God, our Father, thanks for the many times you have intervened directly in my life, and for the times too when you seemed distant, but was only a prayer away. You have been my redeemer and comforter, my greatest challenger and my source of strength, but above all, you have been my fountain of grace and mercy. Open the eyes of my heart today O God, that I may see you in the countless ways you continue to reveal yourself to me, and help me to understand that with that revelation, comes an invitation to authentic, daily discipleship.

All glory and honour be unto you O God as I enter this new day. There are so many distractions on this journey Father, help me to focus today only on what is important, only on what will draw me closer to my final destination, my encounter with you. Give me the strength necessary not only to overcome these distractions O God, but the grace as well, to do so with love rather than hatred, and with compassion rather than condemnation. Keep me as faithful to this journey Father, as Jesus was to his.

How do you know me O God? As a wretched sinner? As someone who is lukewarm in my faith, blowing in whichever direction the wind is strongest? Or as your child, O God, created in your image, but imperfect in my choices, broken through my experiences, and striving daily to remain faithful to your call to discipleship? Here I stand today O God, thankful for being able to count myself among the living, and praying that I will take a closer walk with you. Reveal yourself to me today O God, that I may know you, as well as you know me.

Papa God, you are a God of order, deliberate and just in your action, and generous in your love. Though there might be chaos around us today O God, slow us down that we can see you. Give us the strength to be still, to understand the value of silence, so that we can hear your voice speaking to us. In the midst of our busyness today O God, may we find time to pause for a while, to acknowledge your presence working in our lives, and in the lives of our sisters and brothers. Help us to be still and know that you are God, in chaos and in quiet; in the valleys and on the hills; yesterday, today, and for all eternity.

Papa God, you are the author and finisher of my life. Thank you for today and for the many Good Samaritans who have helped me to navigate the Jericho roads of my life. Thanks to those who helped bandage my wounded pride, those who used their own resources to ensure that I could see another day, those who opened their homes and hearts to me when I needed it the most. Help me O God, to never turn my back on those in need, to never cross to the other side while there are persons crying out for help. May today’s journey be made lighter by the many Samaritans who cross our paths O God, and may we who have benefited from their generosity,never hesitate to return it to those in need.

O loving Jesus, there is so much that you have done for me, and so much I take for granted. Fill my heart with gratitude today Jesus, for the big miracles and the small victories, for the mountain top experiences and the valleys of darkness too. Help me to believe that mine are the hands you want to use to bring comfort and healing to others, that mine are the ears you wish to use to listen to the cries of the oppressed and abandoned, and mine are the feet that must bring your Gospel to others. May today, like every other day, be a good day to sing your praises