Prayers for all Occasions 7

OUR REFUGE AND OUR STRENGTH

The Beloved is our refuge and our strength,

a loving Presence in times of trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though

the earth should change,

though the mountains shake in the

heart of the sea;

Though it's waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble

with its tumult.

There is a river whose streams

make glad the Holy City,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

The Beloved is in the midst of it,

it shall not be moved;

Our loving Creator is an

ever-present help.

The nations may be at war,

countries left in ruins,

yet is the Voice of the Almighty heard,

melting hearts of stone.

The Beloved is with us,

the infinite Heart of Love.

Come, behold the works of the Beloved,

how love does reign even in

humanity's desolation.

For the Beloved makes wars to cease,

breaking through the barriers of fear,

shattering the greedy and oppressors,

refining hearts of iron!

"Be still and know that I am Love.

I am exalted among the nations,

I am exalted in the earth"

The One who knows all hearts is with us;

The Beloved is our refuge and our strength.

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BE MERCIFUL TO ME

Be merciful to me , O Beloved!

I open my heart to You,

for in You is Love and Wisdom.

In the shadow of your wings I will

find peace.

until the fears that bind me

are transformed.

I cry to the source of all life,

to the Eternal One whose Plan

is wholeness for all.

Send in your angels to awaken me,

put to rest all that keeps me

in darkness.

The Beloved will send forth steadfast

Love and Light!

I lie at night in the midst of dragons,

fears that seek to overpower me;

They rise up to taunt me,

they seek to control my life.

Be exalted, O Holy One,

Creator of the galaxies!

Let your glory be over all the earth!

My fears have woven a web;

like a spider

they seek to entrap me.

They live within me, gnawing at my bones,

they bring only suffering and despair.

Yet in my heart I know, Beloved, that

Love is the healing balm for fear,

I will sing and make melody!

Awaken my soul!

Awaken to Love's song!

I will awaken the dawn!

I will give thanks to You

among the peoples,

O Heart of my heart;

I will sing praises to You among

the nations.

For your steadfast love fills the universe,

and makes a home in my heart!

Be exalted, O Holy One,

Creator of the galaxies!

For your Glory reigns over

all the earth!

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FLAME OF THE SPIRIT

Flame of the Spirit, burn within us,

Set our hearts on fire, and we shall be changed.

Wind of the Spirit, blow through us,

Move us by your power, and we shall be changed.

Breath of God, fill our lives,

Inspire our actions, and we shall we changed.

When the shutters are down and the doors are closed,

Come. Fill us, Holy Spirit.

When we are dried up and all hope is gone,

Come. Fill us, Holy Spirit.

When chaos rules and we live in fear,

Come. Fill us, Holy Spirit.

When our resources are gone and we cannot cope,

Come. Fill us, Holy Spirit.

When we are restricted and it feels like the grave,

Come. Fill us, Holy Spirit.

Come inspire, refresh, renew us.

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HEAR OUR CRY

God our Creator,

God most high,

God immortal,

Hear our cry.

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God all-merciful,

God most high,

God all powerful,

Hear our cry.

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God invisible,

God most high,

God ever present,

Hear our cry.

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A PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH

God of our fathers,

renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation,

the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal, the charity which purifies and opens our hearts to love you, each of our brothers and sisters.

Lord Jesus Christ,

may the Church in Ireland renew her age-old commitment to the education of our young people in the way of truth and goodness,

holiness and generous service to society.

Holy Spirit, comforter, advocate and guide,

inspire a new springtime of holiness and apostolic zeal for the Church

May our sorrow and our tears,

our sincere effort to redress past wrongs,

and our firm purpose of amendment

bear an abundant harvest of grace

for the deepening of the faith

in our families, parishes, schools and communities,

for the spiritual progress of society,

and the growth of charity, justice, joy and peace

within the whole human family.

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AN EASTER PSALM

Christ is risen, Alleluia!"

cries out the chorus of creation

"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"

sing the supple winds of spring.

