PRAYER FOR RESTLESS DISCOMFORT

May God bless you with discontent with easy answers, half truths, superficial relationships, so that you will live from deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, abuse, and exploitation of people, so that you will work for justice, equality, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them and to change their pain to joy.

May God bless you with the foolishness to think you can make a difference in this world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.

If you have the courage to accept these blessings, then God will also bless you with
      happiness—because you will know that you have made life better for others.
      inner peace—because you will have worked to     secure an outer peace for others.
      laughter—because your heart will be light.
      faithful friends—because they will recognize your worth as a person.

These blessings are yours—not for the asking, but for the giving—from One who wants to be your companion, our God, who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen.

Sister Ruth Fox, OSB
Sacred Heart Monastery
Richardton, ND

THE SHIP OF LIFE PRAYER

“Steer the ship of my life, good Lord, to your quiet harbour, where I can be safe from the storms of sin and conflict. Show me the course I should take. Renew in me the gift of discernment, so that I can always see the right direction in which I should go. And give me the strength and the courage to choose the right course, even when the sea is rough and the waves are high, knowing that through enduring hardship and danger in your name we shall find comfort and peace.” ~ ~ ~ St. Basil of Caesarea.

Too Busy to be at Peace?

It is ironic that during the Christmas season we talk about and sing songs about "Peace on earth," yet there is no busier, frustrating and anxiety-filled time of the year. We have so much to do, so many places to go, so many people to see. With all the commotion we just don't have time to fit this "peace stuff" into our schedule. We say, "I'll sure be glad when the holidays are over so I can rest up."

If you can relate to that and are looking for a little peace in your life, you might want to consider what Thomas a Kempis called "Four Things That Bring Peace to the Soul," or, "The Truest Way of Peace and Perfect Liberty."

1. Study [or endeavor] to fulfill another man's will rather than your own.
2. Choose to have little worldly riches rather than much.
3. Seek the lowest place and desire to be under others rather than above them.
4. Desire always and pray that the will of God may be wholly done in you.

Let's see now. We have: servanthood, self-denial, humility and surrender to God. If that is what brings peace to our souls, no wonder why so many lack it. This is, simply and far too often, contrary to the way we choose to live our lives.

May you take the necessary steps to know, experience and live in the peace of God as you enter the New Year!