A sensationally good idea, from St. Dominic Catholic Church in Panama, FL, which encourages its parish leaders to incorporate “intentional prayer” in a wonderful, generous way:
We used to begin our weekly leadership team meetings in the Adoration chapel for about 30 minutes, praying for the parish. We now start in the main church instead. We each sit in a different section of the church, praying specifically for those who sit in those seats during the Masses. For me, it has made my prayer much more personal. I also have attended different Masses than I normally attend so I can see the faces and make at least some personal connections with those parishioners for whom I am praying.
This is a great example of what it means to Be Church—praying as a community, in communion, lifting up our hearts to the Lord for those we do not know, those we do not see, but who nonetheless share our common kinship with Christ.
Try this the next time you are in church. Think of all the others who have filled those pews before you—and who will do so after, maybe years from now. Pray for them. Pray with them. Pray about them. Whisper an “ave” and pass it on.
Pray it forward!
Photo: AmazingParish.org
And today we celebrate...