“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – John 1:39

Posted on 24 August 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“Come, and you will see.”

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– John 1:39 (NIV)

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REFLECTION…

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“Come, and you will see.”

is Jesus’ tender invitation

to those of us seeking to know Him better.

It is an invitation to begin that intimate relationship

that we may be seeking.

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Christian faith

can never be just a matter of intellectual curiosity.

It affects one’s whole life:

and a person cannot understand it

unless he or she really live it.

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That is why our Lord invites

those who wish to know more about Him

to “come and see” where and how He lives

and to spend time in His company.

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Accepting our Lord’s invitation

is an act of hope and humility.

By doing so and ‘going’,

we will learn through personal first-hand experience,

because words alone

cannot describe that which we seek,

or what we will eventually find.

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If we accept this invitation,

then, by applying our mind to the contemplation of divine things,

by desiring to taste the sweetness of God,

by assiduous prayer,

we shall ‘see’.

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PRAYER…

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Lord Jesus,

You are always inviting me

to spend time with You,

and it was through such an invitation

that I started to get to know You;

that I began to comprehend Your Truth.

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Lord, now that I have found You,

I want to stay by Your side,

I want to be everywhere with You,

I want to know more and more about You,

I want to never stop listening to Your voice.

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Lord, now that I have found You,

I know that I am nothing without You.

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I love You, Lord Jesus.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Here I am, Lord, right by Your side!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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In all of His life Jesus presents Himself as our model.

He is “the perfect man”,

who invites us to become His disciples and follow Him.

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In humbling Himself, He has given us an example to imitate,

through His prayer He draws us to pray,

and by His poverty He calls us to accept freely

the privation and persecutions that may come our way.

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[CCC 520]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Matthew 22:37-40

Posted on 23 August 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“‘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.’

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On these two commandments

hang all the law and the prophets.”

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– Matthew 22:37-40(NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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The commandment of love is the most important commandment

because by obeying it man attains his own perfection.

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PRAYER…

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With all my heart,

with all my soul,

with all my mind

I want to love You, O God.

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With each beat of my heart,

with every yearning of my soul,

with all my intellect,

I want to worship You, my God.

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Lord, help me love all others,

Remove my prejudices,

my pride and arrogance,

because I know

that what I do to others,

I will be doing to You

– and I want to love You, Lord.
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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, let my love for others reflect my love for You.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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All men are called to the same end: God Himself.

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There is a certain resemblance between the unity of the divine persons

and the fraternity that men are to establish among themselves in truth and love.

Love of neighbour is inseparable from love for God.

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[CCC 1878]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Matthew 22:14

Posted on 22 August 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group
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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“Many are called, but few are chosen.”

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–    Matthew 22:14  (JB)

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REFLECTION… 

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These words in no way conflict with God’s will that all should be saved. In His love for mankind,

Christ patiently seeks the conversion of every single soul,

going as far as to die on the cross.

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In fact, Christ so loved us

that He “gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph 5:2)

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Each of us can therefore faithfully assert

that Christ, the Son of God “loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)

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However, God in His infinite wisdom respects our freedom

…and we are free to reject His grace.

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PRAYER…  

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My Lord Jesus,

Son of God and loving Saviour,

grant me the character not to “go with the flow”,

and to resolutely follow the truth,

even if it means sacrifice and suffering.

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Increase my faith O Lord,

and help me heed Your call

by wisely exercising the freedom that You gave me,

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Help me refrain from enslaving myself to the world,

so that, with the help of Your grace,

I will achieve everlasting joy and peace in Your love.

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Lord, graciously hear my prayer.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…  

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You are the Way and the Truth, O Lord,

and I gladly accept Your loving grace.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013 

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to man.

We can lose this priceless gift, as St. Paul indicated to St. Timothy:

“Wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience.

By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith.”  (1 Tim 1:18-19)

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To live, grow and persevere in the faith until the end

we must nourish it with the word of God;

we must beg the Lord to increase our faith;

it must be “working through charity,”

abounding in hope,

and rooted in the faith of the Church.

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[CCC 162]

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[…] Even though enlightened by Him in whom it believes,

faith is often lived in darkness and can be put to the test.

