Saturday 10th January – Saturday after Epiphany Sunday

Reflection: 1 John 5: 14-21

THE LORD STILL HEARS

Looking through the scriptures; we see several instances of God attending to the needs of His people when they call upon Him in prayer. Yet, when we have needs or are in the midst of trials and we do not seem to get answers to our prayers readily, we can easily slip into doubt. Today, God seeks to increase our confidence in Him as He reminds us in His word that He hears us every time we pray and grants our request in accordance with His will (1 John 5: 14).
Sin; however is a barrier between God and us. If we live in sin, God’s grace does not abound in our lives and two things happen:
Our sins prevent God from hearing our prayers (Isaiah 1:15; Proverbs 15:8)
We are unable to recognise God’s work in our lives, unable to hear His voice and follow the promptings He gives which may be the very answer to our prayers.

The Bible tells us that all disobedience is sin; no matter how little they are and whether or not the sins can lead to death. Are you living in sin? Do you take time each day to examine your conscience and ask for God’s mercy when you recognise your faults? Do you take advantage of the forgiveness and reconciliation the Sacrament of Penance offers to you?

Dear friend, God still hears you when you pray. He knows your needs and He is in the very act of meeting you at the point of your deepest need. Simply make it your own priority to live in sincerity with Him and strive for holiness each day. His grace is indeed sufficient; cooperate with that immense grace today.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, in your mercy, I pray for the grace to always overcome temptation so that I may hear you clearly at all times. Please Lord, meet me at my points of need and increase my trust in you always. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2375 – …we ought to be astonished by this fact: when we praise God or give him thanks for his benefits in general, we are not particularly concerned whether or not our prayer is acceptable to him. On the other hand, we demand to see the result of our petitions. What is the image of God that motivates our prayer: an instrument to be used? Or the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?

HIDE A TREASURE: “And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” 1 John 5:14 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: 1 John 5:14-21; Psalm 149:1-6, 9; John 3:22-30