http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/prayer-religion/ en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:52:50 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418305/posts God’s Son did not disdain to become a baby. Although with the passing of the years he moved from infancy to maturity, and although with the triumph of his passion and resurrection all the actions of humility which he undertook for us were finished, still today’s festival renews for us the holy childhood of Jesus born of the Virgin Mary. In adoring the birth of our Saviour, we find we are celebrating the commencement of our own life, for the birth of Christ is the source of life for Christian folk, and the birthday of the Head is the birthday... Examiner.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418305/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:52:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418295/posts VATICAN CITY, 30 DEC 2009 (VIS) - Pope Benedict XVI's general prayer intention for January 2010 is: read more... Examiner.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418295/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:44:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418247/posts The history of that human ignorance which calls itself "philosophy", is absolutely identical with the history of fools! If ones were to write the history of folly, he would have to give several chapters to philosophy, and those chapters would be more revealing than any others. Beware of the Babylonian books of the present day! The truth of God is the only treasure for which we seek, and the Scripture is the only field in which we dig for it! If you keep close to the inspired book, you can suffer no harm; you are at the fountain-head of all... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418247/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:57:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418166/posts December 31, 2009                                   The Seventh Day                                     in the Octave of Christmas         Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 11 Jn 2:18-21Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,so now many antichrists have appeared. Thus we know this is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number. But you have the anointing that... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418166/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:21:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417801/posts When it comes to birthdays, we can rattle off the date without thinking. Most birthdays are marked with some celebration, too, whether simple or elaborate. But how many of us can recite off the top of our heads the date of our baptism? Msgr. Ernest Esposito, director of the Respect Life Office for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., can. And he enthusiastically promotes the importance of celebrating baptismal anniversaries. “Children and adults love to celebrate anniversaries of personal significant events,” he says, listing personal ones like birthdays and marriages, and civil ones such as Independence Day and New Year’s... NCR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417801/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:52:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417749/posts The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted, The God Who avenges me and subdues peoples under me, Who delivers me from my enemies; yes, You lift me up above those who rise up against me; You deliver me from the man of violence. Therefore will I give thanks and extol You, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to Your name. Great deliverances and triumphs gives He to His king; and He shows mercy and steadfast love to His anointed, to David and his offspring forever.) Ps. 18:46-50 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417749/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:31:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417660/posts Whom have I in heaven but thee?  So cried Asaph the psalmist. It is an astonishing moment in the history of man, for Asaph had looked upon the wicked and seen how they prospered. His feet had well nigh slipped, he says. Yet he held fast to two truths that had been revealed to him. The first is that the wicked, by their very deeds, become hard of understanding, and in the end go down to slaughter, like the witless beasts. The second is that, in a way that batters down the fortress of death itself, the just man... Inside Catholic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417660/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:40:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417620/posts Anna was very devout. She spent her days and nights serving God in fasting and prayer. Those whose ministry is to present the world to the Father day and night by prayer are very blessed . Anna had lived her life and, now widowed never left the Temple...read more... Examiner.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417620/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:50:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417459/posts December 30, 2009                          The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 11 Jn 2:12-17I am writing to you, children,because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers,because you know him who is from the beginning.I am writing to you, young men,because you have conquered the Evil One.I write to you, children,because you know the Father.I write to you, fathers,because you know him who is from the beginning.I write to you, young men,because you are strong and the word of... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417459/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:18:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417361/posts When was the last time you felt God was really doing something new in your life? How many of us have our testimony as an historical narrative but have no current revelation of the Spirit’s work in our lives? Is there a momentum carrying you into whatever buffer zone still remains between you and Jesus? Do you think I am speaking of something mystical, something that God is doing specifically to bring you to a greater level of obedience, trust, and worship? Are you living in yourself or in Him, and is your spirit soaring over all your problems or... Following Judah's Lion http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417361/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:08:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417242/posts Your going to see " Yeah " witness a new Regime come into the church and body worldwide , My angels carrying the "Fire" of My Testimony in deliverance and freedom setting the captives free \o/ , releasing My glory upon the Earth for where ever I place My footstep so My glory shall show and accomplish ALL I have set out to do " Yeah " every Jot and Tittle ! My Spirit of Deliverance (Psalm 34:7) is here for you " Today " ! Merely raise your hands \o/ and repent call , call out My name so... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417242/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:03:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416940/posts Our little girl was clinging to me, wondering why we were in this strange place. Then I looked at my wife, understanding that in a short time she would be hospitalized. Brain surgery in Boston. The doctor inserted a shunt from her brain to her heart, passing under the skin behind her ear. Her hair was shaved off in preparation for the surgery. That year, we were both alone for Christmas in the "big city." Holidays would be quite strange that season, that was for certain. The Magic City Morning Star http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416940/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:01:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416879/posts Simeon's prayer is a hallmark of the Catholic Church's night prayers (compline). In it is the assurance that we have seen our salvation and if we were to pass in the night it would be well...read more... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416879/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:40:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416856/posts "The night also is thine." - Psalm 74:16 DEAR LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY, THIS HOUR AND THIS SECOND. LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME YOUR SAINTS CAN GATHER BEFORE YOUR THRONE OF GRACE WITH PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION. LORD, WE PRAY FOR ALL OF YOUR SAINTS NO MATTER WHERE THEY MAY BE OR WHATEVER THEIR NEED. LORD, WE PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR OUR TROOPS AND PATRIOTS WHO FAITHFULLY PLACE THERE PRAYERS FOR OUR HEROES AT THE FOOT OF THE THRONE,AND TO ALL MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENT WHO HOLD YOUR TRUTHS CLOSE TO THEIR HEARTS. LORD, WE PRAY FOR... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416856/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:06:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416833/posts Nahum 1 2God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. 3The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. 4He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. 5The mountains quake at him, and the... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416833/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:59:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416767/posts December 29, 2009                            The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 11 Jn 2:3-11Beloved:The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandmentsis a liar, and the truth is not in him.But whoever keeps his word,the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416767/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:07:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416391/posts 1 Chron. 16:35 Save us, O God of our Salvation, And Gather us Together, And Deliver us from the heathen, That we May Give Thanks to Thy Holy Name, And Glory in Thy Praise. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416391/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:13:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416103/posts December 28, 2009                                   Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs   Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 11 Jn 1:5—2:2Beloved:This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christand proclaim to you:God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness,we lie and do not act in truth.But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,then we have fellowship with one another,and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.If we say, “We are without sin,”we deceive ourselves,... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416103/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:55:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415905/posts Jude 1:24,25 All Glory to Him Who Alone is God, Who Saves us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, Splendor and Majesty, All Power and Authority Are His from the Beginning; His they are and His they Evermore shall be. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415905/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:33:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415774/posts We just finished celebrating the incredible miracle of God becoming man, and I was reminded by a missionary friend about something Philip Yancey had wrote about the incredible day that; although He existed in the form of God...He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, and being made in the likeness of men..." Phillip Yancey was looking at his aquarium when he pondered the great Gift God gave us, Himself as a man. This is what he wrote about his thoughts on God's incarnation when he stepped into man's sandals...... “I learned about incarnation when I kept a... An Email from Bethleham http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415774/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:54:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415616/posts December 27, 2009                                     The Holy Family                                      of Jesus, Mary and Joseph       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1Sm 1:20-22, 24-28 God sets a father in honor over his children;a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.Whoever honors his father atones for sins,and preserves himself from them.When he prays, he is heard;he stores up riches who reveres his mother.Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,and, when he prays, is heard.Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;he who obeys his father brings comfort to his... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415616/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:09:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415503/posts Folks, I’ve really taken a long time to write this conclusion to the posts Can a Catholic Christian Pray Like a Jew parts I and II. The delay was due to various reasons, but the most important were that I wanted to reflect longer on the meaning of each post, as well as the review of an ever increasing stack of material that I’ve either discovered or that some of my correspondents have kindly referred me to. Therefore, please know that mine is not the last word on this subject. Nevertheless, what I’ve found fascinates me. There seems to be... Vivificat! - News, Opinion, Commentary & Reflections from a personal Catholic perspective http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415503/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 23:23:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415220/posts December 26, 2009                                   Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr   Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Stephen, filled with grace and power,was working great wonders and signs among the people.Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,and people from Cilicia and Asia,came forward and debated with Stephen,but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. When they heard this, they were infuriated,and they ground their teeth at him.But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,looked up intently to heavenand saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415220/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:32:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414996/posts Thank you all who offered prayers. My daughter's teammate is able to now move her legs and her left foot. With time, she is expected to make a full recovery. She will be facing many challenges, and many months of physical therapy, but with her teammates help and support, she should be fine. Thank you, thank you all, for your prayers. She started recovery in earnest after your kind responses. It could have easily went the other way. MERRY CHRISTMAS! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414996/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:00:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414975/posts Hey all, new here but lurked for ages. I was hoping I could get some prayer assistance please. It's not for me, my 2009 has been horrible but I can take it; I'm hoping to get your prayers for my uncle. See, he's a special needs guy and my mom has been caring for him since their parents death a few years ago. Well he went to the hospital today because he's been vomitting blood amongst other things. He's been in a wheelchair his whole life and is not fully developed mentally like we all are. I'm hoping for your... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414975/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:13:57 GMT