T
Timbothefiveth
Guest
How do I develop more charity? So far I’ve doing more small favors, but I don’t think it’s enough. Are there any special prayers for charity?
Thanks.
Thanks.
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A
aspirant
Guest
That’s not a bad start at all. The “sacrifice beads” of St. Therese of Lisieux are based on this: “a string of beads… to count their acts of self-denial.” Blessed Teresa of Calcutta recommended starting with smiling more:
“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
“Peace begins with a smile.”
“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”
“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.”
Personally, I find that listening to other people more is very helpful.
Look for opportunities throughout your day to perform corporal or spiritual works of mercy.
The “Act of Charity” is a popular one: “O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.”
One of the first Hail Marys on the Rosary is a prayer for an increase of charity.
J
JRKH
Guest
Small favors are most often the best ones.
Do everything with Love. (Mother Theresa of Calcutta)
Do small things with great Love (St Therese of Liseaux)
Also remember the widows mite. A small coin that meant more to God than the bags of the rich.
As you do more acts of charity, you will see more to do and this is normal. However you need to be careful so that you do not fins yourself strung out in too many directions trying to do too much.
Continue with your small acts and pray for God to guide you into those areas that will truly fulfill His will for you.
How about the prayer of St Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, your pardon Lord;
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you;
O Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Also I use the one in my signature often.
Peace
James
J
JaredR
Guest
Treat everyone you meet like Christ. When someone is telling you a story and you are not particularly interested, listen anyway and listen attentively–because you are listening to Christ. When someone wrongs you (i.e., someone cuts you off on the road), give them the benefit of the doubt like you would give yourself.
Small favors is a good start. We can do spiritual favors too. Send up little prayers like “Jesus, bless this person and help them realize their potential in You” for people you see (familiars and strangers).
Another thing you can do is spend a few minutes every day here on the prayer requests forum. Praying for others is a spiritual work of mercy.
It’s great that you want to be more charitable. If I never failed in charity, my life would be filled with much more joy!
Small favors is a good start. We can do spiritual favors too. Send up little prayers like “Jesus, bless this person and help them realize their potential in You” for people you see (familiars and strangers).
Another thing you can do is spend a few minutes every day here on the prayer requests forum. Praying for others is a spiritual work of mercy.
It’s great that you want to be more charitable. If I never failed in charity, my life would be filled with much more joy!
M
Monica4316
Guest
great ideas here! 
G
glenaitken
Guest
continue to do small things with great love- this is st there’s “little way”. the point is not how many things you do or how great the thing is that you’re doing, the most important part of developing charity is love for God and neighbor. do the little things with great love and you will do enough.
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