... We do not cease praying for you... – Colossians 1:9

       The Intercessory Ministry prays behind closed doors, in a small room behind the stage. Unlike the worship leaders and the preachers, we don’t always see them in action, but they’re the powerhouse ministry that protects us from evil spirits and brings our prayers to God.

       During events, they come to the venue ahead of the other servants to bind the place and to rebuke evil spirits. They pray unceasingly not only for the leaders, servants and attendees of The Feasts, but also the entire world.

       It’s not always easy being an intercessor. Prayer warriors are more susceptible to the attacks of the enemy. He doesn’t want people to pray, what more if they pray for one another? Many of them get sick spiritually, physically and emotionally when the enemy attacks them. They are always at war.

       Our prayer warriors serve as channels of God’s blessings, healing and miracles. They’re the front liners in the war against the enemy and his minions. They sacrifice much of their time to pray for people they don’t even know.

Reflection: When was the last time you prayed for others? Take the time to intercede today.

Lord, thank You for the people who pray for us.

St. Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the Church, pray for us.

St. Gregory the Great was a pope who took the mission to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth seriously. He was a great supporter of the Benedictine Order and sent missionaries out to evangelize newly discovered areas, such as modern-day England, where he sent Anselm of Canterbury. Let us be inspired by these saints as we do the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel. St. Gregory the Great, inspire and pray for us as we do our work for the Kingdom of God.

9 Brothers and sisters: From the day we heard about you, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding 10 to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God, 11 strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. 13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Psalm 98:2-3, 3-4, 5-6

R: The Lord has made known his salvation.

2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)

Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.

1 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to theword of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” 9 For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, 10 and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

think: This is an important aspect of discipleship — to trust our Master even when we are not convinced that He is right.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 46-50

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CALLING

I remember being invited once to sit on the bench for a sports event to make it look as though the team had greater bench strength than it actually did. I said I was not interested in coming along just to add to their number. I wanted to play and not just be there for the ride, so to speak.

       Jesus does not mess around with our lives. When He calls us, He is serious in every aspect of the call.

       Jesus calls Peter and John, James and Andrew, and eight other men as a small group of disciples with whom He will work closely. He is preparing them for a role they knew nothing about at the time. We know where this calling will lead to, but they did not.

       One aspect of the Gospel calling is readiness, even willingness, to go wherever the Spirit of God might lead us. This is essential as sometimes the Good News needs to be proclaimed in areas where there is little or no church infrastructure. God needs men and women who will respond like Isaiah did when he put up his hand for mission saying, “Lord, here I am, send me!”

       This response is not for everyone. There will always be a need for some people to be open to it. Are you one of those people? Have you considered religious life as a possibility? If, not, why not spend some time thinking and praying about it and see where God leads you?

       Jesus was obedient to His Father’s will; from the cross we hear Him cry out, “It is accomplished!” I want to be able to say the same thing to God when I die: “Lord, I have done all that You asked me to do with my life!” Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: What do you want to be able to say to the Lord when you face Him on Judgment Day?

Jesus, help me to be open to hear whatever Your calling may be for my life. Thank You for Your love. Help me to follow wherever You lead me.