Day by Day…a prayer in weakness

[St_Annes]

I thought I’d share the following, taken from “Our Franciscan Fiat,” the blog for our community of Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen.

By Sr. Christina M. Neumann

Once in a while I get “poetic” and feel drawn to express my thoughts in written verse. Tonight was such an occasion. Most often it is in the form of prayer-poems, as in the case of the musings below:

Day by Day

Dear Jesus, you know I’m weak,
That I don’t reach the good I seek.
I often fail in what I do,
And am not always true to You.

I have ideals of what I should be,
But sometimes fail quite miserably
Please give me strength, and wisdom, too,
So I can do what I should do.

I cannot make it on my own
So please, never leave me alone.
Left to myself I’m sure to fail;
But, your grace in me can prevail.

What I ask, dear Lord, today
Is that you’re with me on the way
That in my weakness, you’ll give the power
For my need, at every hour.

I am reminded of St. Paul’s words*
When his own struggle had occurred,
How You had said “my grace suffices”
And were with him in his crisis.

With You near Jesus, I too can boast
Of my weaknesses, and make the most
Of my struggles day by day
Trusting you’ll carry me on the way.

*See 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

[pollylodges]

Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†

Prayer to Our Lady of Mental Peace

O Lady of Mental Peace,
Mother of Tranquility
and Mother of Hope,
look upon St Annes in this time
of weakness and unrest.

Teach her searching heart
to know that God’s Love
for her is unchanging and
unchangeable, and, that
true human love can only
begin and grow by touching
His Love.

Let your gentle Peace -
which this world cannot give

• be always with her.
  And, help her to bring this
  same Peace into the lives
  of others.

Our Lady of Mental Peace,

• Pray for us!
  Amen.

Jesus, Help Me!

In every need let me come to You with humble trust,
saying:
Jesus, help me!
In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations:
Jesus, help me!
In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials:
Jesus, help me!
In the failure of my plans and hopes, in disappointments,
troubles and sorrows:
Jesus, help me!
When others fail me, and Your Grace alone can assist me:
Jesus, help me!
When I throw myself on Your tender Love as Savior:
Jesus, help me!
When my heart is cast down by failure, at seeing no good
come from my efforts:
Jesus, help me!
When I feel impatient, and my cross irritates me:
Jesus, help me!
When I am ill, and my head and hands cannot work and
I am lonely:
Jesus, help me!

Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls and short-
comings of every kind:
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me and never forsake me!

Amen

†

 

[tawny]

Praying with all for all.