Notes.
Much of this material is from the book, "Marriage in the Kingdom." This is an ongoing work-in-progress.
This information is not meant to replace your current daily devotions. This is "one" way to have a real, personal, loving joyful encounter with God. Two to three hours must be set aside for this wonderful time with God our Loving Father, His beloved Son Jesus our King, and the Lord Holy Spirit, loving Servant to the Father and the Son. Meet God in prayerful diologue and communion at least one evening a week.
Part 2.2 Liturgy of the Hours, evening prayers.
Part 3. Thanksgiving. (Bottom of the page.)
Part 1. Getting Ready.
Prayer, joy and happiness in being with God. (1)
A prayerful encounter is a Kingdom event. (2)
Realize what is about to happen. (3)
When and where can one have this intimacy with God? (4)
A note about seniors, the elderly and your children. (5)
Ministers. (6)
Be comfortable. (7)
First, "Good morning (if a morning encounter) to God's Creation." (8)
Spirit presence. (9)
Situate yourself. (10)
Be present to Jesus, your King. (11)
Be present to your Father, "Good morning Father." (12)
"Good morning Lord Holy Spirit..." (13)
"Good morning dearest Mother Mary." (14)
"Good morning faithful guardian angel." (15)
Parents (deceased). "Good morning Mom and Dad." (16)
Others (deceased). "Good morning . . ." (17)
"Good morning all you angels and saints of the Lord." (18)
Time to begin... (Suggestion only). (19)
"Father..." (20)
Pray for parent(s) if deceased. (21)
Parent(s) if living. (22)
Children. (23)
Brothers and sisters. (24)
Living and deceased relatives. (25)
Book of prayer intentions. (26)
Others. (27)
The lonely, the sick, the dying. (28)
Every person on this earth. (29)
Final presentation. (30)
Closing prayer of petition, in with and through Jesus. (31)
Suggestion only. (32)
(1) Prayer, joy and happiness in being with God. Our dear Lord is the Word of God (John 1:1), through Whom all things came to be. (John 1:2) He is the Light that darkness could not overcome (John 1:5) and the source of all life. (John 1:3) We, (you and I) because of His love, have been embraced by Him through baptism. We carry his sign (Cross and Blood) and belong to Him. (1 Cor. 3:23) Because of Jesus’ love for us, we have become (thanks be to God) the Word (your name) of the Word (Jesus). Is it not natural then, that every word should come from our heart and our mouth (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). be (in Christ Jesus) words of praise and glory to God? Words that give life? Words that resurrect and heal and save? Words that pray? Prayer is union with God in His Word and through the action of the Holy Spirit. We were born to love God, to praise God, to be His Word in Christ Jesus, praying a continual Abba, Father... (Romans 8:14-15) Through prayer, we rejoice and delight in being with our heavenly Father, our dear Lord Jesus, the Lord Holy Spirit, our blessed Mother Mary, the angels and the saints.
Not to pray is to live without Jesus, without our Lord the Holy Spirit, without our blessed Mother Mary, without the angels and the saints, without our spiritual brothers and sisters all over the world. Not to pray is to be alone. Not to pray is to be on our own, in a lonely, dark and violent world. Prayer is the spiritual oxygen our soul needs to stay alive, to grow and to blossom. Not to pray is to have one's soul slowly asphyxiate and die. As your soul gets ill, its host body responds accordingly. (Marriage in the Kingdom Chapter 19.16) Not to pray is to be deprived of an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father, our blessed King and the Lord Holy Spirit... the very persons who made us in Their own image. Not to pray is to live in a spiritual desert refusing life giving Water... God's Love.
Regardless of our age or circumstances, soon each and every one of us will return to our Father's home. How in the world will it be possible to love, to praise, to glorify, to adore, to thank and to be in sheer delight with our Father, His Son and the Lord Holy Spirit at that time, if we never chose to be with Them while on our earthly pilgrimage?
Do you know who you are, that prayer should have such an important place in your life? In, with and through our dear Lord, pray for the salvation of souls, your own, your spouse', your parents, your brothers and sisters, your grandchildren, your cousins, your uncles and aunts, your grandparents, your friends, your colleagues, God's children around the world. What other way can you be more intimately united with the Holy Spirit and our dear Lord? Read and study the following chapter from "Marriage in the Kingdom." before continuing any further. Chapter 19, "Your Royal Heritage."
