A moment of reflection
In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us of “the need to pray continually and never to lose heart” (Lk 18:1), as it is in prayer that we find peace, comfort, and God’s mercy. Here, you will find a collection of prayers and reflections to help you to turn your mind and your heart to God in your daily life.
Prayer to the Sacred Heart
Lord Jesus Christ, you became one of us to reveal to us how much your Father loves each one of us. You reached out in love to the sinner and humble of heart. Your heart was full of compassion for the sick and disabled, for the bereaved, for the oppressed and the poor, and for all who felt the burden of their humanity too heavy to bear.
Be with us in our weakness and help us to raise our hearts and minds to you in trust. Give us loving hearts like yours so that we too may spread your love in the circles in which we move. Make our hearts gentle and humble so that we may have compassion for those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Replace our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. Open our eyes to the goodness and beauty in all your people and in all your creation. Bless us with hearts that are always ready to forgive.
Amen.
“Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern not yourself with what you tried and failed in, but what it is still possible to do. Now is the time to put aside past and present setbacks and failures and look with confidence to the new day called tomorrow.”
Prayer to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart for Guidance
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, mother of Jesus and mother of all who believe in him, hear our prayer for guidance. You were specially favoured and by the power of the Holy Spirit God’s Son was conceived in you. Jesus loves us so much that he placed us in your care. So we come to you, good mother, seeking your intercession with your Son so that he will empower us to live with our humanity and its limitations and frailties.
May we, like you, listen to your Son’s word and witness to it in our lives. May we act gently when upset, kindly when hurt, patiently when annoyed, compassionately with the oppressed, and lovingly with all your people. May we bring peace and joy to all we live with and meet. May we never doubt God’s love for us, but live by faith and await his return in glory.
Amen.
“More than all else, keep watch over your heart, since here are the wellsprings of life.”
Prayer for the Sick
Heavenly Father, you sent your Son into our world to bring healing and hope to those who are suffering and in pain. He brought healing and relief to the suffering and diseased people He met whilst here on earth. Turn your kindness towards Name who is ill, and free them from all illness and restore them to health if it be for their good and the glory of your name. We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
“May the Holy Spirit help us to be patient when enduring, and to be humble and simple when advising.”
Prayer before Examinations
Jesus, teacher and friend, be with me now as I sit this exam. Give me a peaceful heart, a focused mind, and a steady hand. Help me to remember what I have learned, to answer wisely and well, and persevere when I am tired and weary.
Amen.
“All will be well, and all will be well and all manner of things will be well.”
Prayer for Family and Friends
Father, I thank you for the gift of family and friends. Give them health of mind and body. Be with them on the journey of life. Bring them safely to that day when we will all be reunited in your presence forever.
Amen.
“God changes the world by transforming our hearts. When God finds an open and trusting heart, he can work wonders there.”
My Mission
Lord, help me to bear witness to you. May I be kind to my neighbour, just in my dealings with others, welcome the stranger and the needy, and walk humbly with you.
Amen.
“In the poor and the little ones, in all the victims of injustice and violence, we will discover the face of Christ. He asks us to bring his love into their lives. In answer to his call, we will show our compassion towards them by working courageously to guarantee their human rights and to change the hearts of their oppressors.”
If you would like to order a copy of the MSC prayer book, Heart to Heart, please contact the MSC Missions Office on +353 (0) 21 454 5704 or email us at info@mscmissions.ie.