Praying Each Day for June

[MajestyJo]

JUNE

May my horizon this day, Lord,
not be so foreshortened that I notice little.
Instead, open my eyes
that I may see afar and above
as well as in front and beneath me.
Lead me to keep my life in perspective and balance
and discover that the thread of your presence
is interwoven through the events and people of this day.

Helen Keller was born in the southern
United States. When she was only 19
months old, a severe illness left her deaf
and blind. It was extremely difficult for
Helen and her family to communicate. As
Helen could not hear anyone’s voice to
copy, she had not learned to speak. It was
impossible to educate her until a young
teacher called Annie Sullivan arrived. One
of Annie’s strengths, as she described it
herself, was that she had been blind, and
eventually she managed to “reach” Helen
and was able to teach her.

Helen Keller graduated from college with
honours, and later visited many countries,
speaking about winning through,
despite difficulties and physical handicaps.
She died on this day in 1968.

Helen Keller said:
“Most of us take life for granted.
Only the deaf appreciate hearing;
only the blind realise
the manifold blessings that lie in sight.
It is the same old story
of not being grateful for what we have
until we lose it;
of not being conscious of health
until we are ill.
But I, who am blind,
can give one hint to those who see:
use your eyes
as if tomorrow you would be stricken.

And the same method can be applied
to the other senses:
hear the music of voices -
the song of the bird,
the mighty strains of an orchestra
- as if you would be stricken deaf tomorrow.

Touch each object you want to touch
as if tomorrow
your tactile sense would fail.
Smell the perfume of flowers,
taste with relish each morsel,
as if tomorrow
you would never smell and taste again.

Make every sense glory
in the pleasure and beauty
which the world reveals.
Thus, at last, you will really see,
and a new world of beauty
will open up before you.

Let us pray:

Lord our God, open us up to your Spirit
living within us,
that we may live fully
each day of our lives.
Touch us,
that we may become more aware
of all that is around us,
growing in a sense
of wonder and awe,
and in appreciation
for all that we see and hear
and touch, taste and smell.
May we live in such a way
that we never take anything
for granted,
but always be appreciative
and express our thanks
to those who are part of our lives.
Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:

Lord, you have given skills and talents
to each of us,
and you are pleased
when we use them well.
I ask
that I may work well with others
and bring out the best in them
as well as in myself.
Lead me to live in such a way
that I show appreciation
for the achievements
of all who use their talents well.
Amen.