 

The world we live in often seems very far from the one promised us by faith.

Our experiences of evil and suffering, injustice and death,

seem to contradict the Good News;

they can shake our faith and become a temptation against it.

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[CCC 164]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17

Posted on 21 August 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Whether you eat or drink,

or whatever you do,

do all to the glory of God.

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– 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV)

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And whatever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

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– Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)

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QUOTE…

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“When you sit down to eat, pray.

When you eat bread,

do so thanking Him for being so generous to you.

If you drink wine,

be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness.

When you dress,

thank Him for His kindness in providing you with clothes.

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When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars,

throw yourself at God’s feet

and adore Him who in His wisdom has arranged things in this way.

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Similarly, when the sun goes down and when it rises,

when you are asleep or awake,

give thanks to God,

who created and arranged all things for your benefit,

to have you know, love and praise their Creator”.

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– St. Basil

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PRAYER…

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This is my desire, to honour You
Lord, with all my heart, I worship You
All I have within me, I give You praise
All that I adore, is in You
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Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for you alone
Every breath that I take
Every moment I’m awake
Lord, have Your way in me

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[Today’s prayer is taken from the lyrics of the song of worship, “I give You my heart”, as sung by Hillsong.

To lift your heart and your all to God in prayer, please click here >> “I GIVE YOU MY HEART”.]

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Every breath that I take,
every moment I’m awake,
Lord, have Your way in me.

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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)

[CCC 2648]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Psalm 25:4-5

Posted on 20 August 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…and PRAYER

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Show me Your ways, Lord,
teach me Your paths.
Guide me in Your truth and teach me,
for You are God my Saviour,
and my hope is in You all day long.

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– Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)

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PRAYER…

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Show me Your ways, O Lord,
that I may walk with You.
Show me Your ways
– I put my hope in You.

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The cry of my heart
is to love You more,
to live with the
touch of Your hand
…stronger each day.
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Show me Your ways.

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[Today’s heartfelt prayer consists of the lyrics of the song of worship, “Show me Your Ways”, by Hillsong.

To sing along and pray, please click here >> “SHOW ME YOUR WAYS”.]

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Show me Your ways, O Lord my God!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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The Lord leads all persons by paths and in ways pleasing to Him,

and each believer responds according to his heart’s resolve

and the personal expressions of his prayer.

However, Christian Tradition has retained three major expressions of prayer: vocal, meditative, and contemplative.

They have one basic trait in common: composure of heart.

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This vigilance in keeping the Word and dwelling in the presence of God

makes these three expressions intense times in the life of prayer.

[CCC 2699]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Psalm 119:33-37

Posted on 19 August 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…and PRAYER

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Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
and I will observe it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
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Lead me in the path of Your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Turn my heart to Your decrees,
and not to selfish gain.
Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
give me life in Your ways.

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– Psalm 119:33-37 (NRSV)

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Teach me, O God,

lead me and give me life!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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[…] Lifting up the mind toward God

is an expression of our adoration of God:

prayer of praise and thanksgiving, intercession and petition.

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Prayer is an indispensable condition for being able to obey God’s commandments.

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"[We] ought always to pray and not lose heart." (Lk 18:1)

[CCC 2098]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Psalm 40:1-3

Posted on 18 August 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and He turned to me and heard my cry.
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He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
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He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what He has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.

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– Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT)

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PRAYER…

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My Lord and my God,

I know that You love me,

I know that You listen to my prayers,

and I thank You for Your faithfulness in responding.

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Grant, O Lord,

that, filled with hope,

and with faith and trust in my heart

I will always be prepared to wait patiently till You respond,

and to always reach out to Your helping hand,

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I lift my heart to You, my God,

and I sing a song of praise and thanks,

to give glory and honour to You my Lord,

my Healer,

my Saviour.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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I lift my heart to You, my God,

and I praise and thank You!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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The Holy Spirit…teaches us-to pray in hope.

Conversely, the prayer of the Church and personal prayer nourish hope in us.

