Image: George Mendoza
(I adapted a Monday Morning Offering from last year to use in yesterday's homily and now have adapted that homiletic version for today's MMO)
Good morning, good God!
Some things need changing in my life, Lord,
and I wish these changes would happen over night
but change comes slowly -
perhaps because I come slowly to change...
I offer you my need to change, Lord,
my need to be changed, my need to be open
to the changes you would make in me
and in my life...
I offer you my need to be fine-tuned, Lord,
lest the strings of my life sound flat
or worse, sharp, in the hearts and ears
of those who hear me...
I offer you my need to be changed
from the inside out, Lord,
from the core of who I am:
for my heart to be adjusted
to loving and being loved;
for my mind to be synced
with your word and your wisdom...
I offer you my need to be stretched, Lord,
to be the person you made me to be,
to be satisfied with nothing less
than becoming the person
you call me to be...
So many things in my life need changing, Lord:
heal and mend whatever’s torn, wounded and broken...
Open my eyes, Lord,
to see your hands at work in my life
helping me to change, every day...
Open my ears to hear your voice guiding me
through the changes I need to make...
Open my mouth, Lord,
to pray, to ask for your help
with the changes I most need to make...
Open my hands
to work for the changes that will lift others up…
Open my heart, Lord,
to your Spirit shaping, shifting, changing me from within...
Open my life, Lord,
and bring to harvest all you've planted
and everything you nurture
within me...
Change me, Lord:
empty and humble my heart
for the sake of all whose paths cross mine:
help me serve those in need,
cheer those who sorrow,
comfort those who grieve,
stand with those who are alone,
and rejoice with those whose hearts are glad…
Accept my prayer and desire to change, Lord:
help me through this day
and through the week ahead...
Amen.
(Click here for an archive of Monday Morning Offerings)
Tweet
Subscribe to A Concord Pastor Comments
I can't seem to "change". No matter how hard I try each day ...I can't "change". I WANT to change. But I don't seem able. I've prayed to change, but it's just not happening.
ReplyDeleteI think one of these days ... God is going to make something in my life change ... that is not good. I'm kind of scared of that.
I'm praying Fr. Austin, that something helps me. I'm really truly praying. Hope your prayers are with me.
You are in my prayers, and I hope that you are talking with someone about your fears - that's really important.
ReplyDeleteOne thing you can be sure of: God will not make bad changes in your life - his changes are always born of grace and love. Things in your life may change and make things difficult, but God's changes are always of grace...