retreat in time of sorrow

Reflection

forget me notNow is the time to draw close to your loving God. Prayer is not an intellectual process, it is a movement of the heart. You have thought enough. Now is the time to be quiet. Gently tell God who is deep in your heart how hard it has been. How much you hurt. Then listen to our God who loves you beyond your wildest dreams. Ask him to give you grace and courage to go on knowing God is with you. When you are ready, pray the following wonderful psalm.

Concluding Prayer

Dear Lord,
as I begin this prayer I am asking for two gifts, two insights:
first, that I accept all that happens
as part of the journey to my heavenly home;
and second, that I believe you are with me at every step,
supporting and loving me.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You discern my thoughts from far away;
You search out my path and my lying down
And are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue
O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before
And lay your hand on me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is so high that I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to the heaven, you are there.
If I take wings of the morning
And settle at the farthest limit of the seas
Even there your hand shall lead me
And your right hand shall hold me fast.
If I say " Surely the darkness
shall cover me
and the light around me
become night,"
even the darkness is not dark to you --
the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139

Recommended Reading

Scripture

Books

Links
  • Ephesians 3:20 and 4:13
  • II Corinthians: 3:5 & 4:7
  • Psalms: 8,18,23,27,96,104,116
  • Confidence in God
  • Thich Nhat Hanh,
    Peace is Every Step

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