Hanging on His every word

Based on Luke 19:45-48

The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words. v. 48

I love that! “The people were hanging on his words.” Oh how I wish I would hang on your words, Lord. Help me to dive into your words. Help me to listen to them, take them to heart, and act upon them.

Give me the strength to heed your words to Joshua, “Recite it by day and by night, that you may observe carefully all that is written in it; then you will successfully attain your goal. ” What is my goal? Saint Peter tells me, “the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Help me then, Lord, to hang on your words and in doing so give my enemies “no way to accomplish their purpose.”

FROM THE SAINTS – “Listen, I entreat you, all that are careful for this life, and procure books that will be medicines for the soul…get at least the New Testament, the Apostolic Epistles, the Acts, the Gospels, for your constant teachers. If grief befalls you, dive into them as into a chest of medicines; take from there comfort for your trouble, be it loss, or death, or bereavement of relations; or rather do not merely dive into them but take them wholly to yourself, keeping them in your mind.” – Saint John Chrysostom (Hom. IX on Colossians)

How to get better at prayer.

1. Set a prayer appointment – Set a time on your calendar each day to meet and speak with God.
2. Slowly increase your prayer time. – Don’t jump in with an hour right from the get-go.  Build up your “tolerance” so to speak.
3. Commit – to praying and slowly increasing your prayer time for 30 days.  Mark off the days on your calendar.  If you miss a day, jump right back in, don’t give up.
4. Pray – praying is talking to God, it’s spending time with your attention focused on Him.  I enjoy spending time with my children regardless of their level of development.  God is the same way.  Spend time praying as best you can.  Use formal prayers if you want or simply speak in conversation.  Don’t forget to listen
5. Journal – Our newly revised 4 Simple Steps to Better Scripture Meditations: Guide, Workbook, and Journal walks you through 4 easy steps that will help you go deeper in your prayer life.  It includes 31 days of workbook and journal pages too!
6. Read other good books about how to pray better – Prayer Primer, Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer, Time for God, The Spiritual Life: A Comprehensive Guide to Catholics Seeking Salvation

Consider giving faith-based gifts to your family and friends this Christmas. You never know, it might be the help they need to grow closer to the Lord.

My Books

Rosaries