(2) A prayerful encounter is a Kingdom event. Whenever our Lord the Holy Spirit invites you to appear before God (you will hear the invitation in your heart), a Kingdom event is about to unfold... just for you. You are about to receive a loving foretaste of the joy of being with your God. How do you know our Lord the Holy Spirit is asking you to come before God? Because the invitation to be with God has come to your consciousness. You hear a “knock” at your heart's door. Our Lord the Holy Spirit is calling you to give praise and glory to God. God is calling you to God. We must not and cannot be indifferent to such an invitation. We must never cause heartbreak to He who has called us forth and loves us so much, that He sent His only Son to die for our redemption, for our return home. One must stop, acknowledge and respond, in accordance with what circumstances permit.
As you awaken to these invitations, as you grow in your childlike relationship with God, as you become more conscious of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life, such occasions will be more and more frequent. The time will soon come when you will be with God all day, "naturally." Being with your Creator, your King and the Holy Spirit is as natural as is being with ones’ own family. The day will come when you will truly be living in the house of the Lord, “... to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh and to consult with Him in His Temple.” (Psalm 27:4.) Return.
(3) Realize what is about to happen. It is imperative to fully realize what will happen when in prayer, in dialogue with God. You and God, the Persons Who made you and gave you life, Who made you in Their Image, Who made this incredible universe for YOU, Who in spite of eternal differences, recognize you and cherish you as Their child... the four of You are going to spend some time TOGETHER. The four of You are going to talk. The four of You are going to share with One another. You will be schooled, counseled, enlightened. Repeatedly, the treasures of Heaven will be showered upon you. As one marked with Christ's Love, you will minister to Them. Their loving Presence will overwhelm you. Their Peace will embrace you. Your brothers and sisters in Christ will glorify God because of you. Because of the time you are spending with God, you will leave knowing more about your Father, His Son and your King and our Lord the Holy Spirit. This day, you will know more about yourself as God's child than you did yesterday. Return.
(4) When and where can one have this intimacy with God? The "meeting" format suggested here, is simply a first step to help you get started. To help you be with and have a real dialogue and an intimate meeting with the Holy Trinity. Prayer is an opportunity for a real "Family" get-together, (Father, Son Holy Spirit and you). It should take place at least once a week, on a day when you can spend 2 -3+- hours with Them. As far as daily prayer is concerned, this format can and will be abbreviated as the Holy Spirit will suggest to you. Once a week however, one should be intimately united with the Holy Trinity and one's brothers and sisters, in a loving salvific prayer, in one long loving "hug," along the lines suggested here as a guideline. I know from experience the closeness one comes to God through prayer, so all I can do is share with you some of the good things that have happened to me. There was one time, when I thought it was impossible to stop praying, when I was so full of God's Peace in His blessed presence through prayer, that I thought I would never be able to pray again, for nothing else would possibly equal that particular time we had together. (I was well into four hours of "walking and talking and listening and being loved by God.")
Where can you pray? You can be with the Holy Trinity anywhere... right in your own home. “For this Law that I enjoin on you today is not beyond your strength or beyond your reach. It is not in heaven, so that you need to wonder, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it down to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?’ Nor is it beyond the seas, so that you need to wonder, ‘Who will cross the seas for us and bring it back to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?’ No, the Word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your Heart for your observance.” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14) Wherever you are, God is. I favor being at home (or at some other peaceful area) because once you begin, you really do not want to stop. (If I am inside, I usually have some light background music to help me "set the stage." Taizé songs, Beethoven, Corelli, Handel ... (I have tinnitis –a ringing in the ears– and music helps to "camouflage" this noise. I may walk the hallway, or the living room, often the recreation room. Be comfortable. After all you're going to be with your Father, your Savior and the Lord Holy Spirit Who is making all this happen for you.) Would you leave a guest's table halfway through dinner? Would you get dressed up in your best clothes for a 15 minute meeting? Would you accept an invitation from an ambassador only to suddenly leave just when you were going to be treated royally? Of course not. Once you take this first step to be with your Father who made you, His Son your one and only Light and the Holy Spirit who reveals all these things to you, there can be no turning back without causing a lot of terrible heartbreak. You can be with God in an intimate and loving relationship, once a week (or every two weeks or every three weeks or once a month). This is a wonderful time in your life.
At a park... You can have your day with God at a park, or walking on a lakeshore, or in some other peaceful, scenic country setting using the format suggested. What is very necessary, is that you be in a place where there is peace and quiet, where you can be alone with God.
I like to take a slow walk while our Lord the Holy Spirit prepares me to be with God. The first part of my prayer is to look and see the sky and the trees, the clouds and the flowers. I listen to the birds and feel the wind. I marvel at that my Father, His Son and my Lord the Holy Spirit has done all this for me and are now at this moment revealing this to me. All They ask in return is that I see what They have done and love Them with all my heart and my neighbor as myself. (Matthew 23:37-38.) Return.
