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Pentecost
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
The Church of Christ Creation,
The Sovereign and those in authority
The local community and human society,
Those who suffer
The communion of saints
These responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
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A prayer by Cardinal Mercier:
"I am going to reveal to you a secret of sanctity and happiness: if every day, during five minutes, you will keep your imagination quiet, shut your eyes to all things of sense, and close your ears to all the sounds of earth, in order to be able to withdraw into the sanctuary of your baptised soul, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, speaking there to that Holy Spirit, saying:
O Holy Spirit soul of my soul I adore thee; enlighten, guide, strengthen and console me; tell me what I ought to do and command me to do it, I promise to be submissive in everything that thou shalt ask of me and to accept all that thou permittest to happen to me, only show me what is thy will.
If you do this, your life will pass happily and serenely, consolation will abound even in the midst of troubles, for grace will be given in proportion to the trial as well as strength to bear it, bringing you to the gates of paradise full of merit, this submission to the Holy Spirit is the secret of sanctity."
Let us pray to the God within:
Holy Spirit, soul of our souls, sweep throughout your Church like a mighty wind, cleansing, invigorating, energising and stimulating. May we be set on fire by your presence, determined to transmit your love and your message to the world around us. Fill your Church with power and courage and take us forward to follow in your footsteps.
We pray especially today for ....
Holy Spirit, soul of our souls, sweep throughout the world like a mighty wind, cleansing, invigorating, energising and stimulating. Set us free from the limitations and restrictions we place on ourselves and on others. May we celebrate freedom and insist on freedom for all human beings. May we abhor the slavery of poverty and violence and sing only your song of love.
We pray especially today for …..
Holy Spirit, soul of our souls, sweep throughout our homes like a mighty wind, cleansing, invigorating, energising and stimulating. May every family member become subject to your power, enabling them to reach out in love to all-comers. Clear away disharmony and all that mars your image in us and help us to clearly see you in each other.
Holy Spirit, soul of our souls, sweep throughout those who are sick like a mighty wind, cleansing, invigorating, energising and stimulating. May they receive your healing power so that they are restored to full and health and strength. We hold them in your loving, healing presence …..
Holy Spirit, soul of our souls, sweep throughout those who have lost someone they love like a mighty wind, cleansing, invigorating, energising and stimulating. May they recognize your love and your comforting strength as we hold them in your presence...
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
*************** Confession Place a bowl of water on a table or the floor and leave a few small stones by it.  A. Take time to reflect :
• Pick up a stone and hold it in your hand.
• Consider the hardness of the stone.
• What is hard about me? What grieves my family and friends?
• What do I hold on to without need?
guilt?
grudges?
expectations?
impatience?
prejudice?
cynicism?
pride?
the desire to control?
If it feels right :-
• Slowly place the stone under the water, and let it go……
| B. Sit and read about Naaman: 2 Kings chapter 5 Where are you in the story? What do you see? What do you hear? How do you feel?
Take time to live the story. Be present at the riverside.
| C. Namaan’s story : To the prophet...
Don’t you know who I am?
What do you mean by telling me to go into your dirty little river?
If I want to swim I can do so in much cleaner, broader, better waters than this!
Look at you, you scruffy little man. You have the cheek to tell me I need a wash! Do you think I don’t wash regularly, and have servants to be sure that I am thoroughly clean? Do you think I don’t have the services of the finest medical practitioners in my homeland?
This nonsense is a complete waste of time.
I know I have this trouble with my skin, but if you think that dragging me down to your level will help you are much mistaken. Perhaps all you want is to make me look a fool?
Well, I’m not a fool. I’m an important and respected servant of the king, and your silly, demeaning, little rituals are not for me.
To the servant…
What do you mean, ‘What did I expect?’
I expected to be treated properly, with respect and consideration. I expected to get some expensive ointment, or to have to perform some difficult exercises. At the very least I expected to be paid some attention! I expected him to see my health as important.
Yes, of course I would have paid a lot of money if he had wanted it. Yes, of course I would have done anything he asked of me if it looked like doing any good.
What have I got to lose by doing what he says? I’ll tell you what I’ve got to lose, my self respect, my dignity, the regard of my inferiors, the respect of my peers. What on earth would people say at home if they heard I had been sent messages like a minion, and had meekly done as I was told?
For goodness sake, stop going on at me! I give you too much latitude. Learn to know your place, and be quiet!
Oh all right. If only to shut you up!
After all, there’s no-one here I know except you. And you had better keep your mouth shut about this when we get home!
To my God…
I feel the blow to my pride,
I feel the shame,
I feel the worthlessness of my expectations.
I feel the mud-brown waters on my skin. Not just once do I feel how low I have been brought, but again, and again.
I feel the hot tears course down my cheeks. My neck is painful, my throat is tight. The weight of my shame is heavy on my shoulders. Why have you made me do this?
For the last time I go down into the waters, and wash my poor hateful body in this foreign stream.
As I come up I feel the silk-smooth softness of my skin. The weight lifts from my shoulders, and I stand upright, whole and clean. My throat eases, my muscles relax. The fear, the shame, the hurt is gone. Old man, you were right. I am sorry for my pride. This little God of a little nation is greater than any I have known before.
I will leave my burdens in your waters, and try to walk in humility with you, my God.
God, so often you feel absent and uncaring, like the prophet. In confession I remember that you love me. I let go all the things that hid you from me. I stop holding fast to those things that I think I need. I relax, let go, and know that I am loved by God. GMH June 2007
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