Happy New Year

Hate has become quite the overused word.  We tend to talk about things we hate when we really mean we dislike something. However, there are times when we let hate into our hearts and it sits there and festers inside of us. When we allow hate to take over, we allow darkness to enter into us. It clouds our judgment, makes us more negative; it adds a bitterness to our lives. However, God offers us another direction.  God tells us we can overcome hate and replace it with forgiveness and acceptance. God gives us a chance to bring the light back into our hearts, no matter how much we try to hold onto the hate. Let us pray:
 
Loving and ever-living God: In your love and in your will, let me be a beacon for your love to everyone in my world. In your love and in your will, help me be the person in my world who stops hatred one person at a time. Keep me ever mindful of the connection all people have with each other so I may also see how important it is for me to love others. Remind me I do not have to have great power in the world to stop hatred. Remind me I do not have to be a person of great influence to stop the hatred that so easily infects the heart, mind, and soul of so many. Remind me I need no earthly wealth to stop hatred. Remind me I need no earthly army to ward off those who have hate in their hearts. Help me to show others they are wanted and needed. Help me to show others they are important to me and to the world. Help me to show others how much I appreciate them. Help me to never ignore people. All these things I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ, your only Son, our Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
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