World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Return to the Church | Strengthening family unity
“Lord, we have sinned, done evil, rebelled, and departed from your laws. We have not obeyed your servants, the prophets.” - Daniel 9:5 Behold Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, a rebellious, sinful young man, whose wife, by God’s grace, helped him to repent and become a model husband, father, and heroic disciple of Christ, putting God first even before family, friends and country.
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Catholic Faith | Lenten Prayer | Lenten plans
Lent is a lot like running. When I’m in solid running shape, there is nothing more exhilarating than setting out on an adventurous 5-mile trail run through the forest. The view of God’s handiwork in nature, the sounds of birds and running streams, the mental break from the busyness of life, and the adrenaline that comes from a good workout are blessings that come from a decent trail run.
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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.
Lent activities | Lent books | family prayer
On the second Sunday of Lent, we read the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration. In the Transfiguration, we see Jesus’ appearance changed, but even more astoundingly we see Peter’s transformation in which he attunes his will to God’s will putting aside his own selfish desires. How will you let the Lord transform you this Lent?
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Blessed Virgin Mary | prayer | rosary
I was introduced to the Blessed Mother almost thirty years ago before I became Catholic, while working at a psychiatric hospital as a mental health technician. My supervisor at the time had noticed that the demands of the stressful job were taking their toll on me and offered the “Hail Mary” prayer as a way to ease some of the tension in my life. “I am not trying to push anything on you,” she explained, “I just think you may find it soothing and relaxing.” Having grown up Episcopalian, I had heard of the prayer, but never gave it any serious consideration. Nevertheless, given the state of my life at the time, I was happy to give it a try.
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Healing the family | Love thy Neighbor
What’s God’s standard of mercy? In other words, what are the ground rules when we sin against God and one another? If we’re interested in making it to Heaven, that’s a really important question; one that God answers in today’s reading from Ezekiel and the Gospel of Matthew.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
When Pope Pius IX died in 1878 after 32 years, he would be the longest papal reign since Saint Peter himself. It appears the cardinal electors wanted to choose a relatively older person to succeed him. They elected 68-year-old Cardinal Pecci, thinking he would only last a few years. However, on his 90th birthday, when a nun toasted Pope Leo XIII by shouting, “Holy Father, may you live to be 100,” the pope exclaimed, “Why put limits on God?” When he returned to the Father’s House in 1903, he celebrated 25 years as pope. This feast of the Chair of St. Peter is our family celebration.
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