Prayer for Easter 4

Guide me, O shepherd of my heart; lead me homeward through the dark, into everlasting day. Show me the way of truth and light; keep me always in your sight. May my life never part from the shepherd of my heart.

-Francis Patrick O'Brien

Prayer for Easter 3

This day was made by God; let us sing and rejoice forever!

Praise God who is always good; God will always be true! Let Israel shout forever, God will always be true. The right hand of God is our power and lifted high above the nations. I did not die; I am still here to sing of the wonderful gifts of God!
The stone rejected has become the cornerstone; believe it or not, this is from God! Our eyes are dazzled by this sight!
This day was made by God; let us sing and rejoice forever!

Prayer for Easter

Risen Savior, your rising from the dead fills us with immense wonder and great hope. In your abundant mercy, you endured death to prove your love for us and set us free from sin and death. Fear, hatred, suffering and failure cannot endure. In our celebration of the great feast of Easter, we look forward in certain hope for new life, not only after death, but in our hearts right now. Throughout the Easter season, may we seek and find your gift of a spirit renewed. Amen.

Prayer for Palm Sunday

Jesus Christ, may your death be my life and in your dying may I learn how to live. May your struggles be my rest, your human weakness my courage, Your embarrassment my honor, your passion my delight, Your sadness my joy, in your humiliation may I be exalted. In a word, may I find all my blessings in your trials. Amen.--Blessed Peter Faber, SJ

Lent V

"Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." John 12:24

Many people want to grow spiritually. Very few want to accept the conditions for it, however. Growth usually includes some pain and letting go, like the seed falling into the dark soil. If we could squeeze inside the heart of a wheat seed, we would be astonished at the potential for growth that is there. If we could see into our own soul, we would also be amazed at our own capacity for growth. Jesus saw into these depths and urged his followers to let go, to fall into the unknown darkness, and to wait for fuller life to evolve. Let us trust in our potential and give ourselves to fuller growth.

Lent IV

Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself to me, so that I may be filled with the faith that you so graciously give. My life belongs to you, Lord! Send me out in confidence to carry your word to others.
Lord, thank you for your grace. Bring everyone, especially those thirsty, hungry, and wounded by unbelief, into the river of life. By the power of your spirit, may we all become fruitful witnesses in life and word. Amen.

"Then he (the blind man) went and washed and came back able to see" John 9:7

Lent III

To you, loving God, we offer loving hearts during these Lenten days. You have gifted us with faith, yet we sometimes fail to accept it. Deepen our understanding of what it means to be Catholic. Renew our commitment to bring your word to those around us. Open our eyes to recognize your Son, Jesus Christ, in our midst. He lives in the lonely, the angry, and the disenfranchised. Slow us to listen and give them our time. He lives in those we have hurt. Humble us to seek forgiveness. He lives in those who have hurt us. Strengthen us to offer forgiveness. He lives in all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. Help us to act with compassion. If we but open our hearts, we find Christ's presence in all whom we meet. Be with us during those Lenten days, dear God. Open us to your spirit and help us to live our faith in all we do. Amen.

Lent II

Redeemer Lord, as we prepare to celebrate the great mystery of your dying and rising, send you Holy Spirit to guide us this Lent. May we be led to a spirit of true repentance for our sins and grateful appreciation for the gift of salvation. May we forgive as we have been forgiven, love as we have been loved and serve as we have been served. May we trust in you at all times, confident that in your mercy you have willed the redemption of the whole world. Amen.

Lent I

Jesus, dear Savior, during these forty days of Lent, I want to fast, to pray, to repent. Above all else, I want to stay in the circle of your love each day. Walk with me, surround me with your light; lead me, guide me, and keep me in your sight. Thank you for your great love and care; may I give witness to it everywhere. In these forty days, help me to follow you, and imitate your love in all I do. Amen.

Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd, I need nothing more. You give me rest in green meadows, setting me near calm waters, where you revive my spirit. You guide me along sure paths, you are true to your name. Though I should walk in death's dark valley, I fear no evil with you by my side, your shepherd's staff to comfort me. You spread a table before me as my foes look on. You sooth my head with oil; my cup is more than full. Goodness and love will tend me every day of my life. I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I shall live.