We pray for God to make us stronger, to grow our faith, to deepen our walk with Him.
As we say our “Amen” and step out into life, more times than not, we are caught off guard by what is almost inevitably coming next – temptation, trials, suffering, hardship, disappointment, grief.
As much as we love “easy”, God in His infinite wisdom, merciful favor, and unfathomable love, knows the only way we will grow in our faith is to come face to face with that which builds our spiritual strength.
Easy doesn’t require faith.
Easy doesn’t build spiritual muscles.
Easy doesn’t draw us deeper into relationship with God.
It is in the hard times that we learn to depend upon our God and discover He is dependable.
It is in the hard times that our faith reaches with everything it has deep into the heart of God and there discovers everything it needs.
It is in the hard times, when we have nothing else, that we come to discover God is more than enough.
We pray for God to make us stronger, to grow our faith, to deepen our walk with Him.
When God, in His infinite wisdom, merciful favor, and unfathomable love, answers our prayer, may we not murmur, complain, resent or rebel.
May we instead, embrace His gracious gift and discover what is inevitably coming next – spiritual strength, a deeper faith, a closer walk with our God.~
For the one trying to pray for and to forgive someone who might not even have asked for your forgiveness –
Sometimes, most times in fact – it is beyond us to forgive without the help of the Spirit.
Sometimes, most times in fact – the best prayer we can pray is that which Jesus, Himself, prayed.
A prayer that is simply and powerfully this:
“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” ~Luke 23:34
It doesn’t excuse the behavior, but it does guard our own heart against hatred and bitterness. In all things, especially in this – we can follow the example of our Savior.
Just like Jesus, we can give the hurt to our Heavenly Father.~
Gracious Heavenly Father, As I pour out my heart before You, I don’t even know where to begin or how all of this is going to end.
(My child, I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I’ve got this and I’ve got you.)
The voice of the world, the cry of my heart, and Your still, small voice – all intertwined together, a muffled, muting combination. How can I hear You, Lord? How can I find You in all of this, Father God?
(My child, My word is a lamp for your feet and a light for your path. My Spirit will lead you into all truth. I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. I am here, in the midst of all the confusion, and you will find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart.)
Oh, Father God. I am weary of the battle, weary of the fight. I long for peace, calm assurance, unending strength.
(My child, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives peace, for My peace passes all understanding. I am not the author of confusion, I am Truth. Truth you can stake your very life on. Rest in My faithfulness, walk in My strength.)
Your will, Abba Father. This is want I desire most. Your plan, loving Lord. This is where I want to be. Your obedient child, Heavenly Father. This is who I want to be.
(My child, I know the desires of your heart. If you will but delight yourself in Me, I will grant them all. I love you, My child. I always have and I always will. I AM here. Be at peace.)
Thank you, Father God. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.~
This is just one of forty-one prayers you will find in my book, “Gracious Heavenly Father: A Collection of Morning Prayers”. For more information and/or to purchase a copy simply look for the link in the first comment below or here: Stacy L. Sanchez
The Rosary is a Marian prayer, which means we can deepen our experience of prayer through meditating on Mary’s life and virtues. Follow along with Fr. Mark-Mary as he explains how Mary mirrors God the Father’s love, and shares a meditation on how we can experience the loving face of Mary in our prayer of the Rosary today. Today’s focus is “Mary, the mirror of justice,” and we will be praying one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.
I’m in bit of a conundrum because I prepared a wonderful sermon, brief but wonderful, on the Gospel just not this Gospel. Oops! So, would you like to hear a sermon that I come up with by the seat of my pants or would you like to hear the short one on another Gospel? Seat of my pants? Not happening.
Remember the story about the ten lepers who were cured by Jesus but only one came back to thank Him? That was a lesson on prayer for the Apostles to show them how few say, “thank you.” The lepers asked God for a favor, and when God cured them, they went away. Jesus was surprised that only one man came back to thank Him. You don’t surprise God. I don’t care how original you think you are. You don’t surprise God. But God did that to drive home the point to the Apostles about how important gratitude is in prayer. We are ungrateful children sometimes, which hurts both our spiritual and mental health lives. We sink into a funk. “Oh God doesn’t love me.” Well make a gratitude list. In all 12-Step Programs, they tell people to make a list of things they are grateful for. “How long of a list? Five or ten things?” Oh, about 100. “What do you mean a hundred?” Well, that’s easy. Are you breathing? Put that at the top of the list. Is your heart beating? That’s number two. “But I’m not happy.” I see that. You are so self-centered it’s unbelievable. Make a gratitude list.
There are so many things to be grateful to God for. I tell people at funerals to be grateful you had someone you loved and who loved you. It’s not forever in this life; in the next one, yes. Be grateful you had them for so long. My family bailed out on me early. I don’t blame them at all, to tell you the truth. But my family reunions are a lot easier, cheaper, and quieter. But I loved them, and they loved me. “But I don’t have this, and I don’t have that.” Well, I don’t have a Bentley, and that keeps me up at night. I go to the Bentley dealership and just cry. I don’t have a lot, but I have all that I want. I have more than ever I needed and more than I ever wanted except for bacon. That will come in Heaven. Extra crispy please, Lord.
Be grateful for what you have. It is a great addition to spiritual life. You know what else is a good addition to spiritual life? Spending time with God. In prayer, we go to God and tell Him what we need and thank Him for the blessings He has given us. Okay, conversation over; time to move on. God is perfection in courtesy which comes from the virtues of love, charity, and respect. Prayer takes time. “What are you waiting for Father?” I’m waiting for God to say, “You’re welcome.” It is inconsiderate if you walk away from God after saying “Thank you,” without waiting for Him to say, “You’re welcome.” Have you ever thought about that? “Hey, I’m doing fine. I said, ‘thank you, didn’t I?” Perfect! You are growing right along. When we say, “thank you” to people, we expect them to say, “You’re welcome.” When you thank God in prayer, take some time to wait and listen because He will always respond and say “You’re welcome. I love you.”
When Jesus tells you to do something in prayer, do it. Don’t worry about the results – just do it. You will be surprised at the results. He showers His gifts on the just and the unjust in life. He gives His gifts to the unjust so that they might turn their hearts to Him. He still loves them and even their sins cannot stop His love. He gives His gifts to the just to keep them encouraged, to reassure them that He is watching over them, to let them know that He hasn’t forgotten about them, and so that they may have gifts to give others to show God’s love for them. That is why God cured the lepers.
How will you apply this message to your life? ________________________________________
You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to AnnunciationCatholicAlbemarle.com, clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” and then “Sermon Notes.” On a cell phone: click on “Blog” and then “Menu.” Scroll to the bottom and click on “Categories.” Sermon Notes are also available on the Church’s Facebook page at OLA.Catholic.Church. Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”
