,
chosen Spouse of the Holy Spirit,
our request will be granted.
Amen.
Father Forgive Them
"Father,
forgive them;
for they know not
what they do. "
And
when Jesus had cried
with a loud voice,
he said,
" Father, into thy hands
I commend my spirit: "
A Mother's Child
by Mom
A mother's child is every breath that she takes,
walking hand in hand, they are every step that she makes.
And as their steps will grow to strides,
still a child, in mother's eyes.
Every ache and pain they shall feel,
mother will share and with love she will kneel.
She will pray to God to take care of her child,
to protect and guide them through every mile.
Her child is the very core of her soul,
from baby in arms to an adult they will grow.
For to a mother, her child will stay,
the precious infant she held that day.
Simple Man
Mama told me when I was young
Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say.
And if you do this
It will help you some sunny day.
Take your time... Don't live too fast,
Troubles will come and they will pass.
Go find a woman and you'll find love,
And don't forget son,
There is someone up above.
And be a simple kind of man.
Be something you love and understand.
Be a simple kind of man.
Won't you do this for me son,
If you can?
Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul,
And you can do this if you try.
All that I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.
Boy, don't you worry... you'll find yourself.
Follow you heart and nothing else.
And you can do this if you try.
All I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.
SHINING STAR
Honey, you are my shining star
Don't you go away
Wanna be right here where you are
Until my dying day
So many have tried
Tried to find a love like yours and mine
Girl, don't you realize how you hypnotize
Make me love you more each time.
Honey, I'm never gonna leave you lonely
Give my love to you only
Feels so good
When we're lying here
next to each other,
lost in love.
Baby, when we touch--love you so much
You're all I ever dreamed of.
Honey, I'm never gonna leave you lonely
Give my love to you only...
Goodnight, Dear God
The Sun has gone down from the sky
and peace of night is drawing nigh.
I pray, Dear God, my soul You'll keep
While in Your arms I sleep.
Forgive the things I did today
When from your glorious path I'd stay.
And when I slumber through the night
Please take my hand and hold it tight.
And when I awake to a bright new mourn,
Restored, refreshed, renewed, reborn,
I'll try, Dear God, to be
The person You would hope of me.