Helps for making this Retreat with a group.
What's the benefit of meeting with a group? An experience like this retreat will be greatly enhanced by anyone who would chose to meet with a group. These weekly guides will offer us opportunities to reflect on some very important parts of our lives. They will invite us to practice finding God in the midst of our everyday lives. And, they will help us grow in freedom and intimacy with Jesus. But we will not be doing these exercises alone. To meet with a group every two weeks will hold us accountable, to be faithful to the weekly guides (some of us need that help) and will help us to name what we have been experiencing. When we summarize what we are grateful for, we really come to know it and appreciate it at a deep level.
What happens in these sharing groups? They are very natural and simple. If there are 5 or 6 persons in the group, each person would share whatever they wanted to share about the past two weeks' experience of doing the activities and exercises, or doing the reading offered by the guides. For example, one might begin by saying, "I found the guide two weeks ago to be very helpful, especially when I prayed about ..." or "The picture on my monitor this week moved me because ..." or "The reading this week touched me ..."
Are there rules for a group like this? There are. The meeting should last for no more than one
hour and should start and stop on time. This ensures the greatest respect for everyone's time. Everyone in the group should agree to share in such a way that everyone has an opportunity to share. (So, the group should take responsibility, if someone were to talk for 20 minutes, to say, "Thank you, but we should save time so that every gets an opportunity to share, if they'd like to." A most important rule is that there is no arguing in a sharing group. It is unacceptable to disagree, challenge or negate someone else's experience and sharing. It would be wonderful if the group were to begin with a very brief prayer and to end with a very brief prayer of gratitude.
How do I find a group? You may be able to simply invite some friends or colleagues to join you in forming a group. A group of 4 to 6 people could be a great support to each other going through this retreat. You could choose to meet as often as you like. We are suggesting every two weeks.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Opening Prayer Exercises for Online Retreat
It will be very profitable for the one who is to go through the Exercises to enter upon them with magnanimity and generosity toward our Creator and Lord, and to offer Him our entire will and liberty, that His Divine Majesty will dispose of us and all we possess according to His most holy will. - the Spiritual Exercises # 5
In the Preparatory Prayer I will beg God our Lord for grace that all my intentions, actions and operations may be directed purely to the praise and service of the Divine Majesty. - the Spiritual Exercises # 46
Lord, I so wish to prepare well for this time. I so want to make all of me ready and attentive and available to you. Please help me clarify and purify my intentions. I have so many contradictory desires. My activity seems to be so full of busyness and running after stuff that doesn't really seem to matter or last. I know that if I give you my heart whatever I do will follow my new heart. May all that I am today, all that I try to do today, may all my encounters, reflections, even the frustrations and failings all place my life in your hands. Lord, my life is in your hands. Please, let this day give you praise.
In the Preparatory Prayer I will beg God our Lord for grace that all my intentions, actions and operations may be directed purely to the praise and service of the Divine Majesty. - the Spiritual Exercises # 46
Lord, I so wish to prepare well for this time. I so want to make all of me ready and attentive and available to you. Please help me clarify and purify my intentions. I have so many contradictory desires. My activity seems to be so full of busyness and running after stuff that doesn't really seem to matter or last. I know that if I give you my heart whatever I do will follow my new heart. May all that I am today, all that I try to do today, may all my encounters, reflections, even the frustrations and failings all place my life in your hands. Lord, my life is in your hands. Please, let this day give you praise.
