Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

Mathew 6: 5-13
Our Father
Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray
"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray int he synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them.  Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret.  And your Father who see in secret will repay you.

In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them.  Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

This is how you are to pray:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your Name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
and do not subject us to the final test,
but deliver us from the evil one.

If you forgive others their transgressions, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."

30 Words: Nine Words

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,”
So you said, and so I believe.
I walk in Your footsteps.
I follow Your lead.
Unending Love You Give Us.

Thoughts on the Eucharist

I Hear the priest consecrate, “This is My Body.”
I Hear the priest consecrate, “This is My Blood.”
I Hear the person behind me whisper, "My Lord and My God."

I See the priest elevate the Sacred Host.
I See the host, our Brother Jesus!
I See My Lord and My God!

I Taste the Bread, now Jesus, on my tongue. 
I Taste the sweetnesss of the Lord, our God.
I Taste the gentleness of My Savior.

I Smell the wine as I am offered His Cup. 
I Smell the Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
I Smell the fragrance of Jesus, the Lord.

I Touch the pew as I kneel in prayer.
I Touch my hands clasped in prayer.
I Touch my heart now one with the Lord.

Where do you meet Jesus Each Day?

Starbucks?  Mass?  The Park?  On a Walk?  At the Adoration Chapel?

We each need a place, a physical place, to meet Him.  As Catholics, we should meet Him and see Him in everything we do and in every word we say, thus we are evangelists, and we serve Him.  Yet, even Jesus went up to the mountain or to a quiet place to pray to the Father. 

I have a special place where I meet Jesus daily.  Yes, I go to Mass daily, except, like today, when I couldn't get out of my drive way because of yesterday's storm, but it's not there that I meet Jesus in "Our Place." I am an adorer at Church when Jesus gazes at His children from the Monstrance, but that's not where I meet Jesus.

The place I meet Jesus daily is in my living room, on the love seat, across from the couch that my dog occupies.  I meet Jesus in this spot everyday.  Even if I'm sick, I seem to find my way down to this love seat.  It's here that I open my heart to have a conversation with Jesus, our brother and Savior.

Jesus hears things that I could never say to my best friend.  He hears things that I need to confess.  He hears things about which I am worried.  He hears me, and He listens.

I sip my tea, my homemade fruit water, or my diet Coke. Jesus hears me.  I weep or cry.  He comforts me.  When I am worried, Jesus gives me peace.  I play Christian music and sing.  He listens, even as I sing.  (He is a good and loving God!)  It is on this love seat that I ask Jesus to speak to me through Sacred Scripture.  Can you imagine?  A love seat!  I meet Jesus here daily for our conversations. 

Where do you meet Jesus?

Morning Prayer

Good Morning, Lord!

Thank You for the good sleep I had last night.  I feel refreshed this morning.  Thank You for that.  I just wanted to tell You that I love You, and I'm looking forward to this day.   I trust that You will be with me all day.  Thank You for that gift, too.  You do send some interesting challenges to me.  I know that without You I could not get through my day.  There was a time when I wasn't sure that You even cared about me.  My days were so challenging then!  Thank You for the peace I have received. 

Father, Jesus my Brother, Holy Spirit, I thank You for the gift of You.  You are our triune God!  We praise and bless You!  I thank You for the way You have worked in my life.  I thank You for the way You continue to work in my life.  I thank You for the way You work in my children's lives.  I thank You for the blessings You have given me through my children.  Father, we are all Your children.  We praise You and bless You for this gift.  Jesus, my brother, thank You for all that You have done for us!  You suffered and died that we might have eternal life.  Thank You.  Holy Spirit, we need You.  Pour out your blessings and graces on our very troubled world.  Thank You, our Triune God!

Father, I need to ask You for some things.  Please hear my prayer.
Bless our troubled world and send Your Holy Spirit to rekindle the flames of Your love and peace. 
Bless my children.  Manifest Your love in their lives and let them recognize this gift from You.
In the greatness of Your love for us, send the graces of salvation to those who are living lives outside of Your graces.  Grant them peace and love and the gift of a beautiful death, especially if they are going to see You face to face today.
Bless the Souls in Purgatory.  Bring them some relief from their sufferings and release souls to be with You.
Bless my family and all of our friends.  Let them be blessed with the gifts of the Spirit that they might become Your Apostles.
Bless all of Your priests.  Embrace them with Your love.
Bless all of those people who are suffering.  Relieve their sufferings and strengthen them.  Give them hope.
Bless all of those people who are grieving.  Relieve their sense of loss and strengthen them.  Remind them that with each new dawn their loved ones are enjoying the vision of You and that they are happy.
Bless all of the homeless and hungry of our world.  Bless all those kind and loving people who minister to them. 
 Bless all of those people, both living and dead, who have no one to pray for them.  May their prayers be heard by You, and may they be blessed.

