March 22: Practicing Grace towards our Enemies

            Although we know God instructs us to practice grace towards everyone, we continue to place barriers between our enemies and us. We pray God gives us the strength to show grace toward our enemies. Grace does not mean condoning actions that hurt others and ourselves but instead attempting understanding and reconciliation where possible. May we admit to our own vulnerabilities and commit to listening to those who disagree with us. Mainly, may we show grace by acknowledging the hollowness of our divides and the unity of all humanity.

Photo by author, taken in Malacca, Malaysia 

March 20: Practicing Grace in Relationships

            We acknowledge that sometimes it is hardest to show grace to those closest to us. May God grant us the strength to practice grace in our relationships. May we accept forgiveness when our loved ones offer it and allow them space to grow when they make mistakes. We pray our loved ones show us the same compassion. Even when it is difficult, may God give us the maturity to avoid grudges and accept both our friends’ imperfections and our own. May Jesus and the grace he showed to others while on Earth serve as a model for our own relationships today.

Photo by author

February 23: Finding Grace in Forgiving Others

             May we find grace in learning to forgive others. In accepting others’ flaws, we acknowledge our own humanity and allow ourselves space to make mistakes. We release ourselves from grudges and begin to heal our wounds. We strengthen our faith by emulating Jesus’ characteristics of compassion and forgiveness. May God encourage others to accept the forgiveness we offer and may we find grace in the act of forgiving itself.

Photo by author, taken at St. Paul's Church in Malacca, Malaysia

February 3: Healing from Violence

            In times when we can see little light around us, we pray for healing from violence in our lives, our community, and our world. We ask God to listen to the cries of those suffering, the cries so often muffled by ignorance and assumption. May God use us as tools to heal others and may God send others to care for us. We ask God to grant us the wisdom to move forward, even when the path is difficult. We pray for the gifts of reconciliation, compassion, and understanding in order to heal our hurting communities. Though violence spirals seemingly endlessly throughout our world, we ask for God’s help in bringing closure through healing.

Photo by author

November 8: Closure to Past Wrongs

            Past wrongs undeniably have the ability to hurt us in the present. We ask God to bring us closure through healing. May we seek reconciliation where possible and acceptance where not. May our closure be based on the principles of compassion and understanding towards others and ourselves. We pray God will guide those who have hurt us towards contrition and us towards forgiveness. While we may not be able to forget or undo the past, we ask for God’s help in healing the pain we continue to feel in the present.

Photo by author