Prayers ~ 2003
 
II
Come, Holy Spirit,
As we thank you for bringing us together.

We praise you and
We ask that you fill us with your gentle wisdom.

Open our minds and our hearts as we meet in your name.
Fill us with a holy curiosity for your truth.

Confirm our faith in you and in the Father and the Son.

Guide us as we seek to become the People of God,
Guide us as we strive to understand the doctrines of our faith.

Deepen our dedication to discovering the wondrous ways of
            your creation
And the laws which govern our universe–from the tiniest molecule
            to the most far-flung galaxy.

Teach us to find strength and great health
            as we begin our search for truth.

 

III

O creator of the universe, you have made
A world filled with wondrous things,
And you have created these our senses
Which are part of your creation
And which permit us to see and touch your creation--
Open our eyes and our minds and our hearts to your truth and your beauty
To your power and your unending love.
May this time be one of new awakening to the wonders of the mind.
May we deepen our appreciation of the vast heavens you have made.
May you, who are beyond space, and time, and shape,
Come to fill our space and time and to all the great gifts
Which you have so generously given us
May you add the gift of much humility and awe.
 
 
IV
O God of all creation and all knowing and all truth
We ask that you bless us this morning with an openness of mind
And a gentleness of heart.
Make us ever mindful of the vastness and beauty of your creation.
Fill us with a sincere desire to know your truth.
Free us from those presumptions and prejudices which bind us
And which limit our power to know and to love.
Open our inner selves to listen to the voices of those around us
And to our inner voice which calls, searching for you.
 
 
V

Once again we praise you for you are deserving of all our love
We thank you for the abundant generosity of your creation
And especially for this gift of knowing, a gift which reflects
Your own nature and permits us to share in your life.
We ask that as we learn more and more about ourselves and your creation
That we may be drawn closer and closer into sharing in your life.
Give us the grace to exploit our talents
So that we will be judged worthy stewards of your creation.
Remain with us constantly, ever inclining our minds
To your truth.
 
 
VI

O heavenly father, who dwells in heaven and on earth
And in our heart of hearts.
We praise you and thank you for this day and this life.
We thank you for this mind and these hands and feet,
For the water and earth, the birds and animals, and insects
Which give us such nourishment and comfort.
We thank you for this time, this place, this space.
We ask that you guide us as we strive once again
To do your will by striving to discern your truth.
Help us to be of a humble and open disposition.
Help us to be attentive to the voices of others.
Help us to be attentive to that voice within us
Implanted by you to guide us as we live.
Open our eyes and our minds to the lessons
Of your universe: your clouds, your stars,
Your galaxies, your birds, trees, and flowers.
Let us this day so live that our lives,
The greatest gift which you have lavished upon us,
May be pleasing to you.
 
_________
Composed as opening prayers for certain of the seminar sessions on Catholic Perspectives on Science,  Spring, 2003.