Every morning when you wake up, you are given another day of life. This gift of life is precious. To say that it’s precious is really a colossal understatement. Being alive is more valuable than anything else that one can own and possess. The greater your appreciation for being alive, the more enthusiastic you will be when wake up each morning. Your Creator gives you life this moment for a reason. Your life is purposeful. Just imagine the enthusiasm you are going to experience when you realize that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe is saying to you, "I am giving you life this very moment. Appreciate it."
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Wake Up with Enthusiasm
Every morning when you wake up, you are given another day of life. This gift of life is precious. To say that it’s precious is really a colossal understatement. Being alive is more valuable than anything else that one can own and possess. The greater your appreciation for being alive, the more enthusiastic you will be when wake up each morning. Your Creator gives you life this moment for a reason. Your life is purposeful. Just imagine the enthusiasm you are going to experience when you realize that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe is saying to you, "I am giving you life this very moment. Appreciate it."
Prayer of Self-Surrender
Lord, what do you want me to do?
What decision do you want me to make?
Where do you want my life to go?
The only way I can decide, Lord,
is to put myself in your hands.
Like a potter takes clay and makes something of it,
like you took a rib and made a woman,
Take me and give me whatever shape you want.
Or if you want, break the clay to pieces and start over again.
Do with me whatever you want.
It doesn't matter if I am loved or hated,
praised or calumniated, consoled or friendless.
What matters is that your will be done in me.
Help me to follow the example of your Mother and say
"Let it be done to me according to your Word."
I'm not looking for any big sacrifice, Lord, or any heavy cross.
Something like that would only make me proud.
Help me to do your will in little things.
To put up with misunderstandings, rash judgments,
confusion and frustration.
To be patient and peaceful with the jerks who drive me crazy.
Let me love you by doing the little things
that will not bring me any satisfaction.
Amen.
Prayer for Healing Back Pain
FATHER, You are intimately aware of the struggle I am experiencing with the pain and the despair.
You know the desire of my heart to be healed of this back pain. I ask now for Your healing touch.
I know that You are able and that just like in biblical times, You can heal me.
I also understand that You will choose what is best for me.
I pray that through this trial, I will draw close to You and that You will be my comfort and strength.
I pray that ultimately, whatever happens, You will be glorified through me.
I pray this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Prayer of Generosity
Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not count the cost;
to fight and not heed the wounds;
to toil and not seek for rest;
to labor and not ask for reward, except to know
that I am doing your will.
Amen.
Prayer for Affirmation
Prayer for Affirmation
"JESUS, I place all my trust in your Sacred Heart and surrender myself to your will. Come into my life, drive away my fears, stop my restless strivings and show me new ways of pleasing you.
TEACH me to discern good in others and to love them with an affectionate smile, a gentle touch, a patient ear and an affirming word.
PRAY that I will become alive again with awe and appreciation of truth and courage to oppose evil. Remind me always that I am created for happiness, for the joy of living in the presence of God.
PRAY that I may have the inner peace that comes from confidence, surrender and affirmation."
Psalm 23 Explained
The Lord is my Shepherd
That’s Relationship!
I shall not want
That’s Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
That’s Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
That’s Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul
That’s Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.
That’s Guidance!
For His name sake
That’s Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death.
That’s Testing!
I will fear no evil.
That’s Protection!
For Thou art with me
That’s Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me,
That’s Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
That’s Hope!
Thou anointest my head with oil,
That’s Consecration!
My cup runneth over.
That’s Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
That’s Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord.
That’s Security!
Forever!
That’s Eternity!
Our Father In Heaven
Our Father In Heaven
We pray that You save us from ourselves. The world that You made for us, to live in peace, we have made into an armed camp.
We live in fear of war to come. We are afraid of "the terror that flies by night and the arrow that flies by day, the pestilence that walks in darkness and the destruction that wastes at noon-day."
We have turned from You to go our selfish way. We have broken Your commandments and denied Your truth. We have left Your altars to serve the false gods of money and pleasure and power.
Forgive us and help us. Now, darkness gathers around us and we are confused in all our counsels, losing faith in You, we lose faith in ourselves.
Inspire us with wisdom, all of us of every color, race and creed, to use our wealth, our strength to help our brothers and sisters, instead of destroying them.
Help us to do Your will as it is done in heaven and to be worthy of Your promise of peace on earth.
Fill us with new faith, new strength and new courage, that we may win the Battle for Peace. Be swift to save us, dear God, before the darkness falls.
Amen.
A Nurse's Prayer
O my God, teach me to receive the sick in your Name.
Give to my efforts success for the glory of your holy Name,
- Grant that the sick you have placed in my care
- Help me to overcome every temporal weakness,
- Give to my eyes light to see those in need . . .
