Becca Anderson - Prayers for Hard Times: Reflections, Meditations and Inspirations of Hope and Comfort (Christian gift for women)

Prayers
for Hard Times

Reflections, Meditations, and Inspirations of Hope and Comfort

Becca Anderson

Copyright 2017 Becca Anderson.
Published by Mango Publishing Group, a division of Mango Media Inc.

Cover Design: Elina Diaz
Layout & Design: Roberto Nunez

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Prayers for Hard Times: Reflections, Meditations and Inspirations of Hope and Comfort

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication number: 2017960351
ISBN: (paperback) 978-1-63353-529-9, (ebook) 978-1-63353-653-1
BISAC category code: REL036000 RELIGION / Inspirational

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Dear Reader,

The paths of our lives take many twists and turns and just as many ups and downs. I firmly agree with those who say you cant recognize the good times if you havent experienced the opposite. I also believe that going through difficulties builds character and makes us more resilient. But why, oh why do the tough times have to be so hard? I had the idea for this book ten years ago when a loved one, my fianc, was diagnosed with stage IV cancer with very few options. I was his primary caretaker, and I did my best to paste on a smile, speak about a positive future, and above all, stay upbeat for him. He was unable to work, so I was also the breadwinner; I arranged a steady stream of meal deliveries and friendly visitors while I worked my very long days. One day I was at a business lunch with an author who asked me how I was handling this. Suddenly, I was gasping for breath and had to run outside. I had to go home; after a couple more episodes, I went to the emergency room. I was diagnosed with stress-induced asthma and prescribed heavy-duty medications and ordered to rest. But I knew I couldnt sleep this off. The medications took effect after a couple of days, but the feeling that I was being suffocated by stress did not dissipate at all. To add to the load, I felt like I needed to be strong for someone else and that I was going to fail him. He passed very quickly, which somehow compounded the grief. We had barely had time to adjust to the severity of his illness when he died. One of the blessings to come from this was that his family and friends became a very close-knit group and have remained so, sharing memories and making new ones.

When the vicissitudes of life remind me that the only constant is change, I think back to those dark days and reflect on how it felt, oftentimes hopeless with a depthless sadness. The only thing that helped me was praying and reading the wisdom of others. I remembered wishing I had a book that I could carry with me at all times just so I could turn to it when I felt I just could not go on. I know you, dear reader, have also faced circumstances that seemed insurmountable. My sincere hope is that the prayers and homilies I have gathered here offer some comfort and courage to you. I would love to hear from youtell me the stories of what you and your loved ones have lived through and overcome. I would love to hear your encouraging words and gain strength from you.

With gratitude and blessings,
Becca Anderson

Fall seven times, stand up eight.

Japanese proverb

Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being.

Albert Schweitzer

We should always pray for help, but we should always listen for inspiration and impression to proceed in ways different from those we may have thought of.

John H. Groberg

A problem is a chance for you to do your best.

Duke Ellington

The Fearsome Blessing of Hard Times

The fearsome blessing of that hard time continues to work itself out in my life in the same way were told the universe is still hurtling through outer space under impact of the great cosmic explosion that brought it into being in the first place. I think grace sometimes explodes into our lives like thatsending out pain, terror, astonishment through inner space until by grace they become Orion, Cassiopeia, Polaris, to give us our bearings, to bring us into something like full being at last.

- Frederick Buechner

You Will Have Peace

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:2426, The Bible, NIV

By the Awful Grace of God

And even in our sleep,
pain that cannot forget
falls drop by drop upon the heart,
and in our own despite,
against our will,
comes wisdom to us
by the awful grace of God.

Agamemnon, Aeschylus 5th Century BC

Calling All Angels

Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom Gods love commits me here,
ever this day,
be at my side
to light and guard,
to rule and guide.

- Catholic LiturgyA Prayer to Guardian Angels

Inspire Me to Kindness, Each and Every Day

Day by day,
Let me see the grace
Day by day,
Let me see the way

Day by day,
Let me see the beauty
Let me hear the music
day by day
Let me see the way

Day by day
let me see the goodness
Let me feel the love
Inspire me to kindness
Day by day,
let me see the way

Let me see the grace
Let me see the way

- Day by DayHans van Rostenberghe

Growing Old

I am of the nature to grow old.
There is no way to escape growing old.

I am of the nature to have ill-health.
There is no way to escape having ill-health.

I am of the nature to die.
There is no way to escape death.

All that is dear to me and everyone I love
are of the nature to change.
There is no way to escape being separated from them.

My actions are my only true belongings.
I cannot escape the consequences of my actions.
My actions are the ground on which I stand.

- Buddha

Give Us the Power To Heal

Hail to thee, day! Hail, ye days sons!
Hail, night and daughter of night!
With blithe eyes look on both of us:
send to those sitting here speed!

Hail to you, Gods! Hail, Goddesses!
Hail, earth that gives to all!
Goodly spells and speech bespeak we from you,
and healing hands, in this life.

- The Poetic Eddathe Lay of Sigrdrifa, 600 AD

Prayer to St. Joseph the Protector

O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong,
so prompt before the Throne of God,
I place in you all my interests and desires.
O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession
and obtain for me from your Divine Son
all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord;
so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power
I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage
to the most Loving of Fathers.
O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you
and Jesus asleep in your arms.