(5) A note about seniors, the elderly and your children. These last few years, Florence and I have been involved in pastoral care for the elderly. It is very disheartening to see so many persons living their last years, lonely, confused, many without motivation or completely "lost." Many seniors live these precious "last days" sleeping, eating and looking at the four walls.
Regretfully, I have seen others who do not know who they are, nor their names, or what is happening to them, who their children are and so on. This chapter in their lives is lived in confusion, and more often than not, in complete oblivion. Days, nights, meals, and so on simply have no meaning.
After having spent a lifetime in God's creation, after receiving His countless blessings, after having raised families and fruitful employment, this part of their lives should blossom in prayer. Prayer with, in and through Jesus. Prayer in adoration. Prayer in praise and thanksgiving. Prayer for deceased relatives. Prayer for children and grandchildren. Prayer for brothers and sisters suffering illness, loneliness, abuse, war, famine, torture and so on. It seems to me that this part of their blessed lives should be in union with Jesus our King, as they prepare to complete their pilgrimage here on earth.
It appears to me that elderly persons who have a deep faith in our dear Lord, whose "earlier lives" have been spiritual and nourished with prayer and the sacraments, do live their senior years with a beauty and a lucidity that other elderly persons do not have. Those persons whose entire lives have been lived as "God's child" understand and cope with everything including death, as natural, necessary and often, a "happy" conclusion to their exile here on earth. Truly, God does not abandon those who place their trust in Him.
My observations were confirmed when I read the Ottawa Citizen on November 17 1999, an article titled, "Faith heals more than soul." It quotes from Dr. Harold Koening's new book, The Healing Power of Faith." One particular reference struck me: "The doctors say, attending a few church services or spending 20 minutes a day in meditation isn't enough to improve health. Spiritual or religious practices must be a major part of a person's life and must be connected to faith to make a difference."
Parents who love their children, will, by their example and their teachings, raise these hearts to minister to God every day, 24 hours a day. In their senior years, they will continue in His Presence, in His Peace, in His Security, in His Life.
Our dear Lord tells us time and time again... "“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (Matthew 18:2.) This is one more of the many reasons, why our journey through this life should be with the Lord our God. There is no reason for any of us to be alone, lost, confused or filled with a sense of helplessness. dialogue with our Creator (prayer), with His Son our King and the Lord Holy Spirit is our eternal heritage, here now and forever and ever. Amen.
Sharing our King's Gethsemane. As Jesus prepared for His death, He reflected on all He had done for God's children, He knew many would not receive His love. He saw that in spite of the "Light" coming into the world, many prefer to remain in the darkness. He saw that many would turn their backs to Him and thus, preferred death to life. He saw that many chose to live in a kingdom of lies instead of knowing God's Truth. This broke His heart so much, in anguish, He sweated blood.
Such is also the lot of many parents and seniors. They spent a lifetime loving, caring and guiding their children, yet, many have decided they "know better." These young vulnerable hearts set out on roads completely alien to their physical and spiritual health and well being. Many choose paths completely foreign to what they were taught. And so, parents and seniors, in, with and through Jesus, have a Gethsemane, a blessed time to pray and a blessed time for suffering for those we love, before we leave this world. Imagine, praying with Jesus in your own Garden of Olives. Return.
(6) Ministers. Ministers cannot shepherd Christ's sheep unless they dwell in His Heart. Ministers must have this personal, intimate, loving relationship with God at least once a week. See “Peter had to be asked three times...”
Return.
(7) Be comfortable. Should your time with God be before Lunch? Before dinner? After dinner? Whatever time allows you to be most at ease and totally disposed to meet the Holy Trinity. Don't forget, once you begin you will not want to stop. Be sure to give yourself 3 hours plus. Heart nice and clean? Teeth clean? Hair combed? Neatly attired? Be comfortable and presentable. You are God's child. Return.
(8) First, "Good morning (if a morning encounter) to God's Creation." As you consider that you are alive one more day on this blessed earth, front row center in God's holy creation, a creation He has given you to conquer (Genesis 1:28), would it not be normal to take the time to look and see and marvel at His handiwork and greet "them," they who are "serving and ministering" to Him in their own unique way?
To say:
"Good morning" sun. * In awe and in wonder, reflect. "Lord, how great Thou art..."
"Good morning waters and rain." * In awe and in wonder, reflect, "Lord, how great Thou art..."
"Good morning rivers and oceans and springs." * In awe and in wonder, reflect, "Lord, how great Thou art..."
"Good morning earth." * In awe and in wonder, reflect, "Lord, how great Thou art..."
"Good morning trees, shrubs, fields, flowers." * In awe and in wonder, reflect, "Lord, how great Thou art..."
"Good morning fruits and vegetables." * In awe and in wonder, reflect, "Lord, how great Thou art..."
