OPENING PRAYER
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psalm 103:1 ESV
THE REFRAIN
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 103:8 ESV
THE WORD OF GOD/A READING
Romans 8:28-39 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
THE REFRAIN
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 103:8 ESV
PRAYERS
Lord, help me breathe deeply throughout my day, especially when my little one is crying or uncomfortable. I feel so deeply attached to my little one and I know you have created our bond in such a way, and I thank you for that. I also ask for strength and wisdom to not internalize his/her/their own discomfort as my inadequacy as a mother. Help me be in tune with my little one the way you have designed and also take care of myself. Please grace me with level-headedness and steadfastness. – Rachel
CONCLUSION
A Collect for Guidance BCP 82
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: we humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.