Tagged: Prayer Intention

“Do you love Me?” —John 21:15, 16, 17 Christianity is the only religion in history to believe in the Incarnation, that is, in God becoming a man. Thus, only Christians believe we can have a personal relationship with God as a person. The uniqueness and essence of Christianity is personal relationship, communion, intimacy, and love. Some would argue that Jesus’ Ascension ends the opportunity for a personal relationship with God because we can no longer see, hear, and feel Jesus’ physical body. Yet, Jesus promised: “It is much better for you that I go. If I fail to go, the...

“I pray that they may be [one] in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” —John 17:21 Jesus prays that we would be one as He and the Father are One. Then the world will believe that the Father sent the Son. The people of the world closely observe Christians fighting with each other. The devil showcases to non-Christians our racism, denominations, divisions, and jealousies. This turns them off to the Gospel. Then, with world evangelization stalled through the disunity of Christians, Satan proceeds to massacre babies in the womb, destroy young people, break up marriages, pervert...

“Be on guard, therefore. Do not forget that for three years, night and day, I never ceased warning you individually even to the point of tears.” –Acts 20:31 St. Paul warned the Ephesian Christians individually for three years, night and day. He warned them of “savage wolves” from their own number who would distort the truth and lead astray any who follow them (Acts 20:29-30). Guarding Christians against false teaching is a major emphasis in the New Testament. Jesus warns us against wolves in sheep’s clothing (Mt 7:15) and hireling shepherds who don’t protect the sheep (Jn 10:12-13). Paul told...

“I have never shrunk from announcing to you God’s design in its entirety.” –Acts 20:27 Historically, when the Church has been shrinking, the Lord has raised up shrink-resistant men and women who never shrink from speaking the total truth of God’s plan (Acts 20:27). They insist “solemnly on repentance before God” (Acts 20:21). They never shrink from telling people what is for their good, or from teaching them in every way God’s truth (Acts 20:20). The Holy Spirit lavishes us with grace to expand. Yet we must put aside our old, fearful nature which shrinks from the fear of man....

“What you are thus worshiping in ignorance I intend to make known to you.” –Acts 17:23 Without divine revelation, we “grope” for the truth (Acts 17:27). Humanity desires to know the God of truth, for God has made us for Himself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Him (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 30). Without divine revelation, our spiritual vision is blurred and indistinct (see 1 Cor 13:12). By our human reason, we may advance somewhat in our knowledge of God (see Rm 1:19). People without revelation can grow spiritually to some extent. St. Paul attempted to...