"Good morning robins, crows, cows, horses, squirrels, ants." * In awe and in wonder, reflect, "Lord, how great Thou art..."
"Good morning my brothers and sisters all over this great world." * In awe and in wonder, reflect, "Lord, how great Thou art..."
* (As you may be prompted or inspired to say at a particular place and time.)
George Beverly Shea (God bless him) expresses well these heartfelt feelings when he sings, "The Wonder of it all."
"There's the wonder of sunset and evening.
The wonder of sunrise I see.
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul,
Is the wonder that God loves me.
Oh the wonder of it all, the wonder of it all.
Just to think that God loves me.
Just to think that God loves me.
There's the wonder of springtime and harvest,
The stars, the sky, the sun.
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul,
Is a wonder that has only begun.
Oh the wonder of it all, the wonder of it all.
Just to think that God loves me.
Oh the wonder of it all, the wonder of it all.
Just to think that God loves me.
Now, open your heart and mind to the moment. Slowly but surely, you must collect yourself and realize what is about to happen. You are about to be present to the same God who created all these marvels. One must prepare one's heart and mind accordingly. You must open your spiritual eyes and awaken your mind to His presence in your heart. With your heart, look and see, listen and hear. Reflect. How long will this focusing take? A minimum of half an hour and often times more. Don't count. Regardless of how long it will take, you must use all the time your dear Lord the Holy Spirit gives you to do this. After all, time is Gods’ gift to you. Will you refuse to share His gift with Him? He can easily add years to your life in return for whatever time you take to lovingly be with Him. He can also just as easily, take you in His arms right now and have you with Him every second, forever and ever. Amen. Return.
(9) Spirit presence. As you dispose your heart and mind in preparation to being with God, slowly but surely our dear Lord the Holy Spirit will call you forward. Your heart will "awaken" to specific invitations and prompts. Interior "Lights," will direct your focus. With your heart, look and see, listen and hear. Reflect. Like a blind person who is guided hand in hand by another, respond, answer them and let the Lord Holy Spirit guide you closer to the Father and the Son. Our dear Lord tells us that, ". . . true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23.) The footnote to this text adds, " The Spirit 14:26... who makes a new creature of man, 3:5, is also the inspiring principle of the new worship of God. This worship is "in truth" because it is the only worship that meets the conditions revealed by God through Jesus." With your heart, look and see, listen and hear. Reflect. Don't talk to God for the sake of talking, or because you may feel awkward in front of this blessed silence. It is far better to be in reverend silence than to chit chat, sounding like an empty can. You will soon realize that you are in Gods’ presence, in the presence of the Father, the Son and the Lord Holy Spirit who is sharing this with you. Be quiet and listen. With your heart, look and see, listen and hear. Reflect. Remember, God doesn't scream or yell, but is as quiet as a breeze. (1 Kings 19:11-14.) Return.
(10) Situate yourself. Conscious of God's creation, conscious that it's all there for you... conscious of the presence of our Lord the Holy Spirit with and within you, with your heart, look and see, listen and hear. Reflect. In spirit and in truth (John 4:23.), in your heart locate yourself at a specific location you are comfortable with. (I like to be at the foot of our dear Lord's cross, with my back to the cross.) Obviously (in your heart) you will always be with your heavenly Father, your King, the Lord Holy Spirit, your spiritual Mother Mary, the angels and the saints. It is fitting that one reverently bows before God, and places their hands over their heart, since it is the home of our dear Lord, where the Word is, where the kingdom of God is, within you. You are never alone in this world and certainly not in the Kingdom. With your heart, look and see, listen and hear and reflect, reflect, reflect. Return.
(11) Be present to Jesus, your King. (Read the name contains the person, "11.2 Your name says it all.") Be conscious of the fact that you are before Jesus our blessed King, whose Love for you gives you the authority to speak in, with and through Him. He and the Lord Holy Spirit want your heavenly Father to be proud of you. With your heart, look and see, listen hear and reflect. In you, God wants to see His creature perfected in His Son. With God, you always have center stage, after all, you are his child in Christ Jesus. For more information on God the Son, read the gospels and Chapter 11. Jesus, your King, your Royal Confidante. Realize that you are "here" and this event is taking place because of Jesus’ love for you, because of what He did for you... recall what He did for YOU. With your heart, look and see, listen and hear and reflect.
"Good morning/afternoon/evening Jesus..."
Good morning dearest Jesus, my God," (take the time needed to say this), "my King," (take the time needed to reflect), "my Savior," (take the time needed to reflect), "my Brother," (take all the time needed to reflect), "my Friend," ((take the time needed to reflect), "my Confidante," ((take the time needed to reflect), "my Love," (take the time needed to reflect), "my (your words)." (take the time needed to reflect).
