St. Martin's in the Desert » Prayer of the Week

prayer

Julie Platson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:57:52 +0000

‘In the quiet of prayer we learn how to keep God’s love alive in the world.’ ~Author Unknown

A prayer for Guidance: O God I ask you to be with me with this day. I don’t know what lies ahead of me today but I ask you to be with me. Give me the strength and courage to get through everything as best I can. Help me to see clearly the things that matter and the things that don’t. Help me to use every gift I have, remembering that it is from you. May your presence in my life give me a generous and open heart, making me an instrument of peace and love in whatever choice I make. Help me to use these days as a time to make good positive choices in everything I do. I would like to include any person who needs a prayer, a word of encouragement, help or guidance at this time. For anyone who finds life a struggle please give them the inner strength to keep going. When I have doubts, questions, uncertainties, fears or worries, hold me in your special care. Even if today does not go good or if I feel I messed up, help me to restart and get going again. Whatever may happen all I need to know is that there is nothing that you or I can’t handle together today. Amen (Today is my gift to you)

Blessing

Julie Platson — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:59:28 +0000

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

Ascension

Julie Platson — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:54:28 +0000

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV)

Tornadoes

Julie Platson — Sun, 01 May 2011 14:39:14 +0000

April, 2011. The U.S. South has felt the brunt of a catastrophic series of tornadoes which have taken the lives of 300 people and counting. Meteorologists have reported over 900 tornadoes since the beginning of the month

And so we pray this news.

God says I was there with you
in the howling of the tornado
and the shaking of your house,
and now I will be there with you
wherever you go next.

God says I was there with you
when you lost your loved one
in the whirling tornado,
and now I will be there with you
as you mourn his or her loss.

God says I was there with you
when you surveyed the destruction
of all your cherished possessions,
and now I will be there with you
as you purchase new things
and start all over again.

God says I was there with you
when you reached out for your dog
but could not hold him close to you
as the winds intensified,
and now I will be there with you
as you keep him close inside your heart.

God says I was there with you
when you accepted the help of others,
and now I will be there with you
as that circle of love expands
and brings you fresh hope.

God says I was there with you
when all seemed lost forever,
and now I will be with you
as you struggle to survive
and reclaim your life once again.
So be it.

By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Easter Blessing

Julie Platson — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:01:59 +0000

May your heart lift with love’s warmth, the strength found in prayer, the truth of new life.
May spring bring to mind God’s great desire for your renewal and growth.
May you rest in the grace of care and compassion that last beyond time.
May Christ’s life, the energy of God, wrap you in Easter blessing. (explorefaith)

4 Lent Collect

Julie Platson — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 12:00:40 +0000

Collect of the Day: Holy Tuesday

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

prayer of the day

Julie Platson — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 03:06:02 +0000

God, today we remember those who are still unemployed and those who have recently lost jobs. May they endure during this time of uncertainty, knowing that each day remains a greater gift than the one before. Amen (sojourners)

desert of your soul

Julie Platson — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 05:23:44 +0000

When darkness and doubts assail you, why not keep them at arm’s length? Often they are only interludes of unbelief, nothing more. Why see yourself as dry ground? When his dew appears, the tears of the morning, a thirst is quenched in the desert of your soul. (Taize)

Franciscan Benediction

Julie Platson — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:15:38 +0000

“May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with an anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you can reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.”

Prayer for Japan

Julie Platson — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 02:49:48 +0000

Today, spend a few minutes resting in prayerful silence in the presence of God….sojourners