Matthew 7:7,9-10 Trust our Father in heaven

Living Faith snippets: “Only slowly have I realized that it has been in that breaking open that I have come closer to God. It may not have been the bread I had asked for, but it was the Bread of Life. Dear God, help us to trust that, no matter what we ask for, you will always give us life.” by Patricia Livingston

Rich’s comments: I often think of our relationship with God as one between a child and his parent. From the child’s perspective they are only thinking about what they want, what is pleasing to them without any regard to the big picture. Like a child with a freshly harvested bag of candy on Halloween night. Without the parent present to set boundaries, the child might finish off the bag of candy in one sitting. There will be times that our prayers do not get answered in the way that we are asking, but we need to trust our Father in heaven that He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we really need, because He has the big picture.

Faith Challenge: Let’s challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News. Suggestions?

* NEW: Reflect on the outcome of your prayer and how God’s hands were involved. Share these experiences with a friend so that they may also know the power of prayer.

Culture War/ProLife News: LifeSiteNews, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* Let’s never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images). Abortion is #1 cause of death in America.
* NOW (25 Feb-5 Apr): Please take part in the 40 Days for Life campaign by praying in front of an abortion mill for one hour (love for God & neighbor). Dozens of Lives Saved So Far in 40 Days for Life Spring Campaign.

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas below.
* Let’s pray for courage to share ProLife Truth to those around us (John 14:6)…rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16).
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, jobs, Rob Ouellette (Mark, Levi, Karl), Stephanie Spader (special intentions), Sue Peters (Carrie Maniscalco updates), Peters family (JP’s miraculous recovery, updates), Carolyn (research advisor with terminal cancer)

Faith Quote: “Indeed, man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible.” by Saint Augustine

Through Christ Our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Bible: Readings and reflections for today.
* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. ‘If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead.’
* Fasting: Let’s fast from things that take our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and take on things that fix our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening).
* Defend the unborn: ‘Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die’ (Prov 24:11). ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you’ (Jer 1:5). ‘It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish’ (Blessed Mother Teresa).
* Evangelization: Let’s make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of selfless love, mercy, and service.
Let’s joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group…Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!