Prayer has faithfully comforted me through many a dark moment. During my most painful, isolated times when my heart was breaking and confusion reigned I felt such despair and desperation. I had no clue as to how to lesson the suffering. My fumbling for meaningful words was just not good enough. I sought comfort in traditional prayer and gratefully adopted the prayers of others that resonated in my heart. The prayers crafted by Stormie Omartian in her many books (refer to Favorite Authors) provided a blanket of comfort I could not achieve on my own. Slowly I began to recapture my balance, restore my faith and renew my spirit. During this same period of time I religiously attended Al-Anon and Codependent's Anonymous twelve step programs. Every twelve step meeting I have attended opened, and frequently closed, with: The Serenity Prayer God grant me the Eventually I was able to author my own prayer, which I faithfully recite at the beginning of each new day. Although The Serenity Prayer and Stormie Omartian's prayers continue to bring me peace on a daily basis, my own prayer grounds me as I start my day. Dear God, In June of 2002 I began the ritual of a weeklong annual retreat. I travel to the beautiful, serene Nestucca Sanctuary. It is there that I can personally slow down and more deeply, peacefully, spiritually connect with the rhythms of the earth and my soul. It was at my first retreat that the prayer Spirit of the Living God was shared with me by the loving, gentle Alexandra whose smile lights the world with joy. Spirit of the Living God Spirit of the Living God Other prayers that ground me in peace and blanket me in comfort are: Jabez Oh, God (my insert) that You would
bless me indeed, A Prayer for Peace Lord, make me an instrument
of Your peace, The Memorare Other Paths to Peace... Gratitude | Affirmations | Journaling |