Here are two prayers that I will use and reflect on more and the new year begins. I am sure they are familiar to you. I begin this year with a determined purpose to reflect on these words and pray that I will be inspired and others will see the change in me. I ask for your prayers for me to make this happen.
The first is a tradition Franciscan benediction. I do not know the source, but these words resonate with me especially after the year the we just had.
"May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
And the Blessing of God, who Creates, Redeems and Sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forever more. Amen."
The second prayer is very familiar to all Franciscans and I think it is a good compliment to this benediction. It is the Prayer of St. Francis.
"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console,
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."
May God bless your family with prosperity, good health, and happiness in the New Year.
Peace and all good blessings,
The Order of Lesser Sisters and Brothers