Prayer

Prayer

“Prayer is the pivot action in the Christian community.” Eugene H. Peterson

Our Prayer Circle has been active for several years. All are invited to send prayer requests and/or pray for requests received. Prayer requests may be sent by leaving a request in the comment section or e-mail us. Also, we welcome prayer suggestions.

The Prayer Circle is a group of about 16 faithful parishioners who are dedicated to a ministry of intercessory prayer. At any given time our prayer list includes 30-40 names of persons for whom we are praying. Prayer Circle members think of themselves as a circle with our prayers reaching out like loving arms to surround and lift those for whom we are praying.

Centering Prayer

Centering Prayer is a new name for an ancient Christian “practice of the Presence of God.”

From the Contemplative Outreach website:

“Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.

“Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him.

“The source of Centering Prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the Indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. The effects of Centering Prayer are ecclesial, as the prayer tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love.”

‘Be still and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10)

Intercessory Prayer

In peace, let us pray to the Lord, saying: Lord have mercy.

For the church and its bishops, for the newly baptized, and for all the faithful, let us pray to the Lord.

For the nations, for all rulers, legislators, and judges, and for an increase of justice in our lands, let us pray to the Lord.

For the United Nations, and for all who work for peace, let us pray to the Lord.

For our growth in grace, let us pray to the Lord.

For our community, and for solace and security for all its people, let us pray to the Lord.

For good weather, and for all who work to preserve God’s creation, let us pray to the Lord.

For rich harvests, and for an equitable distribution of food throughout the world, let us pray to the Lord.

For all in any need, for the hungry and the homeless, for victims of war and injustice, and for prisoners, let us pray to the Lord.

For all who suffer, for the sick and infirm (especially N.), for all with incurable illness, and for all who this day will die, let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died in the faith of Christ (especially N.), and for the promise of resurrection to be fulfilled, let us pray to the Lord.

Into your mercy we commend ourselves, and for peace at the last we pray, that all your creation may give you praise and worship, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

For Guidance

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment,and light rises up in darkness for the godly; grant me, in all my doubts and uncertainties,the grace to ask what you would have me to do,that the Spirit of wisdom may save me from all false choices,and that in your light I may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble;through Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

For Self-Dedication

Almighty and eternal God, so draw my heart to you, so guide my mind, so fill my imagination, so control my will, that I may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use me, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

A Prayer Just For Today

Lord, for tomorrow and its needs, I do not pray;

Keep me, my God, from stain of sin Just for today.

Let me both diligently work, And duly pray.

Let me be kind in word and deed, Just for today.

Let me be slow to do my will, Prompt to obey;

Help me to sacrifice myself Just for today.

And if today my tide of life Should ebb away,

Give me thy Sacraments divine, Sweet Lord, today.

So for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray,

But keep me, guide me, love me, Lord, Just for today. Amen.

A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let us sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is discord, union;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that we 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. Amen.

A Celtic Prayer

I rise with you dear Jesus, and you rise with me.

As the oil of gladness pours upon you, it trickles onto me.

As the fire of love burns within you, it warms my heart.

As the breath of eternal life fills your body, I know that I shall live for ever.

As the Word of God comes from your lips, your name is written forever on my forehead.

As you reach out to bless humankind, I feel your embrace drawing me close.

I rise with you, dear Jesus, and you rise with me.

A Prayer Attributed to St. Patrick

Christ within me;

Christ above me;

Christ below me;

Christ before me;

Christ behind me;

Christ on my right;

Christ on my left;

Christ all about me.

To guide, and direct me,

That each meeting will be,

Each work undertaken

By, with, and in him

Performed to his Glory.