I am taking a course on working with Word Press, so while I do that blog posts may become infrequent, but I will still be blogging here a couple of times a week (more if time permits).
This day is the last session in the Series Praying in the Midst of Life. For those participating, I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I did.
Praying in the Midst of Life -Week 6
Retreating at Any Time (click for video)
We have learned a number of ways for us to relate to God – ways for us to remember God throughout the day – ways to get in touch with God’s presence in all parts of our lives.
One of the questions that usually comes from the first session in this series is about intercessory prayer – those prayers that we make on behalf of the others and the world in which we live. Sometimes finding the words is difficult and we don’t know what to say, or to ask for, or even if we should be asking. We draw on the wisdom of others in this process.
As you pray for others, also take time to pray your heart in this process – that is, take time to ask God for strength and direction, take time to speak ALL your feelings to God and then to ask God for help with them.
When praying for others, when you are unclear of what to say, here are two suggestions from the wisdom of others:
(1) Julian of Norwich was once asked how she prayed for others. She replied: “I look at God, I look at the person, and then I look at God again.” In other words she directed her heart towards God, towards the one or the situation for whom she was praying and then towards God. She was drawing them together in her prayer and letting God be present for the other.
(2) A friend of mine uses this prayer which is very simple and allows them to remember many people to God in their prayer: “Lord, Jesus, hold (NAME) in your arms today.” Pause with each name and hold the prayer or picture it for a moment.
(3) If you are troubled, the above prayer may become a prayer for you as well, “Lord, Jesus, hold me in your arms today.”
How will you retreat at anytime? How can you build retreating into your day?
The Journey Prayer – St Brendan
God, bless to me this day,
God bless to me this night;
Bless, O bless, Thou God of grace,
Each day and hour of my life;
Bless, O bless, Thou God of grace,
Each day and hour of my life.
God, bless the pathway on which I go;
God, bless the earth that is beneath my sole;
Bless, O God, and give to me Thy love,
O God of gods, bless my rest and my repose;
Bless, O God, and give to me Thy love,
And bless, O God of gods, my repose.
Saint Brendan of Clonfert, also referred to as Brendan moccu Altae, called “the Navigator”, “the Voyager”, “the Anchorite”, or “the Bold”, is one of the early Irish monastic saints.
Bewildering Winds 