Being faithful in our prayer life is not always easy. Having a set time and a set place can certainly help us develop consistency. Obviously, this can be easier said than done based upon the circumstances of our lives.
A young couple with several toddlers running around the house will struggle to find any quiet time in which they themselves don't collapse when that quiet time finally arrives. On the other hand, an empty-nester or someone living alone may not face similar challenges. However, there could be other circumstances which make it more challenging for these individuals to pray. We each have our struggles in one form or another. The key is to be aware of what those challenges are, and then make a plan to minimize these obstacles to prayer as best as we are able.
As I scrolled through some historical data for today, I saw that it was the anniversary of death for a couple of stars. Roy Rogers (cowboy actor) died on this date in 1998 at the age of 86. Thus, it has been 20 years since his passing from this life. Buddy Ebsen (actor) died on this date in 2003 at the age of 95. Thus, it has been 15 years since his passing.
Why do I mention these particular things? Yesterday afternoon I spent some time in the columbarium area of our church grounds praying for the deceased. Since I am in a new place, I do not know any of the people who are laid to rest there. That does not prevent me from praying for them and for all the deceased. I regularly pray for my deceased relatives, friends, and benefactors--all those people who helped me to get to this point in life. I also pray for all the faithful departed, especially those with no one to pray for them.
I am not a big fan of following what happens in the lives of celebrities. That has just never fascinated me. However, I mentioned the above two celebrities because I was familiar with their work and their information came to my attention today. There is one sobering reminder that we can take from the lives and deaths of celebrities. Regardless of fame and fortune, eventually we will all come face to face with Almighty God at the end of our lives. Our life of prayer will prepare us for that moment. As St. Alphonsus Liguori reminded us, "The time of death is not the time to prepare, but the time to find ourselves already prepared."
The shortness of time on this earth and the length of eternity is something that should prompt us to meditate upon the four last things more frequently. When was the last time you seriously reflected and meditated upon:
(1) death;
(2) judgment;
(3) heaven; and
(4) hell?
My encouragement to you today is to be a person of prayer. Allow God's grace to permeate every aspect of your life.
A young couple with several toddlers running around the house will struggle to find any quiet time in which they themselves don't collapse when that quiet time finally arrives. On the other hand, an empty-nester or someone living alone may not face similar challenges. However, there could be other circumstances which make it more challenging for these individuals to pray. We each have our struggles in one form or another. The key is to be aware of what those challenges are, and then make a plan to minimize these obstacles to prayer as best as we are able.
As I scrolled through some historical data for today, I saw that it was the anniversary of death for a couple of stars. Roy Rogers (cowboy actor) died on this date in 1998 at the age of 86. Thus, it has been 20 years since his passing from this life. Buddy Ebsen (actor) died on this date in 2003 at the age of 95. Thus, it has been 15 years since his passing.
Why do I mention these particular things? Yesterday afternoon I spent some time in the columbarium area of our church grounds praying for the deceased. Since I am in a new place, I do not know any of the people who are laid to rest there. That does not prevent me from praying for them and for all the deceased. I regularly pray for my deceased relatives, friends, and benefactors--all those people who helped me to get to this point in life. I also pray for all the faithful departed, especially those with no one to pray for them.
I am not a big fan of following what happens in the lives of celebrities. That has just never fascinated me. However, I mentioned the above two celebrities because I was familiar with their work and their information came to my attention today. There is one sobering reminder that we can take from the lives and deaths of celebrities. Regardless of fame and fortune, eventually we will all come face to face with Almighty God at the end of our lives. Our life of prayer will prepare us for that moment. As St. Alphonsus Liguori reminded us, "The time of death is not the time to prepare, but the time to find ourselves already prepared."
The shortness of time on this earth and the length of eternity is something that should prompt us to meditate upon the four last things more frequently. When was the last time you seriously reflected and meditated upon:
(1) death;
(2) judgment;
(3) heaven; and
(4) hell?
My encouragement to you today is to be a person of prayer. Allow God's grace to permeate every aspect of your life.
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