Prayer Blog

Sunday, February 14th Readings

6th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Compassionate God

YOU silence every cry, YOU wipe away every tear.

Each of us are bound, bruised and broken,

        but throughout history Lord,

everything YOU touch is made whole.

You are the healer and perfector of all creation.

Comfort us, Almighty Father. 

Hold us in your arms…forever!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46

  • When have you acted like Moses and Aaron and forced another to be exposed or excommunicated?
  • Are there people in the world today which you dub as unclean? What are your criteria for determining they are unclean?
  • How do you relate to those who are labeled as a leper?

1Corinthians 10:31-11:1

  • Do you give thanks to God each time you eat and drink? Consider how many hands your food passed through to get to you and provide you with the nourishment you need.
  • When do you give thanks to God? How many times on average do you give thanks to God?

Mark 1:40-45

  • Jesus reached out in pity, when have you felt Jesus reach out to you with pity? What was the situation? What was the outcome?
  • Would you be able to contain yourself if you were healed and not tell anyone or would you be like the leper who shared with everyone the good that was done?
  • How is the leper in the first reading treated differently or the same as the leper in the Gospel reading? What lesson do you take from this?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Do you know a leper? Is there someone in your workplace or community whom others have outcast or deemed “unclean”?
  • What if your sins showed on your skin like the sores of leprosy? 
  • Have you ever been outcast because of a physical ailment? 
  • How can you use your scars to bring healing to others?
  • Do you have a physical feature which you try to hide or cover? What is it?  How could God use it? How can you show God’s glory through this thing you try to hide?
  • Can the glory of God spread by touch like the disease of leprosy? Why or why not?
  • What does it mean to “do everything for the glory of God”? Share examples
  • Think back to yesterday and determine if you were aware of God’s presence all day. Were there gaps?
  • What times of the day or what activities are the most difficult for you to be aware of God’s presence in your life?
  • Do you have a hero? An idol? What characteristics draw you to them?
  • Who in your family do you take after? What traits do you have in common?
  • Did you “inherit” family traits which you are proud of or ones with which you struggle?
  • What traits do you have in common with Jesus? Do these come naturally or do you work at them?
  • Define “pity”. What is it, who has it and where does it come from?
  • Is there something or someone within your grasp that needs a healing touch? What can you do?
  • When have you experienced the healing touch of God in your life?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, let me see what you see!

ALL:  When I see illness,

Leader:  Lord, you see wellness.

ALL:  When I see something broken,

Leader: Lord, you see it whole.

ALL:  When I see poverty,

Leader:  Lord, you see richness.

ALL:  When I see sin,

Leader:  Lord, you see forgiveness.

ALL:  When I see death,

Leader:  Lord, you see life.

ALL:  Lord, let me see what you see!

Challenge for the Week:  How do you show God glory each day?  Is in your morning or evening prayer enough?  Is praying before your meals sufficient?  Consider all of the “everyday” things you do such as brushing your teeth, driving or doing the laundry.  Make a list of all of the “everyday” things you do and then think of a way to do that same task for the “GLORY OF GOD”.  Then do it!

Sunday, February 7th Readings

5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

At times the ways of this world consume my thoughts.

Help me so I may not become overwhelmed or weary

                rather, let me follow you;

for YOU alone can save.

Let me run to you when I am weak, restless and suffering.

I know your grace, mercy and love never ends;

        but I can sometimes forget;

let me cling to YOUR word

to remind me of your promise!!!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Job 7:1-4,6-7

  • Share a time in your life when you could relate to Job. What feeling or emotion do you most relate to? Do you still feel this way?
  • Compare Job’s description of his life on earth to how you describe your time on earth. How are the descriptions similar? How do they differ?
  • Where is God in this scripture?  Be specific.

1Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23

  • Saint Paul speaks of sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. What are you willing to give up or sacrifice? How is this shown in your life?
  • Saint Paul says it is your obligation as a follower of Jesus to speak the Gospel. How do you fulfil this obligation?
  • What drives you to share the Gospel with others?  How does it relate to what St. Paul is telling the Corinthians in this scripture?

