1. BE STILL: Spend the first few minutes quietening yourself. Most of us are involved in hectic activity, that does not allow us to attend to God's voice. The value of your Prayer will depend largely on how effectively you achieve this inner silence. Take a few deep breaths and particularly exhale slowly and deliberately. Make this breathing exercise a part of your prayer by consciously exhaling all your worries and anxieties into My hands and inhaling deeply of My peace and love. Continue this slow, deep breathing unless your mind is quiet and receptive. Gradually becomes more consciously aware of My presence to you - in the Sacred host, within yourself, in the others around you, in the Word of God…

2. FORGIVE: Another great obstacle that disturbs your inner peace of mind is lack of forgiveness. People hurt one another several times a day, especially in the intimate circle of family life. So, you can often harbour resentful thoughts against others, and though unaware, an unforgiving attitude builds up barriers preventing My peace from flowing into you. Forgive whoever needs your forgiveness, even though the person does not ask for it. Similarly, silently ask forgiveness from anyone you unwittingly might have hurt. Also, for a brief moment, open your life to let My forgiving grace flood you.

3. LISTEN: In the silence you have created, now listen deeply to My voice speaking to you. The most common channel for receiving My message is the day's readings at Eucharist. Either read them again slowly, or else recall the key idea that struck you and dwell on any aspect that grips your mind. Don't wrestle with the text: just let is speak to you. If nothing comes to mind, gaze at the Sacred Host - it is in the form of "bread that is broken" that I make Myself present to you. Listen to what the 'broken bread' says to you … the need of breaking yourself, unity of many grains, being crushed to become flour …

4. PONDER: My ways are not your ways, so you need to understand clearly what my message really means. Since my very nature is Love, usually my message too will be in the line of love, inviting you to love yourself, others, Life itself and Me too - in a more selfless manner. Self [ego] is the great enemy of genuine love. Check to see what form of Ego dominates your life. Should you discover that you are e.g. jealous, lazy … gently place this problem in My hands and leave it to Me to suggest how it should be handled. Further, listen to what I say through: Inspiring thoughts … Strong feelings … Recurring memories, Elevating fantasies or Resolute decisions that surface in your consciousness. If these fit in with Love, then

5. JUDGE: Now that your mind is more clear, determine what action My word asks of you. True love is shown in action, not merely in words. Hence, work out a simple yet clear plan of action for today - some concrete way in which you will be an instrument of love, or will eliminate some expression of Self in yourself.

6. PRAY: for others, rather than for your own needs. This is itself an exercise of fraternal love, whereby you put the needs of others before your own. Recall some of the important needs of the world at large, picked up from TV News bulletins, newspapers, neighbourhood happenings …

7. SURRENDER: your own needs, in fact your entire life, into My hands. Make this as genuine and as complete as possible. Picture yourself back at the Eucharist: take the bread of your life as you experience it today, everything that forms part of your day, the good and the not-so-good.

8. BLESS: Next, thank and praise God for these gifts. Recall Eph. 1:3-10: 'In Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.' Count your blessing one by one and carefully, deliberately bless God for each one. Don't fret over what you lack; rather praise God especially for things you take for granted: good eyesight, health, family, friends, a job…

9. BREAK: Every blessing is also a responsibility. It is never given for your benefit alone, but that you might share it with others. There is nothing so small and insignificant in your life that you cannot share it with someone. Recall some of the people around you who wait for a kind word from you, a line of appreciation or gratitude, a little encouragement …

10. RADIATE MY LOVE: Having recalled these people, reach out to them in love. Visualize yourself sharing your blessings with them, making them happy, breaking yourself to bring a ray of sunshine into their lives. Make their happiness your own, beginning with the members of your family and then gradually move out beyond, towards all others.

End your prayer with a few moments of deep inner silence. This will help you make My peace endure within you and take it to your home and family.

Fr. Erasto Fernandez, sss

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