What is our daily prayer doing to help us?

We question all of things in life, but the one thing most of us seldom question is our prayer. When we pray we do it for many different reasons, yet we never question how it is helping us or if it is changing us; changing our attitude or outlook, making us more patient or giving us more humility. This is what prayer should be doing for us. I mean some of us pray out of habit, others do it out of love for God, and still some people only do it in their time of need.

So, when we pray are we transforming into the person God wants us to become? I mean if we pray 5 rosaries a day, yes that is good, but what is it doing for us? If it is doing nothing and our attitude isn't changing then we need to rethink our prayer strategy. Prayer in the simplest way communication with God, which is supposed to help our relationship with him and our journey to holiness. Prayer is not to persuade God to our will, but to accept his will instead.

In Yesterday's Gospel (Luke 11:1-13) the disciples asked Jesus how to pray because whenever Jesus went off to pray he always came back refreshed something actually happened something changed. They prayed a lot as Jews, they had daily prayers, and they had different rituals to abide by, but they noticed all the prayers and rituals didn't do anything for them like Jesus' prayer did for him. They knew something had to change they had to fix something, and who better to ask than Jesus?

Everything matters to God especially our relationship with him, and our journey to holiness. He cares about what is going on in our lives, and he loves us more than we could ever imagine. So ask yourself and ask God how can you change your prayer life to better benefit you and your relationship with God? He will certainly give you the answer.

Here is "Matter" by For King and Country:
                          

Thank You Lord for reminding us that we matter to you. Help us to becoming holier and to pray not for our will but for yours.

God Bless,

Sarah

Fear

Fear holds us back from serving God, and doing things that would immensely help us. We have plenty of fears every single day whether big or small. Sometimes its financial problems, other times trying something new, or even what other people are saying or thinking about us. How do we overcome these fears, and is it even possible to overcome them? Of course it's possible to overcome our fear because Jesus gives us courage; we just have to accept it. Jesus gives us the exact amount of courage we need to overcome each fear. Do we accept it? Sometimes no, but Jesus still encourages us. And God tells us time and time again in the bible do not be afraid (Joshua 1:9):

I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go.

Why do we sometimes let fear control us if we know we have God on our side? It is just the human side of us, we aren't all perfect, and we don't always want to step out of our comfort zone. But God knows what is best for us, we on the other hand do not. Our judgement is clouded by sin, and our human state, while God's judgement is not clouded by anything because he is all good, and has our best interest in mind. So why not, why not trust God to best of our ability even in hard times? Sure we can be stubborn but once we get past our stubbornness we can, "do all things through him who strengthens us." (Philippians 4:13).

Here is "The God I Know" by Love and the Outcome:

Lord, please remind us that you know what is best, and that you give us courage. I pray for all those going to World Youth Day, that you may give them the courage they need to be able to make this trip. Thank You for guiding us with your hand, and giving us the courage to overcome fear.

God Bless,

Sarah

Being A Good Samaritan

How often do we overlook others, and we make up different excuses for why? A lot of times with our busy lives it is hard not to overlook others, but Jesus wants us to put others before ourselves. In Today's Gospel (Luke 10:25-37) we hear Jesus asking us to care about others, to not overlook others:

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said,
"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? 
How do you read it?" 
He said in reply,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live."

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?" 
Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. 
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. 
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight. 
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. 
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him. 
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
'Take care of him. 
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" 
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." 
Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

We are all imperfect, we all have our moments, but trying and striving for holiness is what makes Our Lord happy, and what benefits us for eternal life. This week we need to strive to be a 'good Samaritan' every day, because Jesus has asked us to do this very thing. If we are to serve God we must heed his words right?  It doesn't have to be anything huge life helping a half-dead person on the road, BUT just letting someone know you care, and then praying for them as well; a text, a simple hello, or asking what's wrong. Whether its a friend or a stranger or even family this is what God is asking of us!

So ask God today to give you the compassion to not overlook others, and the grace to be merciful no matter what it means to our earthly reputation. 

Here is "The Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets:

God Bless,

Sarah

Happy Independence Day America!

Dear God,

Today is our Independence Day, and we ask that you, the all-powerful God may bless this country. We ask you to give her the leadership she needs to become great again.
We ask that this country may go back to the principles on which she was founded.
That America may not be destroyed by greed, but that she may be empowered by her trust in you,
And remain one nation under God indivisible with liberty and Justice for all.
We ask that you may keep our men and women who are in service, safe, and give them the grace they need to protect this country, because it is through their sacrifice that we enjoy the freedom we have today, and please give their families the grace they need to be strong. Lord, give us a president, who believes in this country, and will make us great again. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, and through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reins with you and the Holy Spirit forever, and ever. Amen.

Here is a Little Video I found on YouTube about independence day:

God Bless,

Sarah