Category Archives: Times of Seeking

Gracious and Merciful God

By Lisa Terneus | Published: May 6, 2010

Gracious and merciful God,

As I cry,
May my tears turn me to your greatness
May my sobs echo in my openness for you
Grant me not contentment with life’s difficulties,
But let my weeping drive me to a deeper acceptance of your eternal love

As I laugh,
May my giggles fall into rhythm with the beating of your heart
May my smiles wade wide and deep as your blessings,
Grant me not eternal bliss,
But let my joy be a reflection of your love for all creation

As I cry, remind me that my weeping will stop and I will smile again.
Keep me close and dry my tears with your love

As I laugh, let me share my happiness with all your creation
Let me use your love to dry the tears of those who cry

By: Corinne Char, Student

Also posted in 2011 Prayerbook, Through All Times, Times of Praise | Comments closed

Remember…

By Lisa Terneus | Published: March 30, 2010

Remember:
The will of God will never take you
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercy of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

- Author Unknown
Submitted by: Elizabeth Winchester, University Audit Services

Also posted in 2011 Prayerbook, Through All Times | Comments closed

I thank You for this day

By Lisa Terneus | Published: March 25, 2010

Oh God, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I am blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thoughts that was not pleasing to You.

I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear form You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over and its the best response when I am pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I cannot pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak…Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can’t find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don’t know You intimately. I pray for those that don’t believe.

But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them.

Submitted by: Karen Arruda
SLU Medical Center
Author: Unknown

Also posted in 2011 Prayerbook, Through All Times, Times of Beginnings, Times of Need | Comments closed

Make Me Whole Again

By Lisa Terneus | Published: March 24, 2010

Come into my heart, dear Jesus, and make me whole again
Renew my faith, hope and trust in you
Let me find the peace this renewal will bring
I am but an unworthy child who seeks forgiveness
Please don’t give up on me, don’t let me give up on myself
I pray that I may find the healing power of your forgiving grace
Let your mercy rain down on me that I may once again be a faithful trusting child of God
Renew me with your grace and light that I may be whole again

By: Laura Murray
SLU Medical Center

Also posted in 2011 Prayerbook, Times of Need | Comments closed

Prayer by Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

By Lisa Terneus | Published: March 15, 2010

Teach me your way of looking at people:
as you glanced at Peter after his denial,
as you penetrated the heart of the rich young man
and the hearts of your disciples.

I would like to meet you as you really are,
since your image changes those with whom you
come into contact.

Remember John the Baptist’s first meeting with you?
And the centurion’s feeling of unworthiness?
And the amazement of all those who saw miracles
and other wonders?

How you impressed your disciples,
the rabble in the Garden of Olives,
Pilate and his wife
and the centurion at the foot of the cross. . . .

I would like to hear and be impressed
by your manner of speaking,
listening, for example, to your discourse in the
synagogue in Capharnaum
or the Sermon on the Mount where your audience
felt you “taught as one who has authority.”

—Pedro Arrupe, SJ

Excerpt from Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits, edited by Michael Harter, SJ.

Also posted in 2011 Prayerbook, Special Times of the Year, Times of Discernment, Times of Need | Comments closed