Men's Rosary

We hear about the importance of evangelization all the time.  How we are to be sharing our Faith and the Good News of Christ.  This is very important, not just for the life and health of the Church, but for our souls and our redemption.  “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.”  (Luke 12:8)

I have found that a very effective way of evangelizing is found in prayer.  This can be in praying for others or in asking others to pray for you.  This is leading by example in what scripture challenges us to do with prayer.  “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.”  (James 5:16)

We can pray for others in several ways.  It can be without their knowing.  It can be after we have heard them voice a concern and we tell them we will pray for them.  A Mass card is a powerful tool as well.  Even someone who is not Catholic can have a Mass said for them!  What better way to share our faith than to give a gift such as this to someone in need?  What does this say to them?  It says our faith and hope in God is important and we are lifting them up to Him.  We can ask others to pray for us.  This shows how important prayer is to us and shows how we are to live in humility.  It is not easy to ask for prayer but when we get pride out of the way we can.  This act of humility may show our inherent weakness, but it also shows the power of hope and trust in God. 

It is too easy to see all bad in the world and start to have a very negative opinion of people in general.  But isn’t this the just what the devil wants?  He is the deceiver and finds his power in sowing doubt and discord.  I was pleasantly surprised to see how many people that I did not see as faith-filled or spiritual and prayerful, that actually are, by simply hearing the answer to asking for prayer.  Not only has an opportunity for them to exercise their Faith been presented but there are many good people around me.  Yes, there is much bad in the world, but prayer and asking for prayer provides hope in humanity!

Prayer is core to our Catholic identity. As men, we should be leading the way in our families when it comes to prayer.  As men, we should keep our daily tasks drenched in prayer for God’s blessings.  We should take notice of those in need around us and assure them of our prayers for them.  As men, we should also freely ask for prayer when we are in need.  Most importantly, we should be praying for ourselves, for wisdom to do God’s will, and to be able to unite our will with His. 

“My strength lies in prayer and sacrifice;  they are invincible weapons and touch the hearts more surely than words can do.”  (St. Therese of Lisieux)