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Monday, April 12, 2010

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Acts 4:23-31
Psalm 2:1-9
John 3:1-8

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easter prayer

"Grant to Your servants, even as they speak Your words, complete assurance by stretching forth Your hand in cures and signs and wonders to be worked in the name of Jesus, Your holy Servant." —Acts 4:29-30

Alleluia! Jesus has risen! He's alive, and we shall live with Him forever! Alleluia!

Happy Easter season! I hope this Easter season is getting better and better for you each day. If, however, the Easter Spirit is stifled in your life, pray the prayer of Acts 4:29-30. The effects of this prayer will shake you up (Acts 4:31). The Lord will confirm your proclamation of His resurrection with signs and wonders (Mk 16:17). You will be filled again with the Holy Spirit and will continue "to speak God's word with confidence" (Acts 4:31).

Don't just pray Acts 4:29-30 once and then forget about it. It may take time to open up and receive the answer to your prayer. As at the first Pentecost, keep praying for nine days or longer, until you have no doubt the Lord has given you complete assurance in proclaiming His resurrection by stretching forth His hand "in cures and signs and wonders." Then pray Acts 4:29-30 for someone else. When you see your prayer being answered, tell the other person that you're praying Acts 4:29-30 on their behalf. Ask him or her to pray with you, and to choose another person for whom to pray this prayer. Pray with "complete assurance" (Acts 4:29).

Prayer:  Father, may I persevere in prayer for the greatest Easter season ever.

Promise:  "I solemnly assure you, no one can enter into God's kingdom without being begotten of water and Spirit." —Jn 3:5

Praise:  Pastor Thomas brought half of his congregation into the Church when he realized the fullness of the Catholic faith.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Praying for a New Pentecost or our audio tapes AV 92A-1, AV 92A-3, AV 92B-1 or our video series of two tapes that starts with V-92A.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 9, 2009

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