Prayer Corner: Jubilee
Week 1 - 10/13/2024
Purpose of the Prayer Corner - to expand our prayer life and strengthen our relationship with God.
Gratitude is the focus of this Thanksgiving Weekend.
Heavenly Father, we gather today with hearts filled with gratitude. This meal we share reminds us of the endless blessings You’ve bestowed upon us. We pray in thanksgiving not only for this food we share but in all the ways You’ve showed us Your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
(Source Hallow App)
Week 2 - 10/20/2024
Prayer is the spiritual breath of life for a Christian. It involves communication with our Heavenly Father through his Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a simple conversation with God. He just wants to hear our voice as we open our hearts to Him.
A Prayer to Focus on God
God, thank you for all the wonderful things you have done in my life. Sometimes when my circumstances are hard, I can forget about Your goodness. In those moments, help me to keep my focus on You. Amen.
1Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Week 3 - 10/27/2024
Why do we pray?
We pray to develop a relationship with God and to remain in Christ. Pope Francis says “that prayer is the first strength of hope. You pray and hope grows, it moves forward. I would say that prayer opens the door to hope.”
These are the rewards of prayer. When we pray, we receive God’s peace. (Phil.4:6-7) We also receive his joy. (John 16:24)
God, from Your love I can experience the fruit of Your Spirit. These fruits are natural outpouring of knowing You and Your love. Help me to be more joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, and faithful. Deepen my relationship with You so that Your fruit becomes a natural part of my life. Amen
Week 4 - 11/03/2024
When do I pray?
Any time! You can pray on your own or with others anywhere. But when you do, pray with humility and reverence to God our Father. Prayers can also be sung, or be part of your Scripture reading. Sit in silence waiting on his presence and invite the Holy Spirit to come. He promises to hear you when you call. Pope Francis “encourages us to find moments of prayer in all the circumstances we are called to face, whether in the joys or challenges of life.”
Prayer to Invite the Holy Spirit
Thank you, God, for the gift of the Holy Spirit – a gift to be part of your family. Help me to strengthen my connection with you through prayer.
Romans 8:26
“And as well as this, the Spirit too comes to help us in our weakness, for when we do not know how to pray properly then the Spirit personally makes our petitions for us in groans that cannot be put into words;”
Week 5 - 11/10/2024
What does remembrance mean to you?
The Church recognizes the month of November as a time to remember departed souls in our prayer intentions and pray for those who, as the priest prays during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, “have gone before us with the sign of faith.”
Pope Francis said on All Souls' Day, that the day brought to mind “the people who went before us”, both “those who did good” and “those who did not do so much good, but … were received in God's mercy.” At the same time, he suggested, the Commemoration recalled “hope, which is memory looking forward.” Lastly, we also need to pray for peace “so that people will no longer kill each other in wars.”
What is the prayer for all souls for the month of November?
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Acts 6:4
“...but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
Week 6 - 11/17/2024
Creating an intentional prayer setting at home
Prayer is not restricted to a church building. You can pray anywhere—while taking a walk or sitting in your car. The focus this week is to create a quiet area in your home for a prayer sanctuary. You can pray alone here. If you have children, involve them in deciding where the family could pray together. You may already be praying at mealtime and bedtime, but you can pray for a special celebration with a candle. Parents model the importance of prayer for their children. They learn from what you do. Pray to the Father, through the Son and by the Holy Spirit.
The prayers do not have to be long. Three simple tips: Keep it real, keep it simple, and keep it going. These three words – Thank you, Sorry and Please are a guide to help you (TSP). You may also pray the Rosary or Our Father with the children.
JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth. MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love.
Romans 8:26
“Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
Week 7 - 11/24/2024
Relieving stress and anxiety
Did you know that there are 366 statements in the Bible telling us not to worry, be afraid or anxious? Why is that? Most of us have moments of anxiety and fear. Anxiety gives us spiritual amnesia. We forget that we have a relationship with a God who loves us.
St. Paul, the apostle was aware of this fact and wrote these words found in Philippians 4:6-7 to curb anxiety. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The above promise sounds so simple and hard to process. However, it is grounded in God’s unchanging nature and the words are most needed and relevant for us today. Remember anxiety is not the endgame. God walks through the valley with you.
