[Pray into it]
God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.~Mother Theresa
"When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. And so on. But when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do." ~ A. C. Dixon
"In prayer, it is better to have heart without words, than words without heart. Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin entice a man to cease from prayer. The spirit of prayer is more precious than treasures of gold and silver. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan." ~ John Bunyan
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer…for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
How would you describe your prayer at church?
Often times we can drift in and out of our focus in church. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you one way that you tend to be pulled away from the gift of worshiping in community at church. Now pray and ask Holy Spirit to strengthen you against what pulls you away.
If you have trouble even mustering the desire to go to church, pray that the Lord can infuse you with that desire. God blesses us in a unique way when we worship in community.
Psalm 67:2,3,5,6,8 O God let all the nations praise you
Offer God your top three moments of grace this week as a prayer of thanksgiving.
Where in your week did God show you His mighty wonder? If you have trouble recalling, that’s okay, ask Holy Spirit to share a moment with you.
Deep Dive: Where in your week did the storms of life batter you? Can you take time in prayer to turn those moments of stormy weather into praise: praise for the strength to endure, praise for the opportunity to lean more upon your Heavenly Father, praise for trust that God is willing your greatest good.
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them.
As baptized Christians, each of us are called to “Go out into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Paul was uniquely equipped by God to preach to the Gentiles. This was his sphere of influence. Our ministry is wherever we are able to influence another to the love of God in the person of Jesus Christ.
Where have you felt drawn, pulled, or a desire to share God with another? Have you?
The next time you feel the pull, recognize that as a Holy Spirit inspiration and step into faith that God wants to use you to help “save some of them.”
Matthew 15:21-28 “Please Lord for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
Have you experienced the grace of an answered prayer that came after much perseverance of prayer? Bring to mind those moments that you waited patiently on the Lord and He provided. Praise God for those moments, hold them close as a promise in future need.
God delights in our prayers when they come from the heart, these prayers demonstrate our trust and faithfulness to Him. If you listen to yourself pray to God, how do your prayers sound to your own ears?
Note how all of the readings emphasize that God seeks us ALL. Everyone. I myself am guilty of making snap judgements about another, even in Mass. Is there someone (or group of someone’s) that you see as less? Can you take time this week to pray for them to receive God’s grace, mercy, and peace? Can you pray this week and ask God to help you to see others as He does?
