I know the way into your presence, Father.

It is through Jesus alone.

He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

There is no way for me to reach the Father, but through Him.

In Jesus, I have a perfect revelation of You, Father.

Through Him, I both see and know your heart, God.

If I ever wonder what You think of me, I can look to Jesus and all of my wondering will be laid to rest. - (John 14:6)

God,
thank You for giving me another day.
Let me face my troubles today
- the big and the small -
with a happy heart
filled with Your unending love.
Let me appreciate the moments of joy
You send me this day.
Let me see the cares of others
as an opportunity to bring
Your great compassion to those who most need it.

And God, I know that You see and know all things
- all of the world’s loveliness, and all of its harshness, too.
So on this day that You have given me,
I ask that I may bring Your joy with me
as I share myself with others.
And I pray that You will be warmed
by the happiness of Your children.

Finally, God, let me never forget
that in all things, in gladness or sorrow,
You who are all love and joy and hope
are always by my side.
Amen.

- – - prayer by St. Christopher

Lord, it’s so easy to give in.
To let the clouds gather
dark and threatening,
whipped up by the winds of my own fear.
Mists of my own making
blotting out the light and warmth of your presence.
So easy, in mouth-dry anxiety,
to feel alone.
Abandoned. Unprotected.

To roll in nettlebeds of self-pity,
the pain spreading as vision contracts,
until my horizon is described
by the jangled nerve endings of my despair.

Estranged. Alien.
Each accustomed act, new,
unknown, frightening.

And yet, Lord, you are near.
I hold on to your promise
„For I am with you, always.”
Always. Unconditional.
Words echoing
through the deep caverns of my doubt,
sometimes distant, sometimes near.
I reach out
feeling in the dark for reassurance.
And we meet. Touch.
Your hand held out too. First.
I hold on, warming my cold, fearful fingers
in the glow of your presence.
I hear your voice,
speaking my language.
Words I understand.
And I realise
there are no stange lands to you.
Your presence everywhere.
Your presence, home.
Thank you.