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The psalms especially, with their concrete and varied language,

teach us to fix our hope in God:

"I waited patiently for the LORD;

He inclined to me and heard my cry."[Ps 40:1]

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As St. Paul prayed:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."[Rom 15:13]

[CCC 2657]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Joshua 24:14-15

Posted on 17 August 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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“Now therefore revere the Lord,

and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness…

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Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord,

choose this day whom you will serve…

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…but as for me and my household,

we will serve the Lord.”

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– Joshua 24:14-15 (NRSV)

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PRAYER…

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O Lord, my God,

do I truly revere You

by my words, my thoughts and my deeds?

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Do I serve You in sincerity and in faithfulness,

or do I, in fact, selfishly and foolishly serve two masters?

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Lord, come and take over,

and remove from me all that isn’t from you.

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Come, Lord, I have decided.

I want to serve You and only You.

Please help me in my decision

and give me strength, self-control and perseverance,

and, above all, fill me with a great love for You.

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For this I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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My Lord, I have decided – I will serve You!

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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[…] It is by looking to Him in faith

that Christ’s faithful can hope that He Himself fulfills His promises in them,

and that, by loving Him with the same love with which He has loved them,

they may perform works in keeping with their dignity:

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”I ask you to consider that our Lord Jesus Christ is your true head,

and that you are one of His members.

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He belongs to you as the head belongs to its members;

all that is His is yours:

His spirit, His heart, His body and soul, and all His faculties.

You must make use of all these as of your own,

to serve, praise, love, and glorify God.

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You belong to Him, as members belong to their head.

And so He longs for you

to use all that is in you, as if it were His own,

for the service and glory of the Father.” (St. John Eudes)

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“For to me, to live is Christ.” (Phil 1:21)

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[CCC 1698]

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Psalm 136:1-4

Posted on 16 August 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
for His steadfast love endures for ever.
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O give thanks to the God of gods,
for His steadfast love endures for ever.
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O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for His steadfast love endures for ever;

who alone does great wonders,
for His steadfast love endures for ever;

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– Psalm 136:1-4 (NRSV)

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PRAYER…

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O Lord, my God,

Thank You for Your faithful love,

and for Your everlasting goodness

so glorious reflected

in all that Jesus Christ, my Lord, did

– for me!

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Father, Your goodness and mercy

– whatever You do –

reflects the eternity of Your faithfulness

and love.

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Lord, You are good!

Lord, I want to love You, always.

Lord, I give You thanks.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Thank You, Lord, for You are good!

Thank You, Lord, for You are love!

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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.” – Luke 1:46-47

Posted on 15 August 2013 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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…and Mary said,

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!”

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– Luke 1:46-47 (NLT)

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REFLECTION…

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The Blessed Virgin

had received within herself all the grace of the Holy Spirit,

she is full of peace and joy,

and her soul overflows in the words of the “Magnificat.”

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God’s wonderful favours and His unsurpassable love

cause every humble soul to feel immense joy and gratitude.

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SHORT PRAYERS of JOY…adapted from the Psalms

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Lord, let all of us who take refuge in You rejoice;

let all of us sing joyful praises forever.

Spread Your protection over us,

that we who love Your Name may be filled with joy. [from Psalm 5:11]

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O Lord,

no wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.

My body rests in safety. [from Psalm 16:9]

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My God,

I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love,

for You have seen my troubles,

and You care about the anguish of my soul. [from Psalm 31:7]

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Father,

let all who obey You rejoice in You!

Let all whose hearts are pure, shout for joy! [from Psalm 32:11]

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In You my heart rejoices, O God,

for I trust in Your Holy Name. [from Psalm 33:21]

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I will rejoice in You, my Lord.

I will be glad because You rescue me. [from Psalm 35:9]

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I sing praises to You, my God, and to Your name!

I sing loud praises to You who rides the clouds.

Your name is the Lord – and I rejoice in Your presence! [from Psalm 68:4]

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May all my thoughts be pleasing to You, my God,

for I rejoice in You. [from Psalm 104:34]

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I exult in Your Holy Name;

I worship You, my Lord, and I rejoice. [from Psalm 105:3

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This is the day that You have made, O Lord,

and I will rejoice and be glad in it. [from Psalm 118:24]

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Amen.

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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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