Would it not be normal to tell the Person Who died for you, Who nourishes you with His Body and Blood, Who sent the Lord Holy Spirit to teach you His Word, who made you God's own child once again... would it not be normal and natural to tell your King who watches over you, "Dear Jesus, I love you." Spend some time in a spiritual embrace. Stay with Him as long as He wants. With your heart, look and see, listen, hear and reflect, reflect, reflect. Return.
(12) Be present to your Father, "Good morning Father." In your heart, be conscious of the fact that you are before God the Father (this Person who has given you life, who (by His will) sustains you at this very moment and Who sees to your every need. Reflect on what having God as your Father means. For more information on God our Father, get to know Jesus and read the gospels, especially St. John's gospel. Read Chapter 12. Your Heavenly Father.
"Good morning Father..." After an appropriate time of reflection (in, with and through Christ Jesus, you are His child) it would be very natural to say: "Good morning Father." Or, "Good afternoon Father." Or, "Good evening Father." depending on the hour. When we live with other persons, it is normal to wish them a, "Good morning." or a, "Good afternoon." or a, "Good evening/night." After having slept the night in God's bed, in His house, covered with His blankets, rested in His peace, awakened by His sun and sung to by His birds, would it not be natural and normal to say to Him, "Good morning Father." It is fitting that we begin our loving union by saying with a childlike heart, "Good morning Father." and thank Him for His blessing and gifts during this past night... for the gift of this new day and all it will provide, for His greater glory. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect.
Is it not natural for the creature to say to his/her Creator, "Father, I love you." Reflect.
Is it not natural and normal to thank Him, for the loving Heart through whom He has chosen to be with us? Reflect.
Is it not natural and normal to thank Him, for a restful sleep? Reflect.
Is it not natural and normal to thank Him, for His blessings on us during the night? Reflect.
Is it not natural and normal to thank Him, for His angel who watched over us? Reflect.
Is it not natural and normal to thank Him, for the grace of awakening to a new day? Reflect.
Is it not natural and normal to thank Him, for the joy of saying once more with a loving heart and a free will, "I love you Father?" Reflect.
Is it not natural and normal to thank Him, for the joy and happiness of receiving His providential blessings this day? Reflect.
Is it not natural and normal to thank Him, in thanksgiving for His Holy creation our blessed home from which we can give Him praise and glory and benediction? Reflect.
Is it not natural and normal to thank Him, for the blessed mission He has confided to us to conquer this earth. Reflect.
Is it not natural and normal to thank Him, for our brothers and sisters who will cross our path this day, helping us to journey through this barren desert? Reflect.
If this is evening prayer, go over your whole day with your loving heavenly Father. Share everything with Him. Thank Him. Ask Him. A lot was given to you this day. There is nothing more wonderful than to talk with your Father about everything that has happened. When one is God's child, there are a great many things that become "natural" and "normal." If this is not the case for you, then begin now. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. Return.
(13) "Good morning Lord Holy Spirit..." In your heart, be conscious of the fact that this moment is happening because of our Lord the Holy Spirit. How is it that you are before Jesus? How is it that you are before God the Father? How is it you are speaking to God? With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. As a resurrected soul in the Mystical Body of Christ, it is your blessed lot to give praise and glory to God, possible only because the Lord Holy Spirit is inviting you to share with Him in His own eternal praise and glory to God. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. Would it not be natural to tell the Person (who in response to the Father's will and the Son's Word) who opens your heart; teaches and counsels you about the things of God... Would it not be natural to tell Him, "Dear Lord Holy Spirit, Love of God, Light of God and Life of God I love you. Good morning my Lord." With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. For more information on God the Holy Spirit, go to Chapter 13. Holy Spirit, Faithful Friend and Companion. Return.
(14) "Good morning dearest Mother Mary." In your heart, be conscious of the fact that this moment is happening because of Mother Mary's love for you, Her child. (John 19:26.) With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. Do you know what it means to have Her, the Mother of God as YOUR Mother? Reflect. Your spiritual Mother is not only your Mother, but She is also Queen of Heaven and earth. Reflect. For more information on Mother Mary, read, Chapter 14, Your Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth. o know more about this gentle and regal Heart, each day read a page or two of Blessed Mary Agreda’s, "Mystical City of God."
"Good morning Mother Mary." There should be no greater delight in your childlike heart than to say to Mother Mary, "Good morning Mother." Reflect. Mother, (reflect) I love you (reflect). Mother, I am happy to be with you, together this day." Reflect. "Mother . . . (share your concerns, your needs and the desires of your heart with Her.) With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. Return.
