Dear Jesus,
I need You to remind me to be open to others,
to be ready to share my time and resources.
Perhaps the chance to do a simple favor
or common courtesy arises.
Other times may involve helping friends
with serious illness or the loss of a loved one.
The needs of community, country or creation
may evoke a response.
All in all, I need to follow Your self-giving love.
Amen.
— By Columban Fr. John Comiskey
Dear Jesus,
The conflict in the Middle East tears at my heart
when I see the great number of innocent deaths.
How ironic that hatred pervades the Holy Land.
Raise up people who can look at one another
with respect, sympathy and honesty.
Bring all to a dialogue for true peace.
Amen.
— By Columban Fr. John Comiskey
Dear Jesus,
Thunderstorms remind us of the challenges
we face in life.
The turbulence of broken relationships
or sudden illness may catch us off guard.
Your calming presence eases our spirits
and brings hope for future healing.
Into your hands, I commend my spirit.
Amen.
— By Columban Fr. John Comiskey
Dear Jesus,
The help of others eases the burdens we face.
Yet so often we fail to ask for assistance
or when given we are reluctant to accept it.
Heal the pride and self-image that stunts
seeking and accepting help.
Perhaps in time we may become givers.
You didn’t make us to live alone.
Amen.
— By Columban Fr. John Comiskey
Dear Jesus,
When I’m not well or bothered by body aches
being attentive to others doesn’t come easily.
Yet when I make at least some effort
to turn from myself to other’s needs,
even my own pain lessens and things seem brighter.
Help me to remember this.
Amen.
— By Columban Fr. John Comiskey
Dear Jesus,
At times I feel frustrated.
A device doesn’t work.
I have to wait a long time for an appointment.
A plan falls through.
Help me to ease up.
Let me see and appreciate the beauty of nature
and the kindness of strangers.
Amen.
— By Columban Fr. John Comiskey
Dear Jesus,
As Spring comes we see a great coming to life
and greening of our surroundings.
Flowers bloom, leaves clothe tree branches,
the air smells sweet.
Enlighten our spirits to enjoy nature’s gift
and anticipate resurrection.
Amen.
— By Columban Fr. John Comiskey
Lord, give me the strength to pray today.
There are so many distractions in my everyday life
that I need Your help to focus on prayer.
I pray that You will continue to guide my life.
Bless my life with joy in my heart,
a clear mind and a nourished soul.
God, thank You for the gifts
You have bestowed upon me.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Lord of the nations, we pray for the people of the world.
Grant that they may receive Your peace
and a sense of the richness of life
that comes through Your abundant gifts.
Teach us how to put aside our differences
and live together for the betterment of all.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
God of creation, we thank You
for the awesome beauty of the land and sea,
for the wonders of life on our planet,
for the rich diversity of people,
and for Your sons and daughters who seek to live out Your will.
Help us to protect all your creations and treat them
with love and respect.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus, I try to come to You as I am
though I know that I do try to give a good appearance,
to show off my best self.
Yet You accept me with all the pretense,
with all my faults and failings.
Your mercy and understanding bring healing to my heart.
You call me to simplicity, to be like Nathaniel
a person without guile.
I come to realize that all that I am and all that I have is your gift,
that to be my true self I need to give myself away as you did.
Your love calls me to love in turn.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Lord, at times I need to speak out my worries and needs.
At other times I want to give thanks.
Cherished prayers learned in youth touch my heart on some days.
Again just being silent before the awesome wonder of your being,
so far beyond comprehension, may seem right.
You are both intimately approachable and yet wholly different.
Words are not enough to embrace you.
However, I pray and live, be with me on my journey.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Heavenly Father,
I look forward to tomorrow and what is waiting for me.
However, I need to live in the now
and be thankful for what is in my life today.
Tomorrow will be a blessing;
until then I will be thankful for today.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus, I get so caught up in my doings
that I am scarcely aware of Your presence.
Yet when things go wrong or when I
just seem to be on a perpetual treadmill,
I finally seek You out.
You are patient, gentle and kind.
You let me know that You are with me.
In turn, You invite me to get out of myself
and to broaden my awareness of others’ needs.
Help me to show real care.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary