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Inspiration Through Prayer

Benedictine is pleased to share our prayers with you. Please feel free to use them to open or close meetings, to bless meals, before events, to establish a foundation for discussion, or for your personal use.

Prayers For

Prayers for the Sick and Dying

Crisis For The Sick And Dying

Merciful God,
You have given (name) life
and surrounded (her/him) with love.
Place your “healing hand” on (name).
You have been faithful in the past.
Give us all hope in this time of trial,
and send your Spirit of Acceptance.
Bless (name) as (s/he) suffers
with Jesus the Christ
now and for ever.
Amen

Jesus, our Redeemer,
You came to live among us.
You suffered and died on a cross
for our sins.
Accept the suffering of (name) today.
Bless (her/him) with patience
and courage to suffer with You.
We ask this in the name of the Father
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

God, our Creator,
You have given (name) the breath of life.
Help (her/him) know Your loving care.
Amen

Faithful God of the ages,
You are close to us
even when it does not feel like it.
Help (name) to know Your loving care.
Amen

Jesus, our Savior,
Be with (name) in this suffering.
You endured the betrayal of friends
for our sake.
Your broken heart was humiliated
that others might have eternal life.
Give us faith in the midst
of this mystery of suffering.
Amen

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Blest are you, Lord God.
You have generously given us life
and have power to take it away.
May even this hour of suffering
find a way to praise You.
Bless us with a patient heart
remaining ever faithful and true.
Bless us with peace
both now and forever.
Amen

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Compassionate God of love,
You know us and call us by name.
Be with (name) as the time for passing
from earth to heaven seems near.
Replace our fear, facing the mystery of life
with faith in Your divine care for us.
Give (her/him) peace of mind and heart.
Soften any pain and suffering
with Your gentle healing hand.
We ask this through Jesus, the Christ,
who suffered and died for us.
Amen

Jesus, I am now going to sleep.
Send Your fourteen Angels
to guard and keep me.
Two Angels to the right, two to the left.
Two Angels by my head, two by my feet.
Two Angels above, and two below me.
Two Angels to carry me to paradise
where Saints and Angels
gloriously sing God’s praises.
Amen

God loves you, (name).
God sends holy angels to be with you.
You have lived a long (and full) life.
We thank and praise God for you,
your family and friends.
May the Lord God give you spiritual strength
and bless you with peace.
Amen

God of Life and Love,
You are ever near, yet hidden in mystery.
Bless (name) who has just
passed from earth to heaven.
Bless (her/him) with happiness
and grant (her/him) eternal rest.
Help family members and all who have cared.
Give them comfort and strength
to bear this loss.
Amen

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

God of all Creation,
Be with us now
and at the hour of our death.
Shelter us from harms’ way
and lead us on the path to eternal life.
Receive our life,
all that we are, and everything we do.
May the Angel of Mercy stay near us
this day and always.
Amen

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Cuando un residente está gravemente enfermo,
usted puede utilizar una de estas
oraciones de esperanza y confortamiento.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB
+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Dios de la creación,
Quédate con nosotros hoy
Y a la hora de nuestra muerte.
Protégenos de los peligros y
Guíanos hacia el camino de la vida eterna.
Recibe como regalo nuestra vida,
Todo lo que somos y todo lo que hacemos.
Permite que el Angel de la Guarda se quede
Con nosotros en este día y para siempre.
Amén.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Cuando un residente está gravemente enfermo,
usted puede utilizar una de estas
oraciones de esperanza y confortamiento.

Oraciones Cristianas

Dios Todopoderoso,
Tú le has otorgado la vida a (nombre),
Y la/lo has rodeado de amor.
Pon tu mano curandera sobre (nombre).
Tú has sido bondadoso con nosotros.
Danos esperanza en este momento
Y manda tu espíritu de aceptación
Bendice a (nombre) mientras sufre con Jesús y Cristo
Ahora y por siempre.
Amén.

Jesús, nuestro Redentor.
Tú que veniste a vivir entre nosotros.
Tú que sufriste y moriste por nuestros pecados en la cruz
Acepta el sufrimiento de (nombre) hoy.
Otórgale con paciencia y valor para sufrir contigo.
Te lo pedimos en el nombre del Padre,
Del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo.
Amén.

Dios, nuestro Creador,
Tú le has dado a (nombre) el suspiro de la vida.
Ayúdale a reconocer tu amor.
Amén.

Bondadoso Señor de todos los tiempos.
Tú que estás cerca de nosotros.
Aún cuando no lo sentimos
Ayuda a (nombre) a reconocer tu amor.
Amén.

Jesús, nuestro Salvador,
Mantente cerca de (nombre) en su sufrimiento.
Tú que permites que otros nos decepcionen,
Tú que has dejado que te humillen
Para que otros puedan vivir una vida eterna,
Danos esperanza durante este misterio de sufrimiento.
Amén.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Bendito eres tú, Señor Todopoderoso.
Tú has sido generoso con nosotros y nos has otorgado la vida.
Así como tienes el poder de quitárnosla.
Permite que este momento de sufrimiento
Sea entregado a tu nombre.
Bendícenos con un corazón paciente
Permitiendo que seamos siempre bondadosos y sinceros.
Bendícenos con tu paz ahora y por siempre.
Amén.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Nurturing God,
You generously provide for all of our needs.
We thank You and praise You
for sending us Saint Benedict as a mentor.
Bless us with health of mind and body.
Bless the food we are about to share.
May we know in this sharing
that You have love and care for all of us,
now and for ever.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Meal Prayers

Benedict as Mentor
Nurturing God,
You generously provide for all of our needs.
We thank You and praise You
for sending us Saint Benedict as a mentor.
Bless us with health of mind and body.
Bless the food we are about to share.
May we know in this sharing
that You have love and care for all of us,
now and for ever.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Benedict as Teacher

God of all goodness,
You graciously give us life and love.
May our hearts always be filled with gratitude.
May we honor both prayer and work
as Saint Benedict teaches.
Keep us mindful of those
who go without daily necessities.
Bless us and the food we are to share
through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Spiritual Inspiration & Sustenance
God of all Creation,
You share Your goodness in many ways.
Be present at our table
and nourish us with Your Word and gifts.
Like Saint Benedict,
may we also find spiritual inspiration and sustenance.
Bless us, the food we share,
those who prepare and serve it,
in Your Holy Name we pray.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Value of Respect
God of the Universe,
Your love extends to all creation.
Help us to value, respect and reverence
for all people and things
like Saint Benedict.
Bless all that we share at this table
and all who provide for our needs.
May we live in Your Spirit of loving kindness
now and forever.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Value of Hospitality
Ever-living and Ever-loving God,
You have called us into being
and sustain us by Your grace.
May we learn from Saint Benedict
to be hospitable to all people.
Thank You for the care and concern
we receive in Your Holy Name.
Bless us and the food we share
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Value of Stewardship
Faithful God,
You are worthy of honor and praise.
You inspire us with the life and example
of Saint Benedict.
Help us to be careful with all Your gifts
of mind, body and spirit.
May the food we share
bless us with a happy, grateful heart,
both now and forever.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Value of Justice
God of Compassion,
You are ever merciful in Your Divine justice.
Enlighten our blindness
and give us hearts filled with hope.
Like Saint Benedict, may we be attentive
to the needs of the least among us
and offer our loving concern.
Bless the food and conversation at our table.
This we ask in Your Holy Name.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Humility
Gracious God of Love,
You sent Your only Son to live among us.
May we treasure our humanness
and not be afraid to ask for help.
As Saint Benedict served the needs of all,
and valued even the kitchen utensils,
help us to be attentive
to the needs and feelings of others.
Bless us and the food prepared and served
in Your Holy Name.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Peace
Holy God of our Salvation,
in wisdom, all Your ways are peaceful.
Respecting the order and variety of nature,
may we, like Saint Benedict,
make peace each day before the sun sets.
As we gather at this table,
bless the food and conversation we share.
May we find a smile and a good word
for those who serve our needs.
We ask this through Jesus, the Christ, our Lord.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Word of God
God of Infinite Greatness,
You reveal Yourself in Jesus, Your Son.
Inspire us with Your Divine Word.
May we cherish the scriptures as Saint Benedict did,
and find strength and courage in Your message.
Help us to discover Your Divine Presence
in the miracle of the seed and small beginnings.
Bless all that we do and say,
bless this meal that we share together
in Your Holy Name.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Common Life
Spirit of the Living God,
You call us to live in harmony with others.
May we respect each other’s time and space,
like Saint Benedict advises.
Give us a good sense of humor
to accept the struggles of life.
Reveal Your goodness in the people and food
provided in our little world.
Thank You for these and all your gifts
which we have receive
through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Healing
All-powerful God,
You humbly came to earth, suffered and died for us.
Place your “healing hand” upon us
and nurture our starving hearts.
Help us to balance our lives with prayer, work and leisure,
following the inspiration of Saint Benedict.
Bless us and the food we share, now and forever.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Everyday
Blest are You, Lord God of the Universe,
You reveal Your goodness in thousands of ways.
Saints Benedict and Scholastica lived
the common everyday life with hope.
Awaken us to the miracles of life
in all the things around us,
and in the poor and little ones.
Bless us with hearts filled with gratitude.
Bless the food we share and all who serve us.
In Your Holy Name, we pray.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Gift of a Good Word
Blest are You, Ruler of the Universe,
We praise and thank You for life and for love.
As we honor Saints Benedict and Scholastica,
keep us mindful of the value
of giving the gift of a good word.
Bless us with hearts overflowing with gratitude
for every act of kindness.
Be present at our table as we break bread together,
both now and forever and ever.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Gift of a Smile
God of all that is beautiful,
there is loveliness in all Your works of creation.
With deep faith and trust,
Saints Benedict and Scholastica lived simply
with grace and gentleness.
Help us to know that a most precious gift,
is a smile of recognition.
Bless us as we gather at this table.
Bless all who provide for our needs.
We are grateful for the nourishment of this meal.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Serenity
Spirit of the Living God,
all Your paths are peaceful,
As Saints Benedict and Scholastica
were seeking You in prayer and silence
help us to value solitude.
Bless us and the food we share
through Jesus, the Christ, our Lord.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Wise Discernment
Spirit of Wisdom,
You have designed all of nature
and hold it in harmony.
With Saints Benedict and Scholastica,
teach us to seek God
and to discern good from evil,
and choose the highest good.
Thank You for all the people gathered here.
and for all that nourishes us
in mind, body and spirit.
Bless us, our families and friends,
both now and forever.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Friendship
Holy Trinity of Love,
You show us the value of community.
As Saints Benedict and Scholastica
valued harmonious relationships,
help us to make and keep friends.
With gratitude for all Your gifts,
we share this meal and conversation.
May all we do and say
be to Your greater honor and glory.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

The Cross
God of Compassion,
You sent Your Divine Son to live among us.
It was in the cross that Saints Benedict and Scholastica,
found the light of the gospel message.
Give us insight to patiently share
in the sufferings of Christ.
As You nourish our bodies,
also sustain our spirits.
Bless us and this food we share
through Christ our Lord.
AMEN

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

Meeting Prayers

A FORM FOR OPENING A MEETING

INTRODUCTORY VERSE:

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord

ALL: Who made heaven and earth.

Leader: As we gather for the meeting of (name of group meeting),
we call upon God to be with us.

PRAYER:

Leader:(Call upon God–for example:)

 

  • God of Love
  • Spirit of Understanding
  • Creator of the Universe

 

ALL: (Praise God for past favors–for example:)

  1. We thank You and praise You for Your goodness to us.
  2. You surround us with people who care.
  3. We praise you for the gift of life.

(Make your specific request for this meeting.)

  1. Be with us as we discuss (purpose of meeting).
  2. Inspire us to solve the problems we face today.
  3. Help us to create an atmosphere of loving kindness for (name the facility or unit).

(Conclusion)

  1. We ask this in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
  2. Be with us both now and forever. AMEN.
  3. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
    AMEN.
+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

A FORM FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OR BOARD MEETINGS

Almighty God, Ruler of the Universe,
by Your power we move and have our being.
We are gathered here today to serve You
and conduct the affairs of (name the facility).
Give us knowledge and strength to do Your will,
with a proper balance of eternal values and our present needs.
May we accept our responsibilities and act with courage,
considering the feelings of other people.
Grant us a sense of justice and stewardship both now and forever.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

A FORM FOR A LEADERSHIP MEETING

Holy Spirit of Wisdom,
You refresh us with Your life-saving power.
You have entrusted us with a share in leadership.
Help us to share ideas and plans with each other.
Keep us kind and courteous to one another.
Give us insight to the work at hand
that we may further Your causes and benefit many people.
Help us to resist any temptation to dominate,
control or forget the needs of all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

A FORM FOR A GROUP MEETING

Spirit of the Living God,
With faith and hope we trust in Your presence.
Give us a vision of Your plan for our salvation.
Bless our leader with wisdom and discretion.
Grant us patience to listen to reports,
to consider decisions which keep us moving forward.
Help us to support one another for the common good.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

A FORM FOR A FINANCE MEETING

God, our heavenly Father,
You provide and sustain us in life.
You gave us Jesus, our priceless treasure.
May our counting and recording procedures
promote good stewardship.
Help us to fairly share our resources with others.
May we respect all matters of confidentiality
and do all in Your spirit of generosity.
Bless us with wise discretion both now and forever.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB

A FORM FOR A PLANNING MEETING

Triune God, You are a community of persons.
In your mercy and grace,
we gather to plan (mention specific plan).
Give us unity of heart and mind
to consider the tasks and challenges before us today.
Send Your Spirit of Insight to open our imaginations
to prepare for what lies ahead.
May we trust and share our convictions with enthusiasm.
May Your kingdom come, through Jesus, the Christ, our Lord.
AMEN.

+Sister Mary Christa Kroening, OSB