Hey there,
I want to share a story I recently ran across.
Satan’s Agenda
Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his demons, he said, “We can’t keep the Christians from going to church. We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can’t even keep them from biblical values. But we can do something else. We can keep them from forming an intimate, continual experience with Christ.
“If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to church, let them have their Christian lifestyles, but steal their time so they can’t gain that experience with Jesus Christ.
“This is what I want you to do. Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day.”
“How shall we do this?” asked his demons.
“Keep them busy with the nonessentials of life and invest unnumbered schemes to occupy their minds,” he answered. “Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, then borrow, borrow, borrow. Convince them to work six or seven days a week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work.
“Overstimulate their minds so they cannot hear that still small voice. Entice them to play the radio or CD player wherever they drive, to keep the TV, the DVD player, and their CDs going constantly in their homes. Fill their coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes and email with junk, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotion.
“Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their holidays exhausted, disquieted, and unprepared for the coming week. And when they gather for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so they leave with souls unfulfilled.
“Let them be involved in evangelism. But crowd their lives with so many good causes that they have no time to seek power from Christ. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health, and family unity for the good of the cause.”
It was quite a convention. And the demons went eagerly to their assignments. Has the devil been successful in his scheme? You be the judge.
by Geraldine Harris and Kristen Maddox
Unfortunately, the demons have been successful distracting a lot of people … even with each of us at one time or another.
But even if we don’t think we have time to pray, we can always make time for The Jesus Prayer:
“O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
That’s it!
1 sentence.
13 words.
If you’re not familiar with The Jesus Prayer, it’s because it’s not that popular with Western Catholics. It’s a big part of the Eastern Catholic Church … as popular for them as the Rosary is for Western Catholics. This week’s issue of Genuflect is all about The Jesus Prayer and different ways to incorporate it into your prayer life and your daily life.
As we prepare to enter the Lenten season in a few weeks, let this be a reminder to slow down, quiet down, and not let the demons get in the way of our relationship with God. The Jesus Prayer can help … I’ll be giving it a try.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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genuflect: resources
The Jesus Prayer Primer
Michael Warren Davis provides a primer on The Jesus Prayer. He includes everything from what it is and who can pray it to where to buy a prayer rope … and lots of other questions you may be asking.
The Jesus Prayer: A Primer – by Michael Warren Davis | The Common Man
The History of The Jesus Prayer
The Jesus Prayer is believed to have originated in the fifth century AD. Two important factors played a role in its origin: the preference for repeating short prayers and respect for the name of Jesus. Father David Hester explains how the prayer evolved and was passed down to us.
The Jesus Prayer, by Fr. David Hester | Ancient Faith
The Catechism on The Jesus Prayer
The Catechism of the Catholic Church talks about the Jesus Prayer in paragraph 2616 when it says that Jesus hears our prayers, whether vocal or silent. In this brief podcast episode of Catechism in a Year, Father Mike Schmitz explains the power of The Jesus prayer.
The Catechism in a Year Archives | Fr. Mike Schmitz Catechism in a Year Podcast
Pray Throughout The Day
Pope Francis says we should pray The Jesus Prayer throughout the day. That it will take on the rhythm of our breath.
Pope Francis: Say the ‘Jesus Prayer’ Throughout The Day | Catholic News Agency
How to Pray The Jesus Prayer
In this brief video, Matt Fradd shows us how to pray The Jesus Prayer and shares how easy it is to work into your daily life.
Think You’re Too Busy for Prayer? Try This–It Might Change Your Life! | ChurchPOP
A Jesus Prayer Chaplet
If you’re looking for a creative way to incorporate The Jesus Prayer into your prayer life, Deacon Steven Greydanus has a suggestion. Here’s a Jesus Prayer Chaplet of sorts that he’s developed for his family to pray on the weekends.
The Jesus Prayer And The Rosary | National Catholic Register
genuflect: related
We’ve covered many other types of prayer which you may find helpful as you prepare for Lent:
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