edward hays: http://www.forestofpeace.com/books/hays/hays.htm
prayers for the domestic church: http://www.forestofpeace.com/books/hays/domestic/domestic_church.htm 


THANKSGIVING PRAYER AFTER A DEEPLY RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE

From the center of my being, I praise You, my Lord and God, 
for the beautiful experience that You have given me.
This time has enflamed my heart, renewed my dreams, 
and enabled me to see with eyes divine.
I heard Your ancient call 
within the words and events of this time now ended; 
Your call to personal holiness and perfection, 
the invitation to prayer and spirituality, 
the challenge of the Kingdom and the Church.

As the disciples of Your Son were set afire 
by Your Divine Spirit on Pentecost, 
this sacred time has encouraged me to greatness 
within the scope of my simple life. 
I may soon forget the words that were spoken 
and the names of those who were involved, 
but what has happened has truly shaped my heart.

May the activities of my heart bear witness 
to the great grace of what has happened to me 
in the day to day world to which I return.

May this time of spiritual renewal 
become part of the fabric of my life; 
may it be part of a lifelong enrollment 
in the school of prayer. 
May I build upon it with daily prayer, 
and with the discipline of my spiritual life. 
Nourished by prayer, reading, thought and action, 
may the seeds of this renewal time 
take root and flower forth 
in a life-song of glory to You, my Lord and my God.

Amen+

At a worship service, retreat, marriage encounter, day of recollection, prayer meedng, time of renewal. ...



PRAYER OF DEDICATION TO A LIFE OF PERFECTION AND SERVICE 

Lord God, You who know the secrets of our hearts 
come now and fill me with the spirit of sincerity 
as I pledge myself to You and to the coming of Your kingdom.

Lord, I desire to serve You with all my heart, 
with all my soul and with all my strength. 
I surrender myself to Your holy plan for me 
as I seek to be perfect as You are perfect. 
May I strive for excellence 
in all the work of my hands. 
May I strive to live within the spirit of holy poverty, 
living a simple way of life. 
May my greatest possession be Your love 
and the love of those around me. 
I strive for excellence in loving, 
asking that my love be always chaste and whole. 
May I strive to be obedient and open 
to the mystery of Your voice within me, 
willing to embrace whatever You may ask of me.

Lord and Friend, 
I rededicate myself 
to a life of prayer and worship of You. 
May a song of praise be the constant melody of my heart. 
I re-commit myself 
to serve the needs of those around me 
and the needs of all the world. 
May I find my salvation here 
at this time and in this place where I now live. 
May my union with those who share my commitment 
be a source of confirmation and inspiration to me.

Lord, I marvel that You, in Your divine wisdom, 
have chosen me to be an instrument of Your creative salvation. 
May all the work of my hands, 
even my failings and stumblings, 
be leaven to make that much desired Kingdom a reality. 
Bless me now with Your abounding love 
as I promise to be Your friend, servant and holy minister. 
May I ever live out this commitment, 
in Your name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen + 


Blessing Prayer when about to leave on a journey

Blessed are You, Lord our God, 
For You have created a wide and wonderful world
in which we can travel. 
We ask Your blessing upon us
as we are about to leave on a journey. 
Be would ever-near companion, O Holy Guide of Travelers,
and spread the road before us 
with beauty and adventure. 
May all the highways ahead of us 
be free from harm and evil. 
May we be accompanied by Your holy spirits,
You angelic messengers, 
as were the holy ones of days past. 

On this trip may we take with us
as part of our traveling equipment
a heart wrapped in wonder with which to rejoice
in all that we shall meet. 

Along with the clothing of wonder,
may we have room in our luggage
for a mystic map
by which we can find the invisible meanings
of the events of this journey -- 
of possible disappointments and delays, 
of possible breakdowns and rainy day troubles. 
Always awake to Your Sacred Presence
and to Your diving compassionate love,
may we see in all that happens to us, 
in the beautiful and the bad,
the mystery of Your holy plan. 

May the blessing of Your name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be upon us throughout this trip,
and bring us home again in safety and peace. 

Amen. + 

The travelers may make a sign of the cross or share a kiss of peace.