Presence

Dear Lord, as I come to You today,
fill my heart and my whole being
with the wonder of Your presence.

Freedom

Heavenly Father, make me conscious of whatever burden I am carrying today and give me the grace to place it at the foot of Your Cross and so enter freely into this time of prayer.

Consciousness

Life is busy, Lord.
Often my best intentions are left undone,
but I know that You are with me in all I say and do,
and in everyone I meet with daily.

The Word of God

³⁶When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

¹Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. ²These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; ³Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; ⁴Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

⁵These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not take a road leading to gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town, ⁶but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’^{, 8}Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

Inspiration

Having appointed the twelve, you sent them out with very special instructions. They were to go to the lost sheep, the less privileged ones, those who were unlikely to encounter you unless some of your group made a special effort to encourage and instruct them. Is that the job you have asked me to do? If so, help me to do it with an open heart and an observant eye.

Conversation

God’s Word is always fruitful.
How is it touching me now
as I reflect on what I have just prayed?
Do I feel comforted?
Do I feel challenged?

Conclusion

I thank God for His gift of love
as I go forth with joy and hope
to serve His people.

Amen