02 Sep Adopted by God! (Mt 6:8-9) by Stephanie Kemp
Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. This is how you are to pray. ~ Mt 6:8-9
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Reflection: The “Our Father” is “the most perfect prayer” (Thomas Aquinas) and “the summary of the whole Gospel” (Tertullian). The Catechism says it is “a path that leads directly to the heart of God.” Because it is the prayer that Jesus taught us, we have the confidence to call God “Our Father.” Jesus, who has called us into relationship with Himself, grants us this privilege by the grace of our adoption. He has made us sons and daughters of God, and He calls each of us by name. What’s in a name? For post-abortion mothers it is often the difference between a life haunted by despair/regret and one of healing/restoration with God and their baby. In Project Rachel, The Church’s 9 week healing ministry, mothers face the reality of their abortion decision and God’s mercy. Each mother names her baby. Remembering the unnamed emotional pain of their abortion decision, often buried for decades, they can recognize their child, ask for forgiveness, forgive anyone who cooperated with their abortion, and forgive themselves. In so doing, they experience the Father’s tenderest mercy given to His children who come back to him. Jesus (means “God Saves”) is able to bind up the broken-hearted, heal our most painful wounds and give hope/joy under our heaviest sorrows.
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Challenge: Pray for the tens of millions of ‘walking wounded’ mothers and fathers who chose to abort their children…may they join us in prayer, “Our Father…”
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Pray LIFE Runners Creed to end abortion.
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Inspiration: “Blessed be the name of the Lord, both now and forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised.” ~ Psalm 113:2-3
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All In Christ for Pro-Life,
Stephanie
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* Stephanie Kemp is the oldest of twelve, mother of three grown sons, and grandmother of three. She is the Respect Life Coordinator for St. Peter parish in Monument, CO.