Sometimes we forget that prayer is such a wondrous gift. It's something that we can give, a light we can shine and love we can share. Even when we feel like it's not much to offer, it's everything we have to give. Offering ourselves up for the good of others is a little action that packs a big punch! Only in giving do we really receive...
On this glorious Autumn day, it was such a blessing to offer up the gift of prayer for our nation as we prepare for the upcoming election. Our American Heritage Girls Explorer Troop hosted a Patriotic Rosary as one of their special event requirements. We highly recommend this beautiful prayer service! It would also be fitting for the 4th of July, Patriot's Day, or Veteran's Day too. You may also visit the link and print out the prayers on your own.
"Believe me, there is no more powerful means to obtain God's grace than to employ the intercession of the Holy Virgin."~St. Philip Neri
Not all of the girls were able to attend and we had a fairly small gathering at the church but the impact on our hearts was enormous!
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Mt. 18:20
In addition to the Rosary prayers, we prayed for each of our 50 states by name, listened to some powerful reflections by 5 famous Americans, and sang some beautiful patriotic hymns. It turns out the gift we offered up came back to us ten-fold...our spirits were soaring:)
It was a special treat to capture a photo with nearly all members of our family in scouting uniforms...We are an official scouting family!(Though it does make me miss our college boy all the more :( The littlest one will be eligible to join American Heritage Girls in the Spring:)
Have I mentioned that the Boy Scouts of America have officially partnered with American Heritage Girls? It's such a blessing to be able to take part in scouting as a whole family unit.
The girls hosted a small reception after the prayer service with goodies and drinks. Here they are cleaning up!
It really was a special event.
Something that really struck me were the words to all of the extra verses of the traditional patriotic hymns that we never learned by heart. Many of them have deep, spiritual, meaning that I never realized. This third verse of America The Beautiful speaks volumes...
"O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness, And ev'ry gain divine."
+AMEN+
