1. Prayers for the week 10-14 December 2018
Prayer theme: Peace in Advent
The angels proclaimed “Peace on Earth” when the Baby Jesus was born. Today we wonder as we listen to the evening news, is peace possible? We all need two kinds of peace in our lives. We need inner peace, but we also need peace with others. God addresses both. He tells us what to do to find that peace.

2. How are you preparing for Christmas?
Monday 10 December
How are you preparing for Christmas?
Idea: Take some time out of the busy Christmas preparation to think about Jesus’ birth.

3. Monday 10 December
Compassionate God, we pray for Cecilia and Maria who have just become the first two FCJ sisters in Myanmar and for the FCJ communit over there. Bless the work they do in this troubled country. We pray for an end to the violence, for peace and tolerance amongst people with different faith in Myanmar. Amen.
Cecilia fcJ and Maria fcJ

4. Tuesday 11 December

5. Tuesday 11 December
Dear Lord,
Through the darkness, I look for your wisdom.
I want my heart to be open to you.
But sometimes in these days, it seems that
so many things come between us.
Help me to be awake and aware
of the radiance you bring to my life.
Help me to be grateful each day
for the blessings of family and friends.
Let me be a peacemaker
in my own life, and in the world.
Let me pray especially for this difficult world
and those who are so in need of an end to violence.
Idea: An attitude of prayer changes us and we can change the world so pray for peace, at home and in the many places in the world where there is war.

6. Wednesday 12 December
A reading from the prophet Isaiah: The desert and dry land will become happy. The desert will be glad and will produce flowers. Like a flower, it will have many blooms. All people will see the glory of the Lord. They will see the splendour of our God. Say to people who are afraid and confused, “Be strong. Don’t be afraid. Look, your God will come, Then the blind people will see again. Then the deaf will hear. Crippled people will jump like deer. And those who can’t talk now will shout with joy. Springs of water will flow in the desert. Streams will flow in the dry land.
Idea: What are your hopes for the future?
Take a moment to pray for them.

7. Wednesday 12 December
Prayer for peace in the Holy Land and the Middle East God of peace, bearer of hope, we seek your help for the people of the Middle East. Quiet the clamour of war and guide us towards peace. Where there is hatred and division sow seeds of calm and openness. Where there is destruction help us to rebuild. Where children are crying bring an end to tears. Shelter your peoples and protect them, guide them and keep them from harm. Show us how to break down the barriers of history and fear and breathe whispers of hope. Amen.

8. Thursday 13 December

9. Thursday 13 December
Make me an instrument of your Peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy.
We pray for peace in Liverpool and on the Wirral, for all the victims of knife crimes, and for those who carry knifes, help them to recognise the pain they are causing others. We pray for peace in our hearts. Amen.
Knife angel, made of confiscated knifes outside Liverpool Cathedral

10. Friday 14 December Idea: Go to Mass on Sunday to prepare for Christmas
Thank you loving God for the gift of life, for this wonderful world which we all share, for the joy of love and friendship, for the challenge of helping to build your kingdom. Strengthen my determination to work for a world of peace and justice, my conviction that, whatever our nationality or race, we are all one in Christ. my courage to challenge the powerful with the values of the Gospel, my commitment to find nonviolent ways of resolving conflict—personal, local, national and international, my efforts to forgive injuries and to love those I find it hard to love.
Teach me to share the gifts you have given me, to speak out for the victims of injustice who have no voice, to reject the violence which runs through much of our world today. Holy Spirit of God, renew my hope for a world free from the cruelty and evil of war, so that we may all come to share in God’s peace and justice.
Idea: Go to Mass on Sunday to prepare for Christmas

11. Friday 14 December
Examen Be silent and place yourself in God’s loving presence. Think about the good things that have happened this week and give thanks.​ Who have you left a good memory with this week? Look back over your week. Where have you felt joy and what has been difficult and challenged you? In the quiet of your heart, tell God about your experiences.​ Give thanks for who you are. As you look ahead, with what spirit will you enter next week? Ask God to help you.

12. Afternoon Prayer and Reflection
Lord
Thank you for the morning, for watching over me and walking with me. May I find joy and understanding this afternoon, in all I do. Grant me the zest and the strength I need to work for you until nightfall. Amen
Let us pause for a few moments in silence and remember those family members and friends who need our prayers and support today…………
Let us ask Mary, our Mother, to join us in our prayers as we say:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen
We end our reflection with a prayer inspired by our foundress followed by the school prayer:
Loving Father, life-giving spirit – Marie Madeleine believed in your power, hoped in your promises and lived for your glory. We ask her to pray for us and be with us as we carry the FCJ spirit into the 21st century. Protect and guide the pupils and staff at Upton and at all FCJ schools in this country and around the world. Amen
May the Lord bless us and keep us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen