The Transformative Power of Prayer

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; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.  – St. Francis of Assisi

November is a month in which we traditionally focus on giving thanks. We are encouraged to remember our many blessings and thank our Father in Heaven for each one. (even if only for that one prayer before Thanksgiving dinner) But why? Why give thanks? Does God need to be thanked?

We give thanks because it transforms us. We are all vulnerable to feeling entitled to our blessings. And once that happens our blessings are wasted. We must remember our purpose here on this planet. We are to be the Body of Christ in the world.

I find this a helpful prayer to reorient our focus away from selfish desires. It reminds us that we are abundantly blessed with the gifts of God’s Spirit. In fact, they transform us. And we are to transform the world around us. Thanks be to God!

See you Sunday!
Missy