Friday 13^th June – Memorial of St Anthony of Padua, Priest & Doctor

Reflection: 1 Kings 19: 9, 11-16

PERSEVERANCE

The psalmist says “I sought the Lord, he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” Psalm 34:4. Many have accepted fate in difficult situations due to their lack of courage to call on God in prayer. Many have lost various battles of life due to lack of perseverance in prayers. Beloved, we have to pray with faith until we see its manifestation.

God’s invitation for us to come to him for rest and for answers to the challenges of life would be in vain if we cannot freely approach him in confidence. Elijah sought God on Mount Horeb and he was given an answer to Israel’s predicament. He persisted despite his experience of a mighty wind, an earthquake and a fire until God spoke in the sound of a gentle breeze. What is your own experience in your quest to overcome laziness and distraction while waiting on God to address your situation? Do you get discouraged and walk away when God seems not to speak?

Dear friend, people of answered prayers are those who can press on into God’s mercy and seek his face to address their needs. To seek God’s face just as the Psalmist says in Psalm 27:8 is to consciously take our attention off the world and gracefully enter a realm of riches in prayer and meditation. Let us never relent in prayer. Let us call on our Heavenly Father with faith and perseverance and experience the great things He desires to do in our lives.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, show me your mercy in prayer that I may tarry in your presence. Amen

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 505 – Why is prayer sometimes a struggle?

The spiritual masters of all times have described growth in faith and in love for God as a spiritual, life-and-death combat. The battlefield is man’s interior life. The Christian’s weapon is prayer. We can allow ourselves be defeated by our selfishness and lose ourselves over worthless things—or we can win God.

HIDE A TREASURE: “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, he freed me from all my fears” Psalm 34:4 GNB

Readings for Today: 1 Kings 19: 9, 11-16; Ps 27:7-9.13-14; Matthew 5: 27-32