Pointman Morning Prayer

[ajusmc]

Come to the waters, all who thirst; though you have no money, come and drink with joy. (Is. 55:1)

God our Father, may our Lenten observance prepare us to embrace the paschal mystery and to proclaim your salvation with joyful praise. Amen.

[ajusmc]

The Lord is gracious and merciful. (Ps. 145)

Lord Jesus, today we celebrate the feast of St. Patrick. His story gives witness to a life of faith. Like him, may we dedicate ourselves to God's service and see in our adversity an opportunity for witnessing to Christ. Amen.

[ajusmc]

Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek always the face of the Lord. (Ps. 104)

God our Father, as we prepare to live the passion and death of your Son, may we receive your forgiveness for the times we have failed. May we always be able to approach you when we have sinned. Amen.

[ajusmc]

The Lord Is Thy Keeper

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth,
and even for evermore.

- Psalms 121: 1-8

[ajusmc]

Prayer for Spring

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in midair stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

- Robert Frost

[ajusmc]

Prayer to Do What's Right

O Almighty and Everlasting God, Creator of Heaven, Earth, and the Universe, help me to be, to think, to act what is right, because it is right. Make me truthful, honest, and honorable in all things; make me intellectually honest for the sake of right and honor and without thought of reward to me. Give me the ability to be charitable, forgiving, and patient with my fellow men. Help me to understand their motives and their shortcomings, even as thou understandest mine! Amen.

- Robert E. Lee

[ajusmc]

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side. (Ps. 23)

God of Love, we sometimes forget that you are at our sides all the time, no matter what we have done or said to separate us. During these dark moments we are reminded of your grace and that you are the light of the world. May we have the courage to turn towards you and recognize the light of life to illuminate our path. Amen.

[ajusmc]

Put your hope in the Lord. Take courage and be strong. (Ps. 26:14)

Lord Jesus, may we rely on your help in doing all that you ask us to do. May we grow in our faithfulness in following your words, in living in hope, in taking courage and of being strong when faced with the difficulties in life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

[ajusmc]

Lord, you rescue me from raging enemies, you lift me up above my attackers, you deliver me from violent men. (Ps. 17)

Lord Jesus, hear the prayers of all who cry out to you for mercy. Enlighten them with a clean mind and sanctify their hearts with the cleanliness of your touch. May they hear your response and remain faithful to you even in those dark times of despair. Amen.

[ajusmc]

Prayer for Renewal

Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create me a clean heart, O God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and let a willing spirit uphold me.

- Psalms 51: 11-14

[ajusmc]

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life. (Jn. 6:63)

God our Father, as we approach the celebration of the passion and death of your Son, may we receive your forgiveness for the times we have failed. May we always be able to approach you when we have sinned. Amen.

[ajusmc]

The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock. (Jer. 31)

God of mercy, you are always there to save us just as the shepherd is there for his sheep when they are in trouble. We ask that you protect us from all harm and surround us with your love. Amen.

[ajusmc]

Father, if this cup may not pass, but I must drink it, then your will be done. (Mt. 26:42)

Lord Jesus, we pray that you will hear our prayers and that our faith may increase. Today we honor Christ our triumphant king by carrying palm branches as did the people of His time. May we remain faithful to your examples and true to your words. Let us never wavier from our belief in you. Amen.

[ajusmc]

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me. (Ps. 22)

Lord Jesus, at this time in your life many people stood by the roadside and waved palm branches and shouted Hosanna to the Son of David. Our human nature reveals how we can be fickle when it comes to laying down our lives for what we believe in. As we begin the days of Holy Week, may we be mindful of our own indifference to issues and our instability to remain faithful to you. Amen.

[ajusmc]

Lord, there is no god to compare with you; you are great and do wonderful things, you are the only God. (Ps 86)

God our Father, we bring to prayer all those who minister and care for the sick in hospitals throughout the world. May they know of your love for them and may they continue to bring comfort and compassion to all those who are suffering, frightened and dying. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

[ajusmc]

False witnesses have stood up against me, and my enemies threaten violence; Lord, do not surrender me into their power. (Ps. 26)

God our Father, as we approach the celebration of the passion and death of your Son, may we receive your forgiveness for the times we have failed. May we always be able to approach you when we have sinned. Amen.

[ajusmc]

Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ. (Ps. 116)

God our Father, we gather together this day to remember the words of your Son at the Last Supper when he shared his body and blood with the apostles. May we share in this nourishment and become more like you. Amen.

[ajusmc]

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. (Ps. 31)

Lord, by the suffering of Christ your Son, you opened the gates of heaven. May we learn to carry our crosses with the same fidelity that your Son witnessed to. May the sanctifying power of grace be with us as we follow the words of your Son. Amen.

[ajusmc]

Lord, you have the words of everlasting life. (Ps. 19)

God our Father, we rejoice in the light of your Son. Purify our minds by this Easter celebration and bring us one day to the feast of eternal light. Amen.

[ajusmc]

The Joy of His Resurrection

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.