Praying the offering of self

Lord Jesus,
you told your friends
not to worry about the future.

You showed them
how to have the attitude of simple trust
that young children have,
so that they could place themselves
into the caring hands of your Father.

And so I ask for the power of your Spirit
that I may remain positive
throughout all that is ordinary in my daily life.


I know that your touch
can change people and situations,
and so I ask you
to join me in offering to our Father
not only the good things of this day
but also the suffering and sacrifices
that I want to offer cheerfully and lovingly,
and in a quiet and hidden way.

And so may any difficulties
and frustration and pain of this day
be transformed in your presence
for the benefit of other people. Amen.

Prayer to Live as a Child of God

Father in Heaven,
when the Spirit came down upon Jesus
at His Baptism in the Jordan,
You revealed Him as Your own Beloved Son.
Keep me, Your child,

born of water and the Spirit,
faithful to my calling.
May I, who share in Your Life
as Your child through Baptism,

follow in Christ's path of service to people.
Let me become one in His Sacrifice
and hear His Word with faith.
May I live as Your child,
following the example of Jesus.

Meal time Prayer

O Lord, we thank you for the gifts of your bounty
which we enjoy at this table.
As you have provided for us in the past,
so may you sustain us throughout our lives.
While we enjoy your gifts,
may we never forget the needy and those in want.

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

For Those Who Are Disabled

God of compassion,
in Jesus Christ you cared for those who were blind or deaf,
crippled or slow to learn.
Though all of us need help,
give special care to those who are disabled,
particularly those we name in silence...
By our concern may they know the love you have for them,
and come to trust you;
through Jesus Christ who came to heal.
Amen

The best of all gifts

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
- Burton Hillis -

A Christmas Prayer

Moonless darkness stands between.
Past, the Past, no more be seen!
But the Bethlehem star may lead me
To the sight of Him Who freed me
From the self that I have been.
Make me pure, Lord: Thou art Holy;
Make me meek, Lord: Thou wert lowly;
Now beginning, and always,
Now begin, on Christmas day.