—from the book Soul Training with the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
by Albert Haase, OFM  

—from the book Soul Training with the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
by Albert Haase, OFM

Every Wednesday morning at 2 a.m., Charlie wakes up, gets dressed, and drives to his parish for an hour of eucharistic adoration. Every Saturday, he drives two hours to have lunch with his college roommate Bill, who doesn’t recognize Charlie because he has early onset Alzheimer’s. When I asked Charlie why he made those Saturday trips to someone who doesn’t recognize him, his answer challenged me. “It’s a way for me to put into action what I learn every Wednesday morning.” Our eucharistic adoration should lead to eucharistic action—a life of service, surrender, and sacrifice.

Pray

Selfless Jesus, you come to me in the Eucharist
and remind me how you broke your body
and poured out your blood for the salvation of all.
May the time I spend with you in eucharistic adoration
be a vivid reminder that as a disciple,
I too, am called now to a life of selflessness.
May my eucharistic adoration transform me
into the Bread of Life for others.
Amen.

Act

Following time spent in eucharistic adoration, commit to doing a specific act of charity.

The Lord’s Prayer has been called “a summary of the entire Gospel.” It reveals a heavenly Father whose name should be reverenced. This Father has a dream for the world where peace, love, and justice reign. Each one of us is called to discover and do God’s will. We live with open hands knowing that God will provide for our daily needs. We pray to be forgiven to the degree that we forgive. We ask for protection against temptation and evil. Not only a gospel summary, this prayer also provides a model for living.

Pray

Lord Jesus, you left us a blueprint for true happiness
in the prayer you taught us.
May my thoughts, words, and actions
testify to the generosity of your Father,
who fulfills our needs and forgives our sins.
May my life make manifest your kingdom of peace, love, and justice.
May I follow your example and always seek to do your Father’s will.
Amen.

Act

Consider how you can live the words of the Lord’s Prayer in a practical way today.

Ever been deeply touched by a news story? That’s God’s way of stretching the size of your heart and asking you to intercede for the situation. That intercession can take the form of a prayer of petition, giving a donation, or becoming informed about the backstory of the situation.

Pray

Loving God, save me from the sin of being disinterested and uninvolved 
with local, national, and international events.
Broaden my understanding of the spiritual life, and soften my heart.
Then, and only then, can I become an instrument of your grace
and a source of your blessing for the needs of the world.
Amen.

Act

Prayerfully read, watch, or listen to the news. As you do, ponder how God might be calling you to a specific response.

The psalmist sings, “The heavens are telling the glory of God,” in Psalm 19:1. And so does the earth. And every single human being. And don’t forget the armadillo and the aardvark. The created cosmos is a book written by God just for us. When we pause to ponder a pulsar or a parakeet, we “read” about God’s goodness, power, beauty, and presence. “Stop and smell the roses” is not simply good advice to take time out of your busy schedule to relax—it’s also an excellent way to fall in love with the Creator.

Pray

Creator of the Cosmos, your majesty and creativity
are the source of everything—from the blazing sun
and a blade of grass to the hippopotamus and the human heart.
May I have a profound appreciation and reverence for creation,
knowing it proclaims your goodness, power, beauty, and presence in my life.
Amen.

Act

As you page through a magazine, the internet, or watch TV, prayerfully ask yourself, “What does this image tell me about God?”