Prayer Book For Lent. Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel

Transcription

1 Prayer Book For Lent Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel

2 LENT WEEK ONE Ash Wednesday During Lent the Church asks us to think about our lives and try to become more loving, more thoughtful, more compassionate. Sometimes we think about giving up things, like sweets, chocolate or biscuits. We call this kind of giving up FASTING. Let us now listen to what the Prophet Isaiah has to say about this: A reading from the Prophet Isaiah: This is the fast I want, says the Lord. Untie the ropes of injustice. Free those who are oppressed. Share your bread with the hungry. Shelter the homeless. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear. Be loyal to members of your family. Then your light will shine like the dawn. Then you will call and the Lord will answer. You will call for help and the Lord will say, Here I am. Let us pause for a few moments to think what we could do for Lent to make our homes and our school more loving. Let us pray Father, your love for us is new and strong every day in our lives. Help us to receive this love into our lives. May your love grow within us this Lent so that we may give time to prayer and to helping other people. We make this prayer to Christ our Lord. Thursday During Lent the Church asks us to pray. Praying is simply talking to God and spending time with him. When his disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, this was his reply, In your prayers, do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So pray like this:

3 Our Father in heaven, May your name be held holy, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we have forgiven those who are in debt to us. And do not put us to the test, But save us from the evil one. In this prayer we ask God to be with us so that we can make wise choices, we ask him to take care of our daily needs, to forgive us when we have been selfish and to make us strong to choose the right thing so that our lives will be good and holy. Let us pray Lord, remind us to pray the Our Father often. Be with us this Lent, Show us how to walk in your light and to always follow you. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

4 Friday In this first week of Lent, let us turn our thoughts to other people, especially those in need, and ask the Lord to help them. The response is; LORD IN YOUR MERCY, HEAR OUR PRAYER We pray for our families, our parents, brothers and sisters. May God bless them, especially any who are in trouble at the moment, We pray to the Lord, We pray for people who have very little confidence in themselves, especially those who turn to drugs to find their self worth. We pray to the Lord, We pray to those out of work, especially young people, that they may not be too discouraged and that they will soon find worthwhile employment. We pray to the Lord, We pray to all who have died, people who we know, those of our family, and all who die unmourned, unloved and unremembered, that the Lord will receive them into his eternal care. We pray to the Lord, We ask Mary our Mother to pray with us and for us as we all say, HAIL MARY.. Let us pray God our Father, hear our prayers which we make in faith, in hope, and in love, through Jesus Christ our Lord..

5 WEEK TWO Monday During Lent the Church asks us to try to be a bit more forgiving. Let us listen to what Jesus has to say, Jesus said, Be merciful as your Father is merciful. Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not blame and you will not be blamed. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Let us take a few moments to reflect on this reading. What would our world be like, our neighbourhood, our school if everyone stopped blaming and judging others? What might life be like if, instead of bearing grudges and looking for revenge, we forgave those who hurt us? Let us pray Lord, we ask your forgiveness for all our sins. LORD HAVE MERCY Christ, we turn our hearts towards you. CHRIST HAVE MERCY Lord, we ask your blessing on us during Lent. LORD HAVE MERCY Father, hear our prayer. May we become more like Christ your Son, who is Lord for ever and ever. Tuesday If you had to think of three words to describe your family what would they be? The responses to this question, are of course, wide and varied, but also telling and revealing. Many would say words like: loving, friendly and fun ; others would use words like empty, lonely and difficult. We all belong to a family in whatever form this may be. The family is the place in which we also learn to live holy lives. No matter what kind of home we belong to, we can each make our homes places of love: a place where we value each other and seek to follow Jesus. Heavenly Father, teach me to be a prophet of love in my own home.