"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"

ring out lilies in silent splendour.

The feast of feasts,

the festival of hope,

the mother of all Sundays,

luminous in the full moon of spring,

radiant in the rising of the sun,

Easter dances upon my rooftop

and plays like a newborn child

in the cradle of my heart.

I rejoice like all of creation,

sailing on springtime's seed-bearing breezes,

and like the lily's trumpet,

I open wide my throat and my heart

to join with all of heaven and earth

in singing out the symphony of joy

at Easter's annual return.

I take hope in Christ's victory over death,

hope that, one with him,

I will also have my easter morning

when I will be freed from the prison,

the decaying dusty tomb,

of my marrow and stony spirit.

I trust that I too will spring-like arise

to a fullness of living and loving,

to a life beyond all time and space,

to a life one with you, my God.

"Christ is risen, Alleluia!"

Alleluia, Alleluia!

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​MORNING OFFERING

O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace.

Help, me in all things to rely upon your holy will.

In every hour of the day reveal your holy will to me.

Bless my dealings with all who surround me.

Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul,

and with the firm conviction that your will governs all.

In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings.

In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by you.

Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.

Give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.

Direct my will, teach me to pray,

pray in me.

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​GOD'S EMBRACE

Guardian of the Wounded,

wrap me in your embrace.

Hold me close to your heart

and assure me of your love.

Protect my sore spirit.

Ease the pain that it holds.

You are always ready

to embrace me,

no matter how hurt or desolate

my heart may be.

I will trust you with my pain.

I will rest in your solace.

I will take refuge in your love.

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​ THE COMFORT OF OTHERS

Companion of the Suffering,

the touch of your embrace

comes to me in the gift

of those who stand with me.

How grateful I am

for the compassionate ones

who wrap me in their care,

and console me with their kindness.

Source of All Love,

what encouragement is mine

in those you have given to me.

Thank you for their thoughtfulness,

their patience, their empathy.

When they stand with me,

I know in a more certain way

that you have not abandoned me.

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YOU ARE A CHILD OF CREATION

You are a child of Creation,

A reflection of God.

No one can steal your beauty,

Or reduce your worth,

Unless you let them.

Don't let them.

You are a miracle of God's love,

You are a miracle,

Never look at yourself and see anything less.

Your life is not a random stroke of chance,

You are part of a Sovereign plan,

Loved into existence for eternity.

Let the fire in your soul

Live and love, laugh and leap with joy.

And for the short time you walk upon this earth,

Always remember

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

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LET ME KNOW YOUR LOVE​

Lord, let me know your love:

Let my heart feel it,

Let my mind absorb it,

Let my tongue proclaim it,

Let my eyes watch for it,

Let my spirit long for it,

Let it fill my whole being.

Lord, let me know your love:

Until I burn with love for you,

Until I am aflame with you,

Until my life reveals you,

Until my every action proclaims you,

Until I am one with you.

Lord, let me know your love.

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REFLECTION FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS

Lent is not an obligation,

it is a choice, and it is an

opportunity.

It is a choice

because Jesus himself

invites us to it.

It is a difficult choice to live with,

marked by the Cross.

It is a choice to give ourselves

to deep reflection.

It is also an opportunity to seize:

Lent offers us a time

to confirm our decision

and to strengthen it.

It carries us to life.

Lent opens with a radical choice

but it gives us a share in the life

of Resurrection.

Our Lenten walk expresses our

will to live.

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PRAYER FOR STUDENTS FACING EXAMINATIONS

Father,

Be with me as I take this exam.

Keep my mind alert and my memory sharp.

Calm my nerves and help me concentrate.

I know that you walk with me,

Guiding my path and inspiring my heart.

I pray that I would feel you with me,

And that your friendship would soften the pressure I feel.

I pray that I would pass this exam and go on to new things with you.

Thank you for your peace and your love in my life.

Thank you for your kindness and care for me.

Amen.