Prayer before Christmas Dinner

God of all gifts, we thank you for the many ways you have blessed us this day. We are grateful each of those who are gathered around this table. We ask you to bless us and our food and to bless those we love who are not with us today. In our gratitude and love, we remember your humble birth into our lives and pray for those who are without enough to eat. We remember the stable in which you were born and pray for those who have no place to live. We remember your challenging message of caring and giving and we pray for peace in families and nations throughout the world. We bless you and give you thanks in your Spirit who brings our hearts to life the Christmas Day and forever. Amen.

A Christmas Prayer

Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing
which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus' sake.
Amen.

A CHILD's PRAYER

O Almighty God, 
who hast given unto me my father and mother, 
and made them to be an image of Thine authority, 
and love, and tender watchfulness; 
and hast commanded me to love, and honour, 
and obey them in all things: 
give me grace cheerfully and with my whole heart 
to keep this Thy law. 
Help me to love them fervently, 
to honour them truly, 
to yield a ready obedience to their commands, 
to comply with their wishes, 
to study their happiness in everything, 
and to bear their rebukes with patience and humility. 
Deliver me O God, from pride, 
rebellion and wilfulness, 
from passion and stubbornness, 
from sloth and carelessness. 
Make me diligent in all my duties and studies, 
and patient in all my trials; 
that so living, I may deserve to be Thy child, 
who art our Father in Heaven.

Amen.

Lamb of God

Lamb of God, 
Who takest away the sins of the world, 
grant them rest.

Lamb of God, 
Who takest away the sins of the world, 
grant them rest.

Lamb of God, 
Who takest away the sins of the world, 
grant them eternal rest.

How to Pray the Bible

1.Select a Bible Passage

Choose a text of the Scriptures that you wish to pray. Many Christians use one of the readings from the liturgy for the day (find the readings here); others prefer to slowly work through a particular book of the Bible. It makes no difference which text is chosen, as long as you have no set goal of "covering" a certain amount of text. The amount of text covered is in God's hands, not yours.

Be Comfortable in the Silence

Place yourself in a comfortable position and allow yourself to become silent. Some Christians focus for a few moments on their breathing; others have a beloved "prayer word" or "prayer phrase" they gently recite. For some, the practice known as centering prayer makes a good, brief introduction to praying with Scripture. Use whatever method is best for you and allow yourself to enjoy silence for a few moments.

Read the Text Slowly

Turn to the text and read it slowly, gently. Savor each portion of the reading, constantly listening for the "still, small voice" of a word or phrase that somehow says, "I am for you today." Do not expect lightning or ecstasies. In praying the Bible, God is teaching us to listen to him, to seek him in silence. He does not reach out and grab us; rather, he gently invites us ever more deeply into his presence.

Take a Word or Phrase Into Yourself

Sometimes you may return several times to the printed text, either to savor the literary context of the word or phrase that God has given or to seek a new word or phrase to ponder. At other times, only a single word or phrase will fill the whole time set aside for praying the Bible. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories, and ideas. Do not be afraid of distractions. Memories or thoughts are simply parts of yourself that, when they rise up during this time, are asking to be given to God along with the rest of your inner self. Allow this inner pondering, this rumination, to invite you into dialogue with God.

Speak to God

Whether you use words, ideas, or images--or all three--is not important. Interact with God as you would with one who you know loves and accepts you. And give to him what you have discovered during your experience of meditation. Experience God by using the word or phrase he has given you as a means of blessing and of transforming the ideas and memories that your reflection on his word has awakened. Give to God what you have found within your heart.

Rest in God

Rest in God, and when he invites you to return to your contemplation of his word or to your inner dialogue with him, do so. Learn to use words when words are helpful, and to let go of words when they no longer are necessary. Rejoice in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity.

Try Now!!!!!

By Father Luke Dysinger

Todays Words

"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought
to pray and not lose heart, saying:
There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God
nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city;
and she came to him, saying, “Get justice for me from my
adversary.” And he would not for a while; but afterward
he said within himself, “Though I do not fear God nor
regard man, yet because this woman troubles me I will
avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me!”
Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.
And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day
and night to Him, though he bear long with them?
I tell you He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when
the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Luke 18:1-8

Morning Offering

Dear Lord, I do not know what will happen to me today. I only know that nothing will happen that was not foreseen by You, and directed to my greater good from all eternity. I adore Your holy and unfathomable plans, and submit to them with all my heart for love of You, the Pope, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Amen.