Conversing with Jesus
Imagine you see Jesus sitting close to you. In doing this you are putting your imagination at the service of your faith. Jesus isn't here in the way you are imagining him, but he certainly is here, and your imagination helps to make you aware of this. Now, speak to Jesus .... if no one is around, speak out in a soft voice .... Listen to what Jesus says to you in reply, or what you imagine him to say .... That is the difference between thinking and praying. When we think, we generally talk to ourselves. When we pray, we talk to God. (Anthony de Mello SJ, Sadhana ps 78-79)St Ignatius calls this conversation a 'colloquy', and says: A colloquy is made, properly speaking, in the way one friend speaks to another, or a servant to one in authority - now begging a favour, now accusing oneself of some misdeed, now telling one's concerns and asking counsel about them. .... In the colloquies we ought to converse and beg according to the subject matter; that is, in accordance with whether I find myself tempted or consoled, desire to possess one virtue or another, or to dispose myself in one way or another, or to experience sorrow or joy over the matter I am contemplating. And finally I ought to ask for what I more earnestly desire in regard to some particular matters. (The Spiritual Exercises nos 54, 199)
You might find these helpful: an icon of Christ, a crucifix, an image of the Risen Christ or an icon of the Madonna and Child.Back to Conversation
You might find these helpful: an icon of Christ, a crucifix, an image of the Risen Christ or an icon of the Madonna and Child.Back to Conversation
Dealing with 'Distractions
Trying to pray like this, it may well happen that the mind begins to fill with questions and apparent distractions. How do I know that I am not deceiving myself? How do I know these words are true, that God really does communicate himself through them? Do I really have faith in God? These are valid questions, but for now let them wait. When a child is frightened in the night, mother goes and lifts the child and says, 'It's all right,' and the child gradually quietens. But if she has a prodigy on her hands who replies, 'But mother, what epistemological and metaphysical assumptions are you making in that statement and what empirical evidence can you adduce in support of your contention?' then mother really has a problem in her arms. In prayer we are like that impossible child if we refuse to listen to God until he has measured up to whatever criteria we may care to lay down. We communicate with him first with our hearts. The heart is not mindless: it has reasons, deeper than we can see at first with our conscious minds.Having left the questions aside for now, what do I do with all the other distractions which flood my mind? I may begin to wonder if I left the gas on, or remember an Email I forgot to send. If it is urgent, like the gas, the safest thing is to go and check. With matters that can wait, perhaps jot them down for later. Anything else which comes to mind, far from being a distraction, can become the substance of my prayer.
Scripture as a searchlight
Back to Listening to the Word
Scripture as a searchlight
Back to Listening to the Word
Scripture as a Searchlight
The opening verse of the Bible, Now the earth was a formless void, there was darkness over the deep and God's spirit hovered over the water, is describing a present state of affairs, not a past event, and when I pray from the Scriptures I am letting the spirit of God hover over the chaos and darkness of my being.When I allow the word of God to hover over my preoccupations, then anything can happen, for he is the God of surprises. It is important that I do not hide my inner chaos from the word of God or from myself. We are often so trained that we think it wrong to allow any negative feelings entry into our prayer, especially negative feelings about God. We have to learn to grow out of this training, expressing our feelings and thoughts freely before God and trusting that he is big enough to take our tantrums. There is no point in pretending before God, who knows us better than we know ourselves.There is no thought, feeling or desire within you which cannot become the substance of your prayer in the light of God's word, when you know that God loves the chaos that is you and that his Spirit working in you can do infinitely more than you can think or imagine.
Dealing with 'distractions'Back to Listening to the Word
The opening verse of the Bible, Now the earth was a formless void, there was darkness over the deep and God's spirit hovered over the water, is describing a present state of affairs, not a past event, and when I pray from the Scriptures I am letting the spirit of God hover over the chaos and darkness of my being.When I allow the word of God to hover over my preoccupations, then anything can happen, for he is the God of surprises. It is important that I do not hide my inner chaos from the word of God or from myself. We are often so trained that we think it wrong to allow any negative feelings entry into our prayer, especially negative feelings about God. We have to learn to grow out of this training, expressing our feelings and thoughts freely before God and trusting that he is big enough to take our tantrums. There is no point in pretending before God, who knows us better than we know ourselves.There is no thought, feeling or desire within you which cannot become the substance of your prayer in the light of God's word, when you know that God loves the chaos that is you and that his Spirit working in you can do infinitely more than you can think or imagine.
Dealing with 'distractions'Back to Listening to the Word
Friday, March 23, 2007
How to do a Review of Consciousness
Let your mind drift over the last 24 hours, refraining from any self-judgement, whether of approval or disapproval, attending to and relishing only those moments of the day for which you are grateful. Even the most harrowing day includes some good moments, if only we take the trouble to look - it might be the sight of a raindrop falling, or the fact that I can see at all. When people attempt this exercise, they are usually surprised at the number and variety of good moments in the day which otherwise would have been quickly forgotten - obscured, perhaps, by any painful experience in the day. Having remembered the events for which you are grateful, thank and praise God for them.After thanksgiving, the next step is to recall your inner moods and feelings, noting, if you can, what led to them, but again refraining from any self-judgement. Be with Christ as you look at these moods and beg him to show you the attitudes which underlie them. The important thing is not to analyse our experience, but to contemplate it in Christ's presence and let him show us where we have let him be in us and where we have refused to let him be. Thank him for the times we have 'let his glory through' and ask forgiveness for the times we have refused him entry. He never refuses forgiveness. He knows our weakness far better than we do. All we have to do is show it to him and he can transform our weakness into strength. We can conclude with a short prayer, that also looks forward to the day to come, and asks for God's help.Back to Consciousness
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
FREEDOM
Praying for Freedom
This prayer helps us to put ourselves at God's disposal. St Ignatius describes this 'Preparatory prayer' as asking for the grace that all my intentions, actions and operations may be directed purely to the praise and service of the Divine Majesty. (The Spiritual Exercises, no. 46) You might try these words:
Lord, I so wish to prepare well for this time.I so want to make all of me ready and attentive and available to you.Please help me to clarify and purify my intentions.I have so many contradictory desires.I get preoccupied with things that don't really matter or last.I know that if I give you my heart,whatever I do will follow my new heart.In all that I am today, all that I try to do,all my encounters, reflections - even the frustrations and failings and especially in this time of prayer,in all of this may I place my life in your hands.Lord, I am yours. Make of me what you will. Amen.
