prayer service changing ourselves — reflecting god

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“Prayer Service,” a regular department in Health Progress, may be copied without prior permission. LEADER How often have we said that we would like to change ourselves? Change how we look, how we feel, what we do. When we look in the mirror who do we see? We should see the reflection of God. Until we do, we will find it hard to make any meaningful changes in our lives. READER A reading from the Gospel of Matthew: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” 1 LEADER The Beatitudes portray the charity of Jesus. They shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of Christian life; they are promises that sustain hope in the midst of troubles; they proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured; and they are reflected in the lives of Mary and all the saints. Let us take a moment for silent reflection. (Pause for silent reflection) LEADER For all the times that we gave up because it was too hard or would take too long ... We pray ALL Gracious God give us the courage to change. LEADER To give us clarity to know your will in our lives and to do what we know is your will ... We pray ALL Gracious God give us the courage to change. LEADER For those who fear drawing close to God, that the Spirit will free their spirits. ... We pray ALL Gracious God give us the courage to change. LEADER To recognize what it means to be the friend of Christ and to show this in our lives and relationships … We pray ALL Gracious God give us the courage to change. LEADER O God, help us surrender so that we may let go of control, place ourselves into your plans and allow you to raise new life within us. Give us the grace to be women and men for others by sharing our gifts and give us the humility to allow you to empty us of selfish desires. We ask this in your name. Amen. LEADER Let us offer each other a sign of God’s peace. NOTE 1. Mt. 5:3 - 1 2 (The New American Bible). PRAYER SERVICE HEALTH PROGRESS 88 JULY - AUGUST 2009 Lynda Palazzolo Mission Resource Assistant Catholic Health Association [email protected] Changing Ourselves — Reflecting God

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Page 1: PRAYER SERVICE Changing Ourselves — Reflecting God

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LEADERHow often have we said that we would like to changeourselves? Change how we look, how we feel, whatwe do. When we look in the mirror who do we see?We should see the reflection of God. Until we do,we will find it hard to make any meaningful changesin our lives.

READERA reading from the Gospel of Matthew:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is thekingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will becomforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for

righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown

mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called

children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of

righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute

you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely)because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great inheaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets whowere before you.”1

LEADERThe Beatitudes portray the charity of Jesus. Theyshed light on the actions and attitudes characteristicof Christian life; they are promises that sustain hopein the midst of troubles; they proclaim the blessingsand rewards already secured; and they are reflected inthe lives of Mary and all the saints. Let us take amoment for silent reflection.

(Pause for silent reflection)

LEADERFor all the times that we gave up because it was toohard or would take too long ... We pray

ALLGracious God give us the courage to change.

LEADERTo give us clarity to know your will in our lives and todo what we know is your will ... We pray

ALLGracious God give us the courage to change.

LEADERFor those who fear drawing close to God, that theSpirit will free their spirits. ... We pray

ALLGracious God give us the courage to change.

LEADERTo recognize what it means to be the friend of Christand to show this in our lives and relationships … We pray

ALLGracious God give us the courage to change.

LEADERO God, help us surrender so that we may let go ofcontrol, place ourselves into your plans and allow youto raise new life within us. Give us the grace to bewomen and men for others by sharing our gifts and giveus the humility to allow you to empty us of selfishdesires. We ask this in your name. Amen.

LEADERLet us offer each other a sign of God’s peace.

N O T E

1. Mt. 5:3 -12 (The New American Bible).

P R A Y E R S E R V I C E�

H E A L T H P R O G R E S S88 J U L Y - A U G U S T 2 0 0 9

Lynda PalazzoloMission Resource AssistantCatholic Health [email protected]

Changing Ourselves — Reflecting God

Page 2: PRAYER SERVICE Changing Ourselves — Reflecting God

Reprinted from Health Progress, July - August 2009.Copyright © 2009 by The Catholic Health Association of the United States

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