Compassionate Creator, we lift up to you in prayer this day our parish family at St. John's. We pray for all those who are sick, hurt, frustrated or injured in any way. We pray for your guidance and wisdom in helping us to make decisions as a parish which reflect your will and your way. We pray that we may be inspired and creative in the way that we worship you and in the way that we provide opportunities for those seeking to draw close to you. May the lantern of your perpetual goodness always shine in us and through us. Amen
A Daily Prayer
Wise and Faithful Guide, keep my spirit entwined with yours. Teach me about the poor and the pained. Fill me with your mercy and compassion. Help me to find your peace in my troubled moments. Let love be the response I give to those who oppose me. Constantly draw me toward all that is good. Divine Companion, draw me to your heart where wisdom resides and daily let me choose to follow in your way. Amen
Joyce Rupp
The Christmas Pledge
Believing in the true spirit of Christmas, I commit myself to:
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The New Year
Faithful Companion,
In this New Year I pray:
To live deeply, with purpose,
To live freely, with detachment,
To live wisely, with humility,
To live justly, with compassion,
To live lovingly, with fidelity,
To live mindfully, with awareness,
To live gratefully, with generosity,
To live fully, with enthusiasm.
Help me to hold this vision
And to daily renew it in my heart,
Becoming ever more one with you,
My truest self.
Joyce Rupp
Breath Prayer
Breathe in: The Lord...
Breathe out: ...is compassion.
Blessing Prayer for Healing
May I desire to be healed.
May what is wounded in my life be restored to good health.
May I be receptive to the ways in which healing needs to happen.
May I take good care myself.
May I extend compassion to all that hurts within my body, mind, spirit.
May I be patient with the time it takes to heal.
May I be aware of the wonders of my body, mind, and spirit and their amazing capacity to heal.
May the skills of all those who are caring for me be used to the best of their ability in returning me to good health.
May I be open to receive from those who extend kindness, care, and compassion to me.
May I rest peacefully under the sheltering wings of divine love, trusting in this gracious presence.
May I find little moments of beauty and joy to sustain me.
May I keep hope in my heart.
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Suffering is not...
Suffering is not God's desire for us, but occurs in the process of
life.
Suffering is not given in order to teach us something, but through it we may learn.
Suffering is not given to punish us, but is sometimes the consequences of sin or poor judgement.
Suffering is not given us to teach others something, but through it may learn.
Suffering does not occur because our faith is weak, but through it our faith may be strengthened.
God does not depend on human suffering to achieve God's purposes, but through it God's purposes are sometimes achieved.
Suffering is not always to be avoided at all costs, but is sometimes chosen.
Suffering can either destroy us or add meaning to our life.
Canon Carl Siegel II
Keep your thoughts positive
Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words.
Keep your words positive, because your words become your behaviours.
Keep your behaviours positive, because your behaviours become your habits.
Keep your habits positive, because your habits become your values.
Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny.
Gandhi
A Prayer
I asked God to take away my habit. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me.
God said....Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
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