Lord, thank You for being at my side
on my journey through life.
For helping me at the moments
when I really need a helping hand.
For being close to me all the time
even though I seemed to be flying in all directions.
For looking after me when I was in danger,
for caring about me in a way I don't deserve.
Thank you, Lord. Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
God, do You see me?
Do You know I am here?
I feel as if You have abandoned me or are unaware.
Even my loved ones and friends don't keep me company.
Out of the darkness, I cry to You.
Free me from depression, oppression, and isolation.
Help me to encounter those who can aid me.
Give me the confidence of Your psalmist who said:
Let the darkness cover me,
and the night wrap itself around me,
even darkness to you is not dark,
and night is as clear as the day. (Psalm: 139: 11-12)
Give light to my darkness;
remind me that You are with me.
Even darkness cannot hide me from You.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
How can children be happy in the midst of misery?
But they are.
They play and laugh and joke like children anywhere,
and they still have a place for You in their hearts.
Lord, bless our children throughout the World.
May they realise that money isn’t everything.
May they be freed from greed and be generous.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Lord, You work in mysterious ways.
It’s not always easy to see the patterns You weave in life.
Sometimes we see Your plan, see Your beauty,
like a web illumined by morning light, but not always.
Sometimes we see things out of focus,
see them without the light of Your love.
Help me, Lord, to understand Your ways,
and to delight in them.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Lord, upon the cross You cried:
"Father, forgive them; they do not know
what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Lord, why didn't You say, "I forgive"?
Was being abandoned, denied, and betrayed by Your friends;
condemned, crucified, and mocked by Your people;
too painful to overcome?
Only You know the reasons why.
Yet, You pleaded to Your Father to complete
what You struggled with until Your Resurrection.
Lord, I honestly confess that, in my pain, I struggle to forgive.
I have not yet felt the graces of the Resurrection.
I humbly pray that You accomplish what I cannot
and I pray that one day I will have the willingness to forgive.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Lord, I am in pain.
I live with fear and anger.
My tormentor mocks me, treating me as an object.
Something to be used, then discarded.
Lord, will someone hear my silent cry?
Will someone see my hidden wounds?
Am I not Your child, Lord?
Do You see my anguish?
Lord, are You asleep?
Now awake!
Rip apart this veil of silence that shrouds me.
May Your wrath stir against my tormentor
to protect Your beloved one.
Come to my aid as You promised of old:
"Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; rise up against the fury
of my enemies. Awake, my God, and ordain judgment." (Psalm 7, 6)
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Mighty God, the fountain of all wisdom:
Enlighten by Your Holy Spirit those who teach
and those who learn, that, rejoicing
in the knowledge of Your truth, they may worship You
and serve You from generation to generation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
O merciful Creator, Your hand is open wide
to satisfy the needs of every living creature.
Make us always thankful for Your loving providence;
and grant that we, remembering the account
that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards
of Your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who with You and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
I Thank You, Lord, for blessings
and for favors bestowed on me
this day.
I praise you, Lord, for joys
and inspirations received along
the way.
I give you glory, Lord,
for love and mercies more
than words could ever say.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Just to say Thank You
for showing that you care.
Just to say Thank You
I offer now this prayer.
May the Lord lovingly bless you
each and every day.
May His peace be always with you
for this, I truly pray.
May His love keep and help you
in all you do and say.
May His Spirit lead and guide you
along life’s winding way.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
"For I am well aware of my offenses,
my sin is constantly in mind." (Psalm 51: 3)
Lord, Your forgiveness should make me feel new,
so, why do I feel unforgivable?
My sinful past continually torments my spirit.
The painful memories give me no peaceful redemption.
Lord, grace me with Your sight.
Allow me to see myself as You see me:
The person You forgave,
the hope You saw.
Lord, grace me with Your compassion.
Allow me to feel what You felt when You heard me:
Acceptance, not rejection, love, not contempt.
Give me the grace to forgive myself.
"God, create in me a clean heart,
renew within me a resolute spirit." (Psalm 51: 10)
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
"Why do You reject me, Lord?
Why hide Your face from me?" (Psalm 88: 15)
Lord, I am angry with You,
my life has taken a turn,
and it seems You are not there to even care.
Does all that we have been through not
mean anything to You?
Are You the cause of my despair?
But, who can I turn to?
Who else will hear my cry?
Allow me to express how I feel.
Listen to what I say.
You can handle anything I toss Your way.
We are friends who drifted apart.
But like friends, we can make amends,
when my anger ends.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
God, I live the words spoken in the book of Job:
“A shiver of horror ran through me
and filled all my bones with fright.” (Job 4: 14)
I cannot move,
paralyzed between the worries of the past
and the anxieties about the future.
I continually cry out, “How did I get here?”
“What will become of me?”
Bring tranquility to my weary bones.
Unbind me from the burdens of yesterday,
dispel my fears of a tomorrow not yet set.
Grace me with the peace of Your psalmist:
“For You have always been my help;
in the shadow of Your wings, I rejoice;
my heart clings to You,
Your right hand supports me.” (Psalm 63: 7-8)
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of education,
and the knowledge and the opportunities it brings.
Lord, we pray for all those involved in education.
Bless our teachers, professors, mentors, and parents.
Grant them patience, passion, and a deep sense of purpose
as they nurture and cultivate the minds and hearts
of all students.
Help us to remember that education
is not just about acquiring knowledge,
but also about nurturing character,
fostering empathy, and cultivating wisdom.
May we use the knowledge we gain to serve others,
to make a positive impact in our communities,
and to bring about positive change in the world.
Amen.