Prayer for the First Day of the Year
Eternal and Almighty God, who makes all things new, we thank you that today you have allowed us to begin a new year. Here in your presence we make our resolutions for the days to come. We resolve to be faithful and true to those who love us, and loyal to those who are our friends, so that we may never bring worry to their minds or distress to their hearts. We resolve to live in forgiveness and in kindness, that, like Jesus, we may go about always doing good. We resolve to live in diligence and effort, that we may use the full gifts and the talents that God has given us. We resolve to live in goodness and purity, that we ourselves may resist temptation, and that we may be a strength to others who are tempted. We resolve to live in sympathy and in gentleness, that we may bring comfort to the sorrowing and understanding to those who are confused. We resolve to live in serenity and in self-control, that no anger or passion may disturb our own peace nor the peace of others. We resolve to show our love for God by keeping His Commandments and ask Jesus to bless us with his peace and joy for doing this.
O God, our Loving Father, you have given us the grace to make our own resolutions, grant us also the strength to keep them through the coming year.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May God bless you with health and happiness during the coming year.
Graduate's Prayer
Father, I have knowledge, so I pray You'll show me now how to use it wisely and find a way somehow to make the world I live in a little better place, and make life with its problems a bit easier to face. Grant me faith and courage and put purpose in my days, and show me how to serve You in the most effective ways - so all my education, my knowledge, and my skill may find their true fulfillment as I learn to do Your will. And may I ever be aware in everything I do that knowledge comes from learning and wisdom comes from You.
Advent Prayers
Blessing of the Advent Wreath at the Dinner Table
1st Week of Advent
Light one purple candle
Heavenly Father, bless this Advent wreath (or Nativity Scene) which reminds us to prepare for your coming this Christmas. Bless our family during this Holy Season, and help us to be kind and loving towards each other like the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. May our homes and hearts be open and worthy to welcome Jesus into our lives every day. Bless us, O Lord, and may the food we are about to eat nourish us and keep us healthy. We ask the Holy Spirit to make us a happy and holy family and inspire us to always do what Jesus asks us to do. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.
2nd Week of Advent
Light two purple candles
God, Our Father, as John the Baptist prepared the way for people to know Jesus, may we too, prepare our hearts and homes and help others come to know, love, and serve Him. We pray for peace in the world, in our own country and a holy Christmas for everyone, and we ask this Advent Blessing through Christ our Lord. Amen.
3rd Week of Advent
Light two purple candles and the rose candle
Lord God, we believe that you always listen to us and hear our prayer. We pray that by the time we celebrate Christmas we may be different and better than we are now, living in the Spirit of Christmas, through Christ our Lord and Brother. Amen.