Beloved 40 - Week 2

Offering up

 

For this second week of Lent, we would like to continue on our journey of deepening our prayer and also to consider the value of “offering up” our everyday realities.

 

Lenten Prayer for Reflection

The Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death.

I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life.

I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are not times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you.

Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life that you have prepared for me.

Amen.

Henri Nouwen, Road to Daybreak

 


Fr James Brent, O.P. on “Offer it Up” - Youtube Video

 

Turning Work Into Prayer - Meditation from St Josemaría Institute

“Each and every event of this life, without exception, must be steps which take you to God, which move you to know him and love him, to give him thanks, and to strive to make everyone else know and love him” - St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 680

 

A reminder of how you might like to start and end your prayer -

Introductory Prayer

My Lord and my God, I firmly believe that you are here; that you see me, that your hear me. I adore you with profound reverence; I ask you for pardon for my sins, and the grace to make this time of prayer fruitful. My Mother Immaculate, Saint Joseph my father and lord, my guardian angel, intercede for me.

Closing Prayer

I thank you, my God, for the good resolutions, affections and inspirations that you have communicated to me in this meditation. I ask you for help to put them into effect. My Mother Immaculate, Saint Joseph my father and lord, my guardian angel, intercede for me.