“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Luke 17:15-19

Posted on 12 November 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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One of [the ten lepers who had asked Jesus to have pity on them], saw that he was healed,

he came back, praising God in a loud voice.

He threw himself to the ground at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him.

The man was a Samaritan.

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Jesus spoke up,

“There were ten who were healed; where are the other nine?

Why is this foreigner the only one who came back to give thanks to God?”

And Jesus said to him,

“Get up and go; your faith has made you well.”

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– Luke 17:15-19 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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It is good to look back from where we are today

to see if there were occasions when we prayed desperately to God

for some grace or other

…and then when all went well, we never bothered to stop and thank Him!

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Taking God for granted?

If we recall such situations, we should readily admit them to Him

as we seek God’s presence and fall down on our knees to thank Him.

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It is not that God will have held such indifference against us,

it is just that it makes Him sad to see His children so lacking,

because that often denotes a very shallow degree of faith.

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QUOTE…

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“Get used to lifting your heart to God, in acts of thanksgiving, many times a day.

Because He gives you this and that.

Because you have been despised.

Because you haven’t what you need or because you have.

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Because He made His Mother so beautiful, His Mother who is also your Mother.

Because He created the sun and the moon and this animal and that plant.

Because He made that man eloquent and you He left tongue-tied…

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Thank Him for everything, because everything is good!”

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– St. Josemaria Escriva

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PRAYER…

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Almighty Father,

Your love for me…I will never fully understand; ,

Your patience with me…I will never be able to thank You enough for;

Your limitless generosity in forgiving my repeated failings…overwhelms me.

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I am not worthy, Lord,

yet You are full of mercy

and so generous with Your grace and blessings.

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Thank You for all You have done in my life,

and for all that You have given me or chosen not to give me.

Thank You for all that I have or have not.

Thank You especially for Your Holy Spirit – my Comforter and Consoler.

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I love You, Lord.

I thank You, Lord.

I praise You, my God.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Thank You for everything, Lord.

Everything from You is good!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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Every joy and suffering, every event and need can become the matter for thanksgiving

which, sharing in that of Christ, should fill one’s whole life:

“Give thanks in all circumstances.”(1 Thess 5:18)

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[CCC 2648]

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Prayer of praise is entirely disinterested and rises to God, lauds him,

and gives him glory for his own sake,

quite beyond what he has done,

but simply because HE IS.

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[CCC 2649]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Psalm 34:1-3

Posted on 12 November 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt His name together.

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– Psalm 34:1-3 (NRSV)

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PRAYER…

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O Lord, my God,

Omnipotent and Almighty,

I believe in You

and in Your great love for me.

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O Lord, my God,

my soul recognises You and rejoices

as my spirit welcomes Your amazing grace.

My heart beats faster

as it acknowledges Your divine presence.

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There is none like You, Lord,

and here is nothing that compares to Your love.

I adore You, O God,

and I want to exalt Your Holy Name…forever.

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Lord, I want to praise You from the rooftops;

to magnify Your name;

to build Your throne;

to bless You through all that I say and do.

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Please give me the grace, O Lord

…and use me.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, I want to praise You from the rooftops – use me!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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To adore God

is to acknowledge, in respect and absolute submission,

the "nothingness of the creature" who would not exist but for God.

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To adore God

is to praise and exalt Him and to humble oneself,

as Mary did in the Magnificat,

confessing with gratitude that He has done great things

and Holy is His Name.

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The worship of the one God sets man free from turning in on himself,

from the slavery of sin and the idolatry of the world.

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[CCC 2097]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Psalm 139:1-10;23-24

Posted on 10 November 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…and PRAYER of AFFIRMATION…

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Lord, You have examined me and You know me.
You know everything I do;
from far away You understand all my thoughts.
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You see me, whether I am working or resting;
You know all my actions.
Even before I speak,
You already know what I will say.
You are all around me on every side;
You protect me with your power.
Your knowledge of me is too deep;
it is beyond my understanding.

