Prayer for July

Praise !

INTRODUCTION

One winter day as I was out walking a loud chorus of bird-song stopped me in my tracks. "Where is it coming from?" The bare trees were empty. The birds on the overhead hydro wires were too few for such volume. Then I discovered it? An old Victoria mansion at the corner, its south-facing wall almost entirely covered in green ivy, was alive with dozens of birds dancing and singing as they hopped about among the leaves. And I started to praise God with these words:

"The heavens are telling the glory of God And all creation is shouting for joy".

Marty Haugen

These words expressed my sense of marvel and of praise for all of Creation.

Praise is an attitude of awe and of admiration expressed when we are face to face with beauty, with the miraculous. Words of Praise are expressions that glorify and worship the Creator.

PRAYER OF PRAISE

The first prayer we learned as children is the "asking" type: "God bless Mommy and Daddy" of "God, please let me pass my exams". Another type of prayer is the prayer of Praise. But, it's really amazing to discover that humans aren't the only ones who offer prayers of praise. The quotation above is from the Canticle of the Sun, a song of joyous praise to the God who is revealed to us in creation. All creation praises God by "being" and it inspires awe and wonder in us.

PSALMS OF PRAISE

Some of the oldest songs of praise are found in the Book of Psalms in the bible. These songs are filled with words of trust, thanks and praise to the Creator. Many have been set to music for liturgical worship. Here are a few Psalms you might want to look up.

Psalm 8 which portrays the wonders of the heavens and the earth
Psalm 19, the one Marty Haugen set to music in the Canticle to the Sun
Psalms 29, 33 and especially 100, are favourites of many people
Psalms 144 to 150 are songs of praise for the goodness and graciousness of God, which are poured out in and upon creation

REFLECTION

1. Look up these Psalms in the Bible and read them slowly. Which is your favourite and why?

2. Think of a time when you were awed by nature, for example a beautiful sunset or sunrise. You stood there almost speechless. What words or feeling of praise were you aware of?

SUGGESTIONS TO DEVELOP AN ATTITUDE OF PRAISE

1. What creative ways can you praise God for the gift of creation? For the gift of your life? Try setting your feelings to music, to dance or to art.

2. Write your own Psalm of praise to the Creator.

PRAYER

Repeat these words throughout your day:

"Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live". Psalm 144

We invite you to share your comments
Tell us about a moment of praise in your life. Send comments to: Sr. Thérèse Meunier tmeunier@csj-to.ca For other prayers, see this page

Contact Us: