In the day-to-day routine of life I take my friends for granted. I expect them to be good to me Even when I’m in a miserable mood. But when I’m ill I start to think How precious are my friends, How important they are to me. Lord, thank you for my friends. Bless each one of them today, Wherever they are. And thank you for your friendship. Thank you for the priceless treasure Of your healing presence. Amen
February 1, 2016
Bless our home, Lord. May your love surround it, To protect us, May your peace fill it To refresh us, May your Spirit dwell in it To comfort us. Lord, No matter how small Or humble our home, It is better Than the biggest palace When blessed by you. Amen
January 31, 2016
Even when I show you The thorny side of my character, Or when I’m sharp, Unloving to those I love, Unapproachable, Or in a bad mood, You still show your goodness to me And let your love shine down To bring me joy. Thank you, Lord. Even one small drop of your love On my thorniness Is enough to soften me With the radiance Of your presence. Amen
January 30, 2016
There are times When my faith feels fragile, As delicate As the petals of a poppy Which fall apart At the slightest touch. Treat me gently, Lord, With tender love. Lord, handle me with care. Amen
January 29, 2016
Jesus, we know you are calling us to follow you just as you called your first disciples. You need us. You want us to be your hands, your feet and your welcoming smile. We tell you that we are too young, too inexperienced. That won't work. You want us to imitate your mother who, while young and inexperienced, said "Your will be done" We could claim old age. We can't walk very far. Or we can hardly see or hear. But then we read about old Simeon who spent all his old age waiting to greet his Messiah. You want all of us to continue as your disciples no matter our age. We can always put a feeble hand on another's trembling shoulder. We can spread your message in so many simple ways. You don't want to be stuck in a tabernacle. You want to be out among us, working through us and with us. We thank you for asking us to be an important part of your plan, an important part of your Kingdom. Amen.
January 28, 2016
Dear Jesus, You said “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” At times my heart may be hardened by the busyness of the day, remembrance of past hurts, or my own selfishness and sin. Warm my spirit to appreciate your merciful love and in turn be merciful in my own words and deeds. Amen
January 28, 2016
Dear Jesus, Your loving mercy touches our hearts and gives us new life. Your example challenges us to be merciful in turn. While forgiving forms part, mercy involves much more. A deep seated compassion for all peoples and creatures sets the foundation for the living signs of mercy. Teach us to see as you see, to feel as you feel, to judge as you judge, and to love as you love. Amen
January 26, 2016
Lord, For all the doctors and nurses, for all family, friends, and neighbours for all who care about me when I’m down I ask your blessing upon them all. May your face shine upon them and bless me. may you gaze favourably upon them and look after them. May you look upon them with kindness And give them your peace. Amen
January 25, 2016
Lord, I ask your blessing upon me at this time of illness, that you may bring good out of all my sufferings in mind, body, or soul. I ask your blessing and forgiveness for all the wrongdoings of my life in thought, word, and deed, all the good I have left undone, all the wounds that sin has left within the deepest parts of my being. Lord, in sincere sorrow for all these things, and any others, I ask you to forgive and heal me. I ask your blessing for all my loved ones, that you may send many graces, many helps, to my family and friends, to all those who have been good to me in any way in my journey through life. I also ask your blessing on those who have hurt me in life, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, those who have caused me anguish or bitterness, those who may have left scars on my personality. I ask you to bless them, and to give me a spirit of forgiveness. I also ask your blessing on all those I may have hurt at any time by actions or attitudes, all those I have offended in thought, word, or deed. I ask you now, Lord, to bless them all. Lord, I join my sufferings to yours, not for my sake only, or even for others, but most especially for your sake. You had to suffer for our sakes. May my suffering play its part in helping your love grow in our world Lord, I make this prayer with all the faith, all the hope, and all the love that I can bring to this moment as I ask for the gift of health and wholeness in mind, body and soul. Amen
January 24, 2016
Lord, you light my way when all grows dark, when I grow anxious or confused. You are my solace at night my comfort when I’m down, my light, my guide. Lord, it’s at night, when I’m all alone with my aches and pains, and my worrisome thoughts, and wearisome tossings and turnings that I feel it the most, feel the burden of illness, and how I wish to get better. Lord, help me to have a good night. Help me to find peaceful sleep, protect me while I rest, keep watch over me in repose, for you bless us always, even when we’re asleep. Lord I trust in you and I entrust my night to your loving care. Amen
January 23, 2016
Lord, when illness strikes my life seems to collapse around me. The work routine crumbles away, and everything’s just a heap of ruins. Yet, Lord, in all the sufferings I know you are with me. You are my rock. Your are my support, my sure foundation who never gives way, who never lets me down. You are my strength who keeps me going. Lord, what would I do without your help? I thank you. Amen
January 22, 2016
When I see flowers fresh in bloom sprung to life in spring thrill after the dark night’s Winter chill, I think of the miracle of life and how nature itself is renewed. I know you can renew me in the same way, Lord. The miracle of life is within me too and the miracle of your love. Lord, put a spring in my step, that I may thrill at life again. Heal not only my body, Lord, but my mind and heart as well, then I will be able to praise you like flowers in abundance. Amen
January 21, 2016
Remember, God Loves You When sickness is on you, and health takes a blow when joys all desert you and energy’s low. Remember, God loves you. When pain comes at night, and sleep disappears, when nothing feels right and you’re riddled with fears. Remember, God loves you. When people are curt, or ignore what you say, when others’ words hurt, and friends keep away. Remember, God loves you. When life feels all empty, and weighed down with care, when tears come in plenty with no one to share. Remember. God loves you. When burdened by guilt and plagued by the past, when faith starts to wilt or doubts loom too vast. Remember, God loves you. Amen
January 20, 2016
Help Me Grow Strong Again It’s wonderful after illness to feel your strength returning to feel your old self again, to start getting on top of things. But it takes time and patience, just getting back into routine, into the swing of things can seem like a mountain to climb, a challenge too far. Lord, help me grow strong again, help me each step of the way so that taking one step at a time, with your help I will come out on top. Amen
January 19, 2016
How often in the down-sided moments of life we can lose our sense of fun, and scowl and frown around us. We punish others for our lack of peace and then feel a thousand times worse. Lord, help me to smile, even clown. Help me to see the sunny side of life, to bathe in the glow of your joy, so I don’t take things out on others. I don’t want to be a glum Of course life can be hard and full of woes, but help me to see your smile in the face of a flower. Amen
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.