God's forgiveness ~ Psalm 32 ~ The Joy of Forgiveness

1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,

and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.         Selah

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not hide my iniquity;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

and you forgave the guilt of my sin.         Selah

6 Therefore let all who are faithful

offer prayer to you;

at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters

shall not reach them.

7 You are a hiding place for me;

you preserve me from trouble;

you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.          Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,

whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,

else it will not stay near you.

10 Many are the torments of the wicked,

but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.

11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,

and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Keep confessing your sins, seek God's forgiveness and cleansing daily. When you confess your sins, you are restored by a loving Father who delights to shower the brokenhearted and repentant with His mercy and compassion.

Roman Catholic Museum ~ Penang Diocesan Museum ~ Penang, Malaysia

Food and Fun Fair ~ Church of Divine Mercy, Sungai Ara, Penang

Prayer when in Stress and Anxiety

Dear Lord, 

you know the difficult things I am facing. 

You know my mind won't let me 

stop thinking about everything. 

I feel stressed and so unsettled. 

I'm worried about what is going to happen. 

Please take my burdens 

and the "what if's" from me. 

Help me to focus my thoughts on you 

and not worry about what could happen. 

Please help me to take one day at a time. 

Please lead and guide me 

and take control of this situation. 

Please give me your wisdom 

and fill me with your peace. 

In the of Jesus, I pray. 

Amen.

Prayer for mothers who are giving birth (in labor)

God, our Father, look at all of us who are restless praying for (name) who is facing labor. How anxious and worried is she he was due to maternity pain. How she struggling to give birth to a new human life to be amidst us. Grant her the strength and calmness to overcome the maternity pain. Calm her heart so that she will go through this labor without any complications or difficulty. Hopefully after this heavy suffering and sacrifice, she will experience total recovery, joy and happiness which this new born baby brings in the family's life and the world. May she and her spouse after this joyful event continue their new duty of caring for and raising the baby. All of this we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and our mediator. Amen.

In the Bible, God has taught us how to give thanks through His word

Thank you God for everything.

Read the following Scripture verses to know how to give thanks to God who is good and righteous.

(Colossians 2:7) rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

(Colossians 3:15) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.

(1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

(Hebrews 12: 28) Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire.

(Psalm 136: 25-26) who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

(Psalm 86: 12-13) I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

(Psalm 69: 30-31) I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.

(Psalm 30: 3-4) O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit. Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.

(Hebrews 13: 14-16) For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

(Psalm 30: 11-12) You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

Not to give offense

Who likes to pay taxes, especially when you think they might be unreasonable or unjust? Jesus and his disciples were confronted by tax collectors on the issue of tax evasion. When questioned about paying the temple tax, Jesus replied to his disciples: We must pay so as not to cause bad example. In fact, we must go beyond our duty in order that we may show others what they ought to do. The scriptural expression to give no offense doesn't refer to insult or annoyance - rather it means to put no stumbling block in the way of another that would cause them to trip or fall. Jesus would not allow himself anything which might possibly be a bad example to someone else. Do you evade unpleasant responsibilities or obligations?

Jesus predicts his death and triumph over the grave 

On three different occasions in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus predicted he would endure great suffering through betrayal, rejection, and the punishment of a cruel death (Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, and 20:17-19). The Jews resorted to stoning for very serious offenses and the Romans to crucifixion - the most painful and humiliating death they could devise for criminals they wanted to eliminate. No wonder the apostles were greatly distressed at such a prediction! If Jesus their Master were put to death, then they would likely receive the same treatment by their enemies. Jesus called himself the "Son of Man" because this was a Jewish title for the Messiah which the prophet Daniel explained in his vision of the One whom God would send to establish his everlasting kingdom of power and righteousness over the earth (Daniel 7:13-14).

The Suffering Servant and Lamb of God 

Why must the Messiah be rejected and killed? Did not God promise that his Anointed One ( Messiah in Hebrew) would deliver his people from their oppression and establish a kingdom of peace and justice? The prophet Isaiah had foretold that it was God's will that the "Suffering Servant" make atonement for sins through his suffering and death (Isaiah 53). John the Baptist described Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1: 29, Isaiah 53:6-7). When Jesus willing offered up his life for us on the cross he paid the price for our redemption with his blood. 

Jesus offers freedom and victory over sin and death 

Jesus came to rescue us from sin and its destructive forces and to restore us to fullness of life with our heavenly Father. Sin not only separates us from God - it leads us down the path to corruption and unending death. Slavery to sin is to want the wrong things and to be in bondage to hurtful desires and addictions. The ransom Jesus paid sets us free from the worst tyranny possible - the tyranny of sin, Satan, and death. Jesus' victory did not end with his sacrificial death on the cross - he triumphed over the grave when he rose again on the third day. Jesus defeated the powers of death and Satan through his cross and resurrection. The Lord Jesus offers us true freedom and peace which no one can take from us. Do you want the greatest freedom possible, the freedom to live as God truly meant us to live as his sons and daughters?

