Prayers and Reflections

Dear God, courage is a word usually reserved for heroic deeds. Some courageous people even sacrifice their very lives. My sacrifices are such little ones in comparison. But it seems, God, that you keep asking them of me moment by moment, one at a time. It never seems to stop! I know that you know so well the exact measure of my strength and will never ask for more than I can give. Grant me through the intercession of St. Julie Billiart, the faith and courage which helped her always to walk in the footsteps of your son, Jesus.
From “Embracing the Mission: Making Known God’s Goodness”

O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
look favorably on your servant Leo,
whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;
grant, we pray, that by word and example
he may be of service to those over whom he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Merciful God, we pray to you for all the men, women and children who have died after leaving their homelands in search of a better life.

Though many of their graves bear no name, to you each one is known, loved and cherished.

May we never forget them, but honour their sacrifice with deeds more than words. We entrust to you all those who have made this journey, enduring fear, uncertainty and humiliation, in order to reach a place of safety and hope.

Just as you never abandoned your Son as he was brought to a safe place by Mary and Joseph, so now be close to these, your sons and daughters, through our tenderness and protection.

In caring for them may we seek a world where none are forced to leave their home and where all can live in freedom, dignity and peace.

Merciful God and Father of all, wake us from the slumber of indifference, open our eyes to their suffering, and free us from the insensitivity born of worldly comfort and self-centeredness.

Inspire us, as nations, communities and individuals, to see that those who come to our shores are our brothers and sisters.

May we share with them the blessings we have received from your hand, and recognize that together, as one human family, we are all migrants, journeying in hope to you, our true home, where every tear will be wiped away, where we will be at peace and safe in your embrace.

– by Pope Francis

Shake Us From Our Slumber

When our eyes do not see the gravity of racial justice,
Shake us from our slumber and open our eyes, O Lord.

When out of fear we are frozen into inaction,
Give us a spirit of bravery, O Lord.

When we try our best but say the wrong things,
Give us a spirit of humility, O Lord.

When the chaos of this dies down,
Give us a lasting spirit of solidarity, O Lord.

When it becomes easier to point fingers outwards,
Help us to examine our own hearts, O Lord.

God of truth, in your wisdom, Enlighten Us.
God of hope in your kindness, Heal Us.
Creator of All People, in your generosity, Guide Us.

Racism breaks your heart,
break our hearts for what breaks yours, O Lord.
Ever present God, you called us to be in relationship with one another and promised to dwell wherever two or three are gathered. In our community, we are many different people; we come from many different places, have many different cultures. Open our hearts that we may be bold in finding the riches of inclusion and the treasures of diversity among us. We pray in faith.

– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

God of love and compassion: may we always recognize your spirit:

in the refugee family, seeking safety from violence;

in the migrant worker, bringing food to our tables;

in the asylum-seekers, seeking justice for their families;

in the unaccompanied child, traveling in a dangerous world.

Give us hearts that break open whenever our brothers and sisters turn to us.
Give us hearts that no longer turn deaf to their voices in times of need;

Give us eyes to recognize a moment for grace instead of a threat.
Give us voices that fail to remain silent but which decide instead to advocate prophetically.
Give us hands that reach out in welcome, but also in work, for a world of justice until all homelands are safe and secure.
Bless us, O Lord…

- Fr. Dan Hartnett S.J.

Begin with a prayer of gratitude.

Consider the current realities of our country—for what and for whom are you most grateful?

[Pause for reflection, then continue]

Ask for God’s guidance.

Invite the Spirit of God to illuminate your reflections.

[Pause for reflection, then continue]

Enlightened by the spirit, prayerfully review our nation at this point in history; pay attention to your emotions and reactions.

What energizes you or brings you closer to God as you reflect on our country?

What distracts you or makes you feel farther away from God as you reflect on our country?

What is the current situation of your brothers and sisters, particularly those who are most vulnerable and often marginalized by poverty and injustice?

What are the ways that your identity and privileges shape your perspective and vision for our country?

Allow your honest reactions, emotions, and desires to surface.

[Pause for reflection, then continue]

Conversation with God

Consider perhaps one or two of the strongest desires or feelings evoked by your prayers about the our country and bring this to God.

Engage God in conversation over these desires or feelings, speaking simply, clearly, directly, and honestly, as one friend speaks to another.

What areas of your life as a faithful citizen do you lament?

What communities, groups, or aspects of creation in our nation need healing and reconciliation?

What is God’s desire for people who are marginalized by poverty and injustice?

What areas of your life / our nation’s life do you rejoice in and celebrate fidelity to Gospel values?

Listen with your heart—how is God present to you through your reactions and desires?

[Pause for reflection, then continue]

Prayer of renewal and resolution

As we prepare to elect new leaders, how will you promote the common good? Ask God for the assistance you need to enact greater, more lasting good for all God’s people. Is there a specific attitude you want to cultivate or an action you want to take? Entrust your desires and intentions to God’s grade.

Amen.

Lord, teach me to be generous,
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 labor and not to look for any reward,
save that of knowing that I do your holy will.

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have been in vain.

Now, Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.

Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness.

Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!  All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To You, alone, Most High, do they belong.  No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and You give light through him.  And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!  Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which You give Your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You brighten the night.  He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You; through those who endure sickness and trial.

Happy those who endure in peace, for by You, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape.  Woe to those who die in mortal sin!  Happy those she finds doing Your most holy will.  The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve Him with great humility.

~ a religious song composed in 1224 by Saint Francis of Assisi

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;
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.

