Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 4/12

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Lord,
so many people need a break...

- folks who've lost homes and water and food
and all that they loved and claimed as their own:
their treasured possessions, the memories they held...

- folks who bear loss and grief deep inside,
whose tears are a sign of the ache that throbs
in an empty place in their heart of hearts...

- folks who need rest from working too hard,
seldom, if ever, getting a chance
to relax, to rest and recoup...

- folks whose plates are always too full,
whose burdens are heavy and many,
who truly need help to cope and get by...

-folks who work hard at more than one job
and still come up short at the end of the month,
with bills that never stop coming...

- folks who are lonely, who long for a friend,
for a spouse, a companion, a neighbor,
for someone to talk to and walk by their side...

- folks who are sick, burdened with pain
with multiple diagnoses,
with chronic illness that just doesn't quit...

- folks who are suffering injustice,
who have no one to defend them,
who are always the last, always the least...

- folks who are fearful and worried and anxious,
whose hope has grown thin,
who seek peace of mind and peace in their souls...

- folks who have tried and tried yet again
and haven't yet found what they're trying to find
and wonder now if ever they will...

So many people need a real break, Lord,
so I pray you'll
   smile on them in your kindness,
   grant them a time of respite from worry,
   lighten the burdens they carry,
   heal and ease the pain they bear,
   right the wrongs they suffer,
   comfort them in their grief,
   refresh and renew their resolve,
   deepen their hope and their trust,
   open their hearts to new love,
   help them get up and begin once again,
   grant them good rest and peaceful dreams...

And if in some way I might help,
if I can give someone a break, some respite:
give me the love of a selfless heart
to reach out and serve and do what I can...

And when others offer to help me,
to give me the break that I might need,
let me humbly welcome their gift of love
their reaching out to lend me a hand...

In so many ways, Lord,
we all need a break!

Be our strength and our help,
our guard and our guide
to open our hearts to your grace:
Lord, please - give us a break...

Amen.


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