Daily Prayer Archive

Dear Virgin and Martyr,
whom the Church recalls in her liturgy,
you heroically resisted the temptations
of a degenerate ruler.
Subjected to long and horrible tortures,
you remained faithful to your heavenly Spouse.
Saint Peter, we are told,
gave you some solace and so you are invoked by nurses.
Encourage them to see Christ in the sick
and to render true service to them.

Amen.

A Prayer in Time of Drought
 

Creative and Nurturing God,
we weep in the face of dry land and bushfires,
dying crops and animals,
traumatized families and communities.

Our land evolved in Your wisdom over eons.
Some people learned to live within its boundaries
thriving in its fruitfulness, and in humility
responded with gratitude and praise for its gifts.

Often with good intentions,
we have imposed out ideas of progress and prosperity
demanding lifestyle benefits and production
that push the land beyond its capacities.

Teach us to listen to the land with humility.
Send the Spirit of Jesus to teach us respect.
Guide us to be co-creators with your divine providence.
Fill our hearts with patience and compassion.

May we commit ourselves to face the calamity of drought,
city and rural cooperating as one in service and generosity
planning with leaders to create a sustainable future, so that
we can again love the beauty of Your land fully alive.

Creative and Nurturing God
Your children and land need the gift of rain
bringing life from death
transforming us day by day.

We pray through our Brother Jesus the Christ.

Amen.

— By Columban Fr. Charles Rue in response to the Australia wildfires.

Lord, In the midst of Winter,
when the days are cold and wind can pierce
remind us of the warmth of your love.

When days are short, dawn comes late,
and dusk arrives early remind us that in the darkness
your light still shines.

When the flowers of spring still lie hidden in the earth,
when leaves are off the trees, and the world can seem bleak
remind us that Easter is but a short time away.

And when in our lives we feel as if we are experiencing
a season of winter, reach out to us with the power
of your resurrection so that we may feel
the warmth of your love and see your light that alone
can take away the darkness of our soul.

Amen.

Father, Your Love never fails.
Keep me from danger
and provide for all my needs.
Teach me to be thankful for Your Gifts.
Confident in Your Love,
may I be holy by sharing Your Life,
and grant me forgiveness of my sins.
May Your unfailing Love turn me from sin
and keep me on the way that leads to you.
Help me to grow in Christian love.

Creator of all things,
true Source of light and wisdom,
lofty origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of Your brilliance
penetrate into the darkness of my understanding
and take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of both sin and ignorance.
Give me a sharp sense of understanding,
a retentive memory,
and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.
Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations,
and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.
Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in completion;
through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

God, our Father,
You redeemed us
and made us Your children in Christ.
Through Him You have saved us from death
and given us Your Divine life of grace.
By becoming more like Jesus on earth,
may I come to share His glory in Heaven.
Give me the peace of Your kingdom,
which this world does not give.
By Your loving care protect the good You have given me.
Open my eyes to the wonders of Your Love
that I may serve You with a willing heart.

Most Holy Mary Virgin Mother of God,
I am unworthy to be your servant.
Yet moved by your motherly care for me
and longing to serve you,
I choose you this day to be my Queen,
my Advocate, and my Mother.
I firmly resolve ever
to be devoted to you
and to do what I can to encourage others
to be devoted to you.
My loving Mother,
through the Precious Blood of your Son shed for me,
I beg you to receive me
as your servant forever.
Aid me in my actions
and beg for me the grace
never by thought, word, or deed
to be displeasing in your sight
and that of your most holy Son.
Remember me, dearest Mother,
and do not abandon me at the hour of death.