- Give me grace, for the sake of your sick ones
It is your work--
Without You, O Lord, I cannot succeed.
Amen.
Litany of Humility
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart! Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
From the desire of being loved,
From the desire of being sought after,
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being preferred to others,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humbled,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of suffering rebuffs,
From the fear of being calumniated,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being ridiculed,
From the fear of being injured,
From the fear of being suspected,
Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
That in the opinion of the world,
others may increase, and I may decrease,
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
That others be preferred to me in everything,
That others may be more holy than I,
provided I may become as holy as I should.
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
From the desire of being esteemed,
From the desire of being loved,
From the desire of being sought after,
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being preferred to others,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humbled,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of suffering rebuffs,
From the fear of being calumniated,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being ridiculed,
From the fear of being injured,
From the fear of being suspected,
Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
That in the opinion of the world,
others may increase, and I may decrease,
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
That others be preferred to me in everything,
That others may be more holy than I,
provided I may become as holy as I should.
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Kitchen Prayer
Lord of all pots and pans and things
Since I’ve not time to be
A saint by doing lovely things or
Watching late with Thee
Or dreaming in the dawn light or
Storming Heaven’s gates
Make me a saint by getting meals and
Washing up the plates.
Although I must have Martha’s hands,
I have a Mary mind
And when I black the boots and shoes,
Thy sandals Lord I find.
I think of how they trod the earth,
What time I scrub the floor
Accept this meditation Lord,
I haven’t time for more.
Warm all the kitchen with Thy love,
And light it with Thy peace
Forgive me all my worrying and make
My grumbling cease.
Thou who didst love to give men food,
In room or by the sea
Accept this service that I do,
I do it unto Thee.
Since I’ve not time to be
A saint by doing lovely things or
Watching late with Thee
Or dreaming in the dawn light or
Storming Heaven’s gates
Make me a saint by getting meals and
Washing up the plates.
Although I must have Martha’s hands,
I have a Mary mind
And when I black the boots and shoes,
Thy sandals Lord I find.
I think of how they trod the earth,
What time I scrub the floor
Accept this meditation Lord,
I haven’t time for more.
Warm all the kitchen with Thy love,
And light it with Thy peace
Forgive me all my worrying and make
My grumbling cease.
Thou who didst love to give men food,
In room or by the sea
Accept this service that I do,
I do it unto Thee.
Heavenly Father..Help Us
HEAVENLY FATHER,
Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
The Five Finger Prayer
- Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
- The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
- The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
- The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
- And lastly comes our little finger – the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
"Deck of Cards" Prayer Book
"Deck of Cards"
Prayer Book
Upon finding that the War To End All Wars was actually at an end, a soldier wandered away from his barracks and into town. As he passed a small church, he stopped and looked in and saw that the townsfolk had gathered for worship. The soldier wandered in, down the aisle and slid into a pew. He took his seat next to some worshipers who were at that moment sitting with their heads bowed in prayer. The soldier having no prayer book took out a time-worn deck of playing cards. He fanned the cards before him and started to mumble to himself. His fellow worshipers, amazed at the soldier for displaying a deck of cards, the "Devil's Tickets," in the house of the Lord, nudged him and whispered, "Put those away, you can't do that here!"
The soldier paid little attention to them and carried on with his cards and mumblings. Soon the fellow worshipers became alarmed and sent out for the constable and the poor man was arrested. He was placed in the jail for the night and the next morning was brought before the town magistrate, charged with disorderly conduct for displaying a deck of cards in a place of worship. The Magistrate asked what he had to say for himself, "Guilty or not guilty?"
The soldier standing before the bar of justice replied, "Not guilty, Your Honor, and with your kind permission, I would like to present this defense for my actions."
With that, he took out his old time-worn deck of cards, fanned them out before him, and then he began:
- "Your Honor, to me this deck of cards is my prayer book and Bible. When I look into these cards and see an Ace, it reminds me that there is only one God.
- When I see the Deuce, it reminds me that the Bible is divided into two parts, the Old and the New Testaments.
- When I see the Trey, it represents the three persons of the Blessed Trinity—the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
- When I see the Four, it reminds me of the four great Evangelists, who wrote the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
- When I see the Five, Your Honor, I think of the five virgins who kept their lamps trimmed in waiting for the coming of the Lord.
- When I see the Six, it reminds me that in six days God made this great Heaven and Earth.
- When I see the Seven, it represents the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship.
- When I see the Eight, it reminds me of the eight righteous persons who were saved from the Flood—Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives
- When I see the Nine, I'm reminded of the nine lepers who were cleansed of their sins, but did not give thanks, such was their ingratitude.
