A Prayer Before Reading the Bible
Our Father, who art in heaven,
sacred is Your Word.
Your kingdom come,
Your Words be heard on earth as they are in heaven.
Give us today Your Sacred Word.
Forgive our neglect of it in the past
as we forgive those who neglect us.
Lead us toward an encounter with You
each time we delve into the Scriptures.
For Your presence, Your power,
and Your glory
are ever present among us
now and forever. Amen.
A Hiking Prayer
Lord Jesus, Help me to be straightforward like the sky-seeking redwood tree. May my generosity be like the sap which ascends and nourishes. May my soul be clear like the spring water at its origin. May my will be like the faultless granite. May You be always throughout my life a constant companion. May the cross which rises at the crossroads be for me like the meeting of a friend. Amen.
A Prayer for One’s Calling
Jesus, Divine Caller of vocations,
You invite some to chosen professions,
Others to distinctive spiritual work!
Your call may reflect one’s ambitions,
Or may be a command to a special calling.
Inspire me to always know within my heart,
What particular type of work is fitting
To do Your will at that particular time.
Your many callings vary immensely.
They are all reflections of Your Holiness.
Thank you for my heavenly calling and
For maintaining the vocation of Your choice!
A Prayer for My Intellect
Lord, You are the Source of all Life, all Truth, and all Beauty, I pray to You today, with all my heart, for my intelligence, this light in me, this plant which demands years and years of care, this thing in me, mysterious and moving, this activity which sometimes bounds up, sometimes slows down, which sometimes lifts me up with enthusiasm and sometimes exasperates me, I pray for this thing which runs after ideas, symbols and numbers, this thing which all of a sudden has penetrated inside the thought of another and melds with it like the fusion of two lights a fusion which bring about warmth and light. I pray to You for my mind as You are the Supreme Intelligence which penetrates, illuminates, and embraces all our intelligences. Lord, help make my intelligence amenable to all truths, able to understand the thoughts of others; give to me the wisdom to know the meaning and purpose of my life and learning, so that my knowledge, understanding, and skills may help in some little ways to make this world a better place, for Your greater glory. Amen.
A Prayer for Guidance
Lord Jesus, may everything I do begin with You,
continue with Your help,
and be done under Your guidance.
May my sharing in the Mass free me from my sins,
and make me worthy of Your healing.
May I grow in Your Love and Your service,
and become a pleasing offering to You;
and with You to Your Father.
May the mystery I celebrate help me
to reach eternal life with you. Amen.
