Put Down the Stones: A Prayer to Receive God's Grace

Put Down the Stones

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/pausepray/put-down-the-stones/

Reflect

In Brother Mike Johnson’s podcast  “A Franciscan  Heart in the World” he reflects on John 8:1-11.  This scripture invites us to see our own failings, mistakes, defects of character. What stones do you carry? Brother Mike offers, “Put down the stones, that your hands may be empty to receive God’s grace.” 

Pray

God, guide me today

to slow down, and to see

what it is I am holding onto

that hurts others

through judgement, cynicism,

coldness, perhaps even betrayal.

Stones keep me heavy-handed

and heavy-hearted, 

eyes pinned to the ground.

I pray that I let go of these burdens,

Release them.

Empty me.

Help me.

I long to put down the stones.

To begin again.

Looking up. 

Lighter, and anew. 

Act

Today, sit for a moment with your hands empty, open, and cupped--how this is the shape in which they receive communion.