(15) "Good morning faithful guardian angel." Your guardian angel is a faithful, lifelong friend, watching over you, counseling you, drawing things to your attention, helping you to stay on the right track. Reflect. Your ability to share and talk with "him" depends on how long you have had a relationship with "him." How well you know "him." It is never too late to start. Return.
(16) Parents (deceased). "Good morning Mom and Dad." If your parent(s) (and or your spouse's parents) have returned to our Father's home, it is an act of love to meet them each day, with a spiritual, "Good morning hug." Take a little time to remember them, to remember the things that were done together, to thank them and so on. After all, it is only their bodies that died, they did not die, and are very much alive and well in their Father's Kingdom. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. Return.
(17) Others (deceased). "Good morning . . ." It is also natural to "spiritually hug" a brother, a sister, an uncle, a godparent, cousins, grandparents and so on. (I know a person who brings out his family tree to pray for those members who died on this day.) With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. These persons will all be present with you to the extent that you are present to our dear Lord. Read Chapter 11, Jesus your King your Royal Confidante." To the extent you are present to Jesus, you are present to everyone in the Kingdom. Return.
(18) "Good morning all you angels and saints of the Lord." Is it not fitting to say, "Good morning to all the angels and saints?" Brothers and sisters who have preceded you? Your favorite saint? Persons who have helped to make life better for you by their love for God, their ministries, their prayers, their writings, their inspirations, their laws, their examples, their intercessions, their writings, their music, their counsels? Especially the saints who have helped you along your way. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. Return.
(19) Time to begin... (Suggestion only). You are now aware more than ever before how much you are loved and the singular honor and favor you now have before God. In the beginning there may be long periods of silence, where you do not want to say things just for the sake of doing something. Fine. Wait. Your Lord the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say and when to say it. When you are prompted, awaken your being to the invitation, and in Spirit and in Truth, respond as best you can, with all of your difficulties and uncertainties. But... be honest and truthful in what you say. Return.
(20) "Father..." "Father, dearest Father, loving Father, blessed Father (as many salutations as you wish... reflect) in, with and through your beloved Son Jesus, my King (reflect), in union with Him and guided by my Lord the Holy Spirit (reflect), I happily pray with my blessed Savior for all His intentions (take this spiritual position).
Dearest Father (reflect), in union with your beloved Son and my King, I also pray for these particular intentions He has shared with me." Return.
(21) Pray for parent(s) if deceased. In Spirit and in Truth, at the foot of Christ's cross, spiritually locate your parents there with you. "Heavenly Father, in, with and through your beloved Son and my King, We pray for (name) your son and my father and (name) your daughter and my mother, whom you have called from this world. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect.
Heavenly Father, receive these prayers on their behalf, from their own hearts and their own lips. May they be blessed with your mercy and Fatherly love. May our King's love for them through His sufferings and death, protect them from all harm and separation from You. Father, with your beloved Son and our Lord the Holy Spirit, may they minister to you each day.
Father, they have loved me and raised me with all the love their hearts could give. They cared for me, nourished me, had me educated, introduced me to your creation and to your beloved Son. Father may their joy and happiness be complete in Your beloved Presence. Father, in, with and through your beloved Son Jesus, receive these prayers on their behalf.” Reflect. (Suggestion only, pray as you are inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so. Love God and your parents as you are prompted and inspired to do.) Return.
(22) Parent(s) if living. In Spirit and in Truth, at the foot of Christ's cross, spiritually locate your parents there with you. “Heavenly Father, in, with and through your beloved Son and my King, We pray for my (name) your son and my father and (name) your daughter and my mother. Father they are facing the difficulties and challenges of the years. May they never forget that your are their Father and they are your children. May their hearts always be filled with comfort and peace, knowing that your beloved Son died for them. May their sufferings be united with His, and may they share in His redemptive love for all of your children Father. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect.
Heavenly Father, receive these prayers on their behalf, from their own hearts and their own lips. May they be blessed with your loving mercy and Fatherly understanding. May our King's love for them through His sufferings and death, protect them from all harm and separation from You. Father, with your beloved Son and our Lord the Holy Spirit, may they minister to you each day.”
Dearest loving Father, please bless our particular intentions. (Here name your parent(s) identifying their special needs and difficulties.) Reflect.
"Father, they have loved me and raised me with all the love their hearts could give. They cared for me, nourished me, had me educated, introduced me to your creation and to your beloved Son. Father may their joy and happiness be complete in Your beloved Presence. Father, in, with and through your beloved Son Jesus, receive these prayers on their behalf." Reflect. (Develop as you are prompted and inspired to do so.) Return.