Thank You, Father.  Thank You, my brother, Jesus.  Thank You, Holy Spirit.

We praise and honor You.  Help me to walk in Your path today and everyday.  Help me to see the face of Jesus in all that I meet and realize that these people are a blessing of love to me.  Praise to You!  Thank You!  I love You! 

Amen.

St. Therese on Adoration

St. Therese of Lisieux on Holiness

Reading Sacred Scripture - Do you Read the Bible? Here's how someone used to feel!

Why should I read the Bible?

Simply put, Sacred Scripture, also known as,  the Bible is the written word of God.  Just as in any relationship, If you want to know God, you listen to what He says to you.  One of the best ways to learn more about God and His unending love for us is to read the Bible. 

None of that stuff written in the Bible applies to me now.  It was all written so long ago. 

Times may change.  People may change, but God never changes.  He was, is, and always will be Love.  Through Sacred Scripture, God is teaching us how to love and obey.  He is also teaching us how to f heaven. 

The bible is a big book.  Do I have to read it all?

Yes, the Bible is a big book.  There are great truths contained in it.  It would be nice to complete the Bible at least once.  It will take a long time, but it will be worth your while to read it all.  You should never try to read it all the way through at once.  You should read slowly and prayerfully and meditate on the truths contained in the Bible. 

Can I skip over parts, like all of those begets, begats, and begottens?

It helps to know the relationships of the people mention in Sacred Scripture.  Through their lineages, the Son of God was born in Bethlehem, just as the prophets of old foretold.

There’s a lot of sin in that bible.  Big sins!  People killing people, adultery, lies, cheating.  Why would I want to read that in a holy book? 

Yes, there is great sin recorded in the Bible by some of the holiest people who ever lived, but Sacred Scripture is also full of God’s redemptive love and transformative powers after the fall.  Through those who lived in ancient times, we learn of sin, but we also learn how much God continues to love His fallen children in spite of their sins.  When it comes to sin, not much has changed through the centuries.  We are all creatures who sin, but through God’s love forgiveness,  and Redemption, we are His beloved children.  He gives us the chance to repent and learn of His love that is demonstrated in Sacred Scripture.

Who wrote the Bible?

In the early days, the word of God was passed on verbally.  The written word of God didn’t come along until much later.  Stories were told over campfires.  Pslams were sung.  Parents taught their children the stories that they had heard as children.  There is no single writer of the Bible.  Many people contributed to it, but each word contained in Sacred Scripture is the inspired word of God. 

How often should I read the Bible?

How many days are there in a week?  How many weeks in a year?  Each day, you should read and meditate on the words of God that cling to your heart.  God is speaking to you privately through Sacred Scripture.  How long you should read each day is up to you, but to establish a new relationship with God, you should listen to Him speak each day of your life. 

40 Words about Priests

40 words about Priests

Brothers to Jesus
Sons of our Mother
Consecrated hands
A priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek
Sacraments
Mass
Homilies
Parish
Missionaries
Collar
Vestments
Eucharist
Anointing
Baptism
Confirmation
Prayer

January 22 is designated as a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

This photo was taken at Christmas.  It was a reflection of a bag being held near a light.  The image reminded me of an unborn child.

For more information about the reasons for the day of prayer by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, click

HERE.

Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn

Heavenly Father, Brother Jesus, Holy Spirit,

So many unborn children are destroyed each day.  Forgive us for this grievous sins.   Give parents the ability to see there are other alternatives to abortion.  Give parents the strong desire to see their children live.  In our country there are no laws to protect the unborn.  Holy Spirit, enlighten our leaders to realize that a child in the womb is a sacred gift from God and must be protected.  Grant our country the gift of laws that will protect the unborn and will help our world to see that life is a gift.  Let no unborn child die today.  If one dies, bring that child to You in heaven.  Thank You!  We praise and adore You, Sweet Triune God.  Forgive us.  Amen.

