Thought for the day

Can I challenge you to spend five minutes praying?

The prayers I am about to post are from website: www.sacredspace.ie it is a website that has a series of prayers everday. It guides you through the prayer process and encourages you to be in the WORD. So if you will allow me to give you these prayers today. Take just 5 minutes and read them, meditate on them for a bit and you're done! After each prayer is a small space so that you know that is the end of that short prayer. Take a moment and reflect on each prayer and then continue.

I remind myself that I am in your presence O Lord.
I will take refuge in your loving heart.
You are my strength in times of weakness.
You are my comforter in times of sorrow.

Many countries are at this moment suffering the agonies of war.
I bow my head in thanksgiving for any freedom I enjoy.
I pray for all prisoners and captives.

How am I really feeling? Lighthearted? Heavy-hearted? I may be very much at peace, happy to be here. Equally, I may be frustrated, worried or angry. I acknowledge how I really am.
It is the real me that the Lord loves.

John 15:1-8

Jesus said, 'I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.'

Help me, Lord, to notice how you are speaking to me.

What is stirring in me as I pray? Am I consoled, troubled, left cold? I imagine Jesus himself standing or sitting at my side, and share my feelings with him.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

I have made this my homepage at times and it reminded me to start whatever I do giving some time to God...try it out, check out the site, don't just take my word for it.