Teach Me Your Ways

Teach me your way of looking at people:
as you glanced at Peter after his denial,
as you penetrated the heart of the rich young man
and the hearts of your disciples.
I would like to meet you as you really are,
since your image changes those with whom you
     come into contact.
Remember John the Baptist’s first meeting with you?
And the centurion’s feeling of unworthiness?
And the amazement of all those who saw miracles
     and other wonders?
How you impressed your disciples,
the rabble in the Garden of Olives,
Pilate and his wife
and the centurion at the foot of the cross. . . .
I would like to hear and be impressed
by your manner of speaking,
listening, for example, to your discourse in the
     synagogue in Capharnaum
or the Sermon on the Mount where your audience
     felt you “taught as one who has authority.”

Pedro Arrupe, SJ

Day for Life Prayer 

I thank you Lord for the precious gift of my body.
Whatever its strengths or limitations;
whatever it brings me in terms of joy or suffering,
help me always to see it as your gift.
As I run the race of life, help me to have a healthy attitude to my body
and a reverence for its part in my eternal future.
Help me to give glory to you by treating my body and the body of others,
with care and respect.
As I marvel at the wonder of your creation,
may the whole human family work together to protect creation
and especially the precious gift of human life, from conception to natural death.
Enable us by your grace to promote the well-being and dignity of every person,
serving you and the gospel of life in a spirit of generosity, faith and love,
through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Bishops Conference of England and Wales 

Prayer of St Thomas More

O Lord,
give us a mind that is humble, quiet, peaceable,
patient and charitable,
and a taste of your Holy Spirit
in all our thoughts, words and deeds.
O Lord,
give us a lively faith, a firm hope, a fervent charity,
a love of you.
Take from us all lukewarmness in meditation,
and all dullness in prayer.
Give us fervour and delight in thinking of you,
your grace, and your tender compassion toward us.
Give us, good Lord,
the grace to work for
the things we pray for.
Amen.

St Thomas More (1478 - 1535) 

Prayer before Examinations
 
Lord, as I prepare for this examination,
let your strength and your wisdom be present to me.
May I revise my work thoroughly.
May I understand what it is I have to know.
May my memory be reliable and orderly.
May I be calm and focused on the task ahead.
May I know and feel the love and support of my family and friends.
And may you, the author and creator of all things, enlighten me.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Adrian Porter SJ

Before the Day’s Work 

Lord, as we go to our work this day,
help us to take pleasure therein.
Show us clearly what our duty is,
help us to be faithful in doing it.
May all we do be well done, fit for thine eye to see.
Give us enthusiasm to attempt, patience to perform.
When we cannot love our work,
may we think of it as thy task,
and make what is unlovely beautiful through loving service,
for thy name’s sake. Amen

George Dawson 1821-76

Prayer for Generosity

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve,
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labor and not to seek reward,
Except that of knowing that I do your will.
Amen.


St. Ignatius Loyola

Draw Me into Your Friendship

Lord Jesus, from the start

You invite ordinary people to come to where you live.

When they come, you welcome them and call them to labor and rejoice with you.  You are the most beautiful among all men, and I hardly believe you want me for your friend. You are powerful Lord.  Draw me more and more into your friendship and lead me along the way you took with friends.

-Joseph Tetlow, SJ