As you prepare for Advent and all the busyness with the preparation for the holidays, seek calm and peace by praying, supplication and thanksgiving. Our Father hears you.
St. Teresa of Avila can calm your nerves with this short prayer:
Let nothing disturb you,
let nothing frighten you,
all things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.
Week 8 - 12/01/2024
First Advent Candle is Hope that Christ birth brings us
Advent is the season of waiting and expectations. It is really a time to slow down and reflect on the coming of Jesus Christ. Today we prepare our hearts to be filled with hope for salvation and peace. With prayer and meditation, we ready ourselves to accept God’s gift to us.
The first candle of Advent is called the Prophecy candle. Why? Because it reminds us of the prophets and the prophecy of Daniel who spoke of the coming of a Saviour, the Messiah.
Our Advent journey begins with this prayer.
Lord, today we light this candle of hope. We remember the prophets who foretold a Saviour, and we hold on to the promises You have given us. As we enter this Advent season, may Your hope fill our hearts and keep our eyes fixed on You. Thank you for the hope that sustains us in every season. Help us to be beacons of hope to others and share the good news of your love and salvation with those around us. Amen
Isaiah 7: 14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name Emmanuel.
Week 9 - 12/08/2024
Second Advent Candle – Peace
“Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem. May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man.” —Pope Francis
Today we light the second candle on the Advent wreath. This candle symbolizes peace. The candle reminds us of the journey that Joseph and Mary took to Bethlehem. It is often referred to as the Bethlehem candle. Its origin was prophesied by the prophet Micah who said that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. It was also predicted that his birth would bring peace on Earth.
We continue to pray and find that quiet place within ourselves, to rise above the holiday noise and distractions. By taking 10 minutes a day to pray and read the Bible we are readying ourselves for the gift of Advent.
This Christmas Lord, come to the manger of my heart. Fill me with your presence from the very start. As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given, remind me of the gift You gave when you sent Your Son from Heaven. Amen.
Scripture Reading — Luke 2:6-7
Additional resources: The Hallow App has many Advent prayers, meditations and activities to finetune your readiness to receive the light of the world. YouVersion Bible App also is a rich resource for inspiration.
Week 10 - 12/15/2024
Third Sunday of Advent
Welcome to Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. The word Gaudete comes from Latin and means rejoice. Today the promise of our loving God to send the Messiah offers us a reason to rejoice. God is still in charge and we wait with unspeakable joy for his coming. The third candle of the Advent wreath is called the Shepherd’s candle. The angels on high told the good news of Jesus’ birth and the shepherds received the message with a joyful response.
We are also reminded in a very meaningful way that we as Christians share and experience this joy amidst life’s challenges. It is our job to share the joy of Christ in our families, schools, communities, in fellowship with one another and in our own lives. Rejoice and be glad.
Prayer
Dear Lord, today we light this candle of joy.
We remember the excitement of the shepherds and their wonder at the birth of the Savior.
Fill our hearts with that same joy, a joy that comes from knowing You and from the good news of Jesus.
Let this joy shine brightly, lifting our spirits and pointing others to Your Love.
May our joy be a testimony of Your grace in our lives.
Amen
Scripture – Philippians 4:4-6
Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow! And let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near.
Week 11 - 12/22/2024
The Gift of Christmas: LOVE
“And in the end, everything else will turn out to be unimportant and inessential, except for this: Father, Child, and Love.” – St. (Pope) John Paul II
The “Angel’s Candle” represents Love. Love is the driving force of the Christmas story. God loves us. God’s love can make us whole. The fact that He sent His only Son to save and rescue us; and then die on the cross for us, is the ultimate sign of love. May we all be encouraged to turn to love and not fear.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, heal my heart during this season of Advent. Help me to love more fully. To forgive more generously. To show more empathy. To wait more patiently for Christmas, embracing each day and hour knowing the joy that awaits. In Your name I pray. Amen.
John 3:16
For God so Loved the World-he gave his only unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.
