Book of Daily Prayer (11-15)

11. Bread-loaf-hope

Each of us, a shaft of wheat needed to form the BREAD to feed the hungry world. The good grain grounded into flour by the Miller’s stone. Come together to form the LOAF that is broken only in the coming together and in the breaking is there HOPE.

12. I will pass through this world but once

I expect to pass through this world but once, any good thing therefore that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

13. To take a risk

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool,

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental,

To reach out for another is to risk involvement,

To expose feelings is to risk exposing the self,

To place ideas and dreams before the crowd is to risk loss,

To love is to risk rejection,

To live is to risk dying,

To hope is to risk despair,

To try at all is to risk failure,

But risk we must,

Because the grates hazard of all is to risk nothing,

For those who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing, … are nothing.

14. Prayer to St. Joseph the worker

O Joseph, model for all who labor,

Pray to God with us. It is an honor to use the gifts and develop the talents he has given us. May his grace strengthen us to work with order and patience, thankfulness and joy. We pray that we may strive dutifully and conscientiously to fulfill our tasks, that all our accomplishments may benefit others and serve their needs. Then may the Lord acknowledge our efforts at the hour of death, that we may join you in praising him forever. 

15. Prayer of awareness

Father, I come before You, just as I am, to praise you and to give you thanks, for you truly are the Creator of heaven and earth.

I beg of You in the Name of Jesus, to enlighten my mind, to see those things you would have me see, and to strengthen my will, to do those things you would have me do.