- When I see the Ten, I think, not only of the tenth leper, who did give thanks, but of the Ten Commandments handed down by Moses on the stone tablets, each spot for one Commandment.
- Now, Your Honor, the Jack reminds me of the Knave of the Devil and to shun his temptation.
- When I see the Queen, I think of the blessed Virgin Mary, who is Queen of Heaven.
- The King is, of course, the King of Heaven and Earth and All Things, to whom we should all bow down and give thanks."
He folded up the deck of card, shuffled them once, and fanned them out before him. Then he continued:
- "Your Honor, when I look into this deck of cards, I see that there are 365 spots, as there are 365 days in the year.
- The Joker stands for Leap Year, 366 days.
- There are fifty-two cards in the deck, there are fifty-two weeks in a year.
- There are twelve face cards in the deck representing the twelve months of the year.
- Actually, there are thirteen lunar months in the year represented by the thirteen cards in each suit.
- Speaking of the suits, the deck is divided into four suits—Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts and Spades; and we know that the year is divided into four seasons—Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall.
- Lastly, Your Honor, this deck of cards has two colors, red and black; the red stands for the daylight, and the black for the night.
So you see, Your Honor, not only is this deck of cards my prayer book and Bible, it is also my Almanac!"
With that, His Honor said, "Case dismissed!"
Decalogue of Assisi for Peace
Decalogue of Assisi for Peace
- We commit ourselves to proclaiming our firm conviction that violence and terrorism are incompatible with the authentic spirit of religion, and, as we condemn every recourse to violence and war in the name of God or of religion, we commit ourselves to doing everything possible to eliminate the root causes of terrorism.
- We commit ourselves to educating people to mutual respect and esteem, in order to help bring about a peaceful and fraternal coexistence between people of different ethnic groups, cultures and religions.
- We commit ourselves to fostering the culture of dialogue, so that there will be an increase of understanding and mutual trust between individuals and among peoples, for these are the premise of authentic peace.
- We commit ourselves to defending the right of everyone to live a decent life in accordance with their own cultural identity, and to form freely a family of his own.
- We commit ourselves to frank and patient dialogue, refusing to consider our differences as an insurmountable barrier, but recognizing instead that to encounter the diversity of others can become an opportunity for greater reciprocal understanding.
- We commit ourselves to forgiving one another for past and present errors and prejudices, and to supporting one another in a common effort both to overcome selfishness and arrogance, hatred and violence, and to learn from the past that peace without justice is no true peace.
- We commit ourselves to taking the side of the poor and the helpless, to speaking out for those who have no voice and to working effectively to change these situations, out of the conviction that no one can be happy alone.
- We commit ourselves to taking up the cry of those who refuse to be resigned to violence and evil, and we are desire to make every effort possible to offer the men and women of our time real hope for justice and peace.
- We commit ourselves to encouraging all efforts to promote friendship between peoples, for we are convinced that, in the absence of solidarity and understanding between peoples, technological progress exposes the world to a growing risk of destruction and death.
- We commit ourselves to urging leaders of nations to make every effort to create and consolidate, on the national and international levels, a world of solidarity and peace based on justice.
The Begining of a New Day
- This is the beginning of a new day.
- I can waste it or use it for good,
- When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever,
- I want it to be gain and not loss; good and not evil;
Act of Contrition
O My God,
I am heartily sorry for having offended you.
I beg pardon from your infinite kindness
for my ungrateful behavior.
Forgive me, Lord, and take pity on me;
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
Overcome the evil in what I have thought,
said, done and left undone,
And help me sincerely to mend my ways.
Amen.
17 Messages From God
17 Messages From God
Recently a Ft. Lauderdale advertising agency launched a billboard campaign sponsored by an anonymous client which received some national attention.
It included 17 different messages from God.
- "Let's Meet At My House Sunday Before the Game." — God
- "C'mon Over And Bring The Kids." — God
- "What Part of 'Thou Shalt Not…' Didn't You Understand?"
— God - "We Need To Talk." — God
- "Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer." — God
- "Loved The Wedding, Invite Me To The Marriage." — God
- "That ‘Love Thy Neighbor' Thing, I Meant It." — God
- "I Love You…I Love You…I Love You…" — God
- "Will The Road You're On Get You To My Place?" — God
- "Follow Me." — God
- "Big Bang Theory, You've Got To Be Kidding." — God
- "My Way Is The Highway." — God
- "Need Directions?" — God
- "You Think It's Hot Here?" — God
- "Tell The Kids I Love Them." — God
- "Need a Marriage Counselor? I'm Available." — God
- "Have You Read My #1 Best Seller? There Will Be A Test."
— God