Friends, in trying times of sickness and death, persecution and war, fear and uncertainty, how do we keep our faith strong? How do we ensure it remains as solid as a rock?
The faith of the Apostles, saints, our forefathers, and descendants was tested in many difficult ways, yet they remained steadfast. We must learn from their examples and trust that God will help us overcome life’s trials and tribulations.
Our Scripture readings this Sunday, during the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, invite us to reflect on the unwavering faith of Peter and Paul as they led the early Christian community. Peter’s account of rescue from imprisonment by an angel demonstrates how God protects those whom He calls to lead the Church. Paul’s testimony of how God stood by him and granted him strength to finish the race and keep the faith as a missionary disciple inspires us to remain faithful to our respective vocations and to overcome our personal challenges. Like Peter and Paul, we must trust in God’s abiding presence and protection.
One of the key ways to cultivate a solid faith is through a life of prayer. By this, I mean establishing a routine—a discipline, a plan, and intentionality around daily prayer. Daily prayer strengthens and nourishes our faith, grounding us in God and helping us respond positively to unpleasant and stressful experiences.
In his book, The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic, our Pastor’s Book of the Month, Matthew Kelly presents prayer as the first sign of a dynamic Catholic. He writes, “Dynamic Catholics universally begin their day with some type of prayer—a spiritual routine that focuses their day. Some settle down in a comfortable chair with morning coffee, while others attend Mass. Some focus their day by praying the morning offering and reserve their main time of prayer for another part of the day. But all of them begin their day with some form of prayer, however brief, and on days when they don’t follow their routine, they feel the difference.”
So, there it is: the primary source of a strong and dynamic faith is a life of prayer. There should be no excuses when it comes to maintaining this practice if one wants to cultivate a solid faith in God amidst life’s pains and sorrows.
In his book, Matthew Kelly also suggests and encourages people to adopt a simple process of prayer:
- Gratitude. Begin by thanking God in a personal dialogue for whatever you are most grateful for today
- Awareness: Revisit the times in the past twenty-hours when you were and were not the-best-version-of-yourself. Talk to God about the situations and what you learned from them.
- Significant Moments: Identify something you experienced today and explore what God might be trying to say to you through that event (or person).
- Peace: Ask God to forgive you for any wrong you have committed (against yourself, another person, or him) and to fill you with a deep and abiding peace.
- Freedom: Speak with God about how he is inviting you to change your life, so that you can experience the freedom to be the-best-version-of-yourself.
- Others: Lift up to God anyone you feel called to pray for today, asking God to bless and guide them.
- Finish by praying the Our Father.
The goal of this prayer process is to develop the ability to have intimate conversations with God during the time set aside for prayer. The more deeply rooted you become in this daily habit of prayer, the more those conversations with God will spill over into the moments of your daily life, strengthening your faith. It’s a simple and non-intimidating prayer process, and I hope you’ll start using it.
In this present age, as we navigate the world’s troubles, let’s answer the call to a disciplined daily prayer life. At times, it may be all we can do when we feel conflicted, confused, or helpless.
Your loving pastor,
Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California
