# Miracles, faith, and the power of prayer in uncertain times
*2020-12-16*

> Bill Young and John O'Rourke discuss the spiritual importance of contemplation and the Rosary amidst the political and social turmoil of late 2020, reflecting on the development of the COVID-19 vaccine as a sign of God's providence.

## The Prayer of Contemplation

We begin today with a beautiful prayer called the Prayer of Contemplation. It is based on the words of Matthew 11:28: 'Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.' In these times of need, this prayer is especially important. It asks Jesus to prolong the silent moments of contemplation of His mercy, which provides solace and strength. It acknowledges that while we carry thousands of worries and anxieties inside us, the presence of the Lord brings the good news of the Kingdom of God and assures us that God is the sovereign over everything.

Through the sacrifice of the Cross and the Bread of Life, we are invited into communion with Christ to find joy and strength. We ask the Lord to enter our lives, our thoughts, and our daily events, and to stay with us forever.

## The Miracle of the Vaccine

Looking at the world around us, we see that God is the miracle of life. Many pundits and major networks said it would be a miracle if a vaccine were developed by the end of the year, and yet, here we are. Everything comes through God. This achievement was a result of faith and a refusal to accept the assumption that such a task would naturally take five years. By empowering the right team and maintaining a belief in God, millions of lives have been saved from suffering.

## Political Unrest and the Fight for Rights

There is a great deal of concern regarding the integrity of the recent election and the potential for systemic fraud. We see statistical anomalies that are simply out of whack, and there is a deep worry that if the system isn't fixed, it will only embolden those who seek to undermine our democracy. There is a fear that we are seeing a move toward a system where constitutional rights—specifically the First and Second Amendments—are stripped away.

We see a growing divide in the country, with many people moving toward red states like Texas, which is becoming a new hub for industry and freedom. There is a real concern that the influence of communism and socialism is creeping into our governance, leading to lockdowns that separate families and shut down small businesses. We must remain vigilant and stand up for our rights.

## The Necessity of Daily Prayer

In these scary and dividing times, prayer is everything. We encourage everyone to pray the Rosary daily, or at least Monday through Friday, and to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 p.m. Whether you pray alone, with your family, or via Zoom, God listens. There is no excuse not to pray, especially now when many of us are working from home and have more time. 

Miracles happen when we combine faith with prayer. We cannot simply sit back; we must do our part and submit to the will of God the Father. Joining a prayer group or using online resources can help make prayer a habit that improves your life and provides peace amidst the chaos.

## An Advent Reflection

As we move through the season of Advent, we reflect on the wisdom and power of the Father. We seek a hunger for peace—peace in the world, peace in our homes, and peace within ourselves. We ask Jesus to excite in us a joy responsive to the Father's joy, so that we may serve with gladness, singing, and love. We bring our hearts to the manger of our Lord with sober reverence and hearty gratitude.

*Faith and persistent prayer are the only ways to find peace and navigate the challenges of a divided world.*