There is no soul which is not bound to pray Prayer. – A soul arms itself by prayer for all kinds of combat. In whatever state the soul may be, it ought to pray. A soul which is pure and beautiful must pray, or else it will lose its beauty; a soul which is striving after this purity must pray, or else it will never attain it; a soul which is newly converted must pray, or else it will fall again; a sinful soul, plunged in sins, must pray so that it might rise again. There is no soul which is not bound to pray, for every single grace comes to the soul through prayer. ---Sr. Faustina’s Diary 146 At times people will find themselves in situations that are detrimental to their lives on many levels. When I speak to a retreatant in a situation that he or she feels backed into a corner, I tell them that they must never stop praying. Prayer is a deep connection with God; prayer will bring hope and eventually find a way out of the situation. Or if not, strength will be given, even in the midst of deep interior suffering. The most important time to pray is when one feels alienated from self, others and God, for it is then that grace is readily available. For to pray in such times, in trust, has to come from deep within, a place that only God sees, and in that choice freedom grows and ones ability to began over once again……Jesus said to Sister Faustina: “The more a soul knows of its sins and weaknesses, the more right it has to my mercy”……so fear is useless what is needed is trust. Be like Peter on the waters, when he looked to Jesus he was able to stay above the raging sea, when he looked at his feet, he doubted and began to sink…..yet he called on the Lord and he lifted him up. You are loved beyond your comprehension, never forget that and live in faith, hope, and love. ---Br.MD
I am so excited. Heading out for the Divine Mercy celebrations. For a big sinner like me escaping punishment for my sins is a real big deal. So happy.
Knowledge of sin brings about grace of humility. Because the more one understands how sinful we are...is the moment we understand we need Gods mercy. "Who am I to judge" takes on a whole greater meaning when we understand how sinful we actually are. May Gods Will be Done
What St Faustina says here is [for me] an answer to one of lifes big questions! For prayer is vital and if someone is not praying then the will surely sink! No wonder Our Blessed Mother askes us to pray and sacrifice for others [for me that is especially for my family, those that are not praying themselves], it is our prayer that is keeping them afloat and sheilding them. I have a beautiful statue of Our Lady of the miraculous medal otherwise known as Our Lady of graces, with the rays of graces shooting out from Mary's hands, it always reminds me of what Mary told St Catherine Laboure "... these rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them." Our Lady also said that the reason some of the rays don't proceed all the way to the earth symbolise the many graces that are not recognised and not asked for! The Lord has lead me to ask Our Dearest Mother that those I pray for [including myself] will not reject the graces offered to them and that they will always recognise graces and act on them! In fact I ask for the grace to recognise and act on all graces!
