Are You or Someone in Need of Prayer? If so, Let Our Prayer Ministry Pray for Your Needs

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

By Loci B. Lenar

Prayer requests submitted on www.christian-miracles.com are prayed for  daily on our website, and weekly at St. Mary's Church (Denville, NJ) during Monday mornings at Holy Hour Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, including at the monthly prayer service held with Fr. Richard Tartaglia.

Many people are struggling with their finances and some are unemployed.  We all have family and friends that might be in need of prayer. Some may be suffering from an illness or dealing with a troubled marriage or relationship. We are all in need of hope, especially when trying to cope with burdens that affect our daily lives.

Regardless of circumstances that you might be facing today, God cares and loves you. Let us pray for your needs and ask for divine assistance to help you or someone that is in need of God's intervention.

Regarding prayer, Jesus said, "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." (Matthew 18:19-20)

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

May Our Lord answer your prayers with divine favor!

A Selection of Daily Devotional Prayers

Submit Prayer Requests to: http://www.christian-miracles.com/prayerrequest.htm

Statue of Jesus photographed inside of Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, Madison Avenue, Convent Station, NJ.

A Vision of Heaven Leads to New Life

News Story from CBN.com

Alan Youngblood was a very successful home builder who had no time for God until a New Year's Eve church service changed his life forever.

A Wake-up Call From Hell

Testimony from CBN.com

A drug binge put Carl Knighton at death's doorstep. The result was an experience of hell that changed his life forever.

(This sobering story about Carl Knighton will lead you back to God's love and mercy...a God of forgiveness and second chances.  ~Loci B. Lenar)

Pope Francis meets with first Protestant leader

News from RomeReports.com

April 8, 2013 -  On Monday morning, Pope Francis welcomed the president of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Nikolaus Schneider, in his first papal audience with a Protestant leader and his wife.

In a 30 minute meeting, the two leaders spoke about ecumenism. Both spoke about the martyrs as a bond between Christians, as well as the upcoming anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, and the possibility that both Churches will celebrate it together. 

At the end, the two exchanged greetings as well as gifts. Schneider gave Pope Francis a Bible in German, while the Pope gave him a papal medallion. After the exchange, the Pope enthusiastically thanked Schneider in German. 

Other leaders present at the meeting were German Cardinal Kurt Koch, the prefect for the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, as well as German Archbishop Gerhard Muller, prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. 

The Evangelical Church in Germany is a federation of 22 Protestant Churches representing a third of that country's population. 

Roma Downey Says Pope Francis Is 'A New Pope of Hope'

The following excerpt is from Christianpost.com

By Anugrah Kumar , Christian Post Contributor

 

Roma Downey, a Roman Catholic and co-creator of the History Channel's "The Bible" miniseries, said Pope Francis is "a new pope of hope," whose leadership and humility are sowing the seeds of hope in people's hearts and lives.

 

"It certainly feels like there's divine planning in all of it," actress and producer Downey, known for her 10-year role on the TV series "Touched By An Angel," said, referring to the pope's election last month, during an interview with Zap2it.

"The new pope, he's been wonderful, hasn't he? He's just inspiring such hope and belief," said Downey, who starred in the role of the Virgin Mary in the hit miniseries she co-produced with her husband, Mark Burnett, who is the creator of reality TV shows such as "Celebrity Apprentice," "Survivor" and "The Voice."

"People are reconnecting. People are being inspired by his leadership and his humility, by the tenderness with which he's approached his office, and the choices he's made so far," Downey said in the joint interview with Burnett, adding the pope is "showing a servant's heart."

Read more at Christianpost.com

Divine Mercy Sunday

DIVINE MERCY by Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

By Stephen B. Whatley

Today, Sunday, April 7, 2013, is the Feast Day of Divine Mercy, which always falls on the first Sunday after Easter.

In one of His many miraculous visitations with the Polish nun Sister Faustina (1905-1938) - now Saint Faustina - Jesus asked her to tell the world that, "the very depths of my Mercy will be opened on that day. I will pour out a sea of graces upon those souls that will approach the fount of My Mercy on this day....let no soul fear to come to Me, even if its sins be scarlet..."

In February 1931, Jesus had appeared to Faustina and asked her to have an image painted as He appeared before her - with his hand held up in blessing; the other hand on his breast, from which flowed two rays: the pale symbolising the water, which cleanses and purifies the soul. The red representing the blood which gives new life to the soul. Jesus said " These rays will shield the soul before the justice of my Father..."

He asked that the painting be inscribed with the words, Jezu Ufam Tobie (Polish) - meaning Jesus I Trust in You.