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Where could I go to escape from You?
Where could I get away from Your presence?
If I went up to heaven, You would be there;
if I lay down in the world of the dead, You would be there.
If I flew away beyond the east
or lived in the farthest place in the west,
You would be there to lead me,
You would be there to help me.

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Examine me, O God, and know my mind;
test me, and discover my thoughts.
Find out if there is any evil in me
and guide me in the everlasting way.

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– Psalm 139:1-10;23-24 (GNT)

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Examine me, O God,

test me and guide me in the everlasting way!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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God calls man first.

Man may forget his Creator or hide far from His face;

he may run after idols or accuse the Deity of having abandoned Him;

yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person

to that mysterious encounter known as prayer.

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In prayer, the faithful God’s initiative of love always comes first;

our own first step is always a response.

As God gradually reveals himself and reveals man to Himself,

prayer appears as a reciprocal call, a covenant drama.

Through words and actions, this drama engages the heart.

It unfolds throughout the whole history of salvation.

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[CCC 2567]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17;3:5

Posted on 10 November 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father,

who loved us

and in His grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope,

encourage you and strengthen you

to always do and say what is good.

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May the Lord lead you into a greater understanding of God’s love

and the endurance that is given by Christ.

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– 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17;3:5 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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The journey to the goal of salvation

involves cooperation between God’s grace and man’s freedom.

Man needs the help of the "firm hope"

which comes from recognizing that he – Jesus Christ – is a son of God.

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By inspiring us with hope,

God fills our hearts with consolation

and at the same time encourages us to put our faith into practice in daily life

– "to always do and say what is good."

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Love and endurance are interconnected and complement each other.

They are two Christian virtues which make us resemble God:

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us,

a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Eph 5:1-2)

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PRAYER…

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My Lord and my King,

O Great I AM,

Almighty and Omnipotent God,

strengthen my belief;

remove my unbelief;

fill me with hope

and a greater understanding of Your great love.

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Lord, remove from me

any hesitation,

any fear,

any undue reserve.

Instead, fill me

with Christian courage

and enduring strength and determination

to follow You wherever You take me.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, I shall follow You all the way.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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[…] The grace of faith opens "the eyes of your hearts" (Eph 1:18)

to a lively understanding of the contents of Revelation:

that is, of the totality of God’s plan and the mysteries of faith,

of their connection with each other and with Christ, the centre of the revealed mystery.

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The same Holy Spirit constantly perfects faith by His gifts,

so that Revelation may be more and more profoundly understood.

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In the words of St. Augustine, "I believe, in order to understand;

and I understand, the better to believe."

[CCC 158]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Psalm 46:1-3

Posted on 8 November 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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God is our shelter and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken
and mountains fall into the ocean depths;
even if the seas roar and rage,
and the hills are shaken by the violence.

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– Psalm 46:1-3 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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The true believer,

the convinced Christian,

has total confidence in God.

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With God by my side I am filled with hope

and I will not be afraid!

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PRAYER…

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My Living God,

my spirit rests in You
You’re all I know.
Embrace and touch me
– like a child I’m safe in You.
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You’re my shelter through it all,
You’re my refuge and my strength.
Lord I hide in the shadow of Your wings.
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My Lord, You’re faithful,
You supply all good things.
You know completely
all my thoughts – my deepest needs.

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You’re my shelter through it all,
You’re my refuge and my strength.
Lord I hide in the shadow of Your wings.
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Amen.

[Today’s prayer is taken from the lyrics of the song of worship, “The Shadow of Your Wings”, sung by Hillsong.

To lift your heart and your all to God in prayer, please click here >> “”.]

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, with You by my side I am not afraid.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties

and constancy in the pursuit of the good.

It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations

and to overcome obstacles in the moral life.

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The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death,

and to face trials and persecutions.

It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defence of a just cause.

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"The Lord is my strength and my song."(Ps 118:14)

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"In the world you have tribulation;

but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."(Jn 16:33)

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[CCC 1808]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Luke 16:8

Posted on 8 November 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“The people of this world are much more shrewd in handling their affairs

than the people who belong to the light.”

