When you read—and pray—all of Psalm 31, you’re in the midst of a distress call. It reflects the experience of actually being besieged by attacking forces, but it does not take much to engage with the prayer as a cry amid any kind of suffering, any time, any place.
Consider the “fortified city” mentioned in this verse. I may not dwell in such a place; I might not be under attack from external forces, but might I be living in a fortified city in another sense? In what way do my pride, my fear, my clinging to the past, my judgment of others—my simple lack of trust—function as a fortress, not against an enemy but against God’s love?
But the psalmist assures me that God’s mercy can reach me anywhere. Even behind the walls that I’ve constructed myself.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a wonderful way to feel the mercy of God!! "God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray." St. Louis de Montfort
Good day LFF, today’s reflection is so inline with our experience yesterday at a Holy Hour we attended here in SC. World renown Irish Tenor Mark Forrest provided an absolutely beautiful backdrop to this wonderful hour of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. But I was even more moved by Mark’s short witness to his life and the personal heartbreaks that he and his wife have had to endure regarding three of their eight sons. To witness his love of Jesus Christ and God amidst these circumstances was so inspiring. If you’re not familiar with Mark, please take a moment to visit www.markforrest.com. And his voice is just amazing, he sang with the choir at 9:00 am mass yesterday morning and I was hooked. We had to go to the Holy Hour! Traveling mercies to Margaret and all who are traveling this week and praying for all of your intentions that are requested or reserved in your hearts this day.
Amy your words are an inspiration to open our minds and heart more. May Gods mercy show us the path to follow each day. I ask for prayers for guidance with this angelic horse of mine. His name is Whiski ( he came with that name.) We figured out his weakness comes from a sinus infection that wears him down. Antibiotics are starting to not work. Please pray for me to know which path to take with him if the infection doesn't subside with the warmer weather. Prayers the infection goes away and he builds immunity. I wish Garrett could meet this horse. Blessings to all the LFF, especially with extra needs and traveling these days. May Gods love find us wherever we are and may we spread his love through all the world everyday.
Loved, "But the psalmist assures me that God’s mercy can reach me anywhere. Even behind the walls that I’ve constructed myself." *** God is merciful even with the fortress I built myself to feel safe but not safe at all because I am cut off from the sight of the Lord in Psalm 31:23, "In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight! Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to You for help!" *** Faith is not safety nor is it a fulfilled life on earth in Hebrews 11:39-40, "All these people were praised because they had faith. But none of them received what God had promised. That’s because God had planned something better for us. So they would only be made perfect together with us!" *** Faith is the blessed assurance we believe in even when it is not fulfilled in the life time in Hebrews 11:1-3, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being sure of what we do not see. That is what the people of long ago were praised for. We have faith. So we understand that everything was made when God commanded it. That’s why we believe that what we see was not made out of what could be seen!" ******* Confidence by Sanctus Real https://youtu.be/MEGGVmSSr-I?si=v33B7T1roObqT6y0
AMEN!
Amen. :)
Good morning LFF. Ditto on Cheryl's response, very good writing today Amy. God bless us Everyone.
Peace to everyone. Amen!
My prayer "Lord Jesus, unbind me that I may love you wholly and walk in the freedom of your way of life and holiness. May there be nothing which keeps me from the joy of living in your presence."
AMEN!!
Amen... thank you Amy for your very insightful message today... it whole heartedly speaks to me
A thought provoking reflection! Thank you Amy. Father, You are rich and wonderous with your mercy. Open our hearts, our minds, our spirits, our entire being and cause us to reach out in embracing your mercies that you so willingly bestow upon us in moments when we trip and fall into the cracks. May we be still and know that God is God and His mercies are never exhausted, never spent, but are renewed each morning ( Lams3:23). Prayers and blessings for all with special intentions and needs today. Monday blessings Living Faith Family.
Amen! Traveling to London from Seattle this week for work and having some extra nerves...Flying after hearing of planes crashing brings my anxieties back that took a good while to get over. De-icing the plane for 2 hours before taking off seemed to help. Thank you, God, for your grace and mercy!!
Margaret I pray to St. Raphael for travel safety. Prayers for safe travels.
Margaret...Oh boy do I understand! I used to be a bundle of nerves anticipating any flight, domestic or international. The turbulence would put the arm rest in jeopardy of complete destruction because my usually well manicured nails were imbedded in the poor arm rest! The day before my first trans-Atlantic flight I went to confession, and what Divine Intervention, I had a Priest who had his Pilot's License! He explained that the turbulence was like pot holes on a patch of road in need of repair. Every time we'd start to bounce around, I'd just smile and think, boy do they need to fix this road! God speed your safe travels Margaret!
Safe traveling mercies Margaret. It will be okay in Jesus' Almighty and Powerful Name, Amen. God Bless Us Everyone. Today is my Twin grandchildren's 12th Birthday. My Son and daughter in law named My Grandson after my Eldest Son Stevie who passed away 16 years ago at the very Young age of 28 from cancer. Happy Birthday Stevie and Mikayla. God Bless You both forever and a day, Love Nana Janet
Margaret have a safe trip remember the Lord and the holyspirit are flying with you. Ken
Understandable fear Margaret, will pray!
Prayers for a safe trip Margaret :)
Prayers for safe travels
Prayers for safe
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Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those in need. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.