“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – 1 Peter 5:8-9

Posted on 31 October 2014 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Be alert, be on watch!

Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion,

looking for someone to devour.

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Be firm in your faith and resist him,

because you know that other believers in all the world

are going through the same kind of sufferings.

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– 1 Peter 5:8-9 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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We must always be watchful against the assaults of the devil,

who will pounce on us if we lower our guard.

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We go through life seeking to cope with its mundane requirements,

seeking to improve upon our lifestyle

and to better ourselves financially, socially and so on.

However, we should be very wary of the hidden dangers and traps that we can so easily fall into

as we chase possessions, wealth and status,

which can end up ensnaring and enslaving us.

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As Christians, we should seek to live our life in a balanced, steady and dignified manner,

being content with what enables us to live it joyfully, simply and soberly,

always ready to accept the sacrifices required of us

as we determinedly follow the Lord.

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Christians who put their hope in Heavenly things

and who call upon the Holy Spirit to strengthen their faith and resolve,

will resist the attacks of the devil.

Any trials they suffer in the meantime,

will serve to purify them

and will be a guarantee of the glory God will give them.

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QUOTE…

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"He [the devil] moves round each one of us

like an enemy who has us surrounded and is checking the walls

to see if there is some weak, unsecured part, where he can get in."

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– St. Cyprian

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"So great is the good that I hope for,

that any pain is for me a pleasure."

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– St. Augustine

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"Detach yourself from the goods of the world.

Love and practice poverty of spirit:

be content with what enables you to live a simple and sober life.

Otherwise, you will never be an apostle."

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– St. Josemaria Escriva

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Come, Spirit of God, lead me through life.

Counsel me; console me; strengthen my faith and resolve.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Ephesians 6:10-13

Posted on 30 October 2014 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Grow strong in the Lord,

with the strength of His power.

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Put God’s armour on

so as to be able to resist the devil’s tactics.

For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle,

but against the Sovereignties and the Powers who originate the darkness in this world,

the spiritual army of evil in the heavens.

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That is why you must rely on God’s armour,

or you will not be able to put up any resistance when the worst happens,

or have enough resources to hold your ground.

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– Ephesians 6:10-13 (JB)

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REFLECTION…

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St. Paul says something very important:

all of us need to be prepared

to struggle against and to conquer

evil passions, temptations, and the wiles of the devil

who Christ has already overcome,

but against whom we have to contend.

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This is a struggle which must be pursued to the end

and St. Paul, using terminology describing the armour and weapons of Roman soldiers,

tells us that we must put on the “armour of God”

– spiritual weapons, which God supplies to those who love him.

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The weapons (which St. Paul goes on to describe in verses 14-18) are

Truth, which we buckle round your waist;

Integrity as our breastplate;

Peace, thatbecomes the shoes that give us the eagerness and determination to spread theLord’s Gospel;

Faith, as our shield against the burning arrows of the evil one;

God’s Salvation which is our protective helmet;

and the Word of God – the sword which the Holy Spirit gives us.

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Finally there is Prayer, on-going prayer,

which must come from the heart,

and which is the outstanding supernatural resource

and the most powerful, all-conquering weapon the Lord gives us.

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All these are supernatural munitions,

they are from God and, therefore, a guarantee of victory.

They enable us to engage in our struggles cheerfully and confidently,

because we know that with God on our side, we shall overcome!

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THE ARMOUR OF GOD…

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"So stand your ground,

with truth buckled round your waist,

and integrity for a breastplate,

wearing for shoes on your feet the eagerness to spread the gospel of peace

and always carrying the shield of faith

so that you can use it to put out the burning arrows of the evil one.

And then you must accept salvation from God to be your helmet

and receive the word of God from the Spirit to use as a sword.

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Pray all the time, asking for what you need,

praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion."

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– St. Paul (Eph 6:14-18)

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord Jesus, I now put on the whole armour of God,

knowing that I am strengthened by Your grace

and that Your love will help me overcome all evil.

I love You, Jesus. Thank You, Jesus!
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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Luke 13:23-24

Posted on 29 October 2014 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“Try your best to enter by the narrow door

because, I tell you,

many will try to enter and will not succeed…”

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– Luke 13:23-24(JB)

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REFLECTION…

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We are all called

to form part of the Kingdom of God,

for He "desires all people to be saved" (1 Tim 2:4).

