Prayer and Fasting (3/10)

With God’s help we can overcome any and every temptation. And we have to equip ourselves for the difficulties we are facing and still yet to experience this side of heaven. Two of the most important daily practices are prayerand fasting.

For Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, prayeris so much more than reciting memorized words God.  To be sure, prayer is not something that is done as in completing a task as much as it is an encounter with the living God. She experiences prayer as an outpouring of her heart, a genuine act of loving and being loved.

  • “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy” (Saint Thérèse +1897).

Similarly fastingis a way to love more freely, generously and joyously. Sacrificing something good for a greater good always makes one more confident and compassionate.

  • “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love” (Saint Thérèse +1897).

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