This prayer helps us to put ourselves at God's disposal. St Ignatius describes this 'Preparatory prayer' as asking for the grace that all my intentions, actions and operations may be directed purely to the praise and service of the Divine Majesty. (The Spiritual Exercises, no. 46) You might try these words:
Lord, I so wish to prepare well for this time.I so want to make all of me ready and attentive and available to you.Please help me to clarify and purify my intentions.I have so many contradictory desires.I get preoccupied with things that don't really matter or last.I know that if I give you my heart,whatever I do will follow my new heart.In all that I am today, all that I try to do,all my encounters, reflections - even the frustrations and failings and especially in this time of prayer,in all of this may I place my life in your hands.Lord, I am yours. Make of me what you will. Amen.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
PRESENCE OF GOD
Awareness of the Presence of God
If someone asked you to give them another word for 'God', you could use the word 'Presence', for that is what God is. When Moses asked Yahweh his name, Yahweh replied, 'I am who am' and this means 'I am present'. God is really saying, 'I shall be there for you.' God is intimately present to everything, and especially to us. Jesus's name is Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us'. Matthew's Gospel ends with the marvellous statement: Know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.(from Finding God in All Things by Brian Grogan SJ)
Some things that may help you with this part of the prayer:
Body exercise
Breathing exercise
Listening exercise
Poem and picture Back to The Presence of God
If someone asked you to give them another word for 'God', you could use the word 'Presence', for that is what God is. When Moses asked Yahweh his name, Yahweh replied, 'I am who am' and this means 'I am present'. God is really saying, 'I shall be there for you.' God is intimately present to everything, and especially to us. Jesus's name is Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us'. Matthew's Gospel ends with the marvellous statement: Know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.(from Finding God in All Things by Brian Grogan SJ)
Some things that may help you with this part of the prayer:
Body exercise
Breathing exercise
Listening exercise
Poem and picture Back to The Presence of God
ONLINE RETREAT
How is it possible to make an online retreat?
A Retreat is a RETREAT FROM our ordinary patterns and a RETREAT TO a "place" where we can be more receptive to the graces God wants to offer us. This online retreat affords us the opportunity to check this site each week and receive some guidance for our retreat from and to. Some of us have access to the web both at work and at home. We can print the weekly pages and review them each week. And because it will be "one week at a time" all we need to do is take advantage of the weekly Guide, with its options and exercises.
What kind of patterns or exercises will I be adopting?
To use this retreat MOST effectively, we'll use 3 exercises:
to read the weekly Guide page EACH WEEK;
to spend some period of time in prayer EVERY
DAY; to review the graces of the week EACH WEEK;
to share the graces with a director or others making the retreat (optional)
Is this like making the Spiritual Exercises ?
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius are meant to be an individually directed retreat, over the course of 30 days away from ordinary life, or for a longer time in the midst of daily life. The movements and exercises of Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises will inspire and shape this online retreat, making it possible for many of us to grow in our relationship with God and in spiritual freedom.
What if I haven't made a retreat before?
Not a problem. This kind of retreat is very USER FRIENDLY. The most important thing to remember is that God doesn't need much openness on our part to richly bless us. This retreat offers suggestions for prayer throughout the week, for locating what it is we desire from God, and some ways to let ourselves be open to receiving those graces. And, BEST OF ALL, we'll be doing this in the midst of our busy everyday lives - in fact, this retreat will help our daily lives to have more meaning.
I'm nervous about finding time for "prayer" each day.
It's easier than we might imagine. Look on this retreat as something we are going to GIVE OURSELVES. And EXPECT IT to be a wonderful experience. We usually end up doing stuff we LIKE to do. We'll like doing this.
