Monday May 17th, 2021 is The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.
***The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
Based on a prayer by Alydia Smith
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Good Monday morning God our Constant Friend!
Knowing that You love all people of every sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity, we pray today that they have the right to live with dignity and without persecution or discrimination.
We remember and pray today…
We pray for the ten countries in our world where 2SLGBTQ+ people have been legally murdered and tortured because of who they are. We pray for the 2SLGBTQ+ people and their families who live in fear in Yemen, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, and United Arab Emirates. We pray for their government leaders. We pray for the people who live in constant fear of being killed in their own home country.
2SLGBTQ+ refugees from around the world seeking safety and sanctuary. We pray for them and the people who welcome them.
Trans and gender-diverse people in Canada, the United States, Brazil, and elsewhere, who are targeted victims of hate crimes and assaults. We pray for them and their families who love them.
2SLGBTQ+ people whose dignity and self-esteem have been eroded by hateful systems and structures. We remember them and we pray that we all become people who love everyone more fully.
You God created all of us to each uniquely reflect Your glory and express Your love to all people.
Anti-gay violence, homophobia, and transphobia have terrified and hurt people so badly, that some people have shut themselves down and even ended their own lives, because they were not allowed to uniquely be who they are! Remind us God that all of creation suffers from the effects of such hate, fear, and violence.
May we all be encouraged to build bridges of love where harmful divisions have been made.
We pray that equity and equality be for ALL people.
Let inclusion be our collective goal.
Help us God to be instruments of your peace while working continually for justice, so that everyone can live fully in Your love.
We ask for this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Lady – Pray for us!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
***************************************************************
Our thought for today, Tuesday May 18, 2021 is by Maria Popova
“When people try to tell you who you are, don’t believe them.”
Our morning prayer was written by Julie Palmer.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear God,
Thank you for the amazing world you have made.
Help us to care for every aspect of your creation.
Thank you for the wonders of physics, medicine, and astronomy.
Help us to engage with each facet of the universe.
Thank you for the power of the creative arts.
Help us to pioneer new vision and sounds in our generation.
Thank you for our incredible minds and bodies.
Help us to become all we could be as individuals.
Thank you for our family, friendships, community, and relationships.
Help us to accept, nurture and forgive one another.
Thank you for all these great things in our lives.
May we play our part in bringing peace, prosperity, and justice to all.
We ask for this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Lady – Pray for us!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
***************************************************************
Our thought for today, Wednesday May 19, 2021 is by Aimee Teegarden
“No matter where you are or where you grow up, you always go through the same awkward moments of being a teenager and growing up and trying to figure out who you are.”
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Good morning God!
Being a teenager can be rough on a good day, but it is such an exciting time1
It can be a time full of hope, full of dreams, and full of life!
It’s a great chance to learn, to take risks and explore,
to gain new skills and grow up on the inside.
This is the time when we start to choose our friends and they help us become who we want to be!
It’s all about joining in and having fun.
These years are just a glimpse of what excitement and joy lie ahead.
We ask You God that You would hold all teenagers in Your love.
May they know right from wrong.
May Your guiding hand lead them in the good ways of living.
Guide them, but still give them the freedom to fly.
It is such a great age to embrace life!
Keep them shining in the light.
Follow and cover, lead and protect
Set them free and hold them close every day.
We ask for this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Lady – Pray for us!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
***************************************************************
Our thought for today, Thursday May 20, 2021 is by – Russel H. Conwell
“So, if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected, let’s start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected!”
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Good morning God!
As we stumble through this life, help me to create more laughter than tears, dispense more cheer than gloom, spread more happiness than despair.
Never let me become so indifferent, that I will fail to see the wonders in the eyes of a child, or the twinkle in the eyes of a loving, elderly couple!
Never let me forget that there is more in life to laugh about than to cry about.
Help me to cheer people up when they need it.
Help me to teach my younger brother or sister, to take bad moments in stride.
May I hear You whisper: ‘When you made My people smile, you made Me smile.’
Let’s make smiles contagious!
Amen
We ask for this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Lady – Pray for us!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
***************************************************************
Our thought for today, Friday May 21, 2021 is
“Hello, long weekend. Long time no see!”
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
As we get ready for a long weekend, let us focus on today’s work and then let us unplug and enjoy our three days off! We ask you God to keep us safe and help us to follow the Stay At Home orders and enjoy the weather, and a good BBQ, and some outdoor activities in the sun!
Be with us this weekend and always!
Amen.
Our Lady – Pray for us!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.