Mark 1:29-39

  • Imagine yourself as Jesus in this Gospel. What are you thinking? Feeling? How do you process all that happens? 
  • Jesus asked the people to not talk about the miracles which occurred. Would you be able to keep quiet about a miracle you witnessed? What do you think is the purpose of keeping quiet?
  • Jesus calls out many demons, describe some of the demons which possess people today.  Is there anything you can do to call out demons like Jesus?
  • Jesus goes off to pray after a long day of work.  What is the outcome of his time alone in prayer?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Do your pursue God or expect God to come to you? What does each scenario look like?
  • What causes you to be restless? Stress? Money? Family or Relationship issues?
  • How does stress or worry affect your way of thinking? Can it change our attitude about things? Why or why not?
  • Where does happiness come from? Be specific or share an example. 
  • How do you respond when you hear, “How can you believe in God if He allows such suffering in the world?”
  • What kind of hope can you offer someone who is in the midst of suffering? What are some things you can say or do?
  • Are you better at sympathy or empathy? What is the difference and how can you show both to others better?
  • When do you pray? How much effort do you put into it? Does it depend on what else you have planned for the day or whether you are too tired or not?
  • What could happen if you put as much effort into Mass (going to church) as you do when you attend your child’s extra-curricular activity (basketball game or dance recital) or as you do attending a concert or professional sporting event?
  • Define weakness. Do you believe it is a positive or negative trait? Explain.
  • What motivates you each day to get out of bed? Be specific.
  • Do you have desires in life? Do you have a plan for those desires to be met? How do your desires match up with what God desires for you?
  • Is there something you need Jesus to heal? Write down what you are in need of healing and place it in your bible. Let Jesus begin to heal you!

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, may I speak your name

ALL:  and feel your presence!

Leader:  May I speak your name

ALL:  and hear your voice!

Leader: May I speak your name

ALL:  and be healed of my hurt!

Leader:  May I speak your name

ALL:  and be empowered to do your will!

Leader:  May I speak your name

ALL:  and be filled with grace and mercy!

Leader:  May I speak your name

ALL:  and KNOW that I am loved!

Challenge for the Week:  Put yourself in the Gospel as Jesus.  Write down what you think Jesus prayed when he went away.  What do you imagine was the conversation between Jesus and God?  Spend time this week having this same conversation with God.  Remember to take time to listen to God’s response and consider how you may move forward with the mission which God has entrusted you with in your life.

Sunday, January 31st Readings

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

My Lord

How do I let go of anxiety

        so I might speak with authority?

Let me shed my insecurity

        so I might walk with confidence!

Teach me ways to stand strong

        so I show conviction in my beliefs!

Allow me to hold fast to YOU,

        as I find your words in my voice! 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

  • Read the scripture as though you are Moses.  Does it change the meaning or message? What thoughts or feelings well up in you when you do this?
  • Does this scripture encourage you to speak God’s Word or cause you to be afraid to speak God’s Word? 

1Corinthians 7:32-35

  • Name the distractions in your life which cause you to not be as close to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit as you desire. Consider what you can do to lessen the distractions that keep you from this relationship.
  • How does being married or single distract you from God? 
  • How does being married or single bring you closer to God?

