As you wake up this morning remember that the table has already been set for you . Will you prepare yourself now to await his presence?
Allow the Holy Spirit to come and show you what is prepared for you to partake of. What grace does he want to give you that you need in order to receive? Maybe it is to give thanks in all things , to look back and remember his faithfulness. Is there a judgment toward another that divides your heart? Lay that down now to have clear eyes to see. Whatever come up, let it rise so that the Good Shepherd may take care of it. Pause now and pray, “Christ our light , With every morning You welcome us into the world And with your loving care You meet our hunger and our thirst, Give us eyes to see the feast You have placed within these hours; Sacred, holy, blessed day.” St Brigid Amen Psalm 23:5 “You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.” Settle your scattered self and center on Jesus , the good Shepherd. He is here now right where you are. Breathe in His presence of peace. He has already prepared an incredible feast laid out on a table in the midst of all of your enemies. The storm of emotions you are feeling, the situations you find yourselves in, and all of the chaos and anxiety others bring around you. Everything on this table is just for you to nurture and feed you and give you everything you need. Sit in your mind with the image of a beautiful table set with delicious foods. Let gratitude spring up within you as we pause to pray. “God , my God I am ever grateful that you have prepared everything I need for this day . Would you fill me up over flowing with every good thing from heaven above . May my eyes feast on that which is beautiful, my body feed on that which brings health and strength and my spirit take in that which brings life and joy. We pray this day for all those that lack healthy foods , beauty and joy. May they receive your eternal feast that you have readily given all to partake in. Help us Oh God to be grateful in all things this day and bring your joy to others.” Amen This is Today’s Prayer
“May this day bring Sabbath rest to my heart and my home. May God’s image in me be restored, and my imagination in God be re-storied. May the gravity of material things be lightened, and the relativity of time slow down. May I know grace to embrace my own finite smallness in the arms of God’s infinite greatness. May God’s Word feed me and His Spirit lead me into the week and into the life to come.” “Jesus , you call us your friends and invite us into the intimacy you have with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
We are humbled by this and yield to such a doorway of abundant life. We call you our one and only shepherd and will follow you into the place of rest in your creation. As we enter this place may we be filled with the love you have for us so we may in turn be love to one another. If you call us your friends then we are to be friends with those you have made. Teach us not to fear what we do not understand. Help us to see with eyes of hope. May our prayers always include a thankful heart and our lives bear the fruit of being with you.” Amen We arise with souls ready to shine for your glory God.
Make us conduints of your peace this day . Your beauty surrounds us as your love grows deeper inside let us cling to what is good. Let us yearn to be better and relax in the things that bind us. Let the only attachment we have be that which tethered us to your heart. For you alone comes our hope. You alone are the rock on which we stand . May your authority and promise be our strength and peace and the comfort of your love take away all fear . We are never lonely when you are near. Help us this day to be near to you and receive the graces as they are presented to us. Thank you dear Lord for this glorious day! Amen Peace of abiding in the comfort of His holding staff.
“We come today with open hearts and open minds to receive your truth and find comfort in your presence. God you are near and you tell us to abide in you as you are in us. Help us to really know what that means moment by moment throughout our day. Let us recognize your abiding presence of peace when we things unnerve us. Help us to return to you when we are distracted by the pressures and demands for our time. Keep us near to you as we walk through the valley together. And Lord open our eyes to see your love calling us everywhere, to hear the birds singing and the trees waving their leaves. Let our ears be open to all of the sounds of nature that speak of your love . They are content in just being. May we enter that union with creation this day and delight with praise for you are with us and in us and will never leave us.” Amen Jesus, our good shepherd tells us in John 14 to not let your hearts be troubled , for the peace he gives us will not be as the world gives.
It is in this other worldly peace that we come to pray and receive the joy of being loved by God. Imagine walking down the darkest valley in your life, maybe you are there even now but with Jesus on the pathway there is this gentle light that radiates from and all around him. You are surrounded by this light and this is his peace. Be still enough to let his peace settle upon you now. “ Jesus, we await your presence of peace that gathers up all the shattered pieces of our hearts upon the ground. We allow you to make something new within our souls as we surrender and entrust you with all that brings us discord and fear. We accept your peace that will overcome every doubt and trouble in our hearts. Help us to attend to your peace in us today and whenever those fears and worries arise let us see your light dissipate every dark thought in our minds. We are completely safe and loved in you . May we know this truth and be filled with your peace to carry your light today.” Amen Lord, even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have!
You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way. Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.” Psalms 23:4 TPT Breathe deeply in God's peace and comfort today. Where are you afraid ? What seems like a deep dark valley ? Where are you looking? Now see Jesus there in the valley with you , next to you, walking alongside. Feel his comfort and peace as you pray… “Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are our good shepherd, we trust in you today. Even though we see darkness all around us, fear does not control us for the comfort of your love takes away our fear. We draw near to you as you walk alongside every step in the deep valley. We hold unto your light that will guide us. May we see just a little ahead where you want us to go this day trusting that you will bring your light to others through us. We pray for your will to be done here on earth to bring comfort to all of those that are struggling in the dark right now. May we offer them a hand that will lead them in this valley without fear. Because you are with us. Keep our eyes on you, our Good and Loving Shepherd.” Amen A Mother's Blessing from a shepherdess
As you watch and pray Nurture and care for the young May your heart's desires be granted. As you protect and shelter, Endure and sacrifice your own needs by Laying down your life for your lambs. May you always hope, always trust, always believe the best and Never give up no matter how far they stray His angels are guarding their comings and goings, He never sleeps and always watches over all, Is always by their side to shelter them in his presence. He will protect them now and lead them forevermore! May God give you the patience and compassion To find joy in all of your work as you create and give out of the grace you have received. May your love accept and call out their own true gift within. May you lead them and guide them in the way they are to follow Which may look different from yours. May you know Jesus is the Mother who forgives us when we fail and never condemns us when we fall. Take a deep breath in and know that you are beautiful. You have all that you need to do this, God is love and that love resides in you! Be blessed in knowing all will be well, All manner of things will be well. Happy Mother’s Day! “ Lord you are my Shepherd , I shall not want, ...Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil, for you are at my side...”
As we look to the exposed wounds of our Savior we recognize that we are all weak and in need of healing . We do not need to hide our wounds before each other for our Lord reveals his . May we be able to find comfort in the light of his nearness as we walk the way forward wherever it will lead . May we know the compassion and kindness of the shepherd so we can return this love to others and bring healing in the world . Amen |