by: Laura Tinney
Create in me a clean heart, open and receptive, so that I may embrace the many ways you choose to visit my life.
Create in me a clean heart, cleared of the refuse of old battles with others and deadly opposition with myself.
Create in me a clean heart, purified through the daily disruptions and the life encounters that take me beyond my grasping control and ego-centeredness.
Create in me a clean heart, freed from the clutter of cultural enticements, so that I can enjoy the beauty of life’s simple things and relish the gifts I easily take for granted.
Create in me a clean heart, bathed from harsh thoughts, shame, and perfectionistic tendencies, warmly welcoming others with the embrace of nonjudgement.
Create in me a clean heart, brushed free of frantic busy-ness, so that I will have time to dwell with you in the listening space of solitude and silence.
Create in me a clean heart, rinsed of the residue of false messages about my identity, enabling inner goodness and light to shine through all I am and do.
Create in me a clean heart, cleansed of anxiety and lack of trust, restoring in me an enduring faith in your abiding presence and unconditional love.
Create in me a clean heart, scrubbed of racism and prejudice, drawing me toward all as my sisters and brothers.
Create in me a clean heart, washed with your mercy and strengthened by your love, helping me move beyond whatever keeps me from union with you. Amen
(From the book Out of the Ordinary by Joyce Rupp, p. 115.)by: Chris Grimm
Dear Lord,
In you infinite wisdom
You sometimes give and take more that we can bear,
Sometimes Lord, for whatever reason, you take our children.
Please Lord,
Look over the mothers and fathers,
The brothers and sisters,
The grandfathers and grandmothers.
Please Lord, Look over
The aunts and uncles,
The friends and families
Who are left behind.
Please Lord, Comfort us
Look over us
And even though we will never understand Lord,
Help us to accept your will.
We pray in your name.
Amen.