World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Strengthening family unity | Why pray?
The fox gazes at the little prince a long time. "Please tame me!" He begs. In a way, husband and wife, 'tame' each other, if they are patient. If they are self-sacrificing, and if they give the gift of themselves to each other. With God’s help and grace, they bring joy to each other. Priests and people 'tame' each other as well, with the help of God’s grace.
Share
Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
A pastor asked his parishioners to pray for rain since there was a serious drought. As they were praying the pastor looked around and began criticizing the group for what he called their lack of faith. One parishioner sheepishly spoke up and said, "but father we do have faith, we showed up, didn’t we?" To which the pastor replied, "Why didn’t anyone bring an umbrella?"
Share
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.
Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
What do you do when you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep? It was 3:30am, made a cup of tea, sat on my screened in porch taking in the silence, retired to my room, and gave some thought to this homily. In the today's reading from Genesis, Abraham's wife, Sarah, dies, and Abraham seeks to find a place for her burial. The scene resurrects thoughts of their marriage; and the playful exchange about her conceiving a child in her old age.
Share
Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
A teenager refused to go home for weeks to punish his parents and two brothers, causing them to worry and become angry. When he finally returned, it took only minutes of conversation for his parents to forgive, hug, and welcome him home. However, his brothers didn’t get over their anger, and it grew as weeks passed. The mother sensed their attitude and asked, "Why can’t you welcome him back?"
Share
It is summer in this part of the world, and we are drawn to being out-of-doors. With warm temps and more daylight, we feel a need to recreate in the natural world. When our grandson was five years old, he told his parents that he needed nine dollars. This was a surprising request from someone not yet experienced with money.
Share
Learn more about our faith | Return to the Church
Today’s readings should shock us! First we hear of Sarah doing something unjust and downright nasty. Then we hear Matthew's version of Jesus' encounter with the demonic on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Share