COME HOLY SPIRIT

Replace the tension within us
with a holy relaxation.
Replace the turbulence within us
with a sacred calm.
Replace the anxiety within us
with quiet confidence.
Replace the fear within us
with a strong faith.
Replace the bitterness within us
with the sweetness of grace.
Replace the darkness within us
with a gentle light.
Replace the coldness within us
with a loving warmth.
Replace the night within us
with your day.
Replace the winter within us
with your spring.

Straighten our crookedness.
Fill our emptiness.

Dull the edge of our pride,
sharpen the edge of our humility.

Light the fires of our love,
quence the flames of our lust.

Let us see ourselves as you see us.

That we may see you as you have promised.

And be fortunate according to your Word.

"Blessed are the pureof heart for they shall see God."

Msgr. John J. Dougherty

Prayer for Those Who Has Passed

Almighty God,
we remember this day before thee
thy faithful servant _______;
and we pray that,
having opened to him the gates of larger life,
thou wilt receive him more and more
into thy joyful service,
that, with all who have faithfully served thee in the past,
he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord;
who live and reign with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for Peaceful Sleep

Lord God, send peaceful sleep
to refresh our tired bodies.
May your help always renew us
and keep us strong in your service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Into your hands, O Lord,
we commend our souls and bodies,
beseeching you to keep us this night
under your protection and strengthen us
for our service on the morrow,
for Christ's sake. Amen.
- Archbishop Laud (1573-1645)

Prayer for Peace

May there be peace in the higher realms;
may there be peace in the firmament;
may there be peace on earth.

May the waters flow peacefully;
may the herbs and plants grow peacefully;
may all the divine powers bring unto us peace.

The Supreme Lord is peace.
May we all be in peace, peace, and only peace;
and may that peace come unto each of us.
Today and always.

Prayer for the New Year

Grant me the strength from day to day
To bear what burdens come my way.
Grant me throughout this bright New Year
More to endure and less to fear.

Help me live that I may be
From spite and petty malice free.
Let me not bitterly complain
When cherished hopes of mine prove vain,

Or spoil with deeds of hate and rage
Some fair tomorrow's spotless page.
Lord, as the days shall come and go
In courage let me stronger grow....

Lord, as the New Year dawns today
Help me to put my faults away.
Let me be big in little things;
Grant me the joy which friendship brings.

Keep me from selfishness and spite;
Let me be wise in what is right.
A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye.
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.

- Edgar A. Guest

*(Appropriate for many faith)