Tag Archives: prayer

A Two-Year-Old Prayer

I change his diaper
on the bedroom floor.
White carpet, toys all around.
He grabs the book beside him
and asks me to read.
I can’t since one hand is holding him
and the other is busy, and then he says,
“…father, son, holy spirit,
bless Jesus, and Mary,
and not be sick, and not worry,
and not hit…amen…”
I continue the messy work
while he inquires about his sisters
and then we head out for a last bit of
playing, sorting, storing, reading
and wild running before bed
while my heart sings.  

A Prayer for Holiness

Lord Jesus,
I fear I am like your neighbors–
it’s still easier to see holiness in
the lives of special people like saints and popes
than in the day-to-day lives most of us lead.

Today, Jesus, help me
to open my eyes
to the everyday holiness
all around me.
And help me to pray:

For spouses,
that they may grow in holiness through
their self-giving love for one another.

For parents,
that they may grow in holiness
through their self-giving love
for their children.

For single persons,
that they may grow in holiness
through their self-giving love for
family, friends, and the world.

For clergy,
that they may grow in holiness
through their self-giving love
for their people.

For religious,
that they may grow in holiness
in their self-giving love
for one another in their communities
and for the people they serve.

For workers and businesspeople
that they may grow in holiness
through their work.

Lord, no matter our vocation,
help us to answer your call
to grow in holiness;
help us all to be models
of self-giving love for one another
and to pass it on to the next generation,
so that the love we learn to practice
may spread throughout the world.
Amen.

~reposted from livingwithchrist.us

Prayer on the Feast of St. Nicholas

Lord of miracles,

Open my eyes that I might see
the beauty and goodness of your world,
and open my eyes to the ways we have marred its beauty.
Open my eyes to the beauty and goodness of all your people,
and open my eyes to all the ways we exploit, wound, and kill each other.
Open my eyes to my own sinfulness,
that I may repent and live your life of compassion
and forgiveness a bit more deeply.
Open my eyes to the needs of the people around me.
Open my eyes to all the ways you come to me today.
Open my eyes to all the signs of love and kindness
others give to me today.
Open my eyes to all the signs of your coming in this Advent season.
Open my eyes to all the ways
I can be a sign of your coming in my work today.
Open my life, Lord, to this wonderful, graced world,
and the signs of your coming kingdom.
Open my eyes always, Lord, to your presence around me and in me.

Amen.

~Reposted from livingwithchrist.us.
(A prayer for today from an Orthodox Hymn to Saint Nicholas.)