Context: Today’s prayer came to me on the morning of Christmas Eve. It was very difficult to put into words. These verses are based on Jesus’ presentation in the Temple, when Simeon prophesied about his life, and about what was to come for Mary, his mother:
The deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul (Luke 2:35; NLT).
Lord,
Pierce my mind
To cleanse each thought,
And pierce my heart,
For I am naught.
Then pierce my soul
Till we are one,
And pierce my flesh,
Like yours, God’s Son.
Lord,
Pierce my hands
To help me pray,
And pierce my feet
To share your way.
Then pierce my side
Till my love flows
Like yours, to all –
Both friends and foes.
Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).
References
I am nothing (Job 40:4; NLT).
They will look on me, the one they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10; NIV).
He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed (Isaiah 53:5; NLT).
They have pierced my hands and feet (Psalm 22:16; NLT).
One of the soldiers …pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out (John 19:34; NLT).
Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).
Love the stranger (Leviticus 19:34; NKJV).
Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).
The Rosary Hospital
Just before Christmas, I made myself a fiat rosary, only to discover I’d missed out one crucial bead. So on Christmas Day I took it apart and re-made it, but ran out of cord just before the final knot! Fiat rosaries are quite complicated, so yesterday I gave myself a break by making a standard five-decade rosary. This went smoothly, which helped to restore my confidence:
