Dear and gracious God,

Dear and gracious God,
Help me to live this day
Quietly, easily
To lean upon Thy great strength
Trustfully, restfully
To wait for the unfolding of Thy will
Patiently, serenely
To meet others
peacefully, joyfully
To face tomorrow
Confidently, courageously

—Author unknown

The Lord will be My Confidence

The Lord will be my confidence … Proverbs 3:26

We may think we are placing our trust in the Lord, but if we look more closely, we may see that we are sometimes actually placing it in other things.  What kind of things? How about a healthy bank account, a secure job, a unique talent, our own intelligence or personality, a specific way of praying, a particular charismatic leader or just plain good health? As vital as these things may be to us, they pale in comparison to our personal relationship with the God who knows and loves us more than we can imagine.

But this passage from Proverbs goes on.  It reminds us that serving the Lord means serving others.  It doesn't mean worshiping in a certain way or judging others by their orthodoxy or cocooning ourselves from the world's messy problems. No, serving God means serving others.  It's as simple - and as challenging - as that.  Whom shall I serve today?

Loving God, help me to serve you more by serving the unique individuals you put into my life every day.  Amen.

Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.

— Psalm 90:12

Where I live in northeast Ohio, September is when the fall foliage is in full glory.  Everywhere I look I behold trees of bright red, orange, yellow and even gold.  It's a sight that amazes me every year, one I never take for granted.  As I watch the leaves falling, I find myself saying, "What a way to go!  In such splendor!"

The beauty and predictability of fall help me to believe in the goodness and constancy of God.  Fall comes.  Summer is over. Winter is on its way.  And even though fall appears to be a season of death, it isn't really.  The trees are not dying. Their precious vitality is stored in their intricate root systems beneath the ground.  When outward circumstances change (and they will), these same trees will sprout brand new green leaves. Fall is the sign of the ingenuity of God.  When things appear to be dead, new life bursts forth.

Source of All Wisdom, help me to see possibilitieswhere I am tempted to see only death.  Amen.

— Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.

Prayer for the People of Haiti

Lord God, months have now passed since the earthquake
that devastated Haiti. In that time many have reached out to help
but the needs of this poor nation stretch on and on.
Help us to help, through our prayers, our donations,
our direct service, but most of all through our love and care.
May we serve you in the least of our brothers and sisters,
in Haiti, in our own country and wherever we encounter them. Amen.

From "Living Faith"
Daily Catholic Devotions