# Consecration to the Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy
*2019-07-13*

> Bill Young leads a series of powerful prayers, including consecrations to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, while reflecting on the need for spiritual healing in the world.

## Reflections on Life and the World

I want to start today by wishing my son a happy 26th birthday. I remember the day he was born—after 16 hours of labor, my wife and I were blessed with a healthy baby boy. Thank you, Lord, for that gift.

Looking at the world around us, we see so much instability. I pray for those affected by the tropical storms in Louisiana and the hurricanes that always target us here in Florida. I also think of those in California dealing with earthquakes. I recently read a strange news report from South Australia about rare birds falling from the sky, bleeding from their beaks. In my opinion, the great battle has already started. We must pray for all of God's creatures, the birds and the animals, that they may stay healthy.

## Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The human race definitely needs consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Imagine if the entire world prayed this daily and prayed the Rosary; that would be a great thing. It reminds me of the 'thousand-year reign' when God will take away all our crosses—no more sickness, no more cancer, and no more devastating diseases. 

I have a beautiful little book of prayers from a former leader of ours, Rosemary, which includes the Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This prayer asks the Most Sweet Jesus to look down upon us and draw all people—especially those who have rejected Him or been deceived by erroneous opinions—back to the harbor of truth so that we may be one flock under one shepherd.

## Prayers for Healing and Strength

I also want to share a prayer written by St. Padre Pio. It is a plea for strength when our weak nature rebels against the distress and suffering of this life of exile. It asks for the grace to fly from sin and to be held tenderly and firmly close to the heart of Jesus.

Following this, we use St. Padre Pio's healing prayer. I offer this today for several special intentions: my little friend Thomas, a seven-year-old fighting kidney cancer; my friend Annette, who has stage four breast cancer; and my wife's cousin, Roger McCoy, who is undergoing treatments. We pray for all those who need physical, mental, and emotional healing.

## The 3 O'Clock Hour and Divine Mercy

As we approach the 3 o'clock hour, we enter into the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. This is a pivotal time to remember the passion of our Lord. We begin with the opening prayers, the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed, focusing on the blood and water that gushed forth from the heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us.

We continue with the Eternal Father petitions, offering the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus to atone for our sins and those of the whole world. We conclude with the Litany of Divine Mercy, acknowledging that His mercy is an incomprehensible mystery, the source of miracles, and the only hope for despairing souls.

*Prayer is the best weapon we have and the key to God's heart; we must speak to Him not only with our lips, but with our hearts.*