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Welcome back to our nine-day novena asking for the intercession of "the greatest saint of modern times": Doctor of the Church St Thérèse of Lisieux. The novena is traditionally offered in the lead up to her feast on October 1. We ask the saints in Heaven to pray for us, just as we would ask our friends on earth to pray for us, because they are even closer to God and so their prayers contain even greater purity and power.
Novena prayer: Day 7
For each of the nine days, pray this prayer:
St Thérèse, you said you would let fall from Heaven “a shower of roses” as a sign of your prayers for us. Please bring my special intention before God (mention intention here).
Please pray for me to believe as you did in God's great love for me, so that I might imitate your complete trust in Him. Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me, and one day see the Face of God whom you loved so deeply.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Reflect and pray
Reflect on this meditation from Thérèse:
”For me, prayer is a burst from my heart, it is a simple glance thrown toward heaven, a cry of thanksgiving and love in times of trial as well as in times of joy.”
“When I do not have my spirit at prayer, I repeat very slowly an ‘Our Father’ or a ‘Hail Mary’; these prayers alone console me, they suffice, they nourish my soul.”
”In times of aridity when I am incapable of praying, of practicing virtue, I seek little opportunities, mere trifles, to give pleasure to Jesus; for instance a smile, a pleasant word when inclined to be silent and to show weariness. If I find no opportunities, I at least tell Him again and again that I love Him; that is not difficult and it keeps alive the fire in my heart. Even though this fire of love might seem extinct I would still throw little straws upon the embers and I am certain it would rekindle.”
”My strength lies in prayer and sacrifice; they are invincible weapons, and touch hearts more surely than words can do, as I have learned by experience.”
”Frequently, only silence can express my prayer.”
”Our fulcrum is God: our lever, prayer; prayer which burns with love. With that we can lift the world!”
Journal and pray:
What are your favorite ways to pray?
Why is prayer a constant growth, not a skill to master once and for all?
What factors make it easier or more difficult to pray regularly?
How does prayer as a relationship differ from prayer as merely asking for things?
How is prayer transformational in our capacity to love God and others?
What is a time you experienced the power of prayer in your own life?
Come back tomorrow for Day 8 of the novena. You can also subscribe here so you don't miss anything.
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