More Prayers on My Pillow : Words of Comfort and Hope for Girls on the Journey to Self

by Straus, Celia

• ISBN13: 9780345441959
• ISBN10: 0345441958
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-10-01
• Publisher: Ballantine Books

Summary

No matter how often I'm hopeless No matter how angry I feel Let me start each day over in loving Let me find in my soul what is real. Like the compassionate verses in Celia Straus's first book, Prayers on My Pillow, this beautiful new collection of prayer poems--written in response to the thousands of requests for prayers from girls who have visited her Web site over the past two years--is a source of inner strength and hope for both teenage girls and women everywhere. Celia Straus has chosen 150 intimate responses that articulate both the joys and fears of a girl's journey to self--while at the same time clearing new pathways for communication between a girl and her self, her parents, and God. These prayers speak simply and honestly of deep concerns, such as loss, alienation, love, self-doubt, and faith--each prayer helping to heal, instruct, and reassure girls of their innate goodness and power. Celebrating the precious gifts of life and young womanhood, More Prayers on My Pillow will touch the souls of girls everywhere.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
We're All More Than What We Seem	xv
Courage from Within	1	(12)
Breaking Down My Walls	13	(12)
Sleepless Nights	25	(14)
Overcoming My Fears	39	(10)
Take Joy in the Moment	49	(14)
Being Honest about Myself	63	(12)
Making Hard Decisions	75	(12)
Boys	87	(14)
I Am Love---I Am Me	101	(12)
When I've Lost Someone	113	(14)
Giving Back to My Community	127	(12)
Getting Myself Back on Track	139	(14)
Opportunities to Be Grateful	153	(12)
I Bow to My Inner Self	165	(12)
Finding Gold	177	(12)
Prayers for My Self	189

Excerpts

Courage from Within

I think I'm afraid to grow up, God, For I see how much pain there can be. I want to stay young and protected. I'm scared that I'll lose what is me.

I think I have courage to trust, God, That I'll do just fine with what's new, For Love stays inside me forever. As I grow, my faith grows in You. No matter where this life takes us, Together we shall persevere. Each test builds courage, makes us stronger-- A family based on faith, not on fear.

This family is calm when around us People argue, cry, and fight. This family is clear when around us Others cannot find the light.

We find joy when all around us People cry in their despair. We know Love when all around us Others seek but know not where. I am not alone As I walk hunched down hallways Or hold my lunch tray looking For a friend and finding only An empty seat at an unfriendly table . . . As I enter a classroom late and nervous With all eyes judging Or dress after gym without showering To avoid being watched . . . As I stand outside the circle, The gang, the group, the crowd, Living my life in isolation Pretending I don't care. Let me remember I am not alone. God is with me--His angels surround And deep inside are the loving Voices of generations of souls like me. I am not alone. When people tell me I must change To win their friendship, help, or love May I have courage to say to them I change each day, transforming to A better self, but not for you.

When people tell me I am wrong Because I don't do what they want May I have courage to say to them These things I do are from the heart-- Nothing you say can change that part. May I have the courage to start over again, May I reach deep down to my core And find what it takes To play for high stakes Because that's what I'm aiming for.

May I have the strength to face down loss, May I push past all of my fears To aim for the heart, Where I'll touch the part Of the self who can smile through my tears.

May I have the trust to get past the test, May I find in my failures the key To unlock the door That opens to more Than I ever believed I could be.

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Excerpted from More Prayers on My Pillow: Words of Comfort and Hope for Girls on the Journey to Self by Celia Straus
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.