We tend to pray
for the things that we want and the people we like. While this is not
objectivity wrong, we should challenge ourselves to remain vigilant in asking
God’s will and consider who needs our prayers the most, regardless of our
feelings. In this way we can ensure our prayer life is not linked to our own
selfishness.
Consider it
like “fasting” from our favorite and most comfortable prayers to try a narrower
path. I’ve heard it said that it is impossible to truly hate someone if you
pray regularly for that person. Try it sometime as an act of the will. Of course,
we should pray for all the victims too, who include the mothers as well as the
children, but this is not very challenging to do. Prayer for the killer is
uncomfortable, but being comfortable is not what Jesus promised us and is not
the purpose of our life. I’ve also heard it said that a good Catholic will make
many people feel uncomfortable.
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| Challenge Your Comfort Zone |
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save
us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.
Challenge accepted. I really do pray that his heart will be converted, that he won't receive the death penalty so that he can repent before he dies. What a joy in heaven that conversion would be!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder. So easy to remember loved ones and innocents, and easy to forget the bad guys. St. Dismas pray for him and us.
ReplyDeleteGreat point. It is so difficult to do but we are called to do so. The Way of the Cross.
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