Praying Each Day - January 2015

[MajestyJo]

JANUARY

Because you are with me, Lord,
I can wait in patience and in hope
for the new life you bring.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus,
at this time
we can look back to the old year,
and forward to the new.
We give thanks
for the blessings of the past year,
and we place into your hands
the mistakes we have made.
As you are “the Light of the world”,
take away the darkness in our lives.
As you are “the Way”,
lead us in the year ahead.
As you are “the gate of the sheepfold”,
protect us from danger.
We entrust the past to your mercy, Lord,
the present to your love,
and the future to your providence.
Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, light of the world,
open our eyes
to notice the magnificence
of creation.
Open our eyes
that we may always
value and appreciate
all who are part of our lives.
Open our eyes
that we may be quick to notice
when people are going through
difficulties.
Open our eyes
so that we may share your vision
and “really see”. Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:

If the word “compassion”, Lord,
means “to suffer with”,
lead us to be ready
to stand beside those who suffer.
Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:

Lord,
there is so much that I don’t know,
and I ask you to inspire me
with a thirst for knowledge.
I pray, too,
for wisdom and understanding
that I may use my knowledge well.
I give thanks
for many people I have never met
whose knowledge
and understanding
have been passed on to me.
I ask that I may benefit
from their work and experience
and may contribute, in turn,
to the well-being of others. Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:

Lord, I give thanks
for the “gold” in my life:
for the people who are precious to me,
for the happy memories I treasure,
and for all that has been good
over the years.
May all that has been “gold” for me,
remind me always to appreciate
all who are part of my life.
Inspire me, Lord,
to live in such a way
that I help to bring out the best
in others.
Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus,
you call me to live
every aspect of my life
in your presence,
and so I come before you as I am.
With the myrrh
that the wise men carried
I bring, too,
the pain and sorrow and suffering
that I have experienced.
I lay them before you
because they are all part of who I am.
I ask that good may come
from whatever negative things
happen to me,
knowing that nothing
can ever separate me from your love.
Amen.

[dwmoeller]

[MajestyJo]

January 7

Let us pray:
Lord, as I offer you
all that is ordinary
and everyday in my life,
I ask you
to give me the power of your Spirit
that I may transform each day
by living with a positive attitude,
looking for the best
in people and situations.
Inspire me to live in your presence
every day
so that I may share your outlook
and do the ordinary things of life
in an extraordinary way.
May this, Lord, my prayer today,
rise before you
like the burning of incense.
Amen.



Quote:
There is a saying:
“Wise men followed Jesus.
People who are wise still do.”

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January 8

Let us pray:
Lord God,
may all of your creation
- from the vastness
of mighty planets and stars
to the lowliness
of the smallest living creature
I can see
- remind me
to live in wonder and appreciation
of all that is around me. Amen.

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January 9
Let us pray:
Lord, give us each day
the wisdom to recognise
which things are important,
and which things are not.
Show us how best
to use the time and talents
you have given us.
Help us to use all opportunities wisely
that we may give in service to others
the good gifts we have received
from you. Amen.

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January 10

Let us pray:
Commemorative stamps, Lord,
call to mind famous people,
sport and inventions,
and nature, art and history.
As I value what these images represent,
lead me particularly, Lord,
to value every individual person
- made as we all are
in your image and likeness.
Inspire me to show appreciation
to all who are a part of my life.
May I use well
all the opportunities that come my way
to make my part of the world
a better place. Amen.

[MajestyJo]

January 11
Let us pray
for all who will be making journeys today

We pray, Lord,
- for those who are going to a new job
and for those who are going to work
for the last time today;
- for the emergency services
who will travel at high speed
on land, water or in the air,
to bring help to others;
- for those starting a new life
as they move house;
- for those travelling
to or from prison;
- for people
who will go into hospital today;
- for young people on their way
to school, college and university;
- for those who are lost
on the journey of life;
- for those who will die today
and make their final journey.
On all these people
we ask your blessing, Lord. Amen.

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January 12

Let us pray:
We pray, Lord, for all
who will need strength and courage
in the day ahead:
- for those who face danger;
- for those who risk themselves
for others;
- for those who must make
an important decision today;
- for people who are seriously ill;
- for those facing persecution
or torture.
We ask you, Lord,
to give them
the power of your Spirit.
Amen.

=====

January 13

Let us pray:
Lord our God,
may the playing
and the watching of sport
remind me
of the qualities I need for living:
developing skills and talents,
appreciating the different skills
that others have,
learning to co-operate with others,
being positive,
having respect for others,
being determined and committed,
having a clear goal at which to aim.
Inspire me to work hard
at developing these qualities
in daily life
so that each of us - working together -
may help to build up your Kingdom.
Amen.

=====

January 14

We can use a short prayer of his today -
a prayer of offering. It’s the kind of prayer
some people memorise and use from
time to time:

“Here, Lord, is my life.
I place it on the altar today.
Use my life as you will.”

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January 15

Let us pray:
Father, may our human family
not become separated from you
by building barriers of race or colour,
of religion or class.
Inspire us to recognise
that we are all made
in your image and likeness,
so that we may grow in appreciation
of all people,
and encourage each other
to grow in pride in who we are
and who we are called to be.
May we recognise your Son in our midst,
and live truly as brothers and sisters.
Amen.

