A Reliance on Prayer
for the Growth of our Parish
Heavenly Father,
You have gathered us together as a parish
to be your visible life in the world. It is here
that we unite to worship You, deepen our
faith and make disciples of all nations.
Lord, we take your Great Commission
seriously. Help us to work together, as both
religious and laity, to make our parish truly amazing
in Your Name and for Your Glory.
Amen.
You have gathered us together as a parish
to be your visible life in the world. It is here
that we unite to worship You, deepen our
faith and make disciples of all nations.
Lord, we take your Great Commission
seriously. Help us to work together, as both
religious and laity, to make our parish truly amazing
in Your Name and for Your Glory.
Amen.
This is the simplest and shortest section on the site. And yet, it is probably the most important and often overlooked.
Of course, every parish is a place of prayer. At Mass, Adoration, Bible Study and a host of other activities, prayer is central. However, when it comes to running our parishes, we all too often forget that prayer must be central, and that God wants us to turn to Him, every day, with intentionality and regularity.
The best efforts in our prayers around leadership, management, catechesis, study and operations are nothing compared to the realization that God is in charge and wants us to acknowledge His hand in what we’re doing. This seems so obvious, and yet, in the course of the details and procedures involved in running a parish day in and day out, it is often forgotten or ignored.
What exactly does this mean, then? It means we must organize regular and intentional prayer efforts around the guidance and success of our parish, generally and specifically around individual programs and initiatives. It also means we must believe that God hears us, and wants to answer our prayers according to His will.
Of course, every parish is a place of prayer. At Mass, Adoration, Bible Study and a host of other activities, prayer is central. However, when it comes to running our parishes, we all too often forget that prayer must be central, and that God wants us to turn to Him, every day, with intentionality and regularity.
The best efforts in our prayers around leadership, management, catechesis, study and operations are nothing compared to the realization that God is in charge and wants us to acknowledge His hand in what we’re doing. This seems so obvious, and yet, in the course of the details and procedures involved in running a parish day in and day out, it is often forgotten or ignored.
What exactly does this mean, then? It means we must organize regular and intentional prayer efforts around the guidance and success of our parish, generally and specifically around individual programs and initiatives. It also means we must believe that God hears us, and wants to answer our prayers according to His will.