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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Strengthening family unity | Why pray?
A few years ago, a friend told me a hilarious yet profound story. He was on a road trip when his GPS suddenly rerouted him through a creepy, deserted road. His phone signal dropped, the gas light flickered on, and to make matters worse, he saw an abandoned house straight out of a horror movie. “This,” he thought, “it is how I die.” Just as panic set in, he spotted a small gas station, barely lit but open. Relieved, he pulled in, refueled, and got directions back to safety.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Michelangelo is widely regarded as one of history's most exceptional artists. His masterpieces, including "Pieta," "David," "Moses," and "The Last Judgment," are celebrated for their unparalleled beauty and perfection. Among his remarkable achievements is the series of frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican. Legend has it that while meticulously painting these frescoes, lying on his back for countless hours to perfect every detail, a friend questioned the necessity of such effort for artwork that would be viewed from afar. The friend asked, "Who will notice if it's perfect or not?" Michelangelo, renowned for his commitment to excellence, simply replied, "I will." This wasn’t about external validation; it was about internal integrity. It was about a deep-seated need to be authentic in every stroke of his brush, to create something true to the vision within him. This same principle, this pursuit of authenticity, is vital to our spiritual lives. Without it, our spiritual endeavors lack depth and nourishment. True spiritual growth blossoms from a foundation of credibility and authenticity.
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Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.
Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
The Letter to the Hebrews draws our attention to a fascinating and mysterious biblical figure—Melchizedek. Though his appearances in Scripture are brief, his significance is profound, mentioned briefly in Genesis, celebrated in the Psalms, and expounded upon in the Letter to the Hebrews, offering us a deeper understanding of Christ’s eternal priesthood and God’s plan for humanity. Melchizedek first emerges in Genesis 14 as the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High. After Abraham’s victorious battle, Melchizedek greets him with bread and wine and blesses him. In return, Abraham offers Melchizedek a tithe of his spoils. This brief encounter is packed with meaning. The name Melchizedek translates to “king of righteousness,” while his title, king of Salem, means “king of peace.” These titles, righteousness, and peace, point us to Jesus, the ultimate King, and High Priest.
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Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
“You are under CCTV surveillance!” This is a notice we increasingly encounter today. Institutions, offices, public places—almost everywhere—is scanned by CCTV cameras. The purpose is clear: to capture every movement, identify mischief, trace mishaps, and deter harmful actions. Though CCTV is a modern technological marvel, humanity has had its own "human version" of surveillance long before its invention. Today’s Gospel offers proof of this.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
A wealthy man was once seen driving his luxurious Lamborghini through a bustling city. As he stopped to park, a curious passerby exclaimed, “Wow, such an expensive car! But did you notice your rear windows are broken?” The man smiled and replied, “Yes, they’re broken for a reason—they remind me of God’s Providential Love.” Perplexed, the passerby asked, “Broken windows… God’s love? How?” The man began, “One day, I was speeding through these very streets when I heard a loud crash. A stone had struck my car. Furious, I stopped and saw a ragged boy, the culprit, standing nearby. My anger boiled as I approached him, but before I could say a word, he fell to his knees, hands clasped, tears streaming down his face.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
Chess is a popular game that is loved and played by millions around the globe. It is a two-player strategy board game that is played on a chess board. The game of chess brings alive a war on the board with clever strategies and witty planning with constant movements. It’s a sort of a battle that rages strongly, a combat that is highly engrossing. It is a battle of minds, where each move is calculated, and the goal is to checkmate the opponent. Interestingly, our Christian lives can be likened to this game. We are engaged in a spiritual warfare, a constant struggle between good and evil, where the stakes are high, and the consequences eternal. But unlike a game of chess, this battle is not a mere fiction; it is real, it is alive, and it involves every aspect of our lives.
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