Since February 2002 I have felt compelled to paint and draw my own interpretation of this Divine Mercy image, according to the instructions given by Jesus - each time hoping to reveal this message ever more powerfully - often on Divine Mercy Sunday. Yesterday , in prayer, I felt a 'divine push' to create in order to show today - keeping all those most suffering in my heart and with hope for world peace.

Love Christ and your life will change: Jesus I Trust in You.

Peace and Healings on this day.

Divine Mercy 2013 by Stephen B Whatley
Charcoal, chalk Pastel & Oil pastel on paper.
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 42cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

A Prayer for God's Divine Protection: Psalm 91

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Psalm 91

 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.



They say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust."

 Surely he will save you

from the fowler's snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

 

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
 

You will not fear the terror of night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.
 

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.
 

You will only observe with your eyes

and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, "The LORD is my refuge,"

and you make the Most High your dwelling,

 no harm will overtake you,

no disaster will come near your tent.
 

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
 

 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because they love me," says the LORD, "I will rescue them;

I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name.
 

They will call on me, and I will answer them;

I will be with them in trouble,

I will deliver them and honor them.
 

With long life I will satisfy them

and show them my salvation."

 

Visit the following link for a selection of Devotional Prayers

 

www.Christian-Miracles.com

Son's Life Sets Example for His Father

News Story from CBN.com

Andrew Sobel experienced enviable success in the business world, but something was missing. He turned to the Bible for answers and found more than he had ever hoped for.

Wishing all Visitors a Happy Easter!

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

The Resurrection of Jesus

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”  (Matthew 28:1-10)

www.Christian-Miracles.com

Indian Film 'Christaayan' breaks ground

News from RomeReports.com

It's a country that's known for its 'Bollywood' films, but most recently Indian producers broke ground with a different kind of genre-a movie about Jesus. It's titled 'Christaayan' which translates to the 'The Path of Christ.' The Hindi film is more than six hours long, but a shorter 53 minute version has been released as well.

More than 19 million Catholics live in India. The high number though, only accounts for about 4 percent of the country's population. Producers are hoping that films like these, will give an extra push to the New Evangelization, especially in countries with a Christian minority.

Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Flickr - Photo Sharing!

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son (Jesus) into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17)

The stained glass window was photographed in Saint Mary's Church, Myers Avenue and Route 46, Denville, NJ.

Photograph Copyright Loci B. Lenar
www.christian-miracles.com

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople foresees reunion of Christian East and West

News story from Byzantine Catholic Church in America

CWN - Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople has told reporters that he sees a possibility for reunion between the Orthodox and Roman churches, even if it “will probably not happen during my life.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch, who made history by traveling to Rome for the inaugural Mass of Pope Francis, said that he was surprised to receive an invitation from the new Pontiff to join in a dinner with cardinals.

Speaking in Turkey after his return, the Orthodox leader said that he saw a new attitude at the Vatican, which heightened his optimism about the prospects for restoring Christian unity. He said that “there is a possibility for the next generations to see the churches of the East and West.”

While he was at the Vatican, Patriarch Bartholomew invited Pope Francis to join him in a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, to commemorate the historic meeting there 50 years ago between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras.

Good Friday: The Agony of Mary

Good Friday: The Agony of Mary by Stephen B. Whatley

The following excerpt is from the website of Stephen B Whatley | Flickr.com

In this 'drawing from prayer' - created on Good Friday (2011) - expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley wanted to recognize the inevitable cries of despair and grief of Mary, Mother of God, at the foot of the Cross upon which her son, Jesus was crucified, over 2000 years ago. Divinely chosen to carry the Son of God, she would have no doubt been as deeply bereft as any devoted mother losing her child in such a brutal way.

Christians believe the day is "good" because the message of Easter is of Christ's victory over sin, death, and the devil; as the Apostle Paul wrote: "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us."

Certainly it is day for reflection, for mourning. Those who love will one day grieve: the price we pay for love is grief.

Friday may be of darkness, but Sunday - Easter - will bring the light of the Resurrection of Christ.

Charcoal on paper
23.4 x 16.5in/ 59 x 42cm
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Pope Francis washes feet of 12 jailed minors, including two girls, at detention center

News from RomeReports.com

On Thursday evening, Pope Francis celebrated the Mass of the Last Supper at the Casal del Marmo Juvenile Detention Center, outside Rome. He also washed the feet of 12 jailed teens. According to the Vatican, not all of them are Catholic. Some of the teens were of other religions.

Among the people who had their feet washed, were two teenage girls, one Italian and another from Serbia.

By washing their feet, the Pope evoked the time Jesus washed the feet of his twelve apostles during the Last Supper.