Written by Mallory Hoffman

The Need for Prayer

As I write this blog, really, as I take dictation from the Holy Spirit, I have come to realize how important prayer is to our relationship with God.  Our God wants to hear from us.  He wants to establish a relationship with us.  His love is unending!  Prayer is the only way we have to connect with Him on a one to one basis.

Pope Francis has said,
"How powerful prayer is! May we never lose the courage to say: Lord, give us your peace."

Peace, always peace in our troubled world. 

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." John 14: 27

Even Jesus prayed:

"Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God." Luke 6: 12

"In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed." Luke 1: 35

 "And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone." Matthew 14: 23 

 "But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray." Luke 5:16 

The Apostles exhorted the newly formed Church to pray.
 
"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4: 6-7

"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving."
Colossians 4:2  

"When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, 'Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts: 4: 25, 29-30

"While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died." Acts 7: 59-60

Prayer is not new.  References to prayer abound in the Old Testament.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me, bless his holy name.                               
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and do not forget all His benefits who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." Psalm 103: 1-5

"My soul yearns for you in the night,
    my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.
For when your judgments are in the earth,
    the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness." Isaiah 26: 9

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place." 2 Chronicles 7: 14-15

"O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch." Psalms 5: 3

The list continues.  Prayer.  Communication with God.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says of prayer (2559):
"Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God."

God waits to hear your voice!

 

Becoming Aware - What do you think when you think of the words in your prayers?

What do the prayers mean to you?


This is an exercise to help you think about the words you are saying when you pray.  Awareness.  This is also an excellent exercise for your prayer journal.

1) Begin with your favorite prayer to invoke the Holy Spirit. 
2) Break your prayer down into phrases and leave a couple of spaces between each prayer. 
3) Listen to the whispers of the Holy Spirit in your heart as you begin to fill in the blanks of your prayers. 
4) Consider doing this exercise every couple of months.  Meanings often change and when you listen to the Holy Spirit, you are called deeper and deeper into prayer.

Here are 3 of our basic prayers and how I interpret the words in each prayer.  Awareness.  Your words will probably  be different from mine.  Let the words from the Holy Spirit flow through you from your heart to your paper. 


Our Father
The prayer taught to us by Jesus as the perfect prayer.

Our Father,
Papa, Dad, Daddy, Beloved Creator, Name above all names, Creator of the Universe,

Who art in Heaven,
You are where we want to be when we die.  We want to be with you in heaven.  Heaven is Your creation, too.  You made this home for us.  Where ever you are is heaven.

Hallowed be Thy Name,
All holy are You.  Your name is Holy.  Your name is love.

Thy kingdom come,
May Your Kingdom come to earth.  May Your peace and love spread through out the world.

Thy Will be done,
May all that You wish be done here on earth.  May we, as your beloved children, live as You would like for us to live.  May we, as Your beloved children, do that which You ask of us as did the Patriarchs old to whom You promised the Messiah.

On earth, as it is in Heaven,
May our earth be filled with peace as peace fills Your heaven.  May we bring this about by doing Your will on earth.

Give us this day our daily bread,
Give us the food we need to eat, the homes in which we need to live, the clothes we need to live,

Forgive us our trespasses,
Forgive us our sins,

As we forgive those who trespass against us,
Forgive us in the  way we forgive others who have sinned against us.  Forgive us so that we might forgive them.

Lead us not into temptation,
Lord, even though you test us, give us the strength and courage to resist sin and abandon our earthly attachments which will lead us into sin.

Deliver us from evil,
Do not let us fall into the pit.  Give us the courage and strength to pick ourselves up when we fall and return to Your paths.

Amen.
So be it.





Hail Mary
Words taken from Sacred Scripture to Mary by the Angel Gabriel and her cousin Elizabeth.


Hail Mary,
Hello, Mary,

Full of grace,
There is no sin in her soul. She is close to God.  She cannot sin.

The Lord is With You,
If The Lord is with you, then you are free of sin.  Your soul is pure. You are His great love.

Blessed are you among women,
You are highly favored in the eyes of God and human kind.  We women look up to you because God has blessed you in a way that He has blessed no other woman on earth.

Blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Your Child is the Blessed One of all ages.  He is the great I AM.  He is Promised One from ancient days.

Holy Mary,
Mary, we know you are holy.

Mother of God,
No one else but you can claim this title.  You are the Mother of God.

Pray for us sinners,
You are the greatest intercessor before God.  Pray for us who are sinful.

