Prayer

My first experience with cancer occurred more than 30 years ago when my paternal grandfather died. I remember seeing how frail he became and how my grandparents’ dining room became his new bedroom to accommodate his care. I also recall…

We all know exercise is good for us. But our relationship with it is … complicated. Some of us are “yo-yo” exercisers. Our treadmills, weights, bikes, fitness apps, and gym memberships see bursts of use and then gather (real or…

Can you describe the difference between meditation and contemplation? I’ve heard those terms used interchangeably, but I don’t think that is correct. Can you help me understand the differences in these kinds of prayers? – Anonymous …

In the Gospel today, Jesus poses an unusual challenge as we begin the season of Lent. We are called to consider why we pray, fast, and give our time and money to those in need. Addressing this demands a radical degree of honesty with…

If you are like me, it is easy to forget how “God provides” if you are too focused on others’ blessings. We live in a culture that incessantly prompts us to want more and more of what others have – and INSTANTLY! Temptations are thrown in…

As parents, there are days when we are burned out, wiped out, overtaxed, and overwhelmed. Each stage and phase of parenthood has its joys and its sorrows. It is a hectic and exhausting task to run a Christian family in a modern world. There…

I am easily distracted in prayer. This hardly makes me unique — even many of the great saints confessed to this struggle, so at least I am in good company. Different things will pop up to derail me. Sometimes the events of the day intrude.…

Mother Angelica, St. Teresa of Kolkata, and St. Padre Pio each had prayer lives to be admired. In the latter part of her life, a visit from baby Jesus gave Mother Angelica a new appreciation for the devotion to the Divine Infant; St. Teresa…

Take a few minutes on Independence Day or any day of the year to pray for the United States. 1. Prayer for our Nation God our Father, giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. You are the rock on which…

Summer is the season of fun in the sun! The blessing about summer is that the overall pace of life has slowed down, the days are longer, and typically you have more time to squeeze in extra social gatherings, fun with family and friends, or…