Christmas will be just a few days away by the time you read this. Most of us (hopefully!) have almost completed our shopping, decorating and the million and one things we need to do to prepare for this occasion.
At this time, we are all looking forward to sharing the joy of the season with our loved ones. This would probably include partaking of the Noche Buena feast and hearing mass or attending a prayer service with them.
After all, apart from celebrating the birth of Christ, expressing our love and goodwill to one another is the essence of Christmas.
However, it would also be good to get away from the hustle and bustle this season inevitably brings. Spend some time alone.
Reflect on what the past year was like and thank God for the many blessings He so generously bestowed on you.
Several readers have been kind enough to tell me that they truly appreciate my articles, especially the ones on prayer.
Thus, I am sharing another set of prayers from my collection. I wish you all a joyful Christmas and even more blessings in the coming year!
Prayer for the Family
by Pope John Paul II
Lord God, from you every family in heaven and on earth takes it name. Father, you are Love and Life. Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, fountain of divine charity, grant that every family on Earth may become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love. Grant that Your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families in the world.
Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love.
Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of marriage, may prove mightier than all the weakness and trials through which our families sometimes pass.
Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family. Through Christ our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life for ever and ever. Amen.
A Confession of the Prosperous Life
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I confess that Your Word reigns over every area of my life. Because of that, I live a prosperous life. I thank You that You liberally supply and fill to the fullest measure every need according to Your riches in Christ Jesus.
According to Deuteronomy 8:18, You give the power to get wealth in order to establish Your covenant. So as an act of faith, I receive that power to work in my life.
I confess before You that I am a giver. As I give abundantly of my increase, I know that You will make all grace, every favor and earthly blessing, come to me in abundance so that I am always, under all circumstances and whatever the need, totally self-sufficient, possessing enough to require no aid or support, and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation.
Father, I thank You that Your angels are free to minister for me and bring in the necessary finances so that I can continue to be generous to Your work.
It is written that Your angels have been sent to minister for heirs of salvation, so I loose them now to work in my behalf.
I confess today that I am redeemed from the curse of poverty. I resist lack and say that it has no place in me: The Lord is my shepherd and I do not want. Abundance is mine. Success is mine. The blessings of the Lord are mine. I confess it and thank You for it, in Jesus Name.
A Prayer of Healing
Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to You. Allow Your healing hand to heal me.
Touch my soul with Your compassion for others. Touch my heart with your courage and infinite love for all. Touch my mind with Your wisdom, that my mouth may always proclaim Your praise.
Teach me to reach out to you and help me to lead others to You. Most loving Heart of Jesus, bless me with health of body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength. Touch gently this life which you have created, now and forever. Amen.
The Miracle Prayer
Lord Jesus, I come before You, just as I am. I am sorry for my sins and repent of them.
Please forgive me. In Your name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirit and all their works. I give you my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever.
I invite You into my life. Jesus, I adore You as my Lord, God and Savior: Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul and spirit. Come Lord Jesus, cover me with Your precious blood, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit.
I love You, Lord Jesus. I shall follow You everyday of my life. Amen.
Mary, my Mother, Queen of Peace, all the Angels and Saints, please intercede for and stay with me. Amen.
The author lives in Ontario with her family. You can write her at mpmsl2002@yahoo.com.