Prayer: Help me let go of the past

Lord, as I enter this time of prayer, I ask that you help me to let go of what is past. Release me from anger, resentment, and hurt of days gone by. Free me from bitterness and help me to fill this space with the love of Christ. I offer my gratitude for your gifts.

• For the gift of love, I offer thanks.
• For those people in my life who love me unconditionally, I offer thanks.
• For those who provide a safe place in the shelter of their unselfish love, I offer thanks.
• For those who give, expecting nothing in return, I offer thanks.
• For those who inspire me to raise to my best self, I offer thanks.
• For those who have helped me to put the pieces of my life back together when it seemed like circumstances or my choices have shattered my hopes and dreams, I offer thanks.

I honor the past and look forward to the future with hope so that the fires of hatred in this world transform into flames of love through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer: You have been so generous with your love

Lord, you have been so generous with your love toward me. I come to you in gratitude for your love, which is always present to me. In the stillness of this moment, I remember with thanksgiving the times in my life when your love enabled me to rise to my better self. I thank you for the gift of your Son, who came that I might know what perfect love looks like. Breathe in me new life, instilling me with enthusiasm for the opportunities I have to begin again. Empowered by your love for me, help me to unite with all of life in the example of Jesus, who is Lord of my life. Help me to be intentional in the way I interact with others so that no one can doubt whom I serve. Help me to be patient and gracious with myself when I give them good reason to doubt. Amen.