Tag Archives: prayer

LifeTeen.com Blog

Who Was Mary?: A Reflection on the Mother of God

By | May 21, 2012

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This month of May – dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary – offers us a unique opportunity to deepen our contemplative prayer life.

Just as Mary pondered all the early events surrounding Jesus in her heart (Luke 2:19), we are invited to contemplate what the Holy Spirit chose to inspire and share with us regarding Mary – not only as Christ’s mother – but as our own (John 19:27). Below is part of a reflection I wrote some time ago that I recently rediscovered. Perhaps it will bless your own contemplative prayer life . . .

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Memorare Prayer Card

By | May 21, 2012

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Mary is always ready to help us and take our prayers to her Son, Jesus. Pray this beautiful prayer to ask Mary for assistance in whatever you need. She is our mother and longs to pour out graces on us, her children.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Dating, Happiness, and Jesus

By | April 30, 2012

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In this particular relationship after my parent’s divorce, the girl I was dating became everything to me. I drew my worth from her compliments and her attention. I drew my joy from her company. I wasn’t simply finding joy in her and recognizing Christ in her, I was putting her first in my life before Christ.

She was the one I would go to with all my problems. I went to church to see her, not Jesus. And Jesus loved me through it all. When that relationship fell apart, so did I . . .

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LifeTeen.com Blog

How to Pray About Your Future

By | April 26, 2012

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The most important part of all of this is in Jesus’ first three words to Peter, “Come after me.” With these words, Jesus is not only saying that Peter must physically follow him, but that Peter’s desires are to come after His as well. If we focus on doing what Jesus is asking us to do, our lives will change radically. Obviously, not all of us will become Pope, like Peter, but I guarantee that God will do far greater things with your life than you could ever do on your own.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Praying for a Miracle

By | April 23, 2012

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I begged and cried and begged more . . . “God fix this. You have to. I know you’re in charge but come on, this can’t be what you want . . . right?”

That’s how my prayers typically went when I prayed for Catherine, my friend’s mom, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. Catherine’s health fluctuated in the following years and she never left the top of my prayer list.

Her family said it was time to pray for a miracle when Catherine stopped responding to treatment last fall. So I continued to beg God for a miracle. Every time I was miserable about something – the Arizona heat, a hard workout, the flu, or heartache – I offered up my suffering for Catherine.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Holy Thursday Devotional

By | April 5, 2012

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Listen “Remembrance” by Matt Maher Listen on iTunes Listen on YouTube Reflect “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Each day the Church responds: Christ is present in the Eucharist, in the sacrament of His death and resurrection. In and through the Eucharist, you acknowledge the dwelling-place of the Living God in human history. For the Eucharist is the Sacrament of the Love which conquers death. It is the Sacrament of the Covenant, pure Gift of Love for the reconciliation of all humanity. It is the gift of the Real Presence of Jesus The Redeemer, in the bread which is His Body [...]

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Catholic Advice for Every Girl

By | February 28, 2012

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It’s such an honor to be able to write just for you girls this time. I love being able to share with you some of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the past couple years about being a woman and being a Catholic. It took me a long time to learn these things! I hope you can put this advice to good use in your own life.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

What to Give Up for Lent: 25 Creative Ideas

By | February 17, 2012

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Are you looking for something unconventional to offer up for Lent? We asked Life Teen missionaries and our friends on Facebook for cool stuff they’ve done in the past. This is what they shared.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

“I Boldly Beg You to Pray for Our Service Men and Women”

By | December 21, 2011

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I boldly beg you to pray for our servicemen and women, veterans and all their families. Christmas is the occasion when we remember the Gift of the Father to us. Each of us tries to respond by giving something we have received to those in need. Those who serve our country in uniform need and deserve our prayers.

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Why Do Catholics Pray to Statues?

By | December 15, 2011

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Catholics do not pray to statues.

That would be idolatry and therefore, a violation of the First Commandment. If a person prays to a statue out of superstition, believes that the statue has special powers or is even God – that is idolatry.

However, this is not what Catholics do when they pray in front of a statue. Catholics worship with their whole person and all of the senses. A statue, or any other piece of religious art, is intended to draw the soul deeper into prayer by helping the senses to recall the mystery that it represents.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Do I Want Jesus or an iPad This Christmas?

