Yesterday we talked about asking a priest for guidance and today I want to talk about prayer. The answer to all our struggles begins with prayer. When we struggle to read our bible or to read it consistently, we must turn to God and pray about it.
Ask God to plant the desire in your heart to be a bible reading Catholic. Pray that the Lord will help you see the goodness it brings to your life. Pray that God bring someone into your life that you can share your bible reading with.
On this last day of this series, I can’t help but suggest we turn it all over to the Lord in prayer. In a way, all journeys should begin and end in prayer. We pray for help and then we offer prayers of thanksgiving.
I hope you have learned something in these last 31 days about the bible and how you can integrate bible reading into your life. I hope a special style or practice or ritual jumped out at you as something you could work into your daily routine. And most of all, I hope you share what you learned with others.
I truly believe that if we were all bible reading Catholics, we would change the world!
MY BIBLE REFLECTION:
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.” Revelations 1:3
It feel appropriate that I started reading Revelations today. It feels like our journey has been rising to this moment and that this verse was meant for us today. Blessed is the one who reads aloud. That’s you. You are blessed for reading your bible.
Blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it. That’s you. I’d like to think this applies not only to Revelations but to the whole bible. You are blessed for having read the good word and to heed what it says.
For the appointed time is near. This will always be true. Our lives are short; too short not to be steeped in the word of God everyday. We must wrap it around our lives like a blanket. The bible is a lifeline to Christ, a tether to Heaven. In it contains the road map to being saints and to spending eternity with the Lord. Do not brush this practice aside. Embrace it with your whole heart.
Thank you so much for all the wisdom and pearls for being solid Bible-treasuring Catholics! It’s been great accompanying you on the journey, Sterling! God bless.
We made it Heather! I’m giving you a virtual high five and a martini for writing for 31 days!
Thank you Sterling for giving your time, energy and enthusiasm to write this amazing article. I have just finished your 31 Days (I set a reminder on my phone to read one article a day). I have learnt so much and feel that you have put a spark back into my Catholic life that was feeling a little dull and lost. I have implemented some of your suggestions, for instance reading the Bible before Mass, signing up for the Blessed is She devotionals as well as Laudette (your article on There’s an App for that). I also thoroughly enjoy listening to your Podcasts which I find so interesting and love the fact that you are so honest in your endeavours. Thank you once again Sterling for all that you are doing.
Thank you so much Juliette! I honestly believe if we could get all Catholics to read their Bibles, they would become on fire for God and we could truly change the world!