SH Novena 1st Day : Open Heart

Scripture:  Micah 6:6-8
“With what gift shall I come into the Lord’s presence and bow down before God on high? Shall I come with holocausts, with calves one year old? Will He be pleased with rams by the thousand, with libations of oil in torrents? This is what Yahweh asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.”

Meditation:
In this prayer, Micah turns to God out of fear more than love. He sees God as one who must be pleased, or He will send disaster your way. God speaks to the heart rather than the mind and gives a clear message that remains central to our call to be better people. It is easy to remember these lines, but they bring a challenge, and if accepted, it brings a deep sense of peace.

Prayer:
O, Sacred Heart, remind me of Micah’s question, and that God is not vengeful. May I recognise the many opportunities life presents to me where I can act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with You, my God. Strengthen me for the journey, open my eyes to see and my heart, like Yours, to respond.  Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, open our hearts to you.

(spend some quiet time in prayer with Jesus … speak to Jesus… hear Jesus… feel His Presence with you)

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Closing Prayer for each day

Lord Jesus, Your Sacred Heart is always open, with love, to each of us, especially when we are suffering. To all who come to You seeking Your help, You show Your compassion and healing power. You care for us when we are lost, sympathise with us in loneliness and comfort us in mourning; You are closest to us when we are weakest. You reach out Your hand to us when we stumble and have most need of Your help. I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena, and grant what I ask. …

If what I ask is not for my own or other’s good, grant me always what is best, that I may build Your kingdom of love in our world.  Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

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