SOME ADVICE TO HELP US LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL - TODAY FROM SAINT PAUL.
Use these offerings from St.Paul to conduct a personal "stock-take"
on where you see your life is at the moment
FROM ST PAUL (Romans chapter 12, beginning at verse 9).
Let love be without any pretence.
Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good.
Be joyful in hope,
persevere in hardship;
keep praying regularly;
Share with any who are in need;
look for opportunities to be hospitable.
Bless your persecutors;
never curse them, bless them.
Rejoice with others when they rejoice,
and be sad with those in sorrow.
Give the same consideration to all others alike. Pay no regard to social standing, but meet people on their own terms.
Never pay back evil with evil,
but bear in mind the ideals that all regard with respect.As much as possible, and to the utmost of your ability, be at peace with everyone.
If your enemy is hungry,
give him something to eat;
if thirsty, something to drink.
Do not be mastered by evil,
but master evil with good.
PRAYER
Almighty, all-merciful God,
through Christ Jesus you have taught us to love one another,
to love our neighbours as ourselves,
and even to love our enemies.
In times of violence and fear,
let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts,
so that we may not be overcome with evil
but overcome evil with good.
Help us to see each person in light of the love and grace
you have shown us in Christ.
Put away the nightmares of terror
and awaken us to the dawning of your new creation.
Establish among us a future where peace reigns,
justice is done with mercy, and all are reconciled.
We ask these things in the name
and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ From a collection of Prayers for Times of National and International Crisis and Tragedy, posted on the PCUSA website. http://www.pcusa.org/
ASKING THE PRAYERS OF MARY, THE SORROWFUL MOTHER
Sorrowful Mother, with strength from above you stood by the cross,
sharing in the sufferings of your Son,
and with tender care you bore Him in your arms,
mourning and weeping.
We praise you for your faith, which accepted the life God planned for you.
We praise you for your hope, which trusted that God
would do great things through you.
We praise you for your love in bearing with Jesus
the sorrows of His passion.
Mary, may we follow your example,
may we also stand by all who need comfort and love.
Stand by us in our trials, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Go now .........
Rejoice in hope,
hold fast to what is good,
persevere in prayer.
Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.
As far as is possible,
live peaceably with all.
And may God hear your cries
and deliver you;
May Christ Jesus repay you
with fullness of life;
And may the Holy Spirit
be with you always
........nourishing you in love and hope.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
........In the name of Christ. Amen.
© 2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net
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