Mary Sullivan

“Who except God can give you peace?  Has the world ever been able to satisfy the human heart?”  (Saint Gerard Majella)

Dear Lord, give to us Your peace, that in peace we might pray.
Give to us the peace we need, to get us through the day.
So much is going on, dear Lord.  It seems too much to take.
But we can persevere in peace, if all evil we forsake.

Only in Your will Lord, can peace be truly found.
For that is where, Your hope and joy, in love and truth abound.
We’ve looked in other places; and could not find peace there.
We’ve looked to extravagances; we have looked everywhere.

For peace within the heart simply can’t be bought.
It can’t be found in money made, as maybe we had thought.
It can’t be found in drugs or drinks.  We won’t find it in bars.
It can’t be found by buying new and fancy cars.

Peace won’t be found, when snippily, we cause controversy.
Peace is found, when we show, Divine-inspired mercy.
Peace is found, when we seek out, others we can serve.
True peace comes from You, O Lord; our service You deserve.

Peace is Your blessing to us when it’s You that we adore.
When we simply follow You, peace steps through our front door.
Then stays with us throughout the night, through all our trials too.
You told us in the scriptures “My peace I give to you.”

Loved ones have gone seeking peace that only You can give.
They’ve looked in painful places, seeking how in peace to live.
The world has lured them far from peace, where Satan’s lies abide.
Help them embrace Your will in peace; from Your will may they not hide.

In Your mercy bring them peace dear Lord, do not from them depart,
Show them the path that leads to peace, place peace within their hearts.
Show now to each loved one, how best in peace and love to live.
In Your mercy give to them the peace, that only You can give.

Jesus made His disciples get in a boat to ride,
To go to Bethsaida, sail to the other side.
He went up a mountain in the light of day.
He climbed up that mountain.  There He went to pray.

By night, the boat had traveled quite far out to sea.
Jesus alone, back on shore, was calm as He could be.
The disciples’ boat tossed about.   Against strong wind they rowed,
They’d probably much rather been, in some safe, secure abode.

It was the fourth watch of the night, which means three in the morning.
When a miracle would happen.  It happened without warning.
Someone walking on the water; they thought it was a ghost,
They knew not they were looking at the blessed Lord of Hosts.

Then spoke the Lord: “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.”
The disciples were astounded; most likely quite amazed.
He got into the boat with them.  The wind then died down too.
There’s nothing that our good Lord Jesus cannot for us do.

We can feel like inept boaters, rowing on a stormy sea.
The boat is wildly rocking.  So tossed about are we.
We struggle to persevere, against strong winds, to row.
How we will get through all of this—at times we do not know.

Lord Jesus, walk now to us on our stormy seas.
Calm the fears within.  Help us, in You believe.
Climb into our boats.  Help us be not afraid.
Never leave us, Jesus.  Bring us comfort.  With us stay.

Our loved ones too are on rough seas.  It’s quite a wild ride.
Deceiving waves crash over them.  Lies strike from every side.
Go to them, dear Lord Jesus.  May it be Your love they know.
Calm the stormy seas.  The truth on them bestow.

Help each loved one love the truth.  Help each one to flee from sin.
Help them begin to row with faith.  Give them strength within.
Be with us sweet Lord Jesus, wherever we may go.
Keep us united in the truth.  Towards heaven, help us row.

(Based on Mark 6:45-52)

“And the peace of God
Which surpasses all understanding,
Will keep Your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Phil. 4:6-7)

Father, we have grown so anxious.
We have so many dreaded fears.
As we wonder what is happening,
What will be brought, in coming years?

Help us, Father, rich in mercy,
To put all anxiety aside.
May our fears transform to prayers.
May frantic fears subside.

Give us hearts of deep thanksgiving,
Make our hearts like unto Thine.
May Your peace pervade our living.
May hope today, in our hearts shine.

May we be bright lights for You,
With dispositions, kind and pleasant.
Stop us from thinking far ahead.
Help us just live this moment present.

Father, hear our cries to heaven,
As to You we kneel in prayer.
Humbled by this cross we carry.
We offer You our every care.

Touch our loved ones with Your mercy.
May temptations at last cease.
Grant them wisdom to see clearly.
Bless us all, Father, with Your peace.

Dear Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ,
May we become true leaven to a Church now torn with strife.
May we walk with kindness, utter not a word untoward.
As in one united voice we cry: “Blessed are those who fear the Lord.”

Blessed are those who walk in Your ways,
who seek to honor You all of their days;
May our words now ring out, in one holy accord,
“Blessed are those who fear the Lord.”

For fear of the Lord is where wisdom starts;
and wisdom is what we’ve ignored.
Let us unite, and all do our part, saying:
“Blessed are those who fear the Lord.”

May the hearts of our loved ones, burn with Christ’s light,
a light that no more will grow dim,
May our loved ones now seek, to do what is right,
with a most holy fear of Him.

May the faith of our loved ones grow stronger each day,
may their love for the Lord be restored.
May they hasten to say, while at work or at play,
“Blessed are those who fear the Lord.”

(Based on Psalms 128:1-2, 4-5)

“Simon peter, do you love me?” “yes Lord,” came the reply.
Jesus told Peter “Feed my lambs.”    (John 21:15-19)

Lord Jesus, surely in my life, You I have betrayed.
For I have not lived perfect faith, for all my life-long days.
I ask you now dear Jesus, that Your perfect will I keep.
In my every thought and action, be I awake or be asleep.

Lord, may I feed Your lambs.  To Your sheep may I tend.
Grant me the grace to care for those who You my way, might send.
Show me now dear Jesus, with truth, my mind inspire,
Set my heart aflame for You, set my heart afire.

I stretch out my arms to You, as Yours stretched out on the cross.
Help me to do Your holy will, to give, not count the cost.
Lead me in Your perfect will.   With You I’m not alone.
Lead me along the Holy path which will one day take me home.

Be the path now full of branches, over which I trip, become entwined.
Be the path so full of thorns which pierce my heart, confound my mind.
Lead me there, Lord Jesus.  I trust You to know the way.
To eternal glory.   Lead me in Your will today.