Theme 123 : Lifting Hands Up

"Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them." - Luke 24:50
"I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument." - 1 Timothy 2:8
"Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and the land raised his right hand to heaven"  - Revelation 10:5
"Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord." -  Psalm 134:2
"Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice." - Psalm 141:2
"Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord." - Psalm 134:2
"Let bronze be brought from Egypt; let Ethiopia hasten to stretch out its hands to God."  - Psalm 68:31

Prayer :
"I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name." - Psalm 63:4
"Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to you for help, as I lift up my hands towards your most holy sanctuary."  - Psalm 28:2
"My eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call on you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you." - Psalm 88:9

Theme 122 : My Inner Atmosphere

Animals, birds and human beings have their own suitable atmosphere in their own dwelling-places. In Heaven God has a befitting atmosphere for HIS dwelling. Out of love for us, God offers to dwell in us to help us in our fragility. We need to have enough inner credibility to make the Holy God feel comfortable within us. Lazarus, Mary and Martha made Jesus feel at home in their house at Bethany. We are to constantly check whether the atmosphere inside us is appropriate for the Purest One to dwell or not. Let us be regular in keeping our inner self clean and tidy.

Prayer :
Forgive me, my God, for the times I ignored YOU conveniently or invited YOU without any inner preparation. May I be able to put my heart and effort to keep my inner atmosphere fitting for YOUR dwelling.

Theme 121 : The Helmet

The head, the body's very significant part, is the seat of reason, intelligence, intellect, freedom of choice or action, etc. Protection of the head is of great importance. The name 'Jesus' means 'God saves'. Jesus was born on earth to bring us salvation from sin. Salvation is the spiritual helmet for our spiritual head. Satan’s blows are directed at the believer’s security and assurance in Christ. Our spiritual head is to be protected from fear and doubt, the two dangerous edges of satan’s broadsword.

Prayer :
Jesus, my Saviour, trusting in YOU immediately saves me from evil. Being under YOUR abounding Grace, sin has no dominion over me. Remind me every morning to wear the helmet of salvation for the protection of my spiritual head.

Theme 120 : 'Faith' decides 'Fate'

Our existence came forth from God and we are lifeless without God. Faith in God is a gift from God. When God gives it to us, it is up to us to receive it or not. Our fate depends on our faith. God has given us the freedom to create our destiny choosing whether to depend on God or not. God is powerful and HIS Power flows in and through us when we allow it to happen. Trust is the expression of faith. Trusting the most Powerful One is the wisest thing one can ever do.

Prayer :
Most Faithful God, I want to be Faith-filled. Forgive me for the times I was not receptive to the gift of Faith. Help me to place my trust in you and take responsibility for my life to live it fully.

Theme 119 : Let Go..

Our natural tendency is wanting to be free of pain. Yet, some of us run the same painful thought-stories over and over again in the head and make the future a variation of the past. Such individuals derive a kind of pleasure from brooding over unpleasant matters. Habituated mind-patterns make them hold on to and take pleasure in pain. Letting go of painful memories actually frees us from unwanted bondages. Appropriate ways and means can be sought to help us in letting go and making life smooth.

Prayer :
Free me, Lord, from the addiction of the pleasure of holding on to unhelpful memories. Release me from my unhealthy mind patterns and each time help me in practising to let go..

Theme 118 : Receive the Given

Before we come to know, God knows our needs. Before we ask, God already gives whatever we need. By asking God for what we need, we are expressing our faith in God. If it is not reaching us, it is because we do not have enough faith to receive what is given to us. "Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive." (Mathew 21:22). What we actually need is the Holy Spirit. We are given the Holy Spirit through the Sacraments. It is up to each one to receive the Holy Spirit or not.

Prayer :
Most Trustworthy God, open my eyes and heart of Faith to see clearly and to embrace deeply what YOU give to me. Thank you for the Gift of the Holy Spirit. When I have the Holy Spirit active in me, what else do I really need ?

Theme 117 : A Freeing Virtue

Purity is not considered as a virtue by most people. Today's media-stricken lives do not care about Purity. While 'lack of Purity' makes us weak and enslaved, Purity makes us strong and internally free. In the absence of Purity, our locus of control tends to be outside of us and we are inclined to have a low self-esteem. The joy of Purity is incomparable. Desiring and pursuing Purity is a sign of closeness to the Divine. Each time, rising at once after a fall is what matters. Every good-hearted effort to be pure is counted and blessed.

Prayer :
Most Pure God, thank YOU for calling me to YOUR Holiness. I want to draw near to YOU and enjoy inner freedom. Make me pure in my body, mind, heart and soul. May my thoughts, attitudes, intentions, words and actions be always pure.

Theme 116 : Great Wealth and Power

Purity is great Wealth! Purity is great Power! Mother Mary is most wealthy and powerful because of her purity. Her gentle presence crushed the head of the evil one. The Immaculate Conception was the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother free from the original sin by virtue of the foreseen merits of her son Jesus. Through the sacrament of Baptism, we too are free from the original sin and are filled with Grace just like Mother Mary.

Prayer :
Dear Jesus, thank YOU for saving me from the clutch of sin. May I, like YOUR Mother, live in Grace so that  Purity becomes wealth and power for me in my day to day life.

Theme 115 : Spiritual Awakening

Human beings are spiritual beings in the first place. It is upto each person to keep his/her spirit awake or asleep. Those who allow themselves to be spiritually awakened let go of tightly-held beliefs and views to relish a spacey feeling. Their awareness of themselves and the outside world is remarkable that they brighten the spot where they are. Their eating, working and sleeping habits are such that they promote health, well-being and quality of life.

Prayer :
God of life, thank YOU for the gift of me to myself. I want to constantly enjoy a great sense of inner peace and harmony. Awaken and activate my spirit that I may be energetic to make the best use of every event of my life.

Theme 114 : Waiting..

All of us go through the experience of waiting some time or the other for a short or a long period. What happens in us, to us and through us during that time of waiting for something or someone or some result? Each one has a unique manner of waiting. How we spend the time and what we do while waiting do matter. Let us give a thought : "What kind of waiting is mine? Patient and Calm? Impatient and Restless?  How could I make each occasion of waiting a meaningful and a sweet one?" The time of waiting is an opportunity for either emptying negatives or filling something positive.

Prayer :
O Lord, I am aware that your constant loving gaze is on me. Thank YOU for giving me opportunities of waiting whenever I need to pause for something better. While waiting, may I have a disposition that is pleasing to YOU so that I utilize the time most effectively.