A mother cat moves her kittens
to a place of safety.
She lifts each cherished kitten tenderly
by the scruff of the neck
and carries it gently
to her chosen place of refuge
until eventually
all of her precious kittens
lie stowed away peacefully
in this place of safety.

Every day as I settle down in prayer
I feel like a mother cat.

You see, every day I carry with me
thoughts of people
for whom I am praying.
These are my special intentions
and I keep them close to my heart.

When I settle down in prayer
I take each special intention in turn
and, very gently,
I present it to My God,
explaining my hopes and fears
for that person.

Then, like a mother cat
with her kittens,
I place that special intention
into the loving, caring
and protective presence of My God
where I know that the person concerned
will be loved, cherished and blessed.

With all of my special intentions
laid down carefully
before My God
I allow myself to rest there as well,
like a mother cat
resting with her kittens
safe and sound
in the presence of My God.

When my prayer time comes to an end
I gather together my special intentions
so that I can go about my daily life
keeping these intentions, at all times,
close to my heart.

© Claire Murray, 3rd September 2016