[MajestyJo]

January 16

For our prayer today we will use words that
are based on an ancient Chinese blessing:

May God guard us and keep us
in safety and comfort
and in health and strength,
sending us nothing but good.
May God send down
so many blessings
that the day is not long enough
for them all.
Amen.

=====

January 17

Let us pray:
Father,
I ask you
to help me to be generous
when I think
of the attitude and actions of others.
Forgiving someone
isn’t an easy option,
and I know that forgiveness
isn’t somehow pretending
that something wrong
hasn’t happened.
For what I have done wrong,
forgive me Father,
to the extent
that I am generous in forgiving -
or hoping to forgive -
those who have done wrong to me.
Amen.

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January 18

Pope John wrote a prayer which we will
make our own today:

“Renew in our own days
your miracles
like a second Pentecost.
Grant that the Church,
re-united in prayer,
may extend the kingdom of Jesus
- a kingdom of truth and justice,
of love and peace.
Amen.”



January 19

Let’s pray for our school community
that, students and teachers together,
we may learn to recognise the face of
God in others today

Father,
teach us to recognise your face
in the people
you put into our lives today.
Amen.

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January 20

Let us pray:

God our Father,
with the gifts you have given to us
we have responsibilities and duties.
Inspire us to take the initiative
in treating others
as we would like them to treat us.
Amen.

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January 21

Let us pray:

Lord,
inspire me to live in such a way
that I always give of my best
and be welcoming and generous
towards others. Amen.

Quote:
“If only I’d known, I’d have given my best.”

[MajestyJo]

January 22

Let us pray:

God our Father,
you call each of us by name,
and you treasure each of us
individually
as though no-one else exists.
Inspire us
to respect and value
each person
who comes into our lives this day.
Amen.



January 23

. Let us pray:
Lord, whilst I pray
for peace and goodwill in our world,
I ask you to help me
to change my own attitude
for the better,
so that peace and goodwill
may start with the way I behave
towards those who have hurt me.
Inspire me to be as generous to others
as I would like them to be with me.
Amen.

Quote:
Churchill wrote this about how a great
nation should act in war and in peace:
“In war, resolution;
in defeat, defiance;
in victory, magnanimity;
in peace, goodwill.”

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January 24

Let’s pray in silence for a moment for people
across the world, like Terry Waite, who
are prisoners of conscience…

Quote:
“Dear Terry,
You are not forgotten. People everywhere
are praying for your release, and that of
other hostages.
With best wishes,
Joy Brodier.



January 25

Let us pray, using some words of blessing
that Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth:

May the life of the Lord Jesus,
and the love of God the Father,
and the companionship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all. Amen. (2 Cor 1313)

[MajestyJo]

January 26

1 Yesterday was the Feast of the Conversion
of Saint Paul. We’re going to listen
to some words that Paul wrote to the
Christians living in Rome, and we’ll use
his words to reflect and pray today:

2 Do not let your love be a sham,
but be sincere
in choosing good rather than evil.
Have warm affection for one another
as Christian brothers and sisters.

3 Be committed and enthusiastic
as you work for the Lord,
being happy and cheerful
as you place your trust in him.
Live in God’s presence
and keep on praying.
When difficulties arise, be patient.
Set out to welcome others
and be generous with those in need.
Don’t curse others; bless them,
even when they
have not been good to you.
Do all you can to live in peace
with everyone.

4 Support and encourage others
by rejoicing with those who are happy,
and sharing the sadness
of those who are in sorrow.
Never look down on another person,
but always be positive
in your attitude to others.
Be as concerned
for those who can do nothing for you
in return
as for those who are very close to you.
Break the cycle of evil
- conquer it with goodness.

(Romans 129-18,21)





January 27

Let us pray:
Lord, we ask you to inspire us
to encourage others
by what we say and do today.
Amen.

January 28

Let us pray:

Father, please be with my attitude toward others. Help me be more patient with the failures of others, just as You are patient with mine. Forgive me for not being more of an encouragement to those who are weak and struggling. Forgive me for sometimes being a hindrance to others. Please use me to be a blessing. In Jesus' name. Amen.

From my site The Gathering of Eagles

January 29

Let us pray:

God and Father of all people,
never let me look down on others
or make anyone feel inferior.
Show me how to remove any prejudices
so that
I may appreciate individuals more
for who they are.
Inspire me to live in such a way
that I may discover you
in the people I will meet today.
Amen.

Gandhi said:
“If you don’t find God
in the very next person you meet,
it is a waste of time
looking for him further.”

January 30

Let us pray:
Lord,
this day and forever,
may I have the courage
never to be afraid of anyone.
May I have the generosity
to bear ill-feeling toward no-one.
Lead me to live in such a way
as to treat others
in the same way
as I would like to be treated.
Inspire me
never to be violent
in thought, word or action,
and lead me
to conquer evil with goodness.
Amen.

“I shall not fear anyone.
I shall not bear ill-feelings toward anyone.”

January 31

Let us pray:

Lord, show me how to live today
with genuine concern for others.
In expressing my care,
may I show people
that they are valued,
loved and appreciated
for who they are.
Amen.

John Bosco said:
“Young people should not only be loved
but they must know
that they are loved.”