6 Wednesday Lent is a time for forgiveness. We can be sure that God wants to forgive us and help us make a new start. But we also have to look at the way we forgive others. Let us listen to what Jesus says. He uses a parable to illustrate this point. Jesus said, The kingdom of heaven is like a King who settled accounts with his workers. One owed him a million pounds. He pleaded with the King, have patience with me and I will pay you everything. The King felt sorry for him and told the worker to forget all about the money. Later on, this worker saw a man who owed him one hundred pounds. He grabbed the man and said, pay what you owe. The people told the King about this. The King sent for the worker and said, How wicked you are! I forgave you a huge debt. You too should have had mercy on your friend! Then the King put the worker in prison. And Jesus said, My heavenly Father will treat you in the same way if you do not forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart. Let us pray Father, help us to forgive those who have hurt us. Help us to look at them with new eyes and to forget all about how they have wounded us. Give us the strength and courage to let go of all our grudges and to start again, so that this Lent may be a time when we become more and more like your Son Jesus who is Lord, for ever and ever. Thursday Lent is the time when we try to change and become more like Jesus, so that we can make our world a better place, a world filled with love and peace. Let us pray Jesus, help me be more like you. Help me never to speak an angry or a cruel word, and never to do a hurting or a wounding deed. Help me to be as careful of the feelings of others as I would wish them to be of mine. Make me specially gentle and thoughtful to those who are sick, sad, old, weak and easily hurt. Jesus, may your love shine brightly in my life so that all those whom I meet today may be touched by it and feel your kindness and caring.

7 Friday We remember in Lent that our faults can lead us away from God, and also make us selfish, forgetting about the needs of others. We think for a moment about our own lives and we ask God s forgiveness. For the times when we have thought only about ourselves and our own needs. LORD HAVE MERCY For the times we have neglected to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and clothe the naked. CHRIST HAVE MERCY For the times we have been insensitive to the sorrows and sufferings of others. LORD HAVE MERCY Let us pray Father in Heaven, The light of your truth gives sight to the darkness of sin. May this season of Lent bring us the blessing of your forgiveness and may we change our ways and reach out more to others, Grant this through Christ our Lord.

8 WEEK THREE Monday Today we use a prayer from Nicaragua which reminds us that during Lent we must reach out and try to help others. If the hunger of others is not my own, If the anguish of my neighbour in all its forms touches me not, if the nakedness of my brothers and sisters does not torment me, then I have no reason to go to Church and live. Life is this: To love one s neighbour as oneself, this is the commandment of God Love means deeds, not good wishes. For this reason I commit myself to working for the needs of my brothers and sisters. Tuesday An old Chinese proverb says, Whoever opts for revenge should dig two graves. Have you ever thought, I ll never forgive them for what they ve done to me? When we refuse to forgive or choose to hold on to resentments or old hurts we actually hurt ourselves. Things said in the heat of the moment, mistakes made and misunderstandings all contribute to a culture which nurses resentment and holds on to bitterness. We can break this cycle by asking God for his grace to help us to let go of resentment and forgive. Father, I believe in the miracle of forgiveness. I let go of any resentment and ask for God s blessing on all who have sinned against me.

9 Wednesday During Lent we try to change and to become more like Jesus who went about doing good and helping others. We make this our prayer for today. O God our Father, help us all through today so to live that we may bring help to others, credit to ourselves and to the name we bear, and joy to those who love us. Help us to be, Cheerful when things go wrong; Persevering when things are difficult; Serene when things are irritating. Enable us to be, Helpful to those in difficulties; Kind to those in need; Sympathetic to those whose hearts are sore and sad. Grant that Nothing may make us lose our tempers; Nothing may take away our joy; Nothing may ruffle our peace; Nothing may make us bitter towards any person. So that all through this day, all with whom we work, and all those whom we meet may see us in the reflection of Jesus. Thursday In Lent we are asked to think less about ourselves and more about others. We are asked to do Good Works. We remember that when we help others we are helping Jesus Himself. It is as if Jesus says to us I was hungry. Did you give me food? I was thirsty. Did you give me something to drink? I was a stranger. Did you welcome me? I was naked. Did you clothe me? I was ill. Did you care for me? I was in prison. Did you visit me? We pause for a minute to reflect on how we help others and what we could do today. We pray together. Lord Jesus Christ, be with all those who are in need. Help us to think less about ourselves and to find ways to do good to those around us. Help all of us to keep a good and holy Lent.

