“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father… encourage Your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.”

Encourage now our hearts, Lord—
Our hearts grown much forlorn.
Encourage us to love You more
With each breaking morn.

Strengthen our hearts in each good deed,
in each good word we speak.
May we grow ever strong in You,
Grow strong—no more be weak.

And may our loved ones too, Lord.
Find now their strength in You.
In each good deed may they grow strong,
In You find strength anew.

Though we stumble on the way, Lord.
Though the journey be long.
May we find our hope in You, Lord.
In You, may we grow strong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind… You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  (Matthew 23:37-39)

 

 

 

Grant us the grace to love you Lord,

Heeds greatest of all Your commands.

Grant us the grace to love our neighbor,

That in Your truth we may stand.

 

Grant us the grace to love ourselves,

For You love us dear Jesus too.

May we love ourselves dear Jesus,

In a way that is pleasing to You.

 

Grant these graces to loved ones, Lord.

Who have wandered so far away.

With love for neighbor, You and self, dear Lord.

May they follow you today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Garden Much Blessed by You

 

What shall I plant in my garden today?

This garden which is my life.

It matters not what I’ve planted before,

Or if weeds in my garden ran rife.

 

Shall I plant a garden that’s filled with peace?

A garden that’s filled with love?

A garden filled with kindness and hope

Sent to me by grace from above?

 

What shall I plant in my garden today?

Shall I plant, despite anguish and pain,

A garden that’s bursting with patience and trust,

A garden where joy has domain?

 

Have weeds overtaken my garden of life?

Did my garden grow envy and strife?

I can start a new garden this very day

Of all things which lead to new life.

 

Let me weed out my wounds, my hurts and my sins.

Let betrayal I’ve felt be uprooted.

Let trust take their place in a garden of light,

With forgiveness forever included.

 

May I plant in my garden the purest of love,

A love that is rooted in truth.

May I plant a garden which ever endures.

Despite my errors of youth.

 

May I plant this day, in every way, LORD,

A garden of goodness anew—

By Your grace may I plant and begin to grow,

A garden much blessed by You.