The Pastoral Care department at Saint Elizabeth has provided some prayers of comfort, thoughfulness or condolence for your reflection.

Promises
God hath not promised
   Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
   All our lives through;
God hath not promised
   Sun without rain.
Joy without sorrow,
   Peace without pain.
But God hath promised
   Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
   Light for the way.
Grace for the trials,
  Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy
  Undying love.

I asked God to take away my pride and God said no. He said it was not for him to take away but for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole and God said no. He said her spirit is whole; her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience and God said no. He said that patience is a by-product of tribulation; it isn't granted, it's earned.

I asked God to give me happiness and God said no. He said he gives blessing; happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain and God said no. He said suffering draws you apart from worldly care and draws you closer to him.

I asked God to make my spirit grow and God said no. He said I must grow on my own but I will be in heaven one day because I believe.

I asked God to help me love others as much as he loves me. God said, "Ah, at last! You finally have the idea."
          Rev. Bill Bausch

 

For Prayer Partners
The Lord will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. He will counsel you and watch over you. (See Psalm 32:8)

Lord,
Lay on my heart
Whom I should pray for today.
Show me how to encourage them, I pray.
Touch someone's heart
To pray for me too,
And bless our friendship
With each other and You.
           Nancian Davis Hall

 

To Know God
O God,
Give me a mind to know You,
A heart to love You,
And a soul to rest on Your mercy.
          Harriet E. Crosby

To Dream Is Not Enough
I dream of becoming
The kind of Christian,
The kind of person,
Who is open to Your leading, Lord.
And yet I block Your plans for me with,
"I'm too busy, God," or
"Perhaps tomorrow"
But when tomorrow is today
I have forgotten
Or have too much to do,
And so postpone again
Striving to achieve Your goals.
To dream is not enough.
The time has come to say,
"I will, with Your help, Lord,
sincerely try to know your will-
and do it!"
          Eileen M. Berger

 

A Nurse's Prayer 
   When I falter, give me courage.
When I tire, renew my strength.
When I weaken, because I'm human,
Inspire me on to greater length,
   If doctors and patients become demanding,
And days are too short for all my duty,
Help me remember, I chose to serve,
To do so with grace, and spiritual beauty.
   In humility, Lord, I labor long hours-
And though I sometimes may fret:
My mission is mercy - abide with me,
That I may never forget.