10 Friday Today, let us ask Jesus to be with us, to send his spirit into us so that we could become more like Him and reach out to people this Lent. Lord Jesus, help me to walk with you all through today. Give me today Something of the wisdom that was in your words; Something of the love that was in your heart; Something of the help that was in your hands. Give me today Something of your patience with people; Something of your ability to forgive. Help me to live in such a way today that others may know that I began the day with you and that I am walking with you. This I ask for your love s sake. (William Barclay)

11 WEEK FOUR Monday Lent is the season of conversion, we are asked to change our lives in some way so that the love and kindness of Jesus can shine through us. Change is not always easy, but with the help of the Holy Spirit it is possible. Let us spend a few moments thinking about what we would like to change in ourselves during this Lent, so that our class and our school might be a more loving place. O God, help me to use today as you would wish me to use it. Don t let me waste my time today. Help me always to know what I ought to be doing, and to do it. Don t let me miss my opportunities today opportunities to learn something new, opportunities to help someone in difficulty, opportunities to show those who love me that I love them, opportunities to make myself a little better and a little wiser than I am. Don t let me quarrel with anyone today; no matter what happens, help me to keep my temper. Don t let myself down today, and don t let me hurt or disappoint those who love me. All through today don t let me forget Jesus, so that all through today I may try to make everything I do fit for him to see, and everything I say fit for him to hear. All this I ask for your love s sake. (William Barclay) Tuesday The media understand human weakness. They strike where we are vulnerable, weak and exposed. We all have desires which are so strong luxurious food, sex, money, wealth and power. To be human is to know the storm of temptations. Jesus was familiar with the lure of temptation and was tempted just as we are. We often think that God is far from us during times of testing and temptation. We can easily feel weak, dejected, overwhelmed and isolated. In fact, God is very close to us and his Holy Spirit gives strength and courage to resist temptations and to seek forgiveness when we fall. Lord Jesus Christ, you give us the strength and courage to resist temptation. Give your light to brighten the darkness of our lives and show us the gifts of your love.

12 Wednesday Lent is a time for personal reflection. It is a time to examine our own lives in order to deepen our relationship with God. An examination of conscience helps us to reflect on our own lives. Do we see clearly our relationship with God? Do we pray frequently and share in the Church s liturgy? Do we see clearly our relationship with our family? Do we honour our mother and father, love them and obey them? Do we see clearly our relationships at school? Are we mean, unhelpful, selfish or resentful? Do we see clearly our relationships with neighbours and friends? Do we take time and trouble to help those in need or distress? Do we see clearly our relationships with those in need? Do we try to learn more about the problems of the developing world? We pray for ourselves, that we may see clearly our role in God s plan and embrace it whole-heartedly. Thursday Lent is about conversion changing ourselves to be more like Jesus. Jesus was a man of peace he loved and accepted everybody. Let us pray today to be more like him: Dear Father in heaven, let us be peacemakers: more ready to call people friends than enemies more ready to trust than mistrust more ready to love than to hate more ready to respect than despise more ready to serve than to be served more ready to absorb evil than to pass it on. Dear Father in heaven, let us be more like Christ.

13 Friday Lent is a time to think of others and how we can help them. We pray for people all over the world who are hungry; help us to use all the resources of the world to feed them. Lord Hear Us. We pray for people who have no homes; we pray that the space of the world be equally shared so that all have shelter. Lord Hear Us. We pray for those who work in the service of life; for doctors, nurses, hospital staff, especially in parts of the world where illness occurs through neglect of life and lack of food and water. Lord Hear Us We pray for people who suffer through violence; especially the old who live in fear and those who are without father or mother through war and violence. Lord Hear Us. We ask Mary our Mother to pray with us and for us, especially that we would be more willing to give something to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Hail Mary We pray together, Father, make us sensitive to those who are needy and in need of our help. During this Lent, may we share something with them. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your son.

14 WEEK FIVE For hundreds of years the followers of Jesus have held a service called THE WAY OF THE CROSS. They have imagined themselves following Jesus on his last journey to his death and stopping at various places on the way to think about Jesus. In these last two weeks before Easter, we will walk with Jesus on the road to his death. Each day we will begin with the prayer: WE ADORE YOU, O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU, BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD. Monday Jesus is crowned with thorns ALL: WE ADORE YOU, O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU, BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD. Jesus was taken before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. Pilate knew he was innocent but he was afraid of the crowd who were shouting for the death of Jesus. So Pilate gave in. He had Jesus flogged, then turned him over to the soldiers. They made a crown out of thorns and pressed it on his head. They made fun of him and slapped him on the face. Long live the King they kept shouting. Jesus suffers. The soldiers make fun of him and they hurt him physically too. Which is worse? How many times have we bullied other people, made fun of them or ganged up with others to hurt someone else? Let us remember the sufferings of Jesus and ask forgiveness. Let us pray Jesus, forgive us for the times we have hurt others by our words or by our actions. And if it sometimes happens to us, we pray that it might be a bit easier to bear, knowing that you have suffered in the same way.

