Today, our Prayer Over the Offerings is a beautiful one of humbleness before our Lord.
Accept in compassion, Lord, we pray, the offerings of your family,
that under your protective care
they may never lose what they have received
but attain the gifts that are eternal.
There are things in my home that I treasure – they have been given to me by my husband, my children, my family or my friends.
Many years ago, my mother-in-law wanted me to have a family ring. It is was important to her, but I didn’t see that importance. I asked her to wait so she could enjoy it longer. Months passed and Christmas came. Her gift to me that Christmas was that ring. She knew I couldn’t refuse it then! This past December, just before Christmas, my mother-in-law passed away and now, every time I look down at my right hand ring finger or play with the ring, I lovingly remember her and pray for her soul and that the gates of paradise will open for her.
In all of that, it’s not the ring, it’s the prayer I offer for her that is everlasting. I may lose the ring, or it may be taken from me, but every prayer I bring before my Lord is not lost or taken. It is accepted, elevated, heard and answered. The eternal gift – to dwell forever in the house of the Lord.
Today I invite every member of your family to look at one thing in your life that you treasure. Bring that in a humble prayer of thanksgiving to God and put it in your prayer box. That prayer is everlasting. That prayer is eternal.