A Prayer for Mercy

O Lord,

show your mercy to me
and gladden my heart.
I am like the man
on the way to Jericho
who was overtaken by robbers,
wounded,
and left for dead:
O Good Samaritan,
come to my aid.
I am like the sheep
that went astray:
O Good Shepherd,
seek me out and bring me home
in accord with your will.
Let me dwell in your house
all the days of my life
and praise you forever and ever. --Saint Jerome, 342 - 420

A prayer for patience

A PRAYER FOR PATIENCE

Gracious God, 

It’s so hard to wait. To wait for new things to happen in my life. To wait for you to answer my prayers. To wait for the open doors that may lead me into a new way of being. During the time of waiting, it seems that all I can think of is having what it is I am waiting for. At times I feel weary of asking and waiting, and I wonder if you really hear my prayers at all, if you are ignoring me, or if you are simply refusing to give me my heart’s desire. A part of me knows that you want my best, and that your time is not my time, but Lord, it is still so hard to wait. Deepen my trust, O Lord, during the times when my heart longs for what can only come in the fullness of time. Give me a calm assurance that your will for me is grander than anything I could ever imagine. Still my mind and heart in your love so that I am mindful of the grace you are draping around me every single day, every single moment. I ask this for the sake of your love.

A prayer of thanks

Father,

I want to use this opportunity, not to ask you for anything, but to thank you for everything. As you know, I've recently done a lot of soul searching, deep personal reflection, and taken a thorough moral inventory of my life. This process, and the subsequent personal transformation that has resulted out of it, has shown me that all roads lead to You. As much stock as I put in empirical evidence, scientific fact, logical deduction, and the pursuit of knowledge - learning how to have faith in You has been the hardest thing I've done.

As I look around the world, I truly see how blessed I am - in spite of being blind to You for the longest time. You've blessed me with the most wonderful support system in my loving family. You've answered prayers that I never prayed, but should have. You've provided for myself and my family, time and time again; a lovely home, good health, a beautiful son, a purpose and direction in life, a sound and aware mind, an ambition to not only better my life - but to help others, and so many other blessings.

For the longest time, I wanted to take credit for all of these things. Now, I feel puerile for thinking that these are my works, when clearly, they are Yours. I am your humble servant, who looks to you for guidance in all that I do. I'm using this blog to document my spiritual transformation, but more importantly to foster my relationship with You; and to start this journey - I just want to say: Thank you.

A prayer for perseverance

Father,

You bless those who revere Your name and delight in Your commands. In the midst of inner turmoil or outer conflict I will not be shaken for my heart remains steadfast trusting in You and Your overall plan for my life. I want to remain firmly grounded as I overcome the daily obstacles common to all who live on earth. Help me to learn the valuable lessons along the way as I press on toward the goal for which You have called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Amen.

This is a start.