A Sunday in Prayers

(NRCS Inspirational, August 25, 2013)

On this fourth Sunday of August this year, which is the twenty-first Sunday in ordinary time, we reflect on the manner by which we pray and some prayers that we intone.

The Way We Pray In the Gospel according to St. Luke, we are taught the manner by which we should pray. At the outset, it came to pass, that as the Lord was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. (Luke 11: 1) Thus And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (Luke 11: 2-4, KJV)

A Prayer We had been told that the following prayer, to be prayed daily as the source recommended, was found in the sepulcher of the Lord Jesus Christ in the year 1607. I read the prayer, too, thus: O Lord Almighty You suffered death at the cross for our sins. O Holy Cross of Jesus, be my true light. O Holy Cross of Jesus, fill my soul with good thoughts. O Holy Cross, help me in my salvation. O Holy Cross, safely guard me against unholy thoughts and worldly dangers, that I may worship the Holy
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Cross of Jesus of Nazareth; crucified, have pity on me. O Holy Cross of Jesus, be my hope. O Holy Cross, have mercy on me, forever and ever. Amen. In honor of the precious blood of Jesus and His fearful death and resurrection, and His glorification which leads to everlasting life. Amen. As true as Jesus was born at Christmas and crucified on Good Friday As true as Joseph, and Nicodemus, took Jesus down from the cross As true as Jesus ascended to heaven, may He preserve me from my enemies, visible and invisible, forever and ever. Amen. O Lord Almighty, unto Your hands, I give my hand, soul and body. O Lord Jesus, grant me strength to bear the cross as Yourself. Teach me to bear with humility all the ills; that the Virgin may fill me with Holy Spirit. Preserve my soul and lead it to life everlasting. Amen. Shared Prayers