(23) Children. In Spirit and in Truth, gather them there with you, at the foot of Christ's cross. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. "Heavenly Father, in, with and through your beloved Son and my King, We pray for the children You have confided to us and for their families. Father, we pray for (name your children, their spouses, grandchildren one by one. and identify their special needs and/or difficulties). Take the time needed that is worthy of each heart. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. Dearest Father, may the life you have given them in your truly beautiful creation, may their learning experiences and growth enable them to meet You, to know You and to love You in, with and through your beloved Son Jesus our King. Reflect.
Loving Father, help me to be a good example for them. I have been resurrected into your beloved Son's Mystical Body, I carry on my heart the sign of His love for me. Let me be for each of them what your beloved Son is for me. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect.
Heavenly Father, receive these prayers on their behalf, from their own hearts and their own lips. May they be blessed with your loving mercy and Fatherly understanding. May our King's love for them through His sufferings and death, protect from all harm and separation from You. Father, with your beloved Son and our Lord the Holy Spirit, may they minister to you. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect.
Dearest loving Father, please bless our particular intentions. (Here, name the children or spouses or grandchildren with special needs, difficulties.) In Spirit and in Truth, at the foot of Christ's cross, locate them there with you, person by person. "Father, in, with and through your beloved Son Jesus, receive these prayers on their behalf." With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. (Suggestion only, pray as you are inspired by the Lord Holy Spirit to do so.) Return.
(24) Brothers and sisters. Heavenly Father, in, with and through your beloved Son my King, We also pray for my brothers and sisters and their families. Father We pray for (name your brothers and sisters, spouses and nephews and nieces one by one). In Spirit and in Truth, at the foot of Christ's cross, with a loving embrace locate them there with you, person by person. Dearest Father, may the life you have given them in your truly beautiful creation, may their learning experiences and growth enable them to meet You, to know You and to love You in, with and through your beloved Son Jesus our King. Father, with your beloved Son and our Lord the Holy Spirit, may they minister to you. Father, receive these prayers on their behalf, from their own hearts and their own lips. May they be blessed with your loving mercy and Fatherly understanding. May our King's love for them through His sufferings and death, protect from all harm and separation from You. Father, with your beloved Son and our Lord the Holy Spirit, may they minister to you. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect.
Dearest loving Father, please bless Our particular intentions. (Here, name brothers or sisters or nephews or nieces with special needs, difficulties.) With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. (Suggestion only, pray as you are inspired by the Lord Holy Spirit to do so.) Return.
(25) Living and deceased relatives. In Spirit and in Truth, lovingly assemble them there with you, at the foot of Christ's cross, at least those you are inspired to name. Take time to let the Lord Holy Spirit inspire you. "Heavenly Father, in, with and through your beloved Son and my King, We pray for my grandparents (names) my uncles and aunts and their children (names). Heavenly Father, receive these prayers on their behalf, from their own hearts and their own lips. May they be blessed with your loving mercy and Fatherly understanding. May our King's love for them through His sufferings and death, protect from all harm and separation from You. Father, with your beloved Son and our Lord the Holy Spirit, may they minister to you." With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. (Suggestion only, pray as you are inspired by the Lord Holy Spirit to do so.) Return.
(26) Book of prayer intentions. If you have a book of prayer intentions, in, with and through Jesus, pray for all the persons and intentions listed therein. To make the intercession more personal, read the first seven intentions. Reflect on each person individually. Next prayerful encounter, the next seven and so on. If you can, hold the book in your hand and (in, with and through Jesus) offer these intentions to your heavenly Father. Never rush... this is a Kingdom event.
In Spirit and in Truth, at the foot of Christ's cross, locate these persons there with you. "Father, in, with and through your beloved Son Jesus, receive these prayers on their behalf." (Suggestion only, pray as you are inspired by the Lord Holy Spirit to do so.) Return.
(27) Others. Take time to open your heart and your mind to the life you have lived so far. Try and recall everything from your very earliest memory. As you progress from “prayerful encounter” to “prayerful encounter” move from year to year, or event to event in your life, looking for identifying those persons who have helped you along the way. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect.
Identify persons who have "walked" with you during those years. Classmates, friends, uncles, aunts, teachers, nurses, neighbors, employers... persons who, over the years you may have forgotten to pray for... to thank... persons you may have hurt... persons you may have taken for granted, friends who may have died tragically and otherwise. Try to identify a few on each day of prayer. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. Many persons have been placed on our paths, have cared for us, have seen to our needs, have guided us through any number of hazards, giving us a hand here, pointing the way there, comforting us, standing by us, helping us take root and grow, protecting us from "worms and animals" that would have devoured us. Through these loving hearts, parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, teachers, nurses, friends and persons of goodwill, God's love watched over us, sustained us and protected us. Identify those persons through whom God has brought His love to you, and who have assisted you in reaching this point in time and in eternity. In, with and through Him you will now pray for their needs, for their salvation, for their place in God's Love, the very same Love they brought to us. In your heart, in Jesus, in the Kingdom, talk to them. Reflect and be thankful to God who has loved you so much through these hearts. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect.
