Refocus and Refuel Through Prayer

At the beginning of 2022, I told myself that this would be the year I would do the following:

• • Go to confession monthly
  • Attend mass at least more than one time a week
  • Read the Bible every day
  • Go to Adoration

How am I doing so far? I’m not doing too good. My intentions were good but in reality, life happens, and I fell short of fulfilling my goals.  I can say with confidence that one thing I started doing more this year is praying. Prayer is something I do every day. I pray the Guardian Angel prayer as I am driving to work. I pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at work Monday through Friday. Some days I even pray the St. Michael prayer to help me throughout the day. On the days when I don’t feel like praying a priest once told me to pray “Jesus son of David, Have mercy on me a sinner.” I also say that prayer when I get frustrated or angry. Prayer helps me refocus, recharge, and refuel.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church we learn:

“It is always possible to pray” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2743).

and

“Prayer is a vital necessity. ” (CCC, no. 2744)

Looking To The A Role Model of Faith for Help

Picture this, you’re in your car driving along and your car signals you that you are almost empty of gas. So, what do you do? Get to the nearest gas station of course and refuel your tank so that you can get to your next destination. Well, that is what prayer is to me, it refuels my soul to help me deal with my daily struggles. Many Saints talk about prayer in their life. One such saint; Elizabeth Ann Seton, talks about how prayer changed her life. She decided to leave New York and go to Italy to seek a better climate for her husband’s poor health. Upon arriving in Italy, they were quarantined because the Italians heard about the Yellow Fever outbreak in America, and Elizabeth’s husband showed signs of sickness therefore, they were put in a jail cell called a Lazaretto. It was a stone room with a bed, one window with metal bars, and a fireplace. They stayed there for almost a month. All they could do was pray. Elizabeth never complained of being in the lazaretto, on the contrary, she thanked God because during this time her husband drew closer to God before he passed away, and together, they strengthened their love for God.

A ‘Spa for the Soul’

Several years ago, I was looking for more knowledge about prayer and faith and decided to go to a conference for women. I believe I read about it in a church bulletin, or someone told me, I can’t quite remember but I was intrigued and decided to go.  And so, I did…alone; I wasn’t nervous, I didn’t know anyone there, it was as if I was being led there by either the Holy Spirit or my Guardian Angel. I was docile while present at the conference. The feeling I had, which I can still remember was peace, love, and compassion with an overwhelming feeling of encouragement. I was refueled and recharged there, I felt that I could conquer whatever obstacles would come my way. I was given tools to use to help me along in my journey in life. This amazing annual Catholic Women’s Conference is organized by Pilgrim Center of Hope to guide women to encounter Christ. Pilgrim Center of Hope also offers other in-person events, audio retreats, and more! Click here to discover how you can get refocused, recharged, and refueled! You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain! St. Elizabeth Ann Seton said,

“Go to Him with faith, love, and confidence, He will help fill yourself with His spirit and He will govern!”

Gloria Chapa-Solano Wife of 14 years, mom to a 9-year-old.  Always praying to the Holy Family for help and guidance on how to be a better wife and mother.  From Gloria, “Although I fail almost every day I am blessed with the Lord’s grace to wake up every day and try again.”

Answering Christ’s call, Pilgrim Center of Hope guides people to encounter Him so as to live in hope, as pilgrims in daily life. See what’s happening & let us journey with you! Visit PilgrimCenterOfHope.org.