The pope resigned

Come, Holy Spirit. Pour down grace on the cardinals who will elect a pope. Pour down grace on me that I may make wise choices too.

A Lenten Morning Offering

Prayer for our Government

We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope N., the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state, for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Prayer for the Church

O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Pastor of Your Church,
and the selfless care with which he has led us
as Successor of Peter, and Your Vicar on earth.
on the rock of Peter’s faith
and have never left Your flock untended,
look with love upon us now,
and sustain Your Church in faith, hope, and charity.
a new Pope for Your Church
who will please You by his holiness
and lead us faithfully to You,
who are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

we thank you for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI

Good Shepherd, who founded Your Church

Grant, Lord Jesus, in Your boundless love for us,

Amen.

40 Days

Lord, you fasted for 40 days in the desert and were tempted, just as we are. We pray you will be with us on our Lenten journey that we may be brought closer to you.
Amen.

Morning Offering

Hunger for Jesus

"Dearest Father, train us in the ways of self-denial
that we might awaken the hunger for Jesus
that lies hidden beneath the pleasures we seek."

- Prayer in today's entry in The Magnificat Lenten Companion

Valentine's Day: A Prayer for Lenten Grace

Ash Wednesday Prayer

Gracious God, today begins a period of inner reflection and examination. 
The days stretch before me and invite me inward to that silent, holy space that holds your Spirit. 
This special time beckons me to see my life through Christ's eyes and the truth and reality of your love incarnate. 
Give me the grace to enter the space of these days with anticipation of our meeting. 
And, when I open my soul to your presence, let your loving kindness flow over me and seep into the pockets of my heart. 
I ask this for the sake of your love.

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A journey toward peace through prayer and devotion

I've decided to separate some of my faith filled posts from my general blog because I feel like my other blog is to inform family and friends about what our family is doing. I would like a more open forum to explore and grow in my faith. I'm looking to find peace in my busy days through prayer and devotion to God. Lent is the perfect time to begin this journey. Therefore, for the rest of Lent, I will be posting a new prayer each day that I have come across in my faith filled reading. Please bare with me as I embark on this journey.