Mark 1:21-28

  • The people in the temple where amazed by Jesus’ action. What causes you to be amazed by God? 
  • Jesus was teaching with authority. What are you comfortable speaking about with authority?
  • How can you, like Jesus, speak truth to draw out the demons in a situation or in a relationship?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Do believe God anxiously waits for you to wake up each day to watch you unfold what is laid out on your path?
  • Identify the characteristics of a prophet of God. Do you have some of them?
  • Do you believe there are prophets who exist today? Who are they and are they guides for you?
  • Are there people in your life which you know to speak only truth?
  • Can you identify people whom you believe are or where prophets of their time? Who are people who have created a great uproar in their community or in the world? For what purpose?
  • As a baptized person, you are a prophet…how can you live more like the prophet you are?
  • What worries you about the world today? Write down at least 5 things and pray each day for the things that worry you.
  • Have you ever experienced so much worry that it became a dark cloud over you? How were you able to overcome?
  • Have you ever rebuked something? Why? Was it for selfish reasons or for God?
  • Do you have something “unclean” within you which you need to ask Jesus to call out?
  • Where do you see “unclean” situations? Consider globally, nationally, locally and individually and listen to God respond to your concern.
  • Who in your life do you trust explicitly? Is anyone who is in authority whom you trust? How do you know when someone is being authentic?
  • Has a new thought, process, or idea ever challenged you to change your ways? 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  YOU bring us out of darkness;

ALL:  WE ARE FREE!

Leader:  YOU lead us out of the desert;

ALL:  WE ARE FREE!

Leader:  YOU call us out of our selfishness;

ALL:  WE ARE FREE!

Leader:  YOU free us from our sins;

ALL:  WE ARE FREE!

Leader:  Lord, with YOU

ALL:  WE ARE FREE!

Challenge for the Week:  What do you call God?  Make a list of all of the names that can be used to describe all three persons of the Trinity, write them down.  Then take the list you made and cut the names out individually and place in a bowl, dish or cup.  Draw from this list a different name each day and use that name in your prayers that entire day.  Spend time throughout the day reflecting on the name and what it means to you, how it describes God and what it reveals about God’s nature.  Start now, or make plans for this to be included in your Lenten prayer practice. 

Sunday, January 24th Readings

3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

God of all,

There is no where I can go

        that will take me away from You.

No mountain is too high,

        No ocean is too deep;

                You are always there!

Let my heart and mind know

        I cannot run away from You.

Your will, Lord, is always done!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

  • Share a time when you were like Jonah and didn’t want to do what God was asking you to do. What was the situation? What was the outcome?
  • What message did Jonah bring to Nineveh? How does this same message ring true in your life right now?
  • What truths about God are revealed through this scripture?
  • What significance does the three days have to this story? Where else in scripture does God promise change in three days?

1Corinthians 7:29-31

  • Are there times when you act as though you are not a child of God? 
  • What does God want from you right now?  Is it the same or different from what he wanted from you a year ago? 5? 10?
  • What does the scripture tell you about what God values?

Mark 1:14-20

  • What is your idea or definition of the “time of fulfillment”? Describe.
  • How can you live like a disciple called to be a “fisher of men”? What can you do to “catch people” for God?
  • Jesus found them “mending their nets.” What requires mending in your life right now? Does God find you doing the mending or are you waiting for someone else to fix it?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How has your view of the world changed over the past 5, 10, 15, 20 years? Do you still value the same things? Do the same things still bring you joy and make you happy?
  • Reflect on the past week; are any of your actions in need of repentance? How would God answer the same question about you?
  • Is there anything you must repent to have a stronger relationship with God? Are there things you should repent to heal or strengthen a relationship with a friend or family member? 
  • Do you believe there is a recipe for happiness which could be true for all people? What would it look like?
  • Do you act as if you believe God loves you despite your shortfalls? If God can love you, what can you do to show love to yourself?
  • What were the credentials needed to be one of Jesus’ disciples? Are they still the same today?
  • How do you act when given a deadline? Does it increase productivity?  Does it cause stress? What about your attention/focus changes?
  • How have you been called to change? Where does the call come from?
  • What benefit comes from a threat? Are there times when they are effective? Why or why not?
  • Are there things you hold onto? What value do they have to you? What value does the world give them? What value does God give them?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  your words engulf me!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  my heart is awakened!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  I turn to listen!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  my soul rejoices!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  I hear nothing else!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  your servant is ready!

