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This is God’s Work: The Power of Prayer

Video 3

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Summary

Proclaiming the sanctity of life is a work that belongs to all of us, but it is primarily God's work. Explore how prayer is the foundation and cornerstone of a culture of life.

Facilitator Guide (Video 3)

Participant Guide (Video 3)

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Scripture for Reflection

“Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

“And Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’” (Mark 11:22-24)

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” (Jeremiah 29:12)

“‘Lord, why is it that we weren’t able to cast the demon out?’ and the Lord said, ‘This kind of demon can only be cast out by prayer and fasting.’” (Mark 9:29)

Reflection Questions 

  1. Was there a word, phrase, or idea that resonated with me? That was new to me?
  2. In the video, Sister Virginia Joy, SV says, “Prayer is a personal relationship of love with the living God.” Is this how I experience prayer? What does prayer look like in my own life? 
  3. Sister Virginia Joy also says, “God desires you, your prayer. He desires to live in you. There’s no one who can replace you.” Do I give God the time and space to gaze upon me and to reveal to me how he sees me? Pause for a moment and ask God to show you how he sees you.   
  4. Do I trust that God cares about my life, my prayers, and the life of others? What are barriers that cause me to doubt God’s infinite care and power?
  5. Sister Virginia Joy observes, “There are many ways to pray for the cause of life … every [prayer] can be an act of love for those who are wounded by the culture of death and, ultimately, for Jesus who said, ‘As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’” How does hearing these words change my understanding of prayer and sacrifice? In what ways do I feel called to pray and offer sacrifice for others?
  6. Sister Virginia Joy shares, “Prayer means allowing our own hearts to be converted first, by opening ourselves in loving surrender to Christ. This is why prayer frees us from self-reliance and burnout… because we’re leaning our full weight on the God who created the cosmos, not on our own strength.” Are there areas of my life that I have not surrendered to God and in which I feel overly burdened or burned out? Imagine Jesus is sitting in front of me right now, reaching out to me, and inviting me to place all those things that burden me into his hands. Take a moment to hand over, one by one, all those areas of your life that you have not surrendered to him.
  7. Is there a fruit from my prayer that I would like to share with others? 

Discussion Questions

  1. Is there a fruit from your prayer that you would like to share with others?
  2. Sister Maeve Nativitas, SV says, “Praying outside of an abortion clinic is about being a sidewalk contemplative at a modern day Calvary. We approach a clinic as we would approach Jesus hanging on the cross. … In a real, mystical way the crucified Jesus is there in the frightened hearts of the mothers and in the vulnerable lives of their children.” How do you understood the act of praying outside of an abortion clinic? What new ideas or insights does Sister Maeve Nativitas’ insight raise for you?
  3. Sister Virginia Joy says, “Proclaiming the sanctity of human life is a work that belongs to all of us but it is primarily God's work. We are his instruments; it's the Holy Spirit that moves and makes it all happen. … We can do nothing without him.” Is this your experience of pro-life work? How have you or can you allow God to work and speak through you?
  4. Do you ever feel burned out? In what areas of your  life do you feel burned out? What are ways in which you try to counter burnout? How have you experienced prayer as an antidote burnout?

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