By | December 13, 2011

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The irony of the materialism during the time of Christmas is that materialism (as well as other sins) is exactly what Christ came into the world to free us from! He came to take us away from our idols, our “false gods” in this world and long only for Him. This Christmas, let’s re-examine our “Dear Santa” list and look to Jesus. Ask yourself what you really need this Christmas.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Miracles Happen: The Untold Story of the Chilean Miners' Rescue

By | October 19, 2011

Sometimes I find myself itching for a good miracle story. And I know I can just open the Bible for one but sometimes I find myself asking, “Lord, how about a good modern day miracle story on the news tonight?” It’s kind of a bad attitude to have because after all, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20:29)

When I heard this miracle story it blew my mind! It’s about Pope Benedict’s role in the rescue of the Chilean miners, whose one-year anniversary we observed last Thursday. Check it out …

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LifeTeen.com Blog

A Full Contact Sport: Why Participate in Mass

By | October 18, 2011

Here in South Bend, people get pretty pumped over Notre Dame football. They dress in blue and gold, paint their faces, prepare food all night for the tailgates, even get up early. When the game starts, the crowd goes nuts! Cheers. Standing. Sitting. High fives to strangers you don’t know. We are fully engaged in the event. I wonder what would happen if we participated with the same heart and passion at Mass on Sunday?

Let’s be honest. Mass … it’s boring, right? Growing up, that’s what I thought.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Guess What?! I'm Praying For You.

By | September 27, 2011

This past Sunday my day started with a run. I don’t know if you’ve ever gone for a run or not, but you kind of get in this “zone.” It was just me, the sun, the pavement … my gasping breath (but that’s embarrassing to talk about) and my thoughts. I didn’t want to miss this quiet opportunity to chat with God, so I let Him know I was listening to whatever He wanted to tell me.

I began praying about what I should write this week and the simplest thing came to me. I felt like God was telling me to let you know that I’m praying for you. I honestly thought the idea was kind of lame (sorry, God). It seemed too basic.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

"I Have a Question!": Waiting for God's Answers

By | September 26, 2011

Growing up, I was the typical nerd. I was always the student in class who would raise their hand saying, “I have a question … ” (I learned quickly not to stand up, wave my hands, and yell … thanks to first grade.) I just loved asking all types of questions. I still do.

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Pope Benedict's Prayer at World Trade Center

By | September 11, 2011

Editor’s Note: While there are many reflections, testimonies, and stories about the tragedies that occurred on 9/11/2001, we wanted to share with you a prayer. This special prayer occurred when Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States. His time spent at Ground Zero in New York City helped bring healing to the people of New York, as well as Catholics world-wide. As you reflect upon the events of 9/11, take time to pray with the Holy Father to pray for peace among our world.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Lost and Found in Medjugorie

By | August 31, 2011

The cheers exploded! There was singing and dancing. The outdoor arena was packed with 50,000 teens and the energy was tangible in the air because of their excitement. No, we weren’t at a Lady Gaga concert. We came for the greatest “Lady”—Our Lady, the Blessed Mother. It was the 22nd annual Medjugorje Youth Festival, and I was there to experience the pilgrimage of a lifetime!

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LifeTeen.com Blog

More Friends Than You Can Count: Why Catholics Pray With the Saints

By | August 29, 2011

When I ask you, “How many friends do you have?” what pops into your mind? Is it …

How many “true” friends?
How many Facebook friends?
How many friends in my whole lifetime? Actually, it’s far more than any of those numbers. In truth you have more friends than you can count. The saints in heaven are the best friends you could ask for – and they’re pulling for you.

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Photos

Camp New England 2011, Week 02 (Life Teen), Day 3

By | August 4, 2011

On Day 3 of their Epic Adventure, the teens were split into a guys group and a girls group. In the morning the guy’s had a session with Eric Porteous, while the girls went out onto the low ropes course. After their session, the guy’s had organized free time. In the afternoon, the girls had their session, lead by two missionaries, Carrie Bigley and Jilina Damin, and the guys went out on to the low ropes course. Mass was held just before dinner, and the teens then dove into a session called Epic Spirit. To finish off the evening, each teen experienced being prayed over by their youth minister and summer missionaries.

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Camp Tepeyac 2011, Week 03 (Edge), Day 05

By | July 30, 2011

For the last full day of the Edge week at Camp Tepeyac, the campers had opportunities all day to tackle obstacles. The day started with organized free time, leading into Mass. With the strength they gained from the Eucharist, they were able to run the obstacle course and have an outdoor dance party. The evening featured praise and worship by worship leader Gabe Reyes and an empowering talk on obstacles from host Joe Chernowski, preparing the teens to go into battle when the come off the mountain. They ended the night by being prayed over by the summer staff and [...]

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