Prayer: A.C.T.S. of a Soul

prayer, discernment, holiness, praying, intercessory prayer, thanksgiving

Prayer is vital to the soul’s journey to Heaven: our ultimate goal. Without prayer, we lose our connection with God and become selfish people. Like in any relationship, if we don’t make time for another person we sever the bond. So, we should always make prayer to God a priority in our lives. Here are the different forms of prayer and my experience with them. 

Adoration

Adoration is a way of prayer by worshipping God alone as Our Supreme Creator and realizing our complete dependence on Him. Adoration is a beautiful form of worship, especially Eucharistic Adoration. I try to incorporate this into my stories as a writer. In my manuscript, I make sure to include the main character going to Eucharistic Adoration in hopes that it will inspire other teenagers to do the same.

When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now ( Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta). 

I throw myself at the foot of the Tabernacle like a dog at the foot of His Master (Saint John Vianney).

Contrition

Contrition is true repentance of our sins, a firm resolve to sin no longer, and to make amends for the rest of our lives. It is required that we go to Confession once a year and as soon as possible if we commit a mortal sin. That being said, it is always a good practice to go monthly. I do this monthly practice. It strengthens my soul and gives me the graces I need to be a better disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, even if we only committed venial sins, we should hate all sin because it displeases God. 

Venial sins are like flies on a windshield. What happens when they accumulate? You cannot see clearly. Your vision becomes obscured. If your vision is obscured, you will not see Truth. You will be blinded in sin. We should abhor all sin because all sin is evil and goes against the will of the Father. 

Jesus answered them, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.’ (John 8:34).

For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 ).

Thanksgiving

Prayers of thanksgiving, like all forms of prayer, are life-changing. This one is efficacious, however, because it has the power to change our outlook on life by looking at the blessings instead of our troubles. One way which I have shown my gratitude towards God is I created a list of all the people and events that happened in my life that I am thankful for. God gives us the gift of life. He gives us the gift of family. Most importantly, he gives us the gift of the Blessed Sacrament. How wonderful our God is by looking out for each and every one of us!

In all circumstances give thanks for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness (Saint Gianna Beretta Molla).

Supplication

Supplication is a form of prayer where we ask God to hear and answer our intentions. I pray the Sacred Heart Novena daily for all my intentions and those who ask me for prayers in my journal. I especially like to pray the Sacred Heart novena because Saint Padre Pio prayed this novena daily for all those that asked for his prayers. Since I am doing the same, I am being spiritually united to Saint Padre Pio in this way. 

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6,7). 

Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer (Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina).

With All Forms of Prayer 

Prayer is the key which opens God’s heart (Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina).

Whichever prayer you decide on, make sure you surrender your entire self to God wholeheartedly. God is always willing to bless you with much love and graces upon your soul. We only need to open our hearts and offer up our prayers of adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication. By doing this, the Holy Spirit will set our souls ablaze with love for God.  

Prayer is oxygen to the soul (Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina).

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

3 thoughts on “Prayer: A.C.T.S. of a Soul”

  1. Pingback: VVEDNESDAY EDITION – Big Pulpit

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.