Lord Jesus, your death brought true life and freedom. May I always walk in the freedom and power of your love and truth and reject whatever is contrary to your will for my life.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Nothing will be impossible to you

What kind of faith does the Lord expect of us, especially when we meet set-backs and trials? Inevitably there are times when each of us disappoint others or disappoint ourselves when we suffer some kind of set-back or failure. In this Gospel incident the disciples of Jesus fail to heal an epileptic boy. Jesus' response seems stern; but it is really tempered with love and compassion. We see at once Jesus' dismay with the disciples' lack of faith and his concern to meet the need of this troubled boy and his father. With one word of command Jesus rebukes the evil spirit that has caused this boy's affliction and tells the spirit to "never enter him again". 

Pray with expectant faith 

Jesus tells his disciples that they can "remove mountains" if they have faith in God. The expression to "remove mountains" was a common Jewish phrase for removing difficulties. A wise teacher who could solve difficulties was called a "mountain remover". If we pray with expectant faith God will give us the means to overcome difficulties and obstacles. When you meet trials and disappointments how do you respond? With faith and trust in Jesus?

Lord Jesus, help my unbelief! Increase my faith and trust in your saving power. Give me confidence and perseverance, especially in prayer. And help me to bring your healing love and truth to those I meet.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Novena to Saint Philomena (Litany)

"To Philomena, nothing is refused." 

Blessed Virgin Mary 

Normally the Novena and Litany to Saint Philomena is said 9 consecutive days from on 3 August to 11 August.

Saint Philomena helps in all sorts of problems, and is particularly invoked for help regarding conversion of sinners, return to the Sacraments, expectant mothers, destitute mothers, problems with children, unhappiness in the home, infertility, priests and their work, help for the sick, the missions, real estate, money problems, food for the poor and mental illness. Many saints have had a devotion to St. Philomena, including St. John Vianney. She is the patron saint of infants and youth.

* * * * * *

We beseech Thee, O Lord, to grant us the pardon of our sins by the intercession of Saint Philomena, virgin and martyr, who was always pleasing in Thy sight by her eminent chastity and by the profession of every virtue. Amen.

Illustrious virgin and martyr, Saint Philomena, behold me prostrate before the throne whereupon it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to place thee. Full of confidence in thy protection, I entreat thee to intercede for me with God, from the heights of Heaven deign to cast a glance upon thy humble client! Spouse of Christ, sustain me in suffering, fortify me in temptation, protect me in the dangers surrounding me, obtain for me the graces necessary to me, and in particular 

(Here specify your petition).

Above all, assist me at the hour of my death. Saint Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us. Amen.

O God, Most Holy Trinity, we thank Thee for the graces Thou didst bestow upon the Blessed Virgin Mary, and upon Thy handmaid Philomena, through whose intercession we implore Thy Mercy. Amen.

OR

Dearest St. Philomena, your prayers are powerful because you are so close to Our Lord. Your child-like faith and devotion are an inspiration to all of the faithful. Many miracles have occurred as a result of your intercession. In your closeness to Our Lord, please lift up these my intentions in prayer…

(state your intentions)

St. Philomena, at such a young age, you gave everything to Jesus to be come a consecrated virgin for the Kingdom. Giving even more, you gave your live as you suffered a martyr’s death to preserve your gift to our Lord. Pray for me, that I might have the same faith and willingness to accept God’s will no matter the cost.

Amen.

* * * * * *

Litany of St. Philomena 

(Composed by St. John Vianney) 

Lord have mercy on us. 

Christ have mercy on us. 

Lord have mercy on us. 

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. 

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. 

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. 

Holy Trinity one God, have mercy on us. 

Response after each phrase - Pray for Us 

Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins, 

St. Philomena, 

St. Philomena, filled with the most abundant graces from your very birth, 

St. Philomena, faithful imitator of Mary, 

St. Philomena, model of Virgins, 

St. Philomena, temple of the most perfect humility, 

St. Philomena, inflamed with zeal for the Glory of God, 

St. Philomena, victim of the love of Jesus, 

St. Philomena, example of strength and perseverance, 

St. Philomena, invincible champion of chastity, 

St. Philomena, mirror of the most heroic virtues, 

St. Philomena, firm and intrepid in the face of torments, 

St. Philomena, scourged like your Divine Spouse, 

St. Philomena, pierced by a shower of arrows, 

St. Philomena, consoled by the Mother of God, when in chains, 

St. Philomena, cured miraculously in prison, 

St. Philomena, comforted by angels in your torments, 

St. Philomena, who preferred torments and death to the splendors of a throne, 

St. Philomena, who converted the witnesses of your martyrdom, 

St. Philomena, who wore out the fury of your executioners, 

St. Philomena, protectress of the innocent, 

St. Philomena, patron of youth, 

St. Philomena, refuge of the unfortunate, 

St. Philomena, health of the sick and the weak. 

St. Philomena, new light of the church militant, 

St. Philomena, who confounds the impiety of the world, 

St. Philomena, who stimulates the faith and courage of the faithful, 

St. Philomena, whose name is glorified in Heaven and feared in Hell, 

St. Philomena, made illustrious by the most striking miracles, 

St. Philomena, all powerful with God, 

St Philomena, who reigns in Glory. 

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us O Lord. 

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. 

Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. 

V.) Pray for us, Great St. Philomena,
R.) That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray 

We implore Thee, O Lord, by the intercession of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, who was ever most pleasing to Thy eyes by reason of her eminent purity and the practice of all the virtues, pardon us our sins and grant us all the graces we need (and name any special grace you may require). Amen. 

St. Philomena, pray for us.