| "Lord, Teach Me to Love" Lord, I am in need. How You know it! But why am I so often the last person willing to admit this? Help me to realize my need. How I need You! You are near, Lord, but where am I? What am I seeking? What’s holding me back? I know my fear, my shame, my guilt. If only I hadn’t… – I have suffered and have caused suffering. Give me the grace and strength to turn to You, to seek Your forgiveness. What is life without Your mercy, O Lord? Heal my soul. Help me to understand that every saint has a past and every sinner has future. * * * * * * * * * * * My Saviour, this is who I am. I hide nothing from You. But it is because you are so holy that I want to offer You not only my best but also my worst. I humbly lift up to You everything about myself: the gifts and blessings You have given me, the weaknesses and regrets that are mine. Lord, I am yours. Love me. * * * * * * * * * * * But why am I so pleased, Lord Jesus, when others notice me, praise me and choose me? Do I want to feel loved more than to love? Is what I do more important than who I am? It’s as if I’m hoping that they will convince me that I am worthy. But who is truly worthy in Your sight, O Lord? Let not what has happened to me crush me or make me bitter. Turn my wounds into fountains of compassion. May the pain purify me and sanctify me. Almighty God, draw an abundance of good out of the evil that has touched my life. Remind me that I have not yet reached my final home. I ask why, Lord, not in doubt but with the desire to understand. Increase my faith that I may see things as You see them. Jesus, I trust in You. * * * * * * * * * * * There was a time when I was not, My God, and You, in Your overflowing goodness, brought me into existence – You hold me in existence. You could’ve created countless other people – but you created me. Because of Your love, Lord, I am irreplaceable. Put deep in my heart, Lord, the knowledge that I can never loose the goodness and dignity that You have placed in the depths of my being. Not even the evil of sin can destroy this. But, you have called me, not to be merely Your creature but Your child. To share in Your intimate life of grace. For this wonderful destiny, dear God, I praise you. Help me to be worthy of the words, “This is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased”. In Your mercy, Lord Jesus, keep me faithful. * * * * * * * * * * * And, Lord, you want to love others through me. In the wonder of Your providence You choose to need me. For nobody else can love with my heart. You have shared Your goodness with me that I may find myself in giving myself – something worth giving – in love. I can do this because, “the Son of God loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). I want to see beyond myself and to rejoice in the happiness of others. For they are worthy, Lord. Open my eyes to see You in those who are dear to me. Grant me a special love for those who appear unlovable, and for those who do not return love for love. Mother Mary, whose heart was all-pure, teach me to love. Free my heart that it may love spontaneously and joyfully. * * * * * * * * * * * I want to love You, My Lord, not because of what You have given me or do for me but because of who You are. And when my heart feels empty and dry, this will be my gift. How worthy You are of my love! Lord, I want You to be the One worth living for – the One worth dying for. I want to know You more, Lord, that I may fall in love with You more and more. My God, in loving You I continue to be amazed at how much You love me. You know no other way except love. I praise You for You have loved goodness into me. For all that is in my past, Lord, thankyou. For all that is to come, Lord, YES! Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
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