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Certainly, only those of us who make a serious effort

can reach the goal of salvation

– and Our Lord emphasises this

by using the simile of the narrow door.

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Ego, pride,

self-centeredness,

weaknesses,

urges and cravings,

– am I doing anything to prevent all these from firmly attaching themselves to me?

Do I regularly justify my habits and lifestyle to myself,

and perhaps even to others?

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Am I truly interested in passing through that door

and, if so, do I think I will manage to pass through it

without any need to change?

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There is no way that I will be able to pass through

that ultimate and all-important door

unless I recognise and struggle against,

repent from and shed

my self-indulgence.

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How terrible it will be

to find myself trying to enter

…and not succeeding.

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QUOTE…

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"A Christian’s struggle must be unceasing,

for interior life consists

in beginning and beginning again.

This prevents us from proudly thinking

that we are perfect already."

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– St. Josemaria Escriva

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Oh how I need You, Lord, to come and rescue me from myself.

Come, Holy Spirit, come and change me.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Luke 13:18-19

Posted on 28 October 2014 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus asked,

“What is the kingdom of God like?

What shall I compare it to?

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It is like a mustard seed,

which a man took and planted in his garden.

It grew and became a tree,

and the birds perched in its branches.”

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– Luke 13:18-19 (NIV))

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REFLECTION…

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We Christians should not be discouraged

if what we do to take God to others seems very limited and insignificant

…almost useless.

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Jesus tells us

that every little well-meaning act counts,

because with God’s grace

and with our own witness and faithfulness,

every good act will be like that tiny mustard seed,

and it will grow and spread in spite of opposition

…and many will welcome it!

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QUOTE…

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"With the parable of the mustard seed

[Jesus] encourages them [His disciples] to have faith

and shows them that the Gospel preaching will spread in spite of everything.

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The Lord’s disciples were the weakest of men,

but nevertheless, because of the great power that was in them,

the Gospel has been spread to every part of the world."

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– St. John Chrysostom

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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My Lord, my God, my Jesus, increase my faith

and make me a witness of Your love and transforming power.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Ephesians 5:1,8

Posted on 27 October 2014 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Since you are God’s dear children, you must try to be like Him.

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[…] You must live like people who belong to the light,

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– Ephesians 5:1,8 (GNT)

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TEACHING…

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“Since you are God’s dear children,

you must try to be like Him.

Your life must be controlled by love,

just as Christ loved us and gave His life for us

as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.

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Since you are God’s people,

it is not right that any matters of sexual immorality or indecency or greed should even be mentioned among you.

Nor is it fitting for you to use language which is obscene, profane, or vulgar.

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Rather you should give thanks to God.

You may be sure that no one who is immoral, indecent, or greedy (for greed is a form of idolatry)

will ever receive a share in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

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Do not let anyone deceive you with foolish words;

it is because of these very things

that God’s anger will come upon those who do not obey Him.

So have nothing at all to do with such people.

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You yourselves used to be in the darkness,

but since you have become the Lord’s people, you are in the light.

So you must live like people who belong to the light.”

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– St. Paul (Eph 5:1-8)

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Jesus, my Lord, I belong to You.

Help me eliminate all darkness in my life,

and fill me with Your light.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Psalm 18:1-2

Posted on 26 October 2014 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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I love You, Lord;
You are my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my saviour;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.

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– Psalm 18:1-2 (NLT)

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QUOTE…

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"O my God,

who first gave me the help of Your call so that I could trust in You!

My protector, the guarantor of my well-being, and my redeemer;

You are my protector because I did not rely on my own resources,

did not raise the weapon of pride against You.

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You Yourself became my weapon:

I found the sure strength of salvation,

in such a way that as soon as You made it known to me

You redeemed me.”

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– St. Augustine

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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I love You, Lord; You are my strength.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Ephesians 4:4-6

Posted on 25 October 2014 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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There is one body and one Spirit,

just as there is one hope to which God has called you.

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There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

there is one God and Father of all people,

who is Lord of all, works through all, and is in all.

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– Ephesians 4:4-6 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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It is the three persons of the Blessed Trinity

who are at work in God’s Church

and who keep it together

– one Spirit, one Lord, one God and Father.

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There is only one Spirit,

who brings about and maintains the unity of Christ’s mystical body – the Church.

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It is the Holy Spirit,

dwelling in believers and pervading and ruling over the entire Church,

who brings about that wonderful communion of the faithful

and joins them together so intimately in Christ, who is the one Lord,

who taught us the one faith,

which draws us to share the one hope –

that of sharing in Christ’s eternal glory.

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God, the Father of all, is, in the last analysis,

the basis of the natural unity of mankind.

God’s lordship and control over things

means that He is the author and maintainer of their unity.

Throughout history He has acted through all His children, that is, believers,

whom He has used to bring about unity among men and over all created things.

And He dwells in all the faithful, for they belong to Him;

even the deepest recesses of their hearts are His.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Bind us together, Lord,

bind us together with love.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Ephesians 4:1-3

Posted on 24 October 2014 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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I urge you, then

– I who am a prisoner because I serve the Lord:

live a life that measures up to the standard God set when He called you.

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Be always humble, gentle, and patient.

Show your love by being tolerant with one another.

Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives

by means of the peace that binds you together.

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– Ephesians 4:1-3 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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Do I live a life that measures up to the standard God set when He called me?

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Am I always humble, gentle, and patient and tolerant with others?

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Union of hearts, affections and intentions

is the result of the action of the Holy Spirit in souls,

and it makes for effectiveness and strength in those who serve the Lord.

Finally, it is peace which unites Christians

and this peace is the peace which Christ brings,

or rather…it is Christ Himself!

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"Do you see?

One strand of wire entwined with another,

many woven tightly together,

form that cable strong enough to lift huge weights.

You and your brothers, with wills united to carry out God’s will,

can overcome all obstacles" – St. Josemaria Escriva

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, I am not worthy to serve You.

Change my heart, O Lord my Saviour;

cleanse my thoughts and feelings;

and send me Your Spirit,

to teach me how to always and truly love.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Galatians 6:2

Posted on 23 October 2014 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Carry each other’s burdens,

and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.

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– Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

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REFLECTION…

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Mutual love is the “new Commandment” of Christ:

“A new command I give you: love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (Jn 13:34)

Our Lord then adds,

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,

if you love one another.” (Jn 13:35)

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Our Saviour’s words are quite clear,

so let’s gladly bear one another’s burdens.

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So many of those around us have difficulties,

some physical, some financial, some are overworked,

some are sick, some lonely…the list can go on…

“Help them unobtrusively, kindly, with a smile on your lips,

in such a way that it will be practically impossible for them

to notice what you are doing for them.

Thus they will not even be able to express their gratitude,

because the discreet refinement of your charity

will have made your help pass undetected.” (St. Josemaria Escriva)

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A logical consequence of love for others is that of fraternal correction,

which a Christian offers another, gently and humbly,

seeking only the good of the other,

while always remaining conscious of one’s own weaknesses and shortcomings.

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The other expression of love which this passage draws to our attention

is that as webear the burdens of others,

we must also not neglect our own.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, help me love like You love.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Luke 12:35-37a

Posted on 22 October 2014 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“Be ready for whatever comes,

dressed for action and with your lamps lit,

like servants who are waiting for their master to come back from a wedding feast.

When he comes and knocks,

they will open the door for him at once.

How happy are those servants whose master finds them awake and ready when he returns!”

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– Luke 12:35-37a (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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In the preaching of Christ and of the Apostles

we are frequently exhorted to be watchful.

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One reason is because the enemy is always on the prowl

– Be alert, be on watch!

Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion,

looking for someone to devour. (1 Pt 5:8)

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Another reason is that the heart of a person who is truly in love with the Lord,

never sleeps with expectation

– I slept, but my heart was awake.
Listen! my beloved is knocking. (SS 5:2)

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This watchfulness expresses itself in a spirit of prayer

– The end of all things is near.

You must be self-controlled and alert,

to be able to pray. (1 Pt 4:7)

Moreover, Jesus also tells us,

“Be on watch

and pray always that you will have the strength

to go safely through all those things that will happen

and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Lk 21:36)

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Our watchfulness denotes fortitude in faith

– Keep alert, stand firm in your faith,

be courageous, be strong. (1 Cor 16:13)

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Our Lord’s emphasis

is on the attitude we should adopt up to the time He comes again.

It is not enough to believe and to know and proclaim that Jesus is Lord,

and to belong to His Church.

One has to be on the watch

and be continually preparing for Christ’s coming.

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QUOTE…

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“Watch with the heart,

watch with faith,

watch with love,

watch with charity,

watch with good works…”

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– St. Augustine

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord Jesus, grant that I will always love You,

and that I will be awake and ready when You come!

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