MikeLigalig.com

Foreword

The humanity of the third millennium is facing problems which can be resolved only by global cooperation. Many people look forward to the future with anxiety and sorrow. To become aware that we are one great family of men is more urgent than ever before.

Isn’t it time to discover the real base of human brotherhood, that is to say, the universal paternity of God? It is an immense task in which Christians have a primordial role to play. It is we who have to begin to better live our real identity, Christian and human: that is to be children of the same Father through Christ in the Spirit.

Devotion to the Father was the devotion of Jesus. The whole person of Jesus is polarized by the Father. His mission is to reveal to us the Father, to manifest His infinite love, to open the way and lead us to Him. Yet the manner in which Jesus spoke to his Father was revolutionary: "Abba," or "Dad," as a little child calls his father.

The first Christians exclaimed "Abba, dear Father!" in the enthusiasm of the Holy Spirit, expressing their new life as children of God. Presently are we really with Jesus on the way to the Father? Or have we become "fatherless" after the criticism of the father figure by psychoanalysts and feminists? Not at all, provided that we are conscious first that God the Father is not a man but God; and second that we mean what Jesus meant by "Father", namely God as the Origin of Total, Infinite and Unconditional Goodness. Then we can call God "Father", or even like Jesus, "Abba" or " Dad" in childlike simplicity.

May these prayers help us to enter the stream of filial love of Christ and so serve the grandiose design of the Father: reunite all human beings into one family in Christ "for the praise of his glory". (Ephesians 1,12)

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Dear Loving Heavenly Father,

Look past our sins, our misfortunes, our failures, our vices, all things that you do not approve of. Give us the strength to accomplish things that are approving in your eyes, give us the strength to do good -- and all things that are pleasing in your eyes. But if we falter, do forgive us for our weakness, Dear Father.

Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ told us: "Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16: 23-26)

We ask you to forgive us all of our sins, Dear Father. We ask that you strengthen us and uplift us when we need your Power and Grace. We Ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, Your Only Begotten Son. Amen.

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Third Day

Your Heart’s Desire

He destined us in Love to be his sons through Jesus Christ [Eph. 1:5]

Dear Father, from eternity you have thought of us.
Your loving heart concealed a wonderful plan:
You wanted to raise children, loving them in your Son and as your Son.
With a holy enthusiasm you have created the universe with this aim.
You will one great family in which all would be united
in the love of Christ as brothers and sisters.
This community of love is your Church.
All in it is founded on love.
That’s why all in it shall be accomplished by love, in love and for love.
What a dream! A community which knows only love and is open to all men.
Father, this dream shall become reality!
I will begin just where I am:
Let me consider my neighbor as this whom Jesus wants to love through me.
Make me patient, comprehensive, large-hearted,
considering others better than myself,
everywhere emphasizing what is good,
abstaining from loveless criticism of others.
May I keep only those thoughts in my mind which serve love and unity,
and endeavour to make peace.
Father, let the Church more and more resemble the Trinitarian Communion of Love!




Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Amen.

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Fifth Day

You Take Care of Us

Your Father knows what you need  [Mt. 6:8]

Father, I don’t know what life will bring me yet.
The future is hidden to us. Will I always have a job? How will my health be?
What will the future of the Church be? Where is the world going?
You don’t want us to be troubled, for you take care of us.
You are our Father and we are your children.
A child cannot earn his living. It cannot maintain itself.
It depends on others.
Father, could I exist without you?
What is my own that I haven’t received from you?
Finally I owe all to you, my kindly Father.
Only you know the future. You know everything,
you have power over all and you love me.
That’s why with you I can feel myself totally safe.
Father, I abandon all to you.
As you ordain it, that is best for me.
I believe in your love.
I believe that you always assist your Church with your Spirit
and that you guide us by our shepherds in good pasture.
You love our earth.
That’s why I believe that you will also grant it a future.
Father, I trust you entirely.
I am still wanting only one thing:
to answer your love with gratitude
and to please you with my confidence and simplicity.
All for your greater joy!




Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Amen.


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Seventh Day
 
In spite of suffering  I believe in your love

This slight momentary affliction is preparing for us
an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. [2 Cor. 4:17]

Father, when it becomes gloomy in my soul,
don’t let me think that you are no longer with me.
If I am afflicted by sickness or harm,
don’t let me think that you want to punish me for something.
If I have fallen into sin and guilt,
don’t let me believe that you are angry with me
and that you won’t love me any longer.
If I feel useless and weak,
don’t let me think that I don’t count for you any more.
Aren’t you then especially near to me since you are love?
Can I do anything greater than to accept suffering and to say:
Father, I love you?
The greatest performance is suffering and the greatest action is love.
What could Jesus still do on the cross?
Nothing else than suffer and love.
It was not you who wanted his suffering, for you are love.
But you have turned all into the best:
into life and salvation for the whole world,
into victory over sin and death,
into glory without end for all those who have opened their hearts to love.
Father, I believe in your almighty power and infinite love.
You have done what is best for your children.
All is an occasion for love.
You are able to turn the greatest evil into greatest good.
Into your hands I put everything that I have and that I am.
Not my will shall be done but yours, always and everywhere.
Father, I love you!



Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Amen.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=43611.0