Now, and at the hour of our death,
Pray for us as we live our lives and follow the paths of life.  Pray for us when we reach death's door.  Pray for us always.

Amen.
So be it.

Glory Be
Words of Praise and Honor to the Triune God, the Trinity.


Glory be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
All praise, honor, and glory to the Father Creator, the Son, Jesus the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit, the Great Counselor, the Triune God.

As it was in the beginning,
Before the universe existed, God existed. His creations adored Him in the perfections of heaven.

Is now,
God exists now.  He does not change.  He is the great I AM.

And Ever shall be,
God is infinite and eternal.  He is.  He was.  He will be.

World without end.
God gave us immortal souls.  Where we spend eternity is up to us.  We will live forever. 

Amen.
So be it.

I'd love to hear how this works for you.  Let me know.

G. K. Chesterton said...

Mother Theresa on Joy

Mother Theresa practiced joy in spite of her dark night of the soul.

Prayers to St. Peregrine

If you are afflicted with cancer:

St. Peregrine, whom Holy Mother Church has declared Patron of those suffering from Cancer, I confidently turn to you for help in my present sickness. I beg your kind intercession. Ask God to relieve me of this sickness, if it be his Holy Will. Plead with the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Sorrows, whom you loved so tenderly and in union with whom you have suffered the pains of Cancer, that she may help me with her powerful prayers and loving consolation.
But if it should be God’s Holy Will that I bear this sickness, obtain for me courage and strength to accept these trails from the loving hand of God with patience and resignation, because he knows what is best for the salvation of my soul. St. Peregrine, be my friend and patron. Help me to imitate you in accepting suffering, and to unite myself with Jesus Crucified and the Mother of Sorrows, as you did. I offer my pains to God with all the love of my heart, for his glory and the salvation of souls, especially my own. Amen.

For Others who are afflicted with cancer:

O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty," "The Wonder-Worker," because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you. For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you. (Pause here and silently recall the names of the sick for whom you are praying) Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.


 

When it comes to novenas, I am ashamed to say...

I usually don't finish them.  I forget!

For those who don't know, a novena is nine consecutive days of prayer of petition or thanksgiving.

The nine days of prayer date back to the time after the Ascension of Jesus and the Decent of the Holy Spirit on Mother Mary and the Apostles.  The Apostles and Mother Mary prayed for nine days until the Holy Spirit came upon them.  The word novena comes from the latin word "novem" which means nine. 

Nine days in a row.  That is hard for me to do!  I forget.  I miss days, then I must begin again and again and again.  Well, you get the picture.

Tonight, I was inspired to begin a novena to St. Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer patients.  St. Peregrine, an ordained priest, was himself a cancer patient.  He was scheduled to have his leg amputated because of a cancerous growth.  The night before his surgery, he prayed before a crucifix for a healing.  That night,  St. Peregrine  had a vision of  the Christ Crucified coming down from the cross and healing him.  When St. Peregrine woke the next morning, he was healed.   You can learn more about St. Peregrine HERE.

Since I have decided I will pray this novena, the problem becomes remembering to pray for nine consecutive days.  As I searched the web looking for more information and prayers about St. Peregrine, I found this site!  God knows me!

Pray More Novenas  This web site will send you reminders in your email so that you can finish your novenas!  Now, the St. Peregrine novena is finished, but there are many others.  Check out the site.  I've signed up.  We all need more novenas in our lives. 

Journal Prompts for your prayer Journal

1) Father, I love You…

2) Jesus, Thank You…

3) Sweet Lord, Teach me…

4) Holy Spirit, Inspire me…

5) God, Hear me…

6) Lord, I know You know this…

7) When will things change, Lord?

8) We Praise You…

9) I am nothing.  You are my all!

10) Inspire me, Lord,

11) I am yours, Jesus!

12) This has been a rough day, Lord…

13) Without You, I am nothing…

14) Help me, please…

15) Jesus, You are the light in my darkness…

16) Hold me, Lord….

17) I continue to ask You, Sweet Jesus…

18) Bless my children, Lord….

19) Bring peace to our troubled world, Lord…

20) Forgive me…

21) Jesus, I trust You….

22) Teach me to trust You…

23) Lord, I ask for the Virtue of ….

24) Lord, You died for my sins…

25) You are the Christ…

26) Lord, I need You right now…

27) I adore You, Father…

28) Where are You, Lord?

29) Please give me the graces I need to…

30) Be with Me…

Let's Put Our Prayers in Writing - Give Prayer Journaling a Try!

"Lord, I know you want me to love all people, but I'm sure having a hard time with one person.  You know who she is, and you know why.  Please, guide me and help me.  Bless her and forgive me for not showing her Your Love, for not being an example of Your Love.  Lord, Help Me!"
--Prayer Journal 1/12/14

I am only showing you this entry in my prayer journal because I want you to see how I use my journaling.  Like anything else, my prayer journals have evolved from early writings of:

"Lord, I am asking that You grant me this gift.  I'll never ask again, but I really do need this." 
--Prayer Journal 10/17/l998 

That was a long time ago when all I used my prayer journal as a means of asking God for material things.  Even though I still ask God for things, I also discuss problems, ask for spiritual advice, pray for others, thank Him for His Goodness, and simply praise and bless Him.  Our communication has evolved, and it is a blessing.

There are so many ways to pray in a prayer journal, but before you begin to pray in writing, you need to gather a few supplies.

What do you need for a prayer journal.  You can use a plain notebook, a beautiful journal, or, like me, enter into the digital age and use your computer or tablet.  There are some wonderful apps out there for journaling.  How you decide to journal is up to you.

I'm not an art journaler, but I've seen some prayer journals that have become works of art, filled with photos, drawings, and doodles.  I've also seen people who like to journal on index cards!  They simply list.  That's wonderful, too.  Your voice is your voice!  My only advice is to be prepared to hear the whisperings of the Holy Spirit when you journal.  The evolution of your journal might be much more than you expect or dreamed!  Which ever media you use, be comfortable and be prepared to grow!

I journal about half an hour a day.  When you first begin to develop your prayer journal, I would suggest that you journal for 10-15 minutes each time you journal.  Remember that it takes 6 weeks to develop a habit, if you stick with journaling for that length of time, you might become a dedicated writer in your prayer journal.  Carve out that time from your busy schedule and give it to God in prayer.  10-15 minutes a day is only 1/4 of an hour.  There are 24 hours in a day.  When you look at the time factor that way, it doesn't seem like much time, does it?

Be persistent.  If you miss a day, don't worry about it.  Begin again the next day.  We all get stuck or busy.  Life happens.  Let the Holy Spirit work with you.  He will be happy to be invited into your prayer time. 

Set your timer.
Begin your writing by invoking the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, fill my mind and thoughts with Yours.You can write this down, or not!  That's up to you.

Next, praise God and thank Him for this time together.
Heavenly Father, Son of God, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank You!
Again, you can write this down or not!

Then begin to write down what is in your heart.  If you had a bad day, tell God.  If you had a wonderful day, tell God.  Thank Him.  If you have problems, tell God. Pour your heart out to Him.  Remember, prayer is born in the heart.  This is where God meets you in love.

Write until you are finished even if your timer goes off.  If you need to stop before your timer goes off.  Stop.  If tears come, let them flow as you pray.  If laughter comes, join God in the joy of your heart.  Give yourself to God as you write.

At the end of your prayer time, thank God for your time together.
Oh, Lord, thank You!   
Write it down or not.
Praise, adore, and bless God!
Lord, I adore You!  I praise You!  I bless You.
Rest in Him for a short time.

I cannot promise you that each time you journal, that you will be exulted and overflowing with love, but I can guarantee you that you will be praying with your heart and soul.  If you save your journals, you will begin to see patterns emerge as you grow in closeness to God.

Can you tell, I love to prayer journal?  It is my prayer voice.

Tomorrow, I will post some journaling prompts.  We all get stuck.  We all get busy.  These might help you to continue on your journey. 

Finding Your Prayer Voice

When we pray, we are in direct communication with our Living God.  What an amazing gift to us, His Beloved Children!   *(CCC 2559-2561) Whether in words, thought,  or song, God hears our prayer.  He listens as we chant or rest in the silence of His Heart.  Each  of us, as a child of God, has a  prayer voice that is as unique as a finger print.

The patriarchs of the Old Testament prayed to God in the open air, in nature.   They passed on the stories  of their fathers’ experiences with God, and they danced and sang the praises of God around the campfires.  God heard their prayers as they tended their sheep and raised their children.  Sometimes,  God would send heavenly messengers to  visit these men and women of old, and their lives would be changed forever.   When these women and men spoke to God in prayer, they spoke from the heart, which is where prayer is born.  *(CCC2562-2564).

Today, we are bombarded with stiumli. We are a society of distractions, multiple activities and short thought processes.  Aren’t you, like me, often challenged in finding time to pray? When we find the time, how do we pray? I ask myself that question often. Do I attend Mass, the greatest prayer of all? Do I pray a Rosary?  (Always a good option in my eyes.)  Do I sit in silence with God?  Do I pull out an old prayer book and recite those prayers?  Am I close to a church where I can sit in adoration of our Risen Lord? How do we find and use our prayer voice? 

God blesses us with so many ways to communicate with Him.  As always, my recommendation is to begin your search for your prayer voice with a simple prayer.

Lord, God, I want to communicate with You in the best way I can.  Please show me how You want me to talk with You.
The answer to your prayer might be given immediately or it might take a while.  No matter, practice the virtue of patience as you seek to find.  Remember, God will open that door for you.  Ask for this gift in Faith. 

 “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.  For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.  Matthew 7: 7-8
I pray in many different ways, however, I found my prayer voice in writing.  I have journaled for years, since I was a teenager caught up in the angst of my raging hormones.  I have kept gratitude journals, negativity dump journals, journals of being in love, journals of my children’s lives, journals of my hopes and dreams, journals of ways to decorate my home, photo journals, blogs.  Well, you get the picture.  I have journaled for years. 

One day, many years ago, as I prayed, I fought distraction after distraction.  Frustrated, I stopped praying.  When I stopped my prayer,  I saw my gratitude journal out of the corner of my eye.  (The Holy Spirit was working here! ) Suddenly, I realized, my attention was always focused when I wrote.  I found a new notebook, labeled it “Prayer Journal,” and I began to write.  I felt God smile on me that day.   I found my prayer voice!  

Now, I use my prayer journal almost everyday.  I also pray in other ways, too.  Yet, I know, my  true prayer voice, a gift from our Loving God, is in the gift of writing. 

Thank You, Lord, for this gift!  Amen.

* CCC = Catechism of the Catholic Church

When You Can't Make a Visit to the Blessed Sacrament in Person, Go Online!

Yes, You can worship Our Lord, 

Jesus Christ 

present in the monstrance in Eucharistic Adoration even if you can't be there in person.

Use your computer, tablet or phone, and you can worship our God 

anytime, anywhere.

Here are some sites to help you do this.

http://www.savior.org/devotions.htm

http://www.fortheloveofgodworldwide.org/prayer-practices/24-hour-perpetual-adoration-24-hour-online-rosary/

http://www.navanparish.ie/chapel-live.html

http://www.marytown.com/content/our-lady-blessed-sacrament-chapel

http://74.142.49.38:8000/view/viewer_index.shtml?id=9673

If these links do not work,

copy and paste them into your browser

or 

search using the words

online adoration

or adoration online.

Be ready to be with your God at all times!

He loves you more than you can ever know.

Praised be Jesus, Son of the Living God!

Joy

Joy - Mother Theresa

Patience One of the 12 gifts of the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…

1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Psalm 37:7
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.

I ponder patience.  Each time I enter the confessional, I say, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.  I have been impatient, again.  I want to be patient, but I have a very hard time being patient.”   The proclamation of this sin does not come as a surprise to my confessor.  He looks me straight in the eye and says, “Mallory, you cannot give what you don’t have.  You must learn to be patient with yourself so that you can give this gift to others.  Pray for this gift.  It is a gift of God.  Without God, you cannot be patient.”
   
I ponder patience.  If I am to become more patient, I must begin with myself.  I must learn to be kind to myself.  I must learn to be patient with me.  I begin with prayer.
   
Holy Spirit, the gift of patience is a fruit of Your love.  Help me to become more patient with me.  Help me to develop this gift that I may give it freely to all, that Your Holy Will may be demonstrated in this gift of Your love.  Help me to slow down and celebrate the daily lessons of patience in my life.  I offer up my successes to You.  I offer up my failures to You.  I beseech You to be with me and help me to recognize Your gift of lessons as they happen.  Help me to bless those with whom I must be patient.  Help them to forgive me when I’m not patient.  Bless them for their forgiveness.  Bless me when I am patient.  Thank You, Most Holy Spirit.  Amen.

    I ponder patience.  The lessons begin.  As I drive on the highway that has a speed limit of 55 mph, I come up behind a car going 35 mph.  The road has become a single lane with no passing allowed.  My fingers clench the steering wheel until I am able to pass the car.  I glare at the driver.  The driver is a very old man who is driving.  His glasses are thick.  He has no teeth in his mouth. 

Oh, Holy Spirit.  Forgive me for not being patient with this old man.  it’s not fair, though!  if you want me to learn patience, I need other lessons, not this kind! 

I ponder patience.  The lessons continue.  I go to church.  There is only one parking space left in the lot.  I try to pull into single space that is left.  I cannot fit into the space because someone is taking up two spaces.  I am forced to park in the street.  I am growling as I walk back into the church parking lot.  I see a very old woman with a walker and  opening the door to her car.  I still growl, but it’s not as loud.  I offer to help her get into her car.  She tells me that she can do it herself.  I slink away.

Oh, Holy Spirit, must you test me this way?  Then you make me feel guilty because I am not being patient.  That’s not fair! 

I ponder patience.  I have tried so many times to be fully attentive during adoration and not allow distractions to take my mind away from the Eucharistic Presence.  I sit in the presence of my God, and my mind wanders.  I’m worried about my daughter.  I’m worried about the cost of two root canals and crowns that I need.  The gentleman sitting across the aisle from me is snoring, loudly, too.  I wish I had more friends.  Wait!  I’m NOT PAYING ATTENTION, AGAIN!!! 

Wait, I’m not being patient with me. 

So, Holy Spirit, is this the lesson of adoration? I had forgotten, I must be patient with me.  I must learn to love myself and open my heart to you so that I can learn the gift of patience.  Thank you for all of your lessons even as I sit here in the Presence of Jesus.  I surrender myself to You so that I might bear this fruit of  Your Love.  Thank You, Most Holy Spirit!

I ponder patience.  The lessons continue.


   

   

Hi, I'm Mallory. I am the author of this blog.

I'm fairly new to the Catholic blogging world, and I love it!  Although I've been a blogger for 8 years, I've never written a Catholic blog before. 

My other blog is called, "For the Love of Beads." 
In the secular part of my life, I make lampwork glass beads, polymer clay beads, fiber beads, metal beads, I crochet and make jewelry.  I have been a contributor to many nationally known beading magazines.  

This Catholic blog, His Unending Love, came about because the Holy Spirit would not leave me alone!  He pestered me until I began to take His dictation.  I have dedicated my blog to Him, and when I write, and there is peace, I know the inspiration  and dictation comes from Him. 

Well, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!  Hope to see you again, here,  at His Unending Love.

In the Silence - Part 3

Yes, I've seen you in My Temple.
Yes, I know that you've sat in the quiet which lead to the silence.

Do you know that when you opened your eyes and saw the silence,
you saw what I see in the world?
You prayed for the homeless, for the unemployed, for the depressed, for the physically ill, for the children who have been sold into slavery.  You did this in silence.

Do you know that when you listened for the silence, you heard the whisper of silence which came from My Heart to yours? I gave you this silence as a gift.

Do you know that when you touched the silence, you reached out and touched Me?  Do you know that when, in My blessed silence, you hugged the weeping woman and prayed for her, you hugged Me in that tight embrace? 

Do you know that when you smelled the silence, you inhaled the breath we share?  Do you know that the Holy Spirit breathed His graces into You so that You might persevere and be strong?

Do you know that when you tasted the silence, you tasted the Love which I have for you?  You tasted the love of My Father Who gifted this dark, dark world with the Light of Love, which was Me.  You tasted the Love and Wisdom of the Holy Spirit who pours His graces down on you.

My beloved child,
No you did not hear My voice as you hear the voice of others, but you heard Me in your soul.  This is where I want to be, and you invited Me to be with you.
I love you so much!  I seek your open arms.  Hold Me in the silence of your heart.
I AM here.  I AM there, and I will be with you forever.

In The Silence - Part 2

Lord, I have sat in silence waiting for You.
I have come to Your temple to adore You, to worship You,
but I don't hear You.
I hear nothing but silence and more silence.
There are others here praying and seeking You.
Do they hear You?
Do they know You?

I have let the silence envelope me as You have said.
I have waited patiently for You to speak.
I have heard nothing in the ears of My heart.
I didn't know that silence had a sound.
I have seen nothing in the silence.
I didn't know that silence can be seen in my heart.
I have reached out and touched the silence.
I didn't know that silence could be held in the palms of my hands.
I have opened my mouth and tasted silence.
I didn't know that silence had a taste.
I have inhaled the silence.
I didn't know that silence could be scented.

