Week #23

Forty Weeks ~ Sacred Story

Week 23 Prayer Exercises

Encouragements & Wisdom

In addition to this week’s prayer materials, there are new Encouragements and Wisdom for Week 23 (PDF).

Part Two
Building Sacred Story Prayer Practice

1 I will assess my fidelity to the 15-minute prayer periods and make the adjustments necessary to be more faithful. I resolve to spend no more and no less than 15-minutes in each formal prayer session.

2 For week twenty-three I am invited to combine meditations one through four in the Sacred Story prayer. I will enter my prayer at least once daily as St. Ignatius suggested.

3 Meditation One, Two, Three and Four— Creation, Presence, Memory and Mercy: I will use my first prayer session to review the daily prayer structure and then use my 15-minute prayer periods for the rest of the week for the combined prayer.

I will awaken to the present moment.
I will awaken to my spiritual nature.
I will not make any decisions based on fear.
I will practice Sacramental Reconciliation monthly.

Focus Affirmation for Week Twenty-Three

I will say this affirmation aloud once daily:

Times of peace and hope always give way
to times of difficulty and stress.

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Read this reflection at the beginning of the week

Review the structure of the 15-minute prayer sessions. You will find these at the bookmark you left in Week 16. For this week, you are combining the first four meditations in Sacred Story Prayer: Creation, Presence, Memory and Mercy. Use your 15-minute prayer sessions this week to pray these four meditations together, following the wisdom you learned in Week 16 for this practice. You can also refresh your memory on the Preludes and Illuminative Graces of these four meditations if you find it helpful.

Awaken to Sacred Story—Creation, Presence, Memory, Mercy

Prayer Exercise—Creation, Presence, Memory, Mercy

CREATION
I believe God created everything in love and for love; I ask for the grace of a heart-felt knowledge of God’s love for me, and for gratitude for the general and particular graces of this day.

PRESENCE
I believe God is present in each moment and event of my life, and I ask for grace to awaken, see and feel where and how, especially in this present moment.

MEMORY
I believe every violation of love committed by me and against me is in my memory, and I ask God to reveal them to me, especially those that have manifested themselves today, so I can be healed.

MERCY
I believe that forgiveness is the only path to healing and illumination. I beg for the grace of forgiveness, and the grace to forgive, especially for the general and particular failures of this day, and from my past.

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My heart is steadfast, God;
my heart is steadfast.
Let me sing and chant praise.
Awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn.

I will praise you among the peoples, Lord;
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy is greater than the heavens;
your faithfulness, to the skies.

Appear on high over the heavens, God;
your glory above all the earth.
Help with your right hand and answer us
that your loved ones may escape.

(Ps 108: 2-7)