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– Luke 16:8 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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In saving our soul and spreading the Kingdom of God,

our Lord wants us to apply at least the same ingenuity and effort

as people put into their worldly affairs or their attempts to attain some human ideal.

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The fact that we can count on God’s graces

does not in any way exempt us from the need to employ all available legitimate human resources,

even if that means strenuous effort and heroic sacrifice.

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QUOTE…

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“What zeal people put into their earthly affairs:

dreaming of honours, striving for riches, bent on sensuality.

Men and women, rich and poor, old and middle-aged and young

and even children: all of the them the same.

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When you and I put the same zeal into the affairs of our souls,

we will have a living and operative faith:

and there will be no obstacle that we cannot overcome in our apostolic undertakings”

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– St. Josemaria Escriva

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PRAYER…

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My Lord and my God,

I want to make You

the center of my life.

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Please forgive my lethargy,

my weak excuses and my inaction

on the important matters of the soul

and of Your earthly Kingdom.

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Forgive also my utter self-centeredness

when it comes to worldly matters,

to which I seem to give the priority

which I should be giving to You.

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Help me, Lord,

demonstrate my enthusiasm for You;

help me devote time and energy for You.

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I love You Lord,

please strengthen my resolve

– for You

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord Jesus, I want to make You the center of my life!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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“Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.”(Ps 105:3)

Although man can forget God or reject Him,

He never ceases to call every man to seek Him,

so as to find life and happiness.

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But this search for God demands of man

every effort of intellect,

a sound will,

an upright heart,

as well as the witness of others who teach him to seek God. […]

[CCC 30]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Psalm 27:1,4,13-14

Posted on 7 November 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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The Lord is my light and my salvation;
I will fear no one.
The Lord protects me from all danger;
I will never be afraid.

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I have asked the Lord for one thing;
one thing only do I want:
to live in the Lord’s house all my life,
to marvel there at His goodness,
and to ask for His guidance.

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I know that I will live to see
the Lord’s goodness in this present life.
Trust in the Lord.
Have faith, do not despair.
Trust in the Lord.

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– Psalm 27:1,4,13-14 (GNT)

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PRAYER…

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O Lord,

You are my light and my salvation.

I marvel at Your goodness

and I trust in Your love.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, You are Love and Goodness…and I trust in You!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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Because of His transcendence, God cannot be seen as He is,

unless He himself opens up His mystery to man’s immediate contemplation

and gives him the capacity for it.

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The Church calls this contemplation of God in His heavenly glory "the beatific vision":

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How great will your glory and happiness be,

to be allowed to see God,

to be honoured with sharing the joy of salvation and eternal light

with Christ your Lord and God,

…to delight in the joy of immortality in the Kingdom of heaven

with the righteous and God’s friends. (St. Cyprian)

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CCC 1028]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Romans 13:9-10

Posted on 5 November 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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The commandments,

“Do not commit adultery;

do not commit murder;

do not steal;

do not desire what belongs to someone else”

— all these, and any others besides, are summed up in the one command,

“Love your neighbour as you love yourself.”

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If you love others, you will never do them wrong;

to love, then, is to obey the whole Law.

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– Romans 13:9-10 (GNT)

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PRAYER…

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Father in heaven, You are Love.

Father, I so want to love You

with all my heart and soul and strength

and with all my mind.

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Abba, I welcome Your Holy Spirit,

who I invite to take over all that I am,

and to change all that is not coming from You

– all that is not love.

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Almighty God,

mould me and change me

and lead me to truly love my neighbour.

Teach me how to be thoughtful, respectful and kind to all

– as a reflection of how much I love You.

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Lord, I want to obey Your Law;

Help me truly love.

Help me truly live with You in my heart!

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Father, I want to love – to truly live with You in my heart!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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When someone asks Him,

“Which commandment in the Law is the greatest?”

Jesus replies:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

This is the greatest and first commandment.

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And a second is like it:

You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets.” (Mt 22:36-40)

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[CCC 2055]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Romans 12:9-16

Posted on 5 November 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.

Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Love each other with genuine affection,

and take delight in honouring each other.

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Never be lazy, but work hard

and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

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Rejoice in confident hope.

