WHAT IS THE WEIGHT OF A PRAYER?
Hands of Elizabeth welcomes the yet unborn Jesus (IHS) into her home
Stained glass window from
BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL
St. Edmunds College Canberra
How does God receive one’s intimate Christian prayer? If one prays simply: “Jesus I adore You”, how does the Lord view such a prayer? Or if one prays: “Jesus please protect the unborn children in my community who are at risk today”, what does the Lord do with such a simple prayer?
Doesn’t the Lord appreciate simplicity and heartfelt intimacy such as this?
And what if we whisper an intimate prayer to the Lord that He doesn’t hear from others, that is somewhat unusual, yet sincere and heartfelt, what does He do with such a prayer?
For example: “Unborn Jesus I adore You!” Or “Unborn Jesus please have pity upon the unborn children in my community who are at risk today”.
Is it possible that a prayer that is so different in its simplicity and intimacy could be perceived by God as something like a rare flower? Might it be that God especially cherishes one’s unique heartfelt expression of one’s love of Him or one’s petition to Him?
Let’s find out!
Abortion mill: this is our Calvary, where Christ is being crucified today in our midst
One of our readers who gathers each Saturday with a large group in front of an abortion mill sent us this prayer. They obtained this prayer from the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants. I was very moved by this prayer and thought that it was a very appropriate prayer for Holy Week. I thank God for all those who pray outside abortion mills and are a presence of love for these little ones.
___________________________________________
Heavenly Father, we are gathered here to spend some time with the little babies before they die. It is important that we be here. It is a way to redeem the abandonment of Jesus by His apostles when they refused to be with Him at His death. We do not fear the Cross.
These little ones dying today are intricately connected with the sufferings and death of Our Savior. There is a bond here that must not be overlooked. All the political action, educating, donation of funds, demonstrations, alternative work, important and necessary as these are, do not make up for an absence at the death scene. Thus, our presence at this killing center is where You, God, want us to be. With our rosaries and our prayers, this is our Calvary, where Christ is being crucified today in our midst.
We may not be able to save their lives, but we plead on their behalf. And should they die, as usually happens (God forgive us!), let us lift up our hearts to You on their behalf … it will be the only human love they will know on this earth… Amen
nine months to pray that unborn children are winners in the election
The election this November will address many serious issues - probably the most important of these is the abortion issue.
The election is roughly nine months from now. And during the next nine months we can remind ourselves often of the plight of the unborn and pray for their rights .
Nine months, of course, symbolizes for pro-lifers that sacred period ordained by God for each unborn child to grow and develop according to the plan of God.
Let us pray that unborn children will be the real winners in this election - that is that their rights will become better understood and more fully protected through the political (and judicial) process.
During the next nine months we can show solidarity for the unborn in various ways - particularly by surrounding them with our love and praying fervently for their rights during this election cycle.
Happy St. Valentine’s feast day!
XTREME PRAYER NOW!
Disclaimer: While Xtreme prayer is very beneficial, participating in Xtreme Sports can be hazardous to your health.
JUST 23 MORE PRAYING DAYS ‘TIL CHRIST’S BIRTH!
Next time your kid starts ooohhing and aaahhing about the guy leaping off a bridge with a parachute or jumping over ten sixteen wheelers on a dirt bike, you can chime in with your own examples of Xtreme Prayer!!! Read on.
Back in the day - the Gospel day - Jesus gave us some examples of Xtreme Prayer:
Remember the parable of the widow and the unrighteous judge? The widow bothered the judge constantly seeking justice and finally he found in her favor just to get rid of her (LK 18:1-8). Remember the father who brought his son to the apostles to have an unclean spirit cast out, but they were unable to do so? Jesus explained: “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting” (Mk 9:16-29). We are also told that Jesus often spent “all night” praying (for example Lk 6:12). That was Xtreme Prayer then.
Here are some examples of Xtreme Prayer now:
Maintain your daily prayer regime during the most distracted season of them all!!!
Praying at the Mall - no seriously, PRAYING AT THE MALL!!!!!!!
Sit alone in a room and sincerely sing five or more (religious) Christmas carols.
Spend MORE than one hour in prayer.
Go to Church twice on the same day!!
Pray two or more Novenas at the same time.
Pray two or more litanies on the same day.
Pray MORE than five decades of the rosary on the same day.
You get the idea. You don’t need an expensive helmet for any of these (except maybe the Mall suggestion). Isn’t it amazing how free and accessible God is, anytime, anywhere, you choose the words…
