During a speech he gave in April of 2023 at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Heritage Foundation, political commentator and speaker Tucker Carlson revealed that he had recently discovered something about the modern political landscape that he had been ignorant of for his entire career.
“I realized that I was so upset by the behavior of some people I love, in a country I revere and always have, that I wasn’t praying for the country. Maybe we should all take ten minutes a day to say a prayer about it. I’m serious. Why not? And I’m saying that to you, not as some kind of evangelist, but I’m literally saying that to you as an Episcopalian, the Samaritans of our time. I’m coming to you from the most humble and lowly theological position you can. I’m literally an Episcopalian, okay? And even I have concluded that it might be worth taking just ten minutes out of your busy schedule to say a prayer for the future, and I hope you will.”
Though prayer is a core concept and common habit to many Catholics, we still often make a fatal mistake: we fail to make prayer a priority in our daily lives. And without prayer, we are unarmed soldiers walking into the line of enemy fire.
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.” -C.S. Lewis
The materialist sees no need for prayer. The magician overlooks prayer due to obsession. Our job is to find balance in this spiritual war, and prayer is the key.
At its core, prayer is a conversation with God. A vibrant, hearty, and steadfast prayer life allows us to remain close to Him, reinforcing the walls of our defenses, granting us the strength to overcome the temptations and snares of the devil. It arms us with the weapons to drown vice and nurture virtue, and it transforms us, helping us to become like Christ.
“In my distress I called out: LORD!
I cried out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry to him reached his ears.”
(Psalm 18:7)
“He reached down from on high and seized me;
drew me out of the deep waters.
He rescued me from my mighty enemy,
from foes too powerful for me.
They attacked me on my day of distress,
but the LORD was my support.
He set me free in the open;
he rescued me because he loves me.”
(Psalm 18:17-20)
As Bishop Fulton Sheen often emphasized, prayer is not about getting something, but becoming something, namely, a valiant servant and soldier of Christ. Through our prayers of petition, adoration, contrition, and thanksgiving, we attune ourselves more closely to His will, allowing Him to mold us so that we might best serve.
It is through this transformative process that we receive the ability to reshape our country, our world, and our future, well-armed with virtue and grace. Find the time in your day to add daily prayer wherever possible. Scatter daily reminders to pray throughout your life: a crucifix in your car, a prayer card on your desk, an image of Our Lady in the kitchen. Foster a deep spiritual life, and you will see how much closer to Christ you become.
This week, during our Give Hope Pledge Drive, when you donate at the $365 level, you will receive a copy of the Handbook of Prayers, 8th Edition from Scepter Publishers. This beautiful volume is a compact collection of essential Catholic prayers. It is convenient to carry with you wherever you go and includes prayers for almost every situation! It’s perfect for anyone looking to renew or deepen their Catholic Faith. (4″ x 6.5″)
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