Tagged: Prayers in English

“The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds.” —Sirach 35:17 Clouds can be a sign of God’s presence or, figuratively speaking, a barrier preventing us from “getting through” to God. Clouds present no problem to the prayer of the lowly, for their prayer pierces the clouds. We can surmise that the prayer of many people is not “getting through” to God, for many people pray infrequently. If they were “getting through,” they probably would be encouraged to pray always (see Lk 18:1). Who wants to keep calling a phone number when you seldom “get through”? Many of us must not...

“In answer, the man said, ‘Sir, leave it another year while I hoe around it and manure it; then perhaps it will bear fruit. If not, it shall be cut down.’ ” —Luke 13:8-9 The Lord has stated clearly that He expects us to bear fruit which is abundant (Jn 15:5) and lasting (Jn 15:16). He has given us all we need to bear the fruit of the Spirit, the fruit of holiness (see Gal 5:22-23), and the fruit of evangelization. If we are truly holy, we will evangelize effectively. The Lord is patient with us. He does not expect...

“Despite the increase of sin, grace has far surpassed it.” —Romans 5:20 Most people believe that sin is increasing. Look at abortion, racism, ethnic cleansings, promiscuity, violence, the breakdown of the family, economic injustices, persecution, etc. Yet where sin increases, grace overflows “all the more.” Consequently, grace is always sufficient (2 Cor 12:9). The most evil, sinful situation is always surpassed by God’s grace. No circumstance in life is ever hopeless. There is never reason to despair. There is always reason to hope. Thus, we can “rejoice in hope” (Rm 12:12), for it “will not leave us disappointed” (Rm 5:5)....