“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret” Matthew 6: 5- 6.
This verse has always been confusing for me because it seems like our prayer should be hidden, like we should not talk about our faith or prayer life; however, as I reflect further and focus on going into your room and closing the door I am reminded about how we can get distracted and even tempted during prayer. When we are alone in our room we are more likely to focus on God rather than on the things that draw our attention away from Him.
Pray today to close the door on temptation. Pray today for the strength to turn towards God in those moments when closing the door is hard to do. Pray today for God to show you the path to joy and peace and for you to have the discipline to get on and stay on the path.
Prayer to move from Post-Traumatic Stress to Peace, Trust, Strength, and Discipline
Lord, thank you for surrounding us with your deep, deep love and covering us with your grace and mercy. We know that you want all of your children to live peaceful and prosperous lives. At times though, especially after someone has wronged us or we have been traumatized it is hard to move forward. We can get caught in a cycle of fear, worry, shame, and guilt that can distract us from walking with one another and You.
Help us to become so disciplined that we consistently turn to You and lay everything at the foot of the cross trusting that You are working for our highest good. Help us to find the strength to refocus our time and energy on the love, peace, and joy that You have planned for us. We ask that where our heart and soul are in turmoil that you bring us back to peace. We especially pray for peace and strength for those families in Uvalde, TX as they mourn the loss of their loved ones. We love you and look forward to our continued journey with You as we walk together toward a life filled with more peace, trust, strength, and discipline.
Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your 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;
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.
Amen.
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Ya'll have a beautiful day!
All My Love,
Jen