We may start off with 10-15 minutes the first few weeks or months. Perhaps the best times will just appear: right before we go to bed, over a first cup of coffee.
Remember, the weekly retreat Guide page will offer suggestions and helps for how to do it.
What about the "option" of talking with a director or being in a group?
Each of us making this online retreat will be REVIEWING the week, to try to pull the week together. Some of the real FRUIT of the retreat will come as we notice PATTERNS and start putting pieces together into a whole. Jotting these insights, experiences and graces down will be very helpful.
Sharing these movements in our weekly journey with a spiritual director we already have, or with one we ask to accompany us on this retreat, is a wonderful way to hold ourselves accountable to pulling the graces together. A wise director could be an invaluable help in sorting our experiences out along the way, as well as in offering helpful guidance.
Another great way to enhance the experience of this online retreat is to meet twice a month with a small group of others making the retreat. This one hour session simply lets each person in the group summarize their retreat experience or their gratitude for some grace. Check out our page on how to do the retreat with a group.
What can we look forward to happening in us because of this online retreat?
More than we can ask or imagine! God is never outdone in generosity. One thing is certain: we will grow in our relationship with God. Several other graces are very possible: we will grow in an inner peace that comes from a deeper sense of God's love for us; we will grow in a freedom from some of the stuff that keeps us from being very loving or courageous in the face of difficulties; and we can hope that we will be more committed to being of service to others.
A Retreat is a RETREAT FROM our ordinary patterns and a RETREAT TO a "place" where we can be more receptive to the graces God wants to offer us. This online retreat affords us the opportunity to check this site each week and receive some guidance for our retreat from and to. Some of us have access to the web both at work and at home. We can print the weekly pages and review them each week. And because it will be "one week at a time" all we need to do is take advantage of the weekly Guide, with its options and exercises.
What kind of patterns or exercises will I be adopting?
To use this retreat MOST effectively, we'll use 3 exercises:
to read the weekly Guide page EACH WEEK;
to spend some period of time in prayer EVERY
DAY; to review the graces of the week EACH WEEK;
to share the graces with a director or others making the retreat (optional)
Is this like making the Spiritual Exercises ?
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius are meant to be an individually directed retreat, over the course of 30 days away from ordinary life, or for a longer time in the midst of daily life. The movements and exercises of Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises will inspire and shape this online retreat, making it possible for many of us to grow in our relationship with God and in spiritual freedom.
What if I haven't made a retreat before?
Not a problem. This kind of retreat is very USER FRIENDLY. The most important thing to remember is that God doesn't need much openness on our part to richly bless us. This retreat offers suggestions for prayer throughout the week, for locating what it is we desire from God, and some ways to let ourselves be open to receiving those graces. And, BEST OF ALL, we'll be doing this in the midst of our busy everyday lives - in fact, this retreat will help our daily lives to have more meaning.
I'm nervous about finding time for "prayer" each day.
It's easier than we might imagine. Look on this retreat as something we are going to GIVE OURSELVES. And EXPECT IT to be a wonderful experience. We usually end up doing stuff we LIKE to do. We'll like doing this.
We may start off with 10-15 minutes the first few weeks or months. Perhaps the best times will just appear: right before we go to bed, over a first cup of coffee.
Remember, the weekly retreat Guide page will offer suggestions and helps for how to do it.
What about the "option" of talking with a director or being in a group?
Each of us making this online retreat will be REVIEWING the week, to try to pull the week together. Some of the real FRUIT of the retreat will come as we notice PATTERNS and start putting pieces together into a whole. Jotting these insights, experiences and graces down will be very helpful.
Sharing these movements in our weekly journey with a spiritual director we already have, or with one we ask to accompany us on this retreat, is a wonderful way to hold ourselves accountable to pulling the graces together. A wise director could be an invaluable help in sorting our experiences out along the way, as well as in offering helpful guidance.
Another great way to enhance the experience of this online retreat is to meet twice a month with a small group of others making the retreat. This one hour session simply lets each person in the group summarize their retreat experience or their gratitude for some grace. Check out our page on how to do the retreat with a group.
What can we look forward to happening in us because of this online retreat?
More than we can ask or imagine! God is never outdone in generosity. One thing is certain: we will grow in our relationship with God. Several other graces are very possible: we will grow in an inner peace that comes from a deeper sense of God's love for us; we will grow in a freedom from some of the stuff that keeps us from being very loving or courageous in the face of difficulties; and we can hope that we will be more committed to being of service to others.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
God has a positive answer
A HANDY LITTLE CHART - God has a positive answer:
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)
Father's Love Letter
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
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