Identify all those hearts who in turn have come to you for help, for your prayers. Identify all those hearts that through the grace of God you saw their needs, their difficulties, and their sufferings. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect.
It is through this glorious ministry of prayer, in, with and through Christ Jesus, that you will bring God's love to each and every one of these precious hearts. It is in this glorious ministry of prayer, that you will share in Christ's priesthood, His Kingship and His prophetic Love. Reflect.
Stop and list their names and your petitions for them in your book of prayer intentions. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect.
In Spirit and in Truth, at the foot of Christ's cross, locate them there with you, person by person. "Father, in, with and through your beloved Son Jesus, receive these prayers on their behalf." Reflect. (Suggestion only, pray as you are inspired by the Lord Holy Spirit to do so.) Return.
(28) The lonely, the sick, the dying. "Father, in, with and through your blessed Son and my King, bring your loving Presence to the lonely, the sick and the dying. What is a seriously ill person feeling? What is a lonely person feeling? What is a dying person feeling? With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. Father, may your Peace fill their hearts and renew in them, their faith and confidence in your love for them. Father, allow them to unite their sufferings with those of your beloved Son and their King, for the redemption of souls, especially their own family members." (Suggestion only, pray as you are inspired by the Lord Holy Spirit to do so.) Return.
(29) Every person on this earth. "Father, in, with and through your blessed Son and my King, I pray for every person on this earth. In your heart scan the planet. You have seen enough of the world to know who lives where. With your heart, look and see, listen and reflect. May they, in their goodwill, meet your beloved Son. May they learn to know Him and love Him. With the Lord Holy Spirit, may they minister with Him for your greater glory Father dearest. Reflect. (Suggestion only, pray as you are inspired by the Lord Holy Spirit to do so. Return.
(30) Final presentation. By now, you should have a lot of names, “persons” assembled with you at Christ's cross. With all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind, with your beloved King, and through the action of the Holy Spirit, your priestly ministry is about to begin. Reflect. Return.
(31) Closing prayer of petition, in with and through Jesus. "Heavenly Father, in, with and through your beloved Son Jesus my King, in union with my Lord the Holy Spirit, receive these prayers on behalf of each person I have gathered here in your Son's Name. Reflect. Realize what is happening. In, with and through our blessed Lord, as the Word of the Word, a new sign of Christ is ministering to God by interceding with His Son for His children... persons who have walked with us along the journey of life.) Father, receive these prayers from their own hearts and their own lips. May they be blessed with your loving mercy and Fatherly understanding. May our King's love for them through His sufferings and death, protect from all harm and separation from You. Father, with your beloved Son and our Lord the Holy Spirit, may they know You, love You and minister to you forever and ever and ever. Amen." Reflect. Return.
(32) Suggestion only. Once you have followed this format a few times, once you are familiar with this route, walk and talk with the Blessed Trinity as you are inspired by the Lord Holy Spirit to do so. There will be times when our dear Lord wants to talk to you. Great. Walk and talk with Him as you are inspired by the Lord Holy Spirit to do so. There will be times when all of your "discussions" will be on one or two (or more) of the intentions suggested. Great. Walk and talk with the Blessed Trinity as you are inspired by the Lord Holy Spirit to do so. There will be times when you have questions to ask. Great. Walk and talk with the Blessed Trinity as you are inspired by the Lord Holy Spirit to do so. Return.
Part 3 Thanksgiving.
Blessed Child of God, Apple of your Father's eye, you have spent a considerable amount of time with the Holy Trinity, your loving Mother Mary and the saints. It is fitting that each Person be thanked in prayer, with spiritual hugs and kisses, and heartfelt joy for this blessed time you were together. I leave it up to you dearest brother and sister in the Lord, to choose your own words in expressing your gratefulness to each of your loving spiritual Parents, to your Mother, and to your brothers and sisters who have helped you meet, know and love our Father, His Son our blessed Lord and the Lord Holy Spirit.
(3.1) Thank you Father. (Your loving words of thanksgiving.)
(3.2) Thank you Jesus our King. (Your loving words of thanksgiving.)
(3.3) Thank you Lord Holy Spirit. (Your loving words of thanksgiving.)
(3.4) Thank you blessed Mother Mary. (Your loving words of thanksgiving.)
(3.5) Thank you dearest guardian angel. (Your loving words of thanksgiving.)
(3.6) Thank you. all you angels and saints, in heaven and on earth. (Your loving words of thanksgiving.)
e-mail: rpoulin@magma.ca
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