A Prayer for Christmas

God give us eyes this Christmas
to see the Christmas Star.
And give us ears to hear the song
Of angels from afar.

And, with our eyes and ears attuned
for a message from above,
Let "Christmas Angels" speak to us
of hope and faith and love.

Hope to light our pathway
when the way ahead is dark.
Hope to sing through stormy days,
with the sweetness of the lark.

Faith to trust in things unseen
and know beyond all seeing.
That it is in our Father's love
we live and have our being.

And love to break down barriers
of coloar, race and creed.
Love to see and understand
and help all those in need.

Merry Christmas!

St. Michael Prayer

(Original prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII to St. Michael the Archangel whose feast we celebrate today along with the other Archangels - Gabriel and Raphael.)

“O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan."

“Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity."

“These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be."

“Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen."

Psalm 23 - Japanese version

None of us automatically has time to pray. Each of us must make time for prayer - carving a time out of our day and setting it aside as a sacred appointment that cannot be changed, and must not be delayed. Consider this Japanese version of Psalm 23 as you set aside your prayer time for today:

The Lord is my pace setter...I shall not rush.

He makes me stop for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness which restore my serenity.

He leads me in the way of efficiency through calmness of mind and His guidance is peace.

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret,

for His presence is here.

His timelessness, His all-importance will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity

By anointing my mind with the oils of tranquility.

My cup of joyous energy overflows.

Truly harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,

For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord and dwell in His house forever.

Source: God's Little Devotional Book on Prayer

Healing Presence

I just want to share this Prayer for Healing of Addictions by Ms. Maribi M. Garcia. This little prayer booklet is available at your nearest St. Paul's bookstore for only ten bucks. For all those who are struggling with addictions I hope you can find time to say this prayer.

Lord Jesus, I come before You, calling on You in a very special way. I come before You trusting in Your power and great love for me. I come with expectant faith and hope that you will not forsake me in my prayer for healing as I am in bondage, enslaved by an addiction to (name the addiction) and I am in dire need of Your help. Please enter now into my heart and soul and touch all the areas in my life that need Your healing love, especially the root causes of my addiction. Heal all unresolved traumatic experiences from my past, fill with your Divine love all deprivations and needs that were not met during my significant developmental stages. Release me from all inherited destructive patterns in my family tree and bloodlines, and from my present environment that could be influencing or encouraging this addictive behavior. Cut off all links to all the sources and causes of my addiction. Lead me by the hand to all the right people who can help me in this healing process and deliver me from this addiction. Let Your Holy Spirit enter into my body, mind and spirit and be filled with Your love, peace, and joy. Let Your Spirit dwell within to strengthen and empower me to overcome this addiction completely, totally and permanently. In the name of the Most Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, with the intercession of Mary and all the angels and saints, I claim your victory in delivering me from this addiction and surrender to you my whole life. Amen.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Phil 4:13