The habitual difficulty in prayer is distraction...To set about hunting down distractions would be to fall into their trap, when all that is necessary is to turn back our heart: for a distraction reveals to us what we are attached to.
- CCC No. 2729
Reflection: The thoughts that come to distract our prayers can tell us much about ourselves and reveal where our heart lies. We can sanctify these thoughts when we offer them up to the Father along with our prayers.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, inspire single-minded focus in our prayers.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer...all teach us this: prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God.
- CCC No. 2725
Reflection: Anything of value must be protected. So it is with the divine life. We must fight for it with vigilance against enemies with-out and enemies within.
Prayer: Jesus, strengthen our spiritual will.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
Beginning with Mary's unique cooperation with the working of the Holy Spirit, the Churches developed their prayer to the holy Mother of God, centering it on the person of Christ manifested in his mysteries.
CCC No. 2675
Reflection: All Marian prayers, the Hail Mary, the Rosary, the Angelus, etc., find their center of gravity in Jesus and the mystery of his life. The placement of his sacred name and the meditation on his life provoked by Marian prayers gives them a Christocentric focus which Mary herself desires.
Prayer: Mary, reveal to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
By prayer of petition we express awareness of our relationship with God. We are creatures who are not our own beginning, not the masters of adversity, not our own last end.
CCC No. 2629
Reflection: There are those who feel that prayers of petition are somehow selfish or lacking the fullness of devotion for God that praise and adoration express, and yet, petition is an important manifestation of our own sense of right relationship to God, our need for his help, and our faith in his love for us.
Prayer: Lord, help us to value you above all the gifts you give us.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
The Gospel reveals to us how Mary prays and intercedes in faith. At Cana, the mother of Jesus asks her son for the needs of a wedding feast; this is the sign of another feast--that of the wedding of the Lamb where he gives his body and blood at the request of the Church, his Bride.
- CCC No. 2618
Reflection: In the wedding at Cana, Scripture shows us both Mary's intercessory power with her son and her ultimate message to those serving Christ, "Do whatever he tells you."
Prayer: Mary, pray to your Son for us.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
"Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will." Such is the power of prayer and of faith that does not doubt: "all things are possible to him who believes."
- CCC No. 2610
Reflection: Faith is the key that unlocks the door to all our truest desires; but faith is not just praying with more strength or willpower. Mountain-moving faith is the result of a long and loving relationship with our God, to the point of sharing in the trust that exists between the Father and the Son.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, increase our faith!
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
The arguments of [Moses'] prayer...will inspire the boldness of the great intercessors among the Jewish people and in the Church; God is love; he is therefore righteous and faithful; he cannot contradict himself; he must remember his marvelous deeds, since his glory is at stake, and he cannot forsake this people that bears his name.
- CCC No. 2577
Reflection: Moses' intercession starts with God, not with the people he is interceding for. Moses urges God to intercede not primarily for the people's sake, but for God's sake, the sake of his name and holiness.
Prayer: Lord, remember your love for your people.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
