prayer – Grace-Filled Hope

Tears on My Face

Posted on November 10, 2025 by Ashley

At my parish, we are doing a 6 week school of prayer class. It has been fruitful and very well done by my parish. One of the days, we were to imagine that Jesus was sitting with us. I imagined that He was sitting down and I was on the floor at His feet, laying my head down on His lap with tears in my eyes and His hands running through my hair to calm me. From that, came these words.

It's okay child, let those tears fall
I've got you close, safe and secure
It's okay child, let those tears fall
Let them cleanse your soul made pure

I am here to hold you
I am here to ground you
I am here to protect you
I am here to love you

So let those tears fall down your face
Know I hold your heart next to my own
Let those tears fall down your face
Then give me a chance for my love shown

Written October 2025

Poetry

Hear My Prayer

Posted on July 29, 2025 by Ashley

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

At morning's dawn I awake
Give me courage for the day
Take all my worries and anxieties
Infuse me with wisdom, guide the way

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

As each day continues on
Help me match my footsteps to yours
In all that comes my way
Remind me your love into me pours

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

Evening comes, the mind scatters
Bring me back into your embrace
In each and every thought
Show me you ever-loving face

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

Night is approaching, two fold darkness
Dispel the fear inside, calm my heart
Be with me as I rest in your peace
Keep me at your side, never to part

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

Everyday, oh everyday I run to you
It's the only thing to do

In your presence, I'm made whole
It's your goodness that makes me full
Never changing, always there
O God above, hear my prayer

Everyday, oh everyday I run to you
It's the only thing to do

Written June 2023

Poetry

It is You

Posted on July 19, 2025 by Ashley

What is it Lord that even as I run,
I am found clinging to you?
Though darkness is in my heart,
a light is shining through.
The desires of my flesh,
succumbing to your holy way,
when the battle rages on.
Find me on my knees to pray
as the chaos fights to be let in.
My shield, my hope, You will be.
The enemy stands not a chance.
It is you, Lord, that sets me free.

Written February 2023

Poetry

Trust in Me

Posted on March 30, 2025April 3, 2025 by Ashley

Look at me as I look at you

Trust in me for what I call you to do

There’s a still small voice in my heart

It calls for me to never depart

To hold on tight to his love

He says to me coming down from above

Look at me as I look at you

Trust in me for what I call you to do

My life finds meaning, a reason to live

A grace to love, he does give

Humble and meek I want to be

In all things he calls out to me

Look at me as I look at you

Trust in me for what I call you to do

March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: third day early morning adoration

Poetry

Crying Out For Mercy

Posted on March 30, 2025April 2, 2025 by Ashley

Your mercy Lord

O your mercy Lord

I cry out to you

For your mercy Lord

My cries echo throughout my soul

On the edge or the ridge

Screaming out your name

Why don’t I hear your voice

Your mercy Lord

O your mercy Lord

I cry out to you

For your mercy Lord

Where I’ve been invades my mind

The hurt inside that dwells

The marks that prove the pain

Where were you then

Your mercy Lord

O your mercy Lord

I cry out to you

For your mercy Lord

Breathe your words into me again

Rushing like the wind

Hold me in tight embrace

Show me you’re here

Your mercy Lord

O your mercy Lord

I cry out to you

For your mercy Lord

I love your mercy

Healing me inside

Hold me in your mercy Lord

March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: second day, silent afternoon hike part one

Poetry

Your Tenderness

Posted on March 30, 2025April 1, 2025 by Ashley

When darkness surrounds me

And all seems lost

It’s to you I run and I remember

Your tenderness

Holds me fast

Your tenderness

Heals my soul

My spirit is thirsting

Looking for love

You’re all I’m needing and I remember

Your tenderness

Holds me fast

Your tenderness

Heals my soul

Help me remain in you

Never to leave

Your speak to me heart and I remember

Your tenderness

Holds me fast

Your tenderness

Heals my soul

O Lord, O Lord

Your tenderness

O Lord, O Lord

Your tenderness

I’ll always remember

Your tenderness

Holds me fast

Your tenderness

Heals my soul

O Lord, your tenderness

March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: second day early morning adoration

Poetry

Hold, Lead, Fill

Posted on March 30, 2025March 31, 2025 by Ashley

Crumbling down before you

Needing your loving embrace

Hold me close in all things

The pieces are all over scattered

Brokenness fills me to the brim

Lead me to wholeness in you

Inward I fold away alone

Grasping out for true freedom

Fill me with your joyful presence

March 2025 – Parish Encounter Retreat: first night

Poetry

Here, Take, Hold

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Ashley

Here I am

Wounded soul

Seeking Joy

Within my heart

Hold me close

I lay down my love

In the midst of you

Longing to be healed

I fall at your feet

A yearning so strong

Help me to stay near

Take all of me in

Here I am, in the midst of you

Wounded soul, longing to be healed

Seeking joy, I fall at your feet

Within my heart, a yearning so strong

Hold me close, help me to stay near

I lay down my love, take all of me in

Poetry

You, the Lord

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Ashley

What is it, Lord, that even as I run,

I am found clinging to you?

Though darkness is in my heart,

a light is shining through.

The desires of my flesh

succumbing to your holy way.

When the battle rages on,

find me on my knees to pray.

As the chaos fights to be let in,

my shield and my hope you will be.

The enemy stands not a chance;

it is you, Lord, that sets me free.

During Adoration 2-19-23

Poetry

The War

Posted on February 17, 2023February 17, 2023 by Ashley

The earth trembles below me

Darkness pursues my heart

An immense war rages on

And my weakness emerges

Without you I crumble

Consumed by eternal chaos

I struggle to reach for you

Crushed by the weight

A light flickers far off

What feels unreachable

Break the bonds that hold

Please come get me

I fear the black hole

Looming at every turn

Don’t let me give up

Stop me from running away

Before hope abandons me

How I long for your embrace

Warmth to shut out cold

Calm the trembling

Be my whole strength

Purify the hidden tears

I’m lost and broken apart

Wandering the barren wilderness

Water nowhere to be found

Quench my parched soul

From myself I need saving

To be held together

As I crumble apart

When the evil one knocks

Lock temptation’s door

Guide my every thought

I need you in my life

It’s my only way to thrive

The only path to joy

My only way out of darkness

I’m scared and falling

Break down my steel walls

Win the war for my soul

During Adoration 2/12/23