fight to pray
Jesus "entered the temple and began ejecting the traders saying: 'Scripture has it, My house is meant for a house of prayer' but you have made it 'a den of thieves.' " —Luke 19:45-46
The Lord wants His Church to be a house of prayer for all nations (Is 56:7). When the Church prays, we have new Pentecosts following new Pentecosts (see Acts 1:14; Lk 11:13). When the Church prays, faith is increased (see Lk 17:5), mountains moved (Mk 11:23-24), and the Lord gives swift justice for the oppressed (Lk 18:8). Hence, there is "the necessity of praying always and not losing heart" (Lk 18:1).
Satan tries to get the Church to cut back on praying or stop praying. Satan wants us to use the Church for merchandising (see Lk 19:45-46), socializing, or other distractions. When the Lord wants us to spend one hour with Him, Satan tries to put us to sleep (see Mt 26:40). He uses TV, Internet, videos, and other entertainments to steal our prayer time. Satan makes it extremely uncomfortable for married couples and families to pray. He has stopped prayer in public schools and in most other public places. He wants our planet, even our churches, to be a prayer-free zone. Then Satan can continue His culture of death and lead countless people to damnation. Jesus, however, insists that His Church be purified so as to become again a house of prayer, the center and catalyst for changing our world into a civilization of love and life. Pray always — no matter what!
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to help me overcome my weakness in prayer.
Promise: "Then someone said to me, 'You must prophesy again for many peoples and nations, languages and kings.' " —Rv 10:11
Praise: St. Cecilia brought both her husband and brother-in-law to the Lord. All three eventually gave their lives to Jesus in martyrdom.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002