Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Good Night Prayer to the Blessed Mother Mary



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Night is falling dear Mother, long day is o'er;
Before thy image I am kneeling once more 
To thank thee for keeping me safe this day, 
To ask thee this night to keep evil away. 
Many times have I fallen Mother dear; 
Many graces neglected since last I knelt here;
Wilt thou not in pity, my own Mother Mild, 
Ask Jesus to pardon the sins of thy child? 
I am going to sleep now, day's work is done; 
Its hours and its moments have passed one by one. 
God Who will judge me, has counted them all; 
He has numbered each grace, He has counted each fall; 

In His book they are written against the last day. 
Oh! Mother Ask Jesus to wash them away.
For one drop of His Blood for sinners was spilt, 
Is sufficient to cleanse the world of its guilt. 

And if er' the dawn I should draw my last breath; 
The sleep I take be the long sleep of death;
Be near me Mother for dear Jesus' sake. 
When at eternity shore my soul shall awake.

Amen. 

“Weeping may endure for a night,

but joy cometh in the morning. ”

(Psalms 30:5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Monday, August 22, 2011

Prayer During a Bad Economy - Fish or Stones?

 What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?



 During these difficult economic times we all seem to find ourselves watching our pennies. We may not eat out as much, were buying non brand foods, skipping the fancy coffees.  Many even sit and wonder how they will pay rent. Some wonder how they will be able put gas in the car to get to work.  
Millions now ask themselves will I even have a job after this week?  

  Times are tough and this causes stress and at times tempers flare. People in general are on edge more than ever before. Not everyone is in a "Gods Grace" state of mind. Many even are angry with God or say how could God do this to my family? When we encounter those who have lost hope or faith the best thing you can do is to pray for that person or with that person. Lift them up in prayer, offer love, offer compassion.   

   If you have a garden offer a few items to a neighbor, flower garden leave a bunch of flowers on a doorstep. You can surprise a co worker with a simple note saying Hope your day is great or offer a smile.  If a loved one is stressed out sit down and be a good listener or offer to talk a walk.

 We all should remember  to treat our family as well as we would treat a stranger on the street or as kind as we do a co-worker.We have all heard the saying we hurt the ones we love. That saying is true as when were stressed out or tired it is easy to be short with a loved one.






 It is easy to give material gifts when the cash is flowing.  Some times  we need to go outside of our comfort zone to offer gifts from the heart. You may be pleasantly surprised that these non material gifts are truly treasured more than an item that is tossed into a closet or drawer. Gifts given with emotion and love are forever stored in the heart.
 
 To fully trust and have faith is very difficult to do when your in the midst of a horrible storm in your life but this is when you need to remember GOD will never give you less than what you really need. He will never forsake you, He loves you and cares for you. Pray with THE BELIEF that he has your best interest at heart and pray in KNOWING he will get you through to the next chapter in your life.


   *Let us all remember the treasures stored on earth will mean nothing when we leave this world. Let us take this time of weak economy and troubled times to remember the important things in life: Our family, our animals, our friends, our neighbors and our world. Let us offer charity, go back to gardening, Sunday family dinners or other traditions such as baking a cake for a friend just out of kindness.  Go back to the simplicity of life as it can be an amazing experience to slow down and just take it all in. 

*Life is short let us love each and enjoy every single day. 
Brighten a day and give from your heart. Remember God is always in control so let him take the wheel and drive your life into a peaceful and prosperous place. Prosperity is not always material items, or financial gain it is a sense of Grace, inner peace, love and the knowlege that God is with us always.







We often pray God please help me. While we should  pray God almighty I know you will help me!!!



(Matthew 6:20 )
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
 

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9-10)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)






Sunday, August 14, 2011

Jesus My Shepherd


“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

The 23rd Psalm was one of the very first prayers I learned as a child. My Great Grandma Kate had a large tapestry of Jesus the Shepherd that hung on the wall in her bedroom. 
As a little girl while chatting with my grandmother I would gaze up at this large image of Jesus. I knew even as a young girl that Jesus was loving and that I should honor him as my great grandma had.

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
  
John 10:14-15  “I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep, and they know me just as my Father knows me and I know my Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.”

THE 23RD PSALM
The LORD is my shepherd; 
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.