Lord, where are You in this silence?
I am waiting, but I think You have forgotten me.

Should I leave and look for You in the streets where people walk by, afraid to make eye contact.
Should I leave and go to the grocery store where I see the young mothers with their children as they shop?
Should I leave and visit some of my friends?

You've asked me to stay, and I have,
but Lord, I cannot hear You.

In The Silence

In the silence I hear you, and you hear Me.
Let silence envelope you.  I will then bring you to My Heart, My Sacred Heart,
Where you can rest in My
peace.

Silence.

Feel the silence.
Touch the silence.
Hear the silence.
See the silence.
Taste the silence.
I will hold you close to Me in the silence that begins with quiet.
Quiet is more than silence.
It is only the beginning.
Stop what you are doing, and rest, rest in My Wounds.  Rest in My Heart. 

Rest in My Loving arms.
I walk with You, daily, in the silence.  I walk with you in the quiet, but quiet is not enough. 
You must surrender to Me in  the quiet to be in the silence.
You must seek Me in that quiet so that You can hear the silence.
I love you even more when we are together.

My Sacred Heart bursts with love for you.
Even when, in your noisy world, I walk with You, but you will begin to feel My presence when you rest in silence.
Come into my quiet church.   The church is part of My heart.  Sit in the silence and think of Me.
I AM here waiting for you.

I thirst for your presence.  So often I AM alone in the silence with only My angels.  I call to you quietly in the whispers of the wind, but the noise drowns out My Voice.
Sit and listen.
Rest.  Think only of Me.  I will be there for You.

One day, you will hear My voice in Your heart, in the silence of Your heart.
Do not be afraid, for I AM with you.
My love extends beyond the universe.
I AM your God.  I love you. 
Be silent.

Silence and God

Pope Francis on Silence

Morning Prayer

Dear Lord,

So far I've done all right.
I haven't gossiped,
lost my temper,
been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent.
I'm really glad about that.

But in a few minutes, God,
I'm going to get out of bed.
And from then on,
I'm going to need Your help.

Amen.

(I've been praying this prayer for many years now.  I just wanted to share it with you.  I don't know the source, so I can't give any one credit, but I can say, "God bless the author of this poem who understands all of us!"

Has Your Saint for 2014 chosen you Yet?

That's right, I did ask you the question, has your saint for 2014 chosen you yet?  Actually, that has already happened, now, it's your job to find the saint who has chosen you to be your patron for 2014.

How do you go about discovering which saint chose you?  The easiest way that I have discovered is to to HERE.  There is a list of saints who might have chosen you.  If you like, you can download a pdf file to cut up or you can do as I do and scroll down the list to find your saint.  I like my method the best!

1) Begin with a prayer to the Holy Spirit asking Him to guide you as you begin to scroll.

2) I scroll down the list and when inspiration hits, I stop.  That is my saint.

Your family and friends can choose their saints when you do, or you can pass the link on to them.  I usually let my children's saints find me, then I tell my kids which saint chose them.  It's amazing how the saint who chooses you fits your needs for the year!  Sometimes, the connection is seen immediately.  Sometimes, it becomes known as the year goes by.

Now, I'm going to scroll the list of saints to see who will be my special patron this year.  Hold on!

The saint who has chosen me is:

Saint Andre Bessette

(celebrated January 6^th)

“It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures,” said St. André Bessette. 

Pray for many humble souls who are not afraid to be small for God.

Amazing!  I am an artist!

The saint who has chosen my daughter is:  

Blessed Mariam of Bethlehem

(August 26th)

“Little Lambs, do not be afraid of God! Call on God alone and entrust yourself to Him and do not be afraid. Jesus

is madly in love with Man”

Pray for the liberation of those who are under the power of darkness

That will be interesting for her.  I don't see the connection yet, but she might!

The saint who has chosen my son is:

Saint Stephen, first martyr, celebrated Dec 26

“And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who

belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen…disputed with him. But they could not withstand the wisdom

and the Spirit with which he spoke…And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that

his face was like the face of an angel.”

Pray for the gift of profound holiness.

Wow!  That is interesting, too!  

Which saint has chosen you?

We Bring In the New Year with Mary, the Mother of God.

 

Pray for us, Oh, Holy Mother of God!  That we may be made worthy of the Promises of Christ!

Happy New Year!  Welcome 2014!  We are under our Mother's Protection.