Tag: forgiveness

Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary, the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne.

Look with love on grandparents the world over. Protect them! They are source of enrichment for families, for the church and of all society.

Support them! As they grow older, may they continue to be for the family, strong pillars of gospel faith, Guardian of Noble domestic ideals, living, treasuries of sound religious traditions.

Make them teachers of wisdom and courage, that they may pass on to future generation the fruit of their mature human and spiritual experience.

Lord Jesus, help families and society to value the presence and roles of grandparents. May they never be ignored or excluded, but always encounter respect and love.

Help them to live serenely and to feel welcomed in all the years of life which you give them.

Mary, Mother of all living, keep grandparents constantly in your care, accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage, and by your prayers, Grant at all families, may one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland, where you await all humanity with the great embrace to live with that end. Amen. Pope Benedict. XVI (1927-)

The Lord created you just the way you are, inside and outside. He formed and shaped you when you were still in your mother’s womb. He designed you with a special purpose. You are wonderful just the way you are. And never forget. God has incredible plans for your life. Plans for success, not failure…plans to fill you with hope and excitement for your future. Paraphrase from Psalm 139:13-14 and Jeremiah 29:11

Almighty God, you know what it is like to be both Mother and Father to us all.

We ask you, the source and sustainer of all life, to bless these parents in the role you have set before them.

Get their lips with the wisdom to speak the truth so it can be heard.

Gift their ears with sensitivity as they listen to the needs of their children.

Gift their souls with the faith radiating your ultimate presence and their life.

Gift their minds with patience and understanding to handle the changing needs and demands place before them each day.

Guide our hearts as they seek out and reconcile the areas of conflict and pain that may exist.

And through all these, may your abundant blessings continue to affirm and support all they do as parents.

We asked this blessing upon each of them, in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. – A prayer for world youth day.

Almighty God,

We ask your blessings upon our young people, gathered here. You have gifted each one of them in a special and unique way. May they come to know, and share the wonder, and all that lives within them as they grow and wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of you.

Guide and sustain them as they discern your invitation to your discipleship.

Bless their openness and enthusiasm and allow their questions to enliven and challenge us as a community of believers gathered to do your will.

Strengthen and support the many good works they do. Challenge and provoke them along their journey of faith so they may help lead church into the possibilities of tomorrow.

In all these things, we ask your blessings upon them this day, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen. – A Prayer for World Youth Day

Always remember to forget the things that made you sad. But never forget to remember the things that made you glad. Always remember to forget the friends that prove untrue. But never forget to remember those who have stuck by you. Always remember to forget the troubles that passed away. But never forget to remember the blessings that come each day. -Traditional Irish Blessing.

O Lord, our Heavenly Father, I and mighty King of kings, and Lord of the lords, who dost from your throne, behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest in the power supreme and uncontrolled over all Kingdoms, Empires, and governments; look down your mercy, we beseech Thee, on these are American states, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on your gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on thee.

To Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which thou alone canst give. Take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under your nurturing care; give them wisdom and Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their cause, and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, O, let thy the voice of Thy own on unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle!

Be thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectively restored, and truth and justice, religion, piety, prevail, and flourish among the people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come.

All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Your Son and our Savior. Amen – Reverend Jacob Duche (1737-1798), Rector of Christ Church of Philadelphia, First prayer of the Continental Congress, 1774

This week’s biblical lesson is based on a blessing I wrote titled, “Trinitarian Blessing.” May the grace of the Father who calls, the love of the Son who redeems, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit who sustains, be with you now and always. Amen 🙏

Key Scripture Passages

• Grace of the Father who calls  2 Timothy 1:9 – “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace.” The Father’s grace is the initiating love that calls us into relationship. It reminds us that our journey begins not with our effort, but with God’s invitation.
• Love of the Son who redeems  Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The Son’s redeeming love is the heart of the gospel. Jesus redeems us through His sacrifice, showing that divine love is not abstract but embodied in self-giving.
• Fellowship of the Holy Spirit who sustains  2 Corinthians 13:14 – “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” The Spirit sustains us daily, empowering us to live faithfully, guiding us into truth, and binding us together in community.

Reflection

This blessing teaches us that the Christian life is Trinitarian at its core:

• The Father’s grace reminds us that we are chosen and called.
• The Son’s love assures us that redemption is complete and secure.
• The Spirit’s fellowship sustains us in the present, making God’s presence real and active in our lives.

Together, this blessing is not just a prayer—it is a pattern for living. It calls us to recognize that every step of our journey is held within the embrace of the Triune God.

Application

• Respond to the Father’s call – Live with gratitude, knowing your life is rooted in His grace.
• Rest in the Son’s redemption – Let Christ’s love free you from guilt and empower you to love others.
• Rely on the Spirit’s fellowship – Seek His guidance in prayer, community, and daily decisions.

Illustration

Think of the Trinity as a threefold cord (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Each strand—Father, Son, and Spirit—wraps around us, holding us secure. Alone, we are fragile; but bound in divine grace, love, and fellowship, we are sustained and strengthened.

Prayer

Holy Trinity, We thank You for the grace of the Father who calls, the love of the Son who redeems, and the fellowship of the Spirit who sustains.

Teach us to live in this blessing daily— to hear Your call, to rest in Your love, and to walk in Your sustaining presence.

May our lives reflect Your unity and joy, and may we be a blessing to others as You have blessed us.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen. 💕✌️🙏

I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over will neither slumber nor sleep.

The watches over you – the Lord is your shade at you right hand; the sun will not harm you day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch your coming and going both now and forevermore. – Psalm 121, NIV

O Lord God, Almighty, Father of the angels and men, we praise and bless your holy name for all your goodness and loving kindness to humanity.

We bless you for our creation, preservation, and for your increasing generosity to us throughout our lives.

But above all, we bless you for your great love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ.

We bless you for bringing us safe to the beginning of a new day. Grant at this day we fall into no sin, either run into any kind of danger.

Keep us, we pray, from all things hurtful to body or soul, and grant us your pardon in peace, so that, being cleansed from all our sins, we might serve you with quiet hearts and minds, and continue to do the same until our lives end, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and redeemer. – John Wesley (1703-1791) British evangelist, author, reformer, and father of the Methodist Movement