Be patient in trouble,

and keep on praying.

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When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.

Always be eager to practice hospitality.

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Bless those who persecute you.

Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.

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Be happy with those who are happy,

and weep with those who weep.

Live in harmony with each other.

Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.

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And don’t think you know it all!

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– Romans 12:9-16 (NLT)

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REFLECTION…

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The apostle uses such simple and straightforward language

that, to reflect upon his words,

all we have to do is put on our coat of humility,

open our hearts to the Lord,

and read and re-read these simple words of advice

on what makes a good Christian.

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Then, we bow our heads to the Lord,

and we resolve to change our character…wherever it needs changing.

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PRAYER…

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Lord Jesus,

I so wish to be more like You.

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Help me, Lord, to truly love and honour others;

to hate what is wrong;

and to hold tight to what is good.

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Remove my lethargy, especially when it comes to serving You

and fill me with enthusiasm for the faith,

so that I will do all I can

for Your honour

and in Your name.

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With You by my side,

I shall rejoice in confident hope.

With You in my heart,

I will be patient in trouble

and I will never give up on praying and calling out to You.

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Lord, grant that I will always be available for those in need,

and eager to gladly help them

and to show them kindness and generosity.

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Give me the grace to bless those who persecute me,

just like You did from Your cross,

and to lift them up to You in prayer.

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Help me share happily in the joy of others

and to give support and show sincere understanding

to those who are sad and in need,

whoever they may be

and wherever they may come from.

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Finally, O Lord,

please remove my conceit

and teach me to be humble.

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Lord, I love You

with all my heart, mind, soul and strength

– please make me more like You.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, I love You with all my heart, mind, soul and strength

– please help me be more like You.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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…the Creed’s final "Amen"

repeats and confirms its first words: "I believe."

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To believe

is to say "Amen" to God’s words, promises and commandments;

to entrust oneself completely to Him

who is the "Amen" of infinite love and perfect faithfulness.

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The Christian’s everyday life will then be the "Amen"

to the "I believe" of our baptismal profession of faith:

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May your Creed be for you as a mirror.

Look at yourself in it, to see if you believe everything you say you believe.

And rejoice in your faith each day.

[CCC 1064]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Luke 14:12-14

Posted on 3 November 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,

don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbours.

For they will invite you back,

and that will be your only reward.

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Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.

Then at the resurrection of the righteous,

God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

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– Luke 14:12-14 (NLT)

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REFLECTION…

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It is not that Jesus does not want us to invite our friends and acquaintances.

What He is emphasising

is that we should likewise spend time and money and effort

in providing fellowship and joy to those who so lack them.

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Donating cash to the needy and to the excluded and marginalised,

for them to go and buy their own food, is one thing.

It is not a bad thing of course,

but it is nowhere near actually inviting them

to come and sit at table with us.

There we can serve them not just food as sustenance,

but also generous portions of love, joy, peace, hope and encouragement.

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They have no means to repay us,

and our own happiness comes from the fact

that our gesture is totally gratuitous, without asking for anything.

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What a blessing it is

to have both host and guests filled with loving joy.

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PRAYER…

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Come, Lord Jesus,

let me serve You.

Open the eyes of my heart

so that I can see You in others

who are bearing much heavier crosses of life than I am.

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Let me not turn my face away from the needy

but rather, let me serve them,

and eat and drink with them,

as I seek Your face in them

and then find You seated right by my side.

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Lord Jesus, I want to serve You.

Please lead me to my guests;

please lead me to You!

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Come, Lord Jesus, I want to serve You.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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“For the poor will never cease out of the land;

therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother,

to the needy and to the poor in the land.'” (Deut 15:11)

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Jesus makes these words His own:

“The poor you always have with you,

but you do not always have me.”(Jn 12:8)

In so doing He … invites us to recognise His own presence in the poor who are His brethren:

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When her mother reproached her

for caring for the poor and the sick at home,

St. Rose of Lima said to her:

“When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus.

We must not fail to help our neighbours,

because in them we serve Jesus.”

[CCC 2449]

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