Roshi's ramblings

Prayer roots you for the day The primary role of a priest is to administer the sacraments. That and pray. Prayer should be an ingrained and constant thing within your life. Whilst exploring my vocation one of the things I have found most difficult to do initially was find time for prayer, yet I know at theological college and throughout curacy it will be at the very least a twice daily event. With this in mind I thought I’d discuss some of the methods I have found that help.  Panoramic picture of my godspace on Morecambe prom, taken this morning First things first, you need an area for yourself where you can pray, or just be with God in quiet contemplation, a Godspace if you will. This could be a specific chair in your living room, your bed, an area you’ve set up in a spare room or even a place you go on a morning walk. For myself I do the last one. I’m blessed to live right next to Morecambe promenade and there is a small jetty with a bench on it right out into Morecamb...

It is a difficult and scary time for me at the moment. I have left my job and whilst I have been brilliant at interview (the panel's words not mine), there has always been someone better qualified than me there so I haven't got anything lined up.   I believe God has a plan for me, I just wish I could ascertain what it was!   I found this prayer on http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/ Hopefully it will help me find the strength and guidance I need right now. Lord, you are Holy above all others, and all of the strength that I need is in your hands. I am not asking, Lord, that you take this trial away. Instead, I simply ask that Your will be done in my life. Whatever that means, that is what I want. But I admit that it's hard, Lord. Sometimes I feel like I can’t go on. The pain and the fear are too much for me, and I know that I don’t have the strength on my own to get through this. I know that I can come to you, Jesus, and that you will hear my pr...

Tomorrow I have a job interview for a role that will help me spread the mission of Christ in a direct way through pioneer ministry with youth groups.   This Wednesday Worship is focused on that. God, I’m about to face a challenging interview for a new job. First, thank you for this opportunity. Thank you that you care about providing for my needs, and fitting me in the right employment situation is something you yourself are working to complete. I know I have you on my side in this matter. You are looking out for my best interest and I know you have a perfect job fit for me. If this is that perfect fit, then make it perfectly clear to me and to those who are making the hiring decision. Begin now to prepare the time and place where we will meet. Set the tone in the room. I know that first impressions matter a great deal, so help me to be the natural 'me' that you have created, so that they can see through my nervousness and anxiety to the person you have created me to be...

A personal prayer today, written by myself to reflect the current turmoil in my life! Lord, thankyou for giving me the strength to stand by my convictions and to make the tough choices I have had to recently. Help guide me towards discerning your will for my future and in finding what the next steps in my life should be.   I entrust myself to your whim, I have faith you will lead me towards happiness. Amen

A simple one this week. A prayer originally by St. Francis of Assisi. It's also the basis for one of my favourite hymns.  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; and where there is sadness, joy. Amen

Another prayer regarding vocation and discerning the course God has set you upon today God, I know You love me and have great plans for me. But sometimes I am overwhelmed by the thought of my future. Show me how to walk forward one day at a time. May I take heart while I search openly, learn about all the choices, listen to others for advice, and pay attention to my own feelings. By doing these things, may I hear your call to a lifestyle and a career that will let me love as only I can, and let me serve others with the special gifts that You have given me. Amen.

Here's a prayer first written by Thomas Merton that really speaks to how I feel at the moment. 'My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.  Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know if I do this you will lead me by the right toad, though I may know nothing about it.  Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen'