A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE – Sufferings in Prayer (Part I)

Anyone who seriously undertakes a life of prayer – that is, who does not only pray occasionally or when going through great anguish – will realize that it is not always an easy path; rather, there are sufferings that can make prayer even wearisome for us. Therefore, we will have to fight against the laziness of our human nature, go through processes of purification and, of course, confront various temptations, which want to discourage us. It can even go so far as to make us doubt the meaning of prayer, because it would seem that God does not listen to it and that it does not bring us any satisfaction. Thus, the soul is in danger of throwing in the towel and abandoning these “tiring” dealings with God. Read More

PRAYER OF SURRENDER

As a continuation of yesterday’s meditation in which we reflected on the moving words of our Heavenly Father through Sister Eugenia Ravasio, I would like to offer a prayer that expresses our surrender to God the Father. I have written it myself in order to include in it the great intentions that we present to our Father. Perhaps some of our listeners would like to adopt it to express their own surrender to the Father. In any case, it can also serve to internalize in our hearts the great desires that move our Heavenly Father.

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A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE – Preparation for Prayer

The best preparation for prayer, which at the same time is its very fruit, is the focus of our life on God. This means, in the first instance, living in a state of grace; that is, in conformity with the divine will.

Only under this condition can prayer be profoundly effective and can God penetrate our hearts. We will then become more and more capable of listening to God, of understanding Him and of seeking Him deeply. We will not have to begin each time by removing fundamental obstacles that impede the exchange with God.

Communication with God is a necessity of the soul. Read More

SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE – Introduction to Prayer

Over the next few days we would like to offer our listeners a series of meditations on the theme of prayer. They can certainly be helpful in the spiritual life. If any of our listeners would like to continue listening to the Bible meditations for each day, they can follow the links at the end of the text.

Today will simply be an introduction, while in the next few days we will develop the preparation for prayer, the sufferings of prayer, the different forms of prayer, etc. I hope that the meditations that follow will help us to more deeply appreciate the value of prayer and encourage us to practice it. Read More

Look carefully then how you walk

Eph 5:15-20

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will ofthe Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with allyour heart, always andfor everything giving thanks in the name ofour LordJesus Christ to God the Father.

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KING OF THE AGES

“Just and true are thy ways, O King of the ages!” (Rev 15:3b).

Is it not a vain illusion, often leading to ruin, when people try to build their own world without keeping in mind the true King of the ages, who created heaven and earth and is at the same time the most loving Father? Have we not seen enough of the consequences of such a utopia? Read More

Obedience to the commandments of the Lord (Part II)                

Today we want to return to the subject we began yesterday.

We know the serious problems of so many marriages, and we know that many of them were contracted in the most difficult circumstances. The Church, as a mother, also wants to turn to those who, for various reasons, have failed in their marriage and have begun a new relationship.

Indeed, it is the sick who need the doctor, not the healthy, as Jesus tells us in the Gospel (cf. Mt 9:12). Read More