Prayer joined to sacrifice constitutes the most powerful force in the history of man.” – Pope John Paul II
We often encounter frustration not because there is lack of support from God, but because we have relied upon inappropriate instruments.
There are things we cannot accomplish by force. There are arguments we cannot win by mere eloquence. There are souls that cannot be won over by words.
But what force cannot achieve, gentleness often can. What arguments fail to prove, friendship often can express. And what words cannot win, the witness of our lives often can.
Yes, it is true, there is much evil in the world today. Evil holds dominion over worldly affairs, over earthly riches and positions of power. It holds sway over channels of communication and influence.
But there is a far greater power that often remains untapped. It is the power of the spirit. And that power can only be access by much prayer and the unselfish sacrifice of our lives.
“Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit; and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.”
“You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!” Having cried out, and convulsed greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead; so much that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose. When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing, except by prayer and fasting.” – Mark 9, WEB