Praying for Our Children

Posted on

Let me start off today’s reflection with an apology. Yesterday I posted the reflection that was meant for today’s readings. The link for today’s readings is correct. If you would like to get my thoughts on the readings, then read again yesterday’s reflection. I was on vacation and mistakenly put the wrong date on the reflection. Sorry!

The good news is that this gives me an opportunity to reflect on the feast day we celebrate today. It is the feast of St. Monica. St. Monica was born of a Christian family at Tagaste in Africa in 331. She and her husband, Patricius, were the parents of Augustine, whose feast day we celebrate tomorrow. Augustine was a brilliant young man. He had no need of God in his life, and became very successful in the world. Monica prayed every day for her son’s conversion. As you know, Augustine did convert, and became one of the greatest thinkers and writers in the history of the Church . We can learn much from St. Monica.

One of the most heart-wrenching things I hear about often in my ministry is parents asking for prayers for their children who have left the faith. Many of us have children who have fallen away from the practice of the faith. That is certainly not an indictment on them, nor on their parents. The pull of the world is very powerful in the life of a young person. I speak from experience. I was once much like Augustine. The key is that Monica never gave up on her son. She could have written him off and gone about her merry way, seeking only her own sanctification. Here’s the moral of the story: if you have children or family members or loved ones that have strayed, perhaps even very far away, NEVER give up on praying for them. God will continue to call them. Pray that their eyes and ears and hearts will be open to hearing His voice.

Father, we pray for our children who have strayed from your ways. We know that you love them even more than we do. Give us the perseverance to always pray for them, as you draw them close to you once again. Amen.

Today’s Readings

0 comments

Leave a comment

All blog comments are checked prior to publishing

Hello You!

Join our mailing list