Christmas is a week from today... Here's my prayer for those of us who are grieving in this season, missing those who used to gather with us around the tree... I'll post it again next week... Please share this with any who might find it helpful...
There's an empty chair near the tree, Lord,and an ache in our hearts,
and tears on our cheeks...
We'll try to shield one another
from the loss and the grief we bear
but we know we can't hide it from you...
We pray for
(name the loved ones you're remembering)
whose presence we miss so much
in these days meant for peace and for joy....
Open our hearts, our minds and our souls
to your healing, and the warmth and light
of your presence...
We pray and we trust that those we miss
are now in the place you prepared for them:
their home in your heart of hearts...
Gently open our hearts, Lord,
to memories of all the love we shared
with those who've gone before us...
Help us tell the stories that draw us back
whose presence we miss so much
in these days meant for peace and for joy....
Open our hearts, our minds and our souls
to your healing, and the warmth and light
of your presence...
We pray and we trust that those we miss
are now in the place you prepared for them:
their home in your heart of hearts...
Gently open our hearts, Lord,
to memories of all the love we shared
with those who've gone before us...
Help us tell the stories that draw us back
to Christmases shared with the ones we miss...
Teach us to lean on you and each other
for the strength we need
to walk through this season a day at a time...
Teach us to lean on you and each other
for the strength we need
to walk through this season a day at a time...
Be with us as, Lord, as we trim the tree
and sing and cry through Christmas carols;
help us find and open the present you bring:
a gracious gift from the Prince of Peace...
Give us quiet moments with you, this week,
help us find and open the present you bring:
a gracious gift from the Prince of Peace...
Give us quiet moments with you, this week,
calm our restless hearts in prayer;
bless our memories, stories and tears
with hope of finding joy in your birth...
Be with us, Lord, and hold us as close
as you're holding our loved ones,
Be with us, Lord, and hold us as close
as you're holding our loved ones,
slipped from our arms into yours...
Help us look to the day when we'll meet again
when your mercy gathers us home to you
in the joy of the life you promise...
Christmas - a day that you've made, Lord -
a day of promise, of love and grace!
Help us find in this day and the year ahead
your blessing of peace and joy...
Amen.
Help us look to the day when we'll meet again
when your mercy gathers us home to you
in the joy of the life you promise...
Christmas - a day that you've made, Lord -
a day of promise, of love and grace!
Help us find in this day and the year ahead
your blessing of peace and joy...
Amen.
Thank you Father This is much needed today. I am rather immobile so I don’t get to church. I miss it. I don’t know if I’m going to mass on Christmas. It’s very painful for me to sit there. I offer all my pain to Jesus. I’m still on a walker. Paul is an amazing husband. I’m so grateful for him. Keep us in your prayers. We’re doing OK. It’s a burden. Everybody has their burdens I needed this. Everybody that was special in my life has found the pearly gates. What bothers me the most are my friends who were so young 52 when my best friend Gael died I miss her so much. I miss her laughter. I miss having fun with her mom and dad. You know you expect your parents to die and your aunts and relatives but not somebody that’s 52 anyway I really needed this today. Thank you for being there as you so often are God bless you. You’re the best priest I’ve ever known along with father Martin I used to sing with him, it was a very happy time in my life so now I guess I’m gonna have to try to sing again maybe I will go to church. I pray in the holy name of Jesus let it be. God bless you, father And thanks again
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