Friday, September 03, 2004
O Heart of Jesus,
Ocean of Mercy,
who loves us even knowing
our struggles with the darkness,
and how often we let the darkness win,
be with those today
touched with the darkness that haunts men's lives,
the pain of being wronged,
the injury from others' hate,
the victim of others' greed.
O Heart of Jesus,
Ocean of Mercy,
You who love us
in spite of ourselves,
even knowing how much evil we do,
be with those this day
who see their hope fade before their eyes,
who have lost their way
because they chose the wrong way,
or because of disaster,
or the evil of war,
or the behaviors of those around them.
O Heart of Jesus,
Ocean of Mercy,
who loves us even knowing
our struggles with the darkness,
and how often we let the darkness win,
today I also pray
for those who would harm others
out of anger,
out of fear,
out of greed.
Have mercy on them,
may they find healing for the darkness in their hearts,
may they be touched with your light.
Amen.
Susan E Stone, 2004
Ocean of Mercy,
who loves us even knowing
our struggles with the darkness,
and how often we let the darkness win,
be with those today
touched with the darkness that haunts men's lives,
the pain of being wronged,
the injury from others' hate,
the victim of others' greed.
O Heart of Jesus,
Ocean of Mercy,
You who love us
in spite of ourselves,
even knowing how much evil we do,
be with those this day
who see their hope fade before their eyes,
who have lost their way
because they chose the wrong way,
or because of disaster,
or the evil of war,
or the behaviors of those around them.
O Heart of Jesus,
Ocean of Mercy,
who loves us even knowing
our struggles with the darkness,
and how often we let the darkness win,
today I also pray
for those who would harm others
out of anger,
out of fear,
out of greed.
Have mercy on them,
may they find healing for the darkness in their hearts,
may they be touched with your light.
Amen.
Susan E Stone, 2004
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
A Lover's Walk
Lord,
Let me not take it for granted,
each pain filled step
you took that day,
each step a lover's step
beneath the heavy beam,
each pain-wracked breath
a lover's kiss,
the bridegroom on his way
to redeem his bride.
Let me pause and think
of the taste of dust
mingled with blood
you swallowed
willingly
like a cup of wine
to celebrate,
the crown of thorns
you bore like a garland,
the bloodstained robe
your festal garment.
O Lord,
forgive us,
far from being worthy
of being loved,
far from being deserving
of your care,
And yet,
even knowing what we are,
even knowing what we do,
you stretched out your arms
in a lover's touch
to embrace the cross
to take us home
into your heart
into forever.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
Lord,
Let me not take it for granted,
each pain filled step
you took that day,
each step a lover's step
beneath the heavy beam,
each pain-wracked breath
a lover's kiss,
the bridegroom on his way
to redeem his bride.
Let me pause and think
of the taste of dust
mingled with blood
you swallowed
willingly
like a cup of wine
to celebrate,
the crown of thorns
you bore like a garland,
the bloodstained robe
your festal garment.
O Lord,
forgive us,
far from being worthy
of being loved,
far from being deserving
of your care,
And yet,
even knowing what we are,
even knowing what we do,
you stretched out your arms
in a lover's touch
to embrace the cross
to take us home
into your heart
into forever.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
In our need to say mine
when our fellow man has nothing,
dear Lord, forgive us.
In our greed to have best
when it deprives others of all,
dear Lord, forgive us.
In our need to call good
that which we know is hurtful,
dear Lord, forgive us.
In our desire to justify
that which you say no to,
dear Lord, forgive us.
Help us, Lord,
to see what the result of our choices are.
Help us, Lord,
and open our eyes
when we try to justify the wrong
that we long to do,
and in your name.
Help us, Lord,
to be thankful
and know that we are the stewards,
not the owners,
of the good you send our way.
Help us, Lord,
to remember that you give to us
that we might give,
following the way you showed us.
Help us, Lord,
to be generous of heart
with the love you give us,
the time you give us,
the goods you give us,
the skills you give us,
as you were generous to us.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
when our fellow man has nothing,
dear Lord, forgive us.
In our greed to have best
when it deprives others of all,
dear Lord, forgive us.
In our need to call good
that which we know is hurtful,
dear Lord, forgive us.
In our desire to justify
that which you say no to,
dear Lord, forgive us.
Help us, Lord,
to see what the result of our choices are.
Help us, Lord,
and open our eyes
when we try to justify the wrong
that we long to do,
and in your name.
Help us, Lord,
to be thankful
and know that we are the stewards,
not the owners,
of the good you send our way.
Help us, Lord,
to remember that you give to us
that we might give,
following the way you showed us.
Help us, Lord,
to be generous of heart
with the love you give us,
the time you give us,
the goods you give us,
the skills you give us,
as you were generous to us.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
Monday, August 30, 2004
Prayer for Those who Suffer
O Lord,
who offered up
in pain and sorrow
your own life's blood
that we might live,
remember this day
all who grieve,
who suffer,
who will die,
and have mercy on them all.
May we who love you
be willing tools
in your hands,
tools of your mercy
wherever you might call us.
Transform us,
O Fountain of Mercy,
that we become
your hands to heal,
your voice to comfort,
your feet to seek out
those in need,
This day and always,
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
who offered up
in pain and sorrow
your own life's blood
that we might live,
remember this day
all who grieve,
who suffer,
who will die,
and have mercy on them all.
May we who love you
be willing tools
in your hands,
tools of your mercy
wherever you might call us.
Transform us,
O Fountain of Mercy,
that we become
your hands to heal,
your voice to comfort,
your feet to seek out
those in need,
This day and always,
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
Labels: Need for God, Suffering