Challenge for the Week:  The word present has a couple of very different meanings.  One present means “right now” and another is “a gift” but what if to God they really mean the same thing???  Consider the present moment in time as a gift from God.  How do you use it?  What value do you give it?  Unfortunately, many people spend much of their time thinking about the past and planning for the future.  They don’t always give the present, the value of time which it deserves.  This doesn’t only apply to the time you spend alone, with your own thoughts but it also affects the time you spend with friends, family and others whom deserve your uninterrupted attention.  Are you present with them?  What can you do to become more present, in the moment?  What changes can you make to allow you to be more present minded…what a true present that would be! 

Sunday, January 17th Readings

2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Oh, Lord

Day after day I awake,

        but what do I see?

Let me see your presence

        so I can follow you.

Each day I set forth,

        but what do I do?

May I bring your presence

        to others in the ordinary.

Keep me near; I want to stay!

Journal/Reflection Questions

1Samuel 3 :3b-10,19

  • How many times does God call Samuel?  What does this tell you about God? How does that support or change how you see God?
  • What does it mean for Samuel to answer God by saying, “Your servant is listening?” Do you think Samuel knows the meaning of his words? What do you think these words mean to God?
  • God called Samuel several times, do you think he ever stops calling?

1Corinthians 6:13c-15a,17-20

  • Identify ways your body is like a temple. How can you treat yourself better and show yourself reverence?
  • What do you understand about your body from this scripture? How does it affect your beliefs and/or actions?
  • If you looked at others with the same reverence you look at God with, would your attitude about them change?

John 1:35-42

  • How would you answer the questions, “what are you looking for?” if Jesus asked you?
  • If you knew Jesus’ answer would be “come and see,” what question(s) would you ask him?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Do you hear God calling you? What does it sound like?
  • Is there something you thought you were called to which turned out badly?
  • Is there a young person in your life which you can talk to about God’s call in their life? How would you start the conversation?
  • Consider what your life would be like if you didn’t know God. How would it be different? How would it be the same?
  • Are there people in your life who still help you recognize God’s voice? Who are they and how do they help?
  • Have you experienced a time when you asked God for something and you received it? What was your reaction to this?
  • Where does obedience come from? Fear? Guilt? Love? Desire? Find your own word.
  • Who are the people you follow? Why do you follow them? Are there people in the news, politics, Hollywood or other celebrities whom you are connected to on social media? What does it mean to follow them?
  • Where do you go to seek guidance?  Is it from a person? Is it always the same person? What causes you to go to that person or those people? Is there a better advocate?
  • What is worth you changing your plans to go and do? What is worth dropping everything for you to go and see?
  • Is there something you are still waiting for God to reveal to you? What do you want him to tell you to come and see?
  • Where does God dwell? Do you allow Him to dwell in your home? In your relationship with your significant other? With your children? Grandchildren? Does God dwell in your friendships? In your relationship with your co-workers? In your workplace? Is God in your free time?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Come and see

ALL:  the teacher, teach.

Leader:  Come and see

ALL:  the healer, heal.

Leader:  Come and see

ALL:  the Word, made flesh.

Leader:  Come and see

ALL:  the promise, fulfilled.

Challenge for the Week:  Some of us like, Samuel, will come to hear God’s call at a young age; others will be like Abram, and will hear God’s call when they are older.  Some might hear the call and not answer it because of fear they are not ready or that others will make fun of them or not accept them.  Others will drop everything and follow immediately.  Hearing God’s call and then following it, is what life is essentially about.  However, we aren’t asked to figure it out on our own.  We have been gifted with one another to guide and direct each other along the way, to help us open our ears to hear God’s call.  Who are the people who help you find the path God has called you to follow?  How often do you talk with those people, asking them to keep you on track?  Perhaps you don’t know how God is calling you or where God is calling you?  Or maybe you don’t have friends who can help you discern God’s call from the other garbage you hear.  It might be time for you to intentionally make time to intently listen for God’s voice. God is calling you…do you hear Him?