Prayer and Love

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HOW TO PRAY

Jesus taught that effective prayer must be:
Unselfish—not alone for oneself.
Believing—according to faith.
Sincere—honest of heart.
Intelligent—according to light.
Trustful—in submission to the Father’s all-wise will.

—Byron Belitsos

BECOME A MIGHTY EXPRESSION OF LOVE

Let my heart be the vessel of God’s Love.
Let my thoughts be the blossom of God’s Love.
Let my words be the expression of God’s Love.
Let my actions be the fulfillment of God’s Love.

—David Ridge

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon.

A Guide to Follow Your Path

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A GUIDE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR WAY

May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector for those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those with rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.

—Buddhist Prayer of Peace

ONLY CONNECT

A thousand fibers connect us
with our fellow men;
and among those fibers,
as sympathetic threads,
our actions run as causes,
and they come back to us as effects.

—Herman Melville

WE ARE ON THE SAME PATH

Religions are different roads
converging upon the same point.
What does it matter
that we take different roads
so long as we reach the same goal.

—Mahatma Gandhi

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Calm by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon.

Reflected Glory

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Martha Stewart is renowned for making beautiful things by carrying out steps that are often complicated. However, sometimes she has an idea that is simplicity itself. One such suggestion I recently saw is to line the edges of a garden path with pure white stones, pebbles, and shells. That way, at nightfall, “They’ll reflect the moonlight, showing you the way.”

This post is an excerpt from The Joy of Self-Care by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

Prayer for the Assistance of Virgin Mary

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O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel,
Fruit of the Vine, splendorous of Heaven.
Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.
O Star of the Sea, help me
and show herein you are my mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in my necessity.
There are none that can withstand your power,
O, show me here you are my mother.
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. Amen..

– Catholic Liturgy

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Hard Times by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

Just Ask and I’ll Be There

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And heavier came each task;
‘Why doesn’t God help me?’ I wondered.
He answered, ‘You didn’t ask.’
I wanted to see joy and beauty
But the day toiled on gray and bleak
I wondered why God didn’t show me
He said, ‘But you didn’t seek’,
I tried to come into God’s presence;
I used all my keys in the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
‘My child, you didn’t knock.’
I woke up early this morning,
And paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray.

– Author Unknown

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Hard Times by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

In Stillness, You Can Hear God

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I speak to you.
Be still Know
I am God.

I spoke to you when you were born.
Be still
Know I am God.

I spoke to you at your first sight.
Be still
Know I am God.

I spoke to you at your first word.
Be still
Know I am God.

I spoke to you at your first thought.
Be still
Know I am God.

I spoke to you at your first love.
Be still
Know I am God.

I spoke to you at your first song.
Be still
Know I am God.

– Essene Gospel of Peace

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Hard Times by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

Amazing Grace

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Amazing grace!
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.

– John Newton, 1760

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Hard Times by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

Love Thee More Dearly, And Follow Thee More Nearly

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Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
For all the benefits thou hast won for me,
For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me.

O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
For ever and ever.

– St. Richard of Chichester, 1197-1253

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Hard Times by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

Prayer for Healing

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And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain;
for the former things are passed away.

– Revelation 21:4

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Hard Times by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.

You Are Guided, Guarded, and Protected

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The light of God surrounds me;
The love of God enfolds me;
The power of God protects me;
The presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is.

– James Dillet Freeman, 1941

This post is an excerpt from Prayers for Hard Times by Becca Anderson, which can be found at Amazon and Mango Media.