This prayer was not composed by St. Francis of Assisi, but represents his strong advocacy for peace in the world.

Hail Mary, full of grace;
all generations call you blessed.
Hail Mother of God; when asked by the angel
to bear the Son of the Most High,
filled with faith, you responded:
“Let it be done unto me.”

Holy Mother of Jesus, at the wedding feast at Cana,
you prompted your Son to perform his first sign.

Be with us as we discern our life’s work
and guide us in the way we are called to follow
in the footsteps of your Son.

Holy Mother of the Savior, at the foot of the cross
you mourned the death of your only Son.

Bless and embrace the loving parents of all priests,
deacons, brothers and sisters.

Holy Mother of the Good Shepherd,
turn your motherly care to this nation.

Intercede for us to the Lord of the harvest
to send more laborers to the harvest
in this land dedicated to your honor.

Queen of Peace, Mirror of Justice, Health of the Sick,
inspire vocations in our time.

Let the word of your Son be made flesh anew
in the lives of persons anxious to proclaim
the good news of everlasting life.
Amen.
(Prayer #6 from Prayers for Vocations | USCCB)

Gracious God,
You have called me to life
and gifted me in many ways.
Through Baptism You have sent me
to continue the mission of Jesus
by sharing my love with others.
Strengthen me to respond to
Your call each day.
Help me to become all You desire of me.
Inspire me to make a difference in
others’ lives.
Lead me to choose the way of life
You have planned for me.
Open the hearts of all to listen
to Your call.
Fill all with Your Holy Spirit that
we may have listening hearts and
the courage to respond to You.
Enkindle in my heart
and the hearts of others the desire
to make the world a better place
by serving as Sister, Associate, or Lay Minister.
Amen.
(Prayer #7 from Prayers for Vocations | USCCB)

Good and Gracious God,
In the midst of our Lenten journey
may our hearts be drawn into deeper solidarity,
May our actions of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer
bring about a more just world.
May our fasting free us from the heaviness of the world
May our praying draw us into our inner light to find that
closeness with you we seek.
May our almsgiving be offered through the actions of
our love for others.
May we move through our Lent with
kindness and hopefulness.
As we walk the way of the Cross with courage
we walk knowing that we are closer to your love.

Amen.

-Jane Deren, Ph.D.

Help us pull back
From mindless consuming,
From endless spending,
To fast from buying things,
So we may have space and time
To be present to the Spirit.

Help us to open our hands.
To let go of material goods,
To breathe slowly,
And recognize the abundance
Of grace and goodness
We are freely given.

May our fasting from wanting more
Sharpen our awareness
Of the needs of others;
May the hunger to be more
Rather than to have more
Restore us to wholeness.

May our fasting from consuming
Bring us a peace and joy
That is more lasting than material goods,
And that allows us to be free,
With hands and hearts open,
Seeing the value of every human person.

Amen

-Jane Deren, Ph.D.

You Lord, you have loved us.
You have bowed before us,
Washed our feet and fed us hope with
your words.
You have showed us in your body,
With your hands and heart,
How to return the favor of your love.
We are to bend in respect and honor
before all others,
Caring for them and their needs as
completely
And as intimately as you have done with
each of us.
Lord, you stay with us now,
Telling us to look into the face of every
other person
And see your face mirrored back to us.
Let us recognize each one’s dignity,
And bend before each person, tending to
their needs,
Encouraging them, being gentle and
strong with them.
Let us bless you in gratitude
By drawing everyone closer
And deeper into your presence among us.
Lord, make us one with them in you
As you are One in your community of the
Three.

Amen

-Dr. Megan McKenna

Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.

-Author Unknown

Listen and look to the earth,
to the gift of Creation.
In spite of present cold and the darkness,
The winter will be nearing its end,
And the light will warm us again,
As we move through Lent
Toward the Light who is our salvation.
Even now in the dark earth,
hidden seeds are growing, moving,
Reaching toward the hope of a Spring,
Just as Easter moves us forward,
Calling us to the work of inner renewal
So we may be strengthened for the work of
our day,
The renewal of hearts, the renewal of
community,
The renewal of our common home.
Guide us in these weeks ahead,
Loving Lord of Resurrection;
Draw us forward despite our pain and fear,
May we learn, like the barren trees,
To blossom again, to bear fruit,
To praise you by our lives,
Continuing the great work of justice, of
peace.

Amen.

-Jane Deren, Ph.D.

May Lent be for us
A time of learning to see
Where Christ is crucified today,
A time of learning
To recognize the complex roots of injustice,
To recognize the Gethsemanes
In our global community.
May we witness the suffering
Of God’s children
As Mary witnessed
Her beloved son’s suffering.

May Lent be for us
A time of learning to become
An Easter people,
A time of learning
To recognize the deep roots of compassion,
To recognize we too are called
To witness the empty tomb and
To announce
To a world in despair
The Hope of the Resurrection.

Amen.

-Clarissa Aljentera

Jesus invites us to walk with him during Lent,
Meeting and being present with the humble and poor.
Let us walk his way with joy.

Jesus beckons us to a way of risk,
Letting go of our security.
Let us walk his way with joy.

Jesus challenges us to listen to the voices
Of those who have nothing to lose.
Let us walk his way with joy.

Jesus points us to a way of self-giving,
Where power and status are overturned.
Let us walk his way with joy.

Jesus calls us to follow the way of the cross,
Where despair is transformed by the promise of new life.
Let us walk his way with joy.