Category: prayer

Beyond The Text – Love, Know, Trust

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Christian Blogger, Christianity, Faith, Father Chris Alar, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, prayer

Very often as a writer, I use common phrases I think I understand.

Wow, what am I saying?

I have been reflecting the past few weeks on the Pascal Mysteries as a part of my journey in my spiritual direction, and as part of my Lenten journey to “love Jesus, know him, and to know/do his will.”

Reflecting on my past blog posts, I have often used this phrase and the deep impact of it didn’t hit me until this Sunday. Graced awareness hit me like a ton of bricks, as I realized; “Do I even know what I was talking about?”

To love Jesus, means getting to know and be in a relationship with him. Getting to know Jesus is reading the sacred scriptures and examining how it applies to me. A relationship with Jesus is communication – am I praying and talking to Jesus. It is also in looking at the world around me through Jesus’ eyes. “Is it life giving?”

Graced awareness is what I have been praying for, and when it hits me, I am in awe how simple it is.

It is only in knowing who Jesus is that I can come to love him more. Like any friendship, it entails communication and spending time together. It is through this process I learn to trust Jesus. I am after all human, and it’s been wired into me from the onset to seek relationships – especially with God. It is only when I trust, and that I can slowly move to closer to him and let go of my fears and submit to his will.

After examining and breaking down what it means “to love, know and do the will of God” and looking beyond the text – I can understand what it really means to me.

Praise be to Holy Spirit for his guidance 💕🙏

A Prayer to Know, Love, and Trust God

Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to earth to save us and show us the Father’s overwhelming love. Thank you for making it possible for us to KNOW the very nature and character of the Great I AM. You revealed that both the law and gospel are features of God and what He wants for us. The Law shows us His will and teaches us that when we follow it we will be blessed with direction and protection. The Gospel shows us His forgiving love that covers our failures with mercy and grace.

Jesus, You perfectly represent both the Law and the grace of the Gospel. Please forgive me for failing to trust You completely and by Your mercy and grace, help me to KNOW You are God, the Messiah. Help me to LOVE You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And help me to TRUST and OBEY Your will that I might live each day for Your glory and enjoy the blessings of a soul completely surrendered to You.

Amen.

God will always find a way to communicate with us, and this homily by Father Chris Alar was an eye opener for me:

God Bless 💕🙏

Truth Or Riding The Status Quo

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Jesus, prayer, Truth

Often times Christian’s and Catholics working in a toxic environment endure it as an act of love and compassion. They dare not speak out for fear of rocking the boat.

In a toxic work environment, I have been advised by my Catholic counterpart to accept it with love in my heart, that to act otherwise is being non Catholic. Well, I have got to say that only works for a limited time. Although I have given up these challenges to Jesus to carry my yoke, the feeling of being silence eats at my soul.

I have the choice to bear and grin it with a loving heart, or I voice my opinion and express the injustices I see and call it out for what it is – on my part out of love for all – the management, the staff, the children in my care, and, for the healing and happiness of all who are affected within the environment.

I recall when Jesus chased out the money changers in the temple (accounts are found in Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-46; and John 2:13-17). I also recall Jesus calling out the Pharisees and teachers (Mark 12.38-40; Luke 11.37-52; 20.45-47).

Yes, we are loving and compassionate. It also means that we have the duty to call out inappropriate practices and situations around us with a Jesus centred heart.

After many weeks or pondering on it, praying about it, and then even talking with my priest during confession – I went with my heart and gave my seasoned opinion as well as possible solutions.

It’s always a choice to be honest and vocal, or to be silent. As a follower of Jesus, it is important to not be seduced by the silence of following a false narrative or the status quo. It is important to speak out on injustices and to be honest in our observations and recommendations without bias. Above all, it’s not about me, but the people around me who are too fearful or passive to speak out.

In the end, in the midst of chaos and darkness, the light of Jesus and truth will aways create conflict. After all, when the light of God pierces into the heart of darkness, a prideful heart is unable to see the light. There will be criticism for my actions (“You are not being a Christian!” – this coming from a Christian), and I gladly take responsibility for it – because as a Catholic it is irresponsible for me to be silent.

Blessings to those who stand firm in the truth of God 🙏💕

Beware Of Demons In Our Midst

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Christian Blogger, Christianity, Faith, God, New Age, Personal Reflection, prayer, Prophetic, Reflection, secularism

I have always taught my kids to think critically and to seek the truth that’s hidden beneath the sludge of popularism. Satan no longer hides in the deep, and is in our faces dominating every facet of our lives. Most visible in the music and entertainment industry, as well as in our social media and mainstream news. Satan has infiltrated all facets of our culture.

I take the time to talk to my children and ask them to look at the whole picture, and to think critically before trusting the main narratives in our world. Asking questions will help them find the truth rather than be seduced by the lies that is now a part of the norm.

The recent UFO sightings (and shooting down) dominating the news is one example. I have been waiting for this harbinger. First the world had the Covid mandates and shutdowns. The closing of church’s and all public religious gathering was the beginning of the great lie: “Getting vaccinated is an act of love.” The UFO narrative is for me another way of mass control – for we who are in Christ know that these are demon and the work of Satan.

The dark and vile no longer hide. Satan is in your face now! It is everywhere – our music, Hollywood, mainstream media – it’s’ nefarious seeds reaping the minds and souls of the venerable.

Please stay focused on Jesus. No institution is perfect, just as Pope Benedict XVI and many Popes before him and Marian Apparitions have warned – Satans seed has permeated and infested many high places.

UFO and alien deception: a diabolical preparation for the anti-Christ (Daniel O’Connor and John Henry Weston).

https://rumble.com/v1lwa44-ufo-and-alien-deception-a-diabolical-preparation-for-the-anti-christ.html

Enough said, please take the time to pray for atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

God Bless 💕🙏

Dark Nights

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Depression, Healing, Personal Reflection, prayer, Relationship, Spirituality

This past few weeks, so many around me are going through life (filled) challenges. Many are in a “clinical” depression, sad, or anxious. There are a few friends going through cancer treatments. For some, they cannot see the light and cannot grasp the inner joy within. I lack words of comfort.

For many their darkness stems from not only the death of those close to them, but from the dark cloak of secularism which has taken away their soul and replacing it with shallow emotionalism. Where has their inner joy, peace and love gone?

A young friend just lost her mom and bestie, and she asked me why she is being punished. “Where is God?” “God doesn’t exist!” She is not the only friend who has experienced the death of love ones. I can only listen and silently pray in my heart for them.

There is another recovering from addiction, and sometimes the pain is so bad she has strayed away from her program – “falling off the wagon.”

I recall Father D. Callaway, MIC once saying that therapy without healing the soul (spiritual) is ineffective. The mind and body may get better, but the spirit is weak and often times they fall back into their addiction.

How do I proactively help them? Yes, I try to listen mindfully without opening my big mouth. I give a hug. I also say a silent prayer for them asking for the light of Jesus to touch their souls. I pray for their healing, or I send them prayers to pray.

When someone is ill, praying is the last thing on their mind. When in a depression, it’s difficult to see the light. When someone is going through the pain of lost, no words can comfort. That’s why it’s up to us to pray for their healing, pray a rosary, or light a candle, or offer a mass on their behalf, and above all something I have learnt of late – to listen mindfully. With Jesus in us, this is what we are called to do.

Going through the “dark night of the soul” is real. It is also a process of drawing one nearer to God. There is a light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. God is ever loving and merciful – He waits to hear from us. He waits for us to seek him to help us go through the “dark night of the soul”.

He welcomes our prays for the other.

There is also the freedom to choose. God also wants us – sick, depressed and going through life challenges – to seek him freely.

God also seeks for those in need to seek him from where they are at in their life’s journey. Following Father Mike today – Day 8 helped me understand this more fully: https://youtu.be/m6f2J4Cr3Ps

God Bless all those going through trials, illness, depression, and lost of love ones. Those of us in the faith, let us pray, pray, and pray for them. We can pray the Rosary 📿, light a candle at church, offer a mass. 🙏💕

Note: Forgive me for doing injustice to Saint John of the cross and his “dark night of the soul”. There is a multi-fold meaning to his work, and I do him a great injustice by the flippant and generalized way I am appropriating his phrase.

RIP Papa Benedict XVI

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholicism, Christianity, Pope Benedict XVI, prayer, RIP

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253168/benedict-xvi-dead-at-95-the-humble-worker-and-his-legacy-of-hope-to-the-catholic-church

May the Holy Family embrace his soul and lift him up before the Father. RIP 🙏💕

I also ask in the name of Jesus, for blessings upon the Catholic Church, all Catholics and Christians as we enter into a New Year, and as we close an era. As we enter into a new age within the Catholic Church, I pray the the Holy Spirit to stir the hearts of lost sheep, and, to move the hearts of those coming to faith. Amen.

May God Bless each and everyone of us. 🙏💕

Pray For Pope Benedict XVI

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Pope Benedict XVI, prayer

Former pope Benedict is ‘very sick’, Pope Francis says.

This was reported through the news wire, and I ask all to pray for him, (https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-francis-asks-prayers-ex-pope-benedict-who-he-says-is-very-sick-2022-12-28/

I reason why I post this is not only to ask for prayers for former Pope Benedict XVI, but for the challenges within and out of the Catholic Church that may come afterwards.

God Bless 🙏💕

A Look Back…

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Advent, Catholic Faith, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Christmas, Mother Mary, Music, prayer, Rosary, Virgin Mary

There is a joy to in the season of Advent as we prepare our hearts and soul to receive God’s gift:

“The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36).“

From: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/advent

Christmas is a season for active preparation through fasting, reading the Bible, and prayer. It is a time to share with our families and communities the love of God. It is a time to express our resounding joy.

Praying the Joyful Mysteries, allows us to follow Mary’s “Yes” to the birth of Jesus. Through Mary’s eyes, we journey along with her in the faith, hope and joy. Reading scripture (Luke 1:26-56). also allows us to focus our minds and hearts on the true reason for the season – Christ, coming to redeem all of humanity.

https://rosarycenter.org/the-joyful-mysteries-without-distractions

Listening to hymns and carols immerses us in the soulful sound of celebration – we become a part of the heavenly choir:

Finally, I want to repost some thoughts I had as we ended the Year of St. Joseph. Christmas is also his story. Our story is no matter how often we fall or tumble, the light of Jesus lights our path.

https://rejoiceandpraise.ca/2021/12/18/a-light-in-my-path/

God Bless 🙏💕

Christ the King Novena

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholicism, Christ the King, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Novena, prayer

Starting today is the Christ the King Novena

Day 1 – November 11

Intention

[Mention your intentions here]

Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayer to Christ the King

Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
     The beginning and end of all things,
You have made your Church to be a people
     that bears witness to the goodness and beauty of your kingdom.
By your Holy Spirit, you have united us as one body,
     called to live as one family of God.
Fill our hearts with your grace,
     that we would be close to you
     by being close to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Give us the patience to share one another’s burdens,
And give us the courage to always be friends of the truth.
May we remain with you always.
Amen.

Day 2 – November 12

Intention

[Mention your intentions here]

Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayer to Christ the King

Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
     The beginning and end of all things,
You have made your Church to be a people
     that bears witness to the goodness and beauty of your kingdom.
By your Holy Spirit, you have united us as one body,
     called to live as one family of God.
Fill our hearts with your grace,
     that we would be close to you
     by being close to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Give us the patience to share one another’s burdens,
And give us the courage to always be friends of the truth.
May we remain with you always.
Amen.

Day 3 – November 13

Intention

[Mention your intentions here]

May children waiting to be placed in a loving home and the caregivers who serve those children find strength and support from the Church.  

Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayer to Christ the King

Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
     The beginning and end of all things,
You have made your Church to be a people
     that bears witness to the goodness and beauty of your kingdom.
By your Holy Spirit, you have united us as one body,
     called to live as one family of God.
Fill our hearts with your grace,
     that we would be close to you
     by being close to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Give us the patience to share one another’s burdens,
And give us the courage to always be friends of the truth.
May we remain with you always.
Amen.

Day 4 – November 14

Intention

[Mention your intentions here]

Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayer to Christ the King

Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
     The beginning and end of all things,
You have made your Church to be a people
     that bears witness to the goodness and beauty of your kingdom.
By your Holy Spirit, you have united us as one body,
     called to live as one family of God.
Fill our hearts with your grace,
     that we would be close to you
     by being close to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Give us the patience to share one another’s burdens,
And give us the courage to always be friends of the truth.
May we remain with you always.
Amen.

Day 5 – November 15

Intention

[Mention your intentions here]

Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayer to Christ the King

Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
     The beginning and end of all things,
You have made your Church to be a people
     that bears witness to the goodness and beauty of your kingdom.
By your Holy Spirit, you have united us as one body,
     called to live as one family of God.
Fill our hearts with your grace,
     that we would be close to you
     by being close to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Give us the patience to share one another’s burdens,
And give us the courage to always be friends of the truth.
May we remain with you always.
Amen.

Day 6 – November 16

Intention

[Mention your intentions here]

Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayer to Christ the King

Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
     The beginning and end of all things,
You have made your Church to be a people
     that bears witness to the goodness and beauty of your kingdom.
By your Holy Spirit, you have united us as one body,
     called to live as one family of God.
Fill our hearts with your grace,
     that we would be close to you
     by being close to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Give us the patience to share one another’s burdens,
And give us the courage to always be friends of the truth.
May we remain with you always.
Amen.

Day 7 – November 17

Intention

[Mention your intentions here]

Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayer to Christ the King

Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
     The beginning and end of all things,
You have made your Church to be a people
     that bears witness to the goodness and beauty of your kingdom.
By your Holy Spirit, you have united us as one body,
     called to live as one family of God.
Fill our hearts with your grace,
     that we would be close to you
     by being close to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Give us the patience to share one another’s burdens,
And give us the courage to always be friends of the truth.
May we remain with you always.
Amen.

Day 8 – November 18

Intention

[Mention your intentions here]

Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayer to Christ the King

Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
     The beginning and end of all things,
You have made your Church to be a people
     that bears witness to the goodness and beauty of your kingdom.
By your Holy Spirit, you have united us as one body,
     called to live as one family of God.
Fill our hearts with your grace,
     that we would be close to you
     by being close to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Give us the patience to share one another’s burdens,
And give us the courage to always be friends of the truth.
May we remain with you always.
Amen.

Day 9 – November 19

Intention

[Mention your intentions here]

Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayer to Christ the King

Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
     The beginning and end of all things,
You have made your Church to be a people
     that bears witness to the goodness and beauty of your kingdom.
By your Holy Spirit, you have united us as one body,
     called to live as one family of God.
Fill our hearts with your grace,
     that we would be close to you
     by being close to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Give us the patience to share one another’s burdens,
And give us the courage to always be friends of the truth.
May we remain with you always.
Amen.

Thank you for praying this novena with me. May the hand of God bless each and everyone of you.

🙏💕