Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.
This is Jesus' invitation to discipleship in Matthew 11:28-30.
Father Patrick M. Crino, Pastor
14 Day Prayer Challenge
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Below are 14 simple, short challenges - one for each day - in order to deepen your prayer life.
Day One - Today We Start the Challenge!
We begin with Fr. Mike Schmitz' four Tips for Praying.
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Day Two - Begin Your Day with Prayer
Today's prayer challenge for our parish is to dedicate five minutes of undivided prayer time into your morning routine. Here are some suggestions:
- Read today's Gospel passage and meditate on a few words or verses that stick out to you.
- Start with a morning offering and talk to God about your schedule for the day
- Thank God for the day and give him your stress and worries. Tell him what's weighing on you and offer your worries and suffering to Christ.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
- Phil. 4:13
Day Three - Short Prayer from Pope Francis
Today's prayer challenge comes from Pope Francis. Repeat this prayer as you go about your day today.
Lord, I am a sinner: come with your mercy.
Pope Francis
Day Four - Morning Offering Prayer
The best way to start a day for Christ is to begin it with prayer. Today start your day with this morning offering:
"O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day. For all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen."
Day Five - The Five Finger Prayer
Today's Prayer Challenge is to pray Pope Francis' Five Finger Prayer. This prayer is a fun one you can challenge even young children to do!
Using the fingers on your hand, start with the thumb and pray these intentions in this order:
1. The thumb is closest finger to you. So start praying for those who are closest to you. They are the persons easiest to remember. To pray for our dear ones is a "Sweet Obligation."
2. The next finger is the index. Pray for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you. They need the support and wisdom to show direction to others. Always keep them in your prayers.
3. The following finger is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders, the governors and those who have authority. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is the ring finger. Even though it may surprise you, it is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for the weakest, the sick or those plagued by problems. They need your prayers.
5. And finally we have our smallest finger, the smallest of all. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. When you are done praying for the other four groups, you will be able to see your own needs but in the proper perspective, and also you will be able to pray for your own needs in a better way.Day Six - The Prayer of Prayers
Pray like this... (Lk 11:1-3)
Jesus asked us to pray in this manner, teaching us that all our prayers should take after the Our Father. Listen to Bishop Barron's teachings on the Our Father and remember to pray it today as you talk to God. -
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Day Seven - Making Time for Prayer
A wise man once said, no one has starved to death because they were too busy to eat. Neither should you starve your soul because you are too busy with other things.
Today's challenge: Block out at least 15 minutes of your day today for prayer.
Day Eight - Confide in Christ
Today, try to picture yourself in front of Christ as if you were there confiding in a friend.
We can picture ourselves standing in front of Christ, and arouse in ourselves the liveliest sentiments of love for his Sacred Humanity; live in his presence, talk to him, ask him for the things we need, tell him about the things that are making us suffer, share our joys with him instead of letting them drive him from our thoughts...
St. Teresa of AvilaThere is no need for lofty words or formulas when trying today's prayer challenge - just talk to God as if you were talking to your best friend.
Day Nine - Short Evening Prayer
Pope Francis shared with us his last prayer before going to bed. Pope Francis says this: "Lord, if you want, you can make me clean." Then he prays five Our Fathers - one for each of Christ's wounds on the Cross.
“...because Jesus cleansed us with his wounds.”
-Pope Francis
Pope Francis challenges us to try this in our homes. Your prayer challenge today is to pray this before bed tonight!Day Ten - St. Michael the Archangel
Today's Prayer Challenge is to say the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer.
St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle: be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell, Satan and all the other evil spirits, who prowl throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Day Eleven - Get By with a Little Help from The Saints!
Today during your prayer or when you struggle today, remember to ask for help from a saint you feel inspired by. If you don't have one, pick one whose feast day is today (see the Saint Calendar button below) or click the Saint Generator below.
Struggle with the saints and why we ask for their intercession? Watch Bishop Robert Barron's video below. -
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Day Twelve - Don't Give Up
Don't give up if your prayer seems unfruitful. In the words of Pope Francis:
All of us experience moments of fatigue and discouragement, especially when our prayers seem ineffective...But Jesus assures us: unlike the unjust judge, God promptly answers his children, although this does not mean he does it in the time and manner that we would like. Prayer is not a magic wand! ...It helps to preserve our faith in God, and to trust in Him even when we do not comprehend His will. In this, Jesus himself - who prayed so much! – is the example.
Pope FrancisPope Francis reminds us that the goal of the prayer is of secondary importance. What matters above all is our relationship with the Father.
This is what makes the prayer transform the desire and shape it according to the will of God, whatever it may be, because the person who prays first of all aspires to union with God, who is Merciful Love.
Pope FrancisYour prayer challenge today is to persist in your daily prayer and don't get discouraged. If you can't find the words to pray today simple repeat "Jesus, I trust in You."
Day Thirteen - Housekeeping for the King
Remember in your prayer today that the King of Kings resides in your soul and that prayer is your visit to him!
It is clear to me that if I had understood, as I do today, that in this tiny palace of my soul, such a great King is living, I would not have left him alone so often, and I would have taken steps to ensure that the palace was less dirty. How admirable it is then, to think that he whose greatness would fill a thousand worlds and much more, shuts himself into such a little thing!
St. Teresa of Avila
Day Fourteen - Prayer for the Departed
The Church asks us to pray for our departed brothers and sisters. Remember them in your prayers today. One example of a prayer for the departed is:Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
You could also offer up something today for the Souls in Purgatory, such as getting stuck in traffic, waking up early or having to pick up after someone else.
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The hardest struggle many people have is finding the time to pray. Here is a video link to Fr. Mike Schmitz addressing the Time to Pray.
We hope this encourages you as you continue on your journey. God bless!
