The Least, The Lost, and The Suffering
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of joy, compassion, creativity, and longing.” ~Brene Brown
For those who are suffering, that they are able to share their feelings and lighten the burden, without fear of judgment or fear of vulnerability stopping them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
May everyone be accepted for and open about their flaws. May all differences not divide. I pray for us all to become the human race full of differences, yet sharing a common humanity.
May all races be accepted by one another. May all women be given equal rights compared to men. May all the poor be given a chance to be wealthy. May the ones that don’t have money be able to take control of their health.
“Having loved his own who were in the world, Jesus loved them to the end.”
Personal Vulnerability
“Courage is being able to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart, the courage to be imperfect.” ~Brene Brown
I wish for a world that everyone can eel like they have a place in the world. That everyone can say what they feel or expose who they truly are without being judged or shamed. That everyone fills their life with support that is true to them. For people to stop feeling vulnerable or ashamed for who they are, without the fear of loss. For people to stop being someone they’re NOT. For everyone to be supported and connected to everyone around you, even if you don’t share their same interests.
I’m scared of being alone in a group of strangers. This ties into the concerns of the local community because in a community, everyone should feel included, and it’s everyone’s job to make all of the others feel included. This fear includes being left out, and feeling like you don’t belong. There are many times when I feel like my friends don’t love me, and it’s possibly the worst feeling in the world. This also falls in to the relationship category. When I’m in a relationship, I like to b important to that person like they are to me. It’s never fun to be in one where the person lies to you.
At one point or another we’ve all felt as though we are just part of a huge crowd. This feeling can make us feel tiny, unimportant, and ignored. Most of us struggle with our self-image. I personally lack self-confidence when I’m around unfamiliar people. I tend to shut down and avoid conversation. In the end I end up feeling worse about myself because I feel like people get the impression that I’m extremely quiet and a bit rude, but in reality I’m just uncomfortable in some social situations. I hope that in the future I can overcome this.
Jesus said, “I have set you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”
Community
“The people who have a sense of love and belonging believe they are worthy of love and belonging.” ~ Brene Brown
For those that have been hurt by someone they love, that they can find happiness in other parts of live. For all those who have trouble finding their place, that they can find a loving community.
For all those who fear being ostracized from a community on account of who they are; let them feel accepted and loved and embraced not only by their community but also by the Lord.
For those who are surrounded by the new and feel as if there is an empty space to fill and no one to go to, let them feel as if they are surrounded by a community full of support and love.
May the Lord be with those that open up only to be shut down. May he accept those who wish to open up without fear of rejection. May he help raise up those who refuse to stand up in fear of falling. May he be with those who refuse to be social in fear of not being accepted.
Oh Loving God, please help those affected by the loss of a friend, a comrade, or family. Please help them to see how many lives their loved ones changed, and show them that though they may be gone, they are still living. Help the departed see their families and find them. Help the living from the vulnerabilities of depression and temptation. Help all of us get to our loved ones one day so that we may be united again in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.”
Love and Belonging {We Are Enough}
“You’re imperfect. And you’re wired for struggle. But you are worthy of love and belonging.” ~ Brene Brown
I pray for those who feel like they are not enough. God will never see you that way, because he made you to shine, and even if you don’t feel like that now, He has bigger and better things coming for you.
I pray for the strength to face fears of abandonment, to come to terms with rational fear, but to be in command of them. To control you fears, not the other way around. I pray to be able to know I belong.
May those who feel like they are wrong feel as though they are right. May those who feel like they have failed see the good in their acts. May those who are worried have optimism.
God of mercy, help us to recognize others that work for our grace, and help us receive grace from the others that we would like to receive grace from.
Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: that you love one another.”
