x Close
World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Learn more about our faith | Strengthening family unity | Why pray?
In 1968, Apollo 8 astronauts became the first humans to orbit the moon. As they swung around the far side, completely cut off from all radio contact with Earth, alone in the cosmic dark, astronaut Jim Lovell looked out into the void and said something unexpected: “I feel like there were more than three of us up there.” He couldn’t explain it. No religious vision, no sudden apparition, just an unmistakable sense of presence. Years later, he still maintained: “We were not alone.” Today, on the feast of the Guardian Angels, we hear a curious reading from Nehemiah. The people of Israel gathered to hear words they had forgotten, and when they remembered, they wept. But Ezra told them to stop crying and start celebrating. Because they discovered again what it means to be accompanied, what it means to not be forgotten.
Share
Learn more about our faith | Strengthening family unity | Why pray?
As we begin October, the month of the Holy Rosary, we celebrate St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus—a saint who reminds us that holiness is not found in great deeds, but in doing ordinary things with extraordinary love. This is a message families deeply need today. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says simply: “Follow me.” Not "Follow me when the kids are older," or "Follow me after you finish your degree," or "Follow me when life settles down." Just follow me—now, in the midst of everything.
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.
Celebrating family life | Strengthening family unity
On today's Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Father Phalen reflects on how we are called to pray intimately to God. Not simply to speak at Him, but to share our hearts with Him and listen intently for His response. This sharing leads to a radiant joy.
Share
Celebrating family life | Strengthening family unity
Today’s readings reveal what happens when we come close to the living God. Moses’ face becomes radiant — glowing with light after he speaks with the Lord. That radiance wasn’t something Moses manufactured; it was the visible sign of God’s presence, a presence that transforms not just the soul but even the body. That’s the first truth today: Prayer changes us — spiritually, emotionally, even physically. And this is not just poetic language.
Share
Celebrating family life | Strengthening family unity
This week we’ve been on the road with Moses and the Israelites--and today they’ve hit the three-month mark of their exodus from Egypt. Three months doesn’t sound like a long time, but I have to imagine it felt like it to the Israelites. Just imagine, you’ve left wherever you live…and for the past three months you’ve been following your local pastor--trudging through a hot and seemingly endless desert!
Share
Celebrating family life | Strengthening family unity
We all understand the profound ache of a parent’s heart when a child strays from faith. Today, Scripture meets us in that painful wilderness where the Israelites, just freed from slavery, quickly doubted God's care (Exodus 16). Their story mirrors our own: When prayers seem unanswered, when Mass pews empty, when our children exchange truth for the world’s fleeting promises—how do we keep believing?
Share
