Thoughts on prayer

 

Mercy Supplants Bitterness

From: The Road to Peace

Prayer is leading every sorrow to the source of all healing: it is letting the warmth of Jesus' love melt the cold anger of resentment; it is opening a space where joy replaces sadness, mercy supplants bitterness, love displaces fear, gentleness and care overcome hatred and indifference. But, most of all, prayer is the way to become and remain part of Jesus' mission to draw all peoples to the intimacy of God's love.

Reflection Question: How has prayer drawn you to Jesus' mission to draw all people to the intimacy of God's love?

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. - Micah 7: 18

Henri Nouwen (1932–1996) was a priest, professor, and spiritual writer. He authored over 40 books on the spiritual life and spent his final years at L'Arche Daybreak, a community for people with intellectual disabilities. Drawing from his own journey of vulnerability and faith, he invites seekers into deeper intimacy with God, themselves, and others.

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Thoughts on Guardian Angels

 

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. Assigned to help humans from birth to death, these special angels watch over us, praying and interceding for us before God.   Because they are spiritual beings, their presence is not discernible by human sight, yet they often protect us from physical harm without our awareness. Above all, they are very active in helping us to resist temptation to prevent us from falling into sin.   Protecting us from spiritual attacks is the vital work of our guardian angels. Always by our side, they faithfully assist us daily and at the end of our lives. St. John Bosco said, “Ask your angel to console and assist you in your last moments.”

We encourage you to read our special page dedicated to the Feast of the Guardian Angels, where we answer questions such as: What do guardian angels do? What powers do angels have? Can you pray to someone else’s guardian angel? How many angels does God have in Heaven? On the page, we also offer a free eBook, My Guardian Angel: My Constant Companion, featuring prayers and quotes to honor your guardian angel and deepen your appreciation for his devout service.

VISIT THE PAGE

We hope this page and eBook will help increase your love and devotion for your heavenly helper.   In Christ,   Your EWTN Family

More thoughts on gratitude

 

The Pruning Hands of God

From: Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit

Gratitude is not a simple emotion or an obvious attitude. It is a difficult discipline in which I constantly reclaim my whole past as the concrete way God has led me to this moment and is sending me into the future. It is hard precisely because it challenges me to face my painful moments – experiences of rejection and abandonment, feelings of loss and failure – and gradually to discover in them the pruning hands of God purifying my heart for deeper love, stronger hope, and broader faith.

Reflection Question: What aspects of your past do you need to reclaim as part of God's leading you to this moment?

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. - Psalm 100: 4

Henri Nouwen (1932–1996) was a priest, professor, and spiritual writer. He authored over 40 books on the spiritual life and spent his final years at L'Arche Daybreak, a community for people with intellectual disabilities. Drawing from his own journey of vulnerability and faith, he invites seekers into deeper intimacy with God, themselves, and others.

More Books by Henri Nouwen

Explore the Daily Meditations

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