January 15, 2015: Prayer for Attentiveness
My every prayer, Lord Jesus, I know that You hear. Please make me more attentive, for You are always near.
January 14, 2015: Prayer for the Lord’s Friendship
Lord Jesus, Anyone might wonder Why You chose me as friend. There’s nothing that You need from me, and I am far from perfect. Your love exceeds what I can merit, And yet You have chosen me! Lord Jesus, Help me to see today How I can share Your friendship As You have shared Your love with me. In all that I pray and do, Help me to live with gratitude That You call me “friend.” Amen.
January 13, 2015: Prayer for Peace
Lord Jesus, When I am worried, anxious, or afraid, Please grant me peace of heart, If only for the moments I spend in prayer with You. For young people making choices, Please give them mentors who will teach That violence never ends well. For nations in strife, Please bestow wisdom on leaders Whose decisions can devastate or elevate humanity. Where there is bitterness, Please open hearts to forgiveness, The door to peace. Amen.
January 12, 2015: Marian Prayer for the Sick or Discouraged
Blessed Virgin Mary, our gentle mother, Please bring comfort in times of sickness or discouragement, And ask Your beloved Son, Jesus, To heal those who are suffering Or to grant increased grace To remain faithful despite struggles in body, mind, or spirit. Holy Mother, Blessed Mary, You have known joy and sorrow, devotion and confusion. To you I give thanks for your example of faith. Please pray for those in distress, Worn down from chronic pain Or suddenly floored by injury or sickness. In heaven with Your beloved Son, May your prayers join with mine That all who are sick or discouraged May know that they are not alone. Amen.
January 11, 2015: Prayer of One Baptized
Loving Father, May the water poured at my Baptism Continue as a wellspring of grace, Sanctifying me to live more fully For Your glory through a life of faith. May the cleansing from original sin Continue to make my spirit free Not to do heedlessly what I want, But to choose the path You ask of me. May the Baptismal anointing with oil Continue as a blessing to bring Renewed commitment to oneness with Christ Our eternal Priest, Prophet, and King. May Baptism in the white garment worn Continue its sign that I am clothed In the hope of sharing life eternal With Christ crucified, with Christ who rose. May light shared from an Easter candle Continue to shine for a world in need, For in the gentle glow of Your love, People can come to see things differently. Amen.
January 10, 2015: Prayer in Quietude
Loving God, I ask that there will always be within my heart a quiet room to meet You in serenity.
January 9, 2015: To Grow in Faith
Lord Jesus, may I grow in faith day by day, with Mary and Joseph helping me to follow Your holy way.
January 8, 2015: Prayer for Perseverance
Lord God, I pray for perseverance among all who are suffering in the harshness of winter, for those searching for employment, for the sick and especially people who are chronically ill, and for everyone whose patience is wearing thin right now. I pray also in gratitude for the people keeping church and other doors open to welcome the homeless inside, for friends, family, and neighbors who lend a hand, and for caregivers of every kind. Loving Father, You have placed us in this world together; may I always do my part in Your plan leading to salvation, even if some days it seems that I can do little more than persevere. Amen.
January 7, 2015: Prayer for Unending Care
Father, our Creator, You call me ever closer, To be held and yet sent forth. Through my life, may others see Your unending care.
January 6, 2015: Prayer in Winter Hardship
Loving Father, on this day, many will struggle in the harshness of winter. Please guide the homeless to shelter, and give comfort to the homebound. In places where winter has delivered yet another onslaught, please give courage to the discouraged and spiritual comfort to the disheartened. Where there is hardship because of ice, snow, and coldness, please give hope. Lord God, although we are fragile in our humanity, help us to remain strong in faith. Amen.
January 5, 2015: Morning Prayer
Gracious God, in the dawning of the new day, Your grace shines forth for all to see. As today I begin anew, I ask for Your blessing, knowing that You hear and answer every prayer. May I be open to Your love and attentive to those in need a sign of the hope that comes through faith in You. Amen.
January 4, 2015: Prayer for the Epiphany
Seeing the star at its rising, the magi hastened on their journey. Lord Jesus, I pray that my lifes journey will lead me ever closer to You. The star they followed stopped over the place where Jesus lay. Lord Jesus, I pray that in every place and circumstance, I will seek You in faith. Bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the Wisemen did Him homage. Lord, King, Prophet, and Priest, I pray that every gift I offer may please You, for You are my Savior. Amen.
January 3, 2015: Most Holy Name of Jesus
Jesus, You are both Lord and friend. May all that I say and do today give glory to Your name. Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd. Help me to be more attentive to Your voice when so much around me vies for my attention. Jesus, You are faithful. I pray that I will not let You down. Jesus, You came as our newborn Savior. May Your love renew my spirit. Amen.
January 2, 2015: Prayer for Openness
Lord Jesus, You came to make things new. I will never again be exactly as I am today; Help me to become more like You. My normal routine isn’t written in stone; Help me to be open to Your inspiration. Sometimes I wax nostaglic; Help me to embrace this day, too. Other times I struggle just to make it through; Help me to welcome Your Spirit of hope. Each day involves choices, big and small; Help me to be a sign of Your love. Amen.
January 1, 2015: Prayer to Be Like Mary
When Your will, O Lord, is shown to me, As to the Virgin Mary, May I answer, May it be done, And treasure the blessings that come to be. Wherever I may journey, As did the Virgin Mary, May my words reflect to others The gift of Your love growing within me. You were born unto the world As to the Virgin Mary, May I turn to You in faith, my Savior, Like a child reaching up in need. Searching anxiously for You, As did Joseph and Mary, May I come to where You are found, And with you share eternity. When I bring concerns to You, As did the Virgin Mary, May I heed the words at Cana To do in faith whatever You tell me. Amen.