15 Tuesday Jesus falls under the weight of the cross ALL: WE ADORE YOU, O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU, BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD. The soldiers made Jesus carry his own cross. It was too heavy for him so he fell. Three times he fell under the weight of the cross. The soldiers kicked him and bludgeoned him and he struggled to his feet. How many times have we given up just because things were difficult. How many times have we refused to do something good just because we didn t feel like doing it. Jesus kept going until the end. We pray together Lord Jesus, sometimes people are crushed under the cross of their own suffering it just seems all too much for them. Teach me not to walk by, but to help them. Never let me be like one of the soldiers knocking a person when he is down. And when my own cross seems to be too much, help me to remember that you understand and that in fact, you carry it with me. Wednesday Jesus meets his mother ALL: WE ADORE YOU, O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU, BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD. When Jesus and his mother, Mary, met on the road to Calvary, their hearts were filled with sorrow. Their sorrow is shared today by the mothers and sons of all the war-torn nations of the world. We pray together Lord Jesus, it must have hurt you to see your own mother weeping so pitifully for you, her only son. Help us always to be a comfort to our own mothers as you were to Mary.

16 Thursday Simon helps Jesus carry his cross ALL: WE ADORE YOU, O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU, BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD. Simon didn t choose to help Jesus with the cross. The soldiers made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. We pray together Lord Jesus, no one wanted to help you when you weakened under the weight of the cross. Help us to always be willing to help others and share the burden of their problems when we are called to their side. Friday Veronica wipes the face of Jesus ALL: WE ADORE YOU, O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU, BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD In short, Jesus looked so disfigured and ugly, no one wanted to look at him or be near him. He was mocked and rejected by the in crowd of his day. Veronica didn t care what they said; she saw through Jesus appearance to his true beauty and treated him with compassion. Television, movies, and videos give us false images of what people should look like and how they should act. We strive to achieve this look to perfection. We also judge others when they fail to do so. We have a lot to learn from Veronica s love and compassion. We have much to learn from Jesus. We pray together Lord, who printed the image of your face on a white linen cloth, print your image in our hearts so we carry it always within us.

17 HOLY WEEK - WEEK SIX Monday Jesus speaks to the women and children ALL: WE ADORE YOU, O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU, BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD. Jesus stopped on his sorrowful journey to speak to the women and children of Jerusalem. Jesus said to them, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. Jesus knows that there will be many times when despairing women will weep for their hungry children. How long must they suffer? We pray together Lord Jesus, even in your agony you were moved by the sorrow and suffering of others. Help us to see the needs of those around us. Teach us to be more generous to those who need our help.

18 Tuesday Jesus is stripped and nailed to the cross ALL: WE ADORE YOU, O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU, BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD. When they reached Calvary, the soldiers stripped Jesus and they drove huge nails into his hands and feet. The cross is slowly raised. The pain increases for Jesus. As he hangs there, naked, there is nothing more to come now but a cruel death. Clothes are a big part of our lives. We insist on having the right clothes. Jesus, in front of a large crowd of people was stripped of the comfort and security of his clothes. How must he have felt? And then he was raised on the cross, so that all who stood there could watch him as he died slowly. We pray together, Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we have cared more for good clothes than for good people. Help us never to value designer labels more than the needs of others. And keep us from standing by, doing nothing, or saying nothing to help, when we see others suffer. Teach us how to follow you.

19 Wednesday Jesus dies on the Cross ALL: WE ADORE YOU, O CHRIST, AND WE BLESS YOU, BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD. There was a great darkness over all the earth. Jesus was hanging there in agony. People still jeered at him and laughed at him. His only comfort was the presence of his mother and a few of his closest friends. He kept on praying, Father, I put my whole life in your hands. And with these words, he died. Death comes to all of us. No one can avoid it. Jesus died. And now, after all the suffering and torment, he is at peace. The spectators are silenced now, and his friends and his mother weep for him. We pray together Lord Jesus, you have given your life for us, and through this gift we will have life. We thank you for the gift of yourself. Give us the strength to live our lives in the service of others as you did. Help us never to walk away from painful situations and from the people in them. Give us the grace to forgive those who hurt us.

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