What happens when you don't pray?

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During my hospitalization for Covid-19, I agreed to participate in a clinical trial to test a treatment that could be effective for those suffering from the virus. I made my last visit to the clinic today for the trial. They drew about eight vials of blood and asked me several questions.

As we were talking, the nurse revealed that two other patients had agreed to the trial at the same time (we were all admitted within that same timeframe). I was deeply troubled to learn that one of those patients died (God rest their soul), and the other is still in the hospital. She was encouraged that they had at least one patient who had survived. For perspective, the reason that we were all in the study together is that we were all high-risk patients with specific underlying issues in common. Statistically, 80% of those who get intubated (go on a ventilator) don't survive. With the underlying issues at play, the death rate is probably much higher, which means I didn't have much of a chance of survival, humanly speaking anyway. 

Why am I writing this? Because I am firmly convinced that I would not be alive without your prayers.

This is important — pay close attention. Yes, it was clearly God's will that I live, and I know that because I am alive. So, the outcome God desired was that I live. The means He also required was your cooperation. Said another way, God's desired end was that I live. His chosen means to achieve that end were your prayers.

So then, what happens when you don't pray?

Exactly nothing.

If you don't cooperate with God and intercede when called to do so, the graces that should have come through your "yes" are blocked by your "no." Even Jesus was unable to do miracles in his home town because of unbelief (Matthew 13:58). Unbelief is a "no" to God that stifles our faith and prayer and dries up the grace that God desires to pour out upon us.

This is why, when someone says, "I prayed for you", I respond, "Thank you. I am alive because you prayed and God answered your prayers." Every time I say it, I mean it from the depths of my being. 

Please continue to pray for the victims of Covid-19, abortion, and the sins of men in and outside of the Church. In particular, please pray against those sins that I am convinced brought about this suffering — the sins of the laity against the Lord and His people in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass — the sins of sacrilege, the sins of irreverence, the sins of desecration, the sins rooted in our ignorance and worship of our preference over honoring God. 

With your prayers, God will move. Without them, far less grace will rain down on those who need it. Without your prayers, the Church will continue to slide into apostasy. With your prayers, your reparation, your repentance, we can and will be revived and renewed.

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Contemplative Life - Spiritual Reading Plan
Have you ever wanted to have a reading plan but worried about what you should actually read, that is in keeping with the magisterium, and is truly helpful with respect to where you are on your spiritual journey? This is why I created this reading plan. As well this plan follows the general path of formation of Apostoli Viae. Just reading books cannot make you a saint. In fact, when consumed without spiritual direction, gluttonous reading can lead to pride and mere external knowledge that results in more harm than good. Even so, when we read books in concert with our spiritual director and in keeping with our current spiritual state, they can serve as stepping stones to heaven.  This plan is meant to be read stepwise beginning with the Catechism, then Into the Deep, then Scripture, then the Better Part, then Thoephilos, etc. There are a few books on prayer and spirituality that I did not include but are important because of destructive modern trends, these are A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness by Susan Brinkman and Is Centering Prayer Catholic? by Conni Rossini. Otherwise, the books on this reading plan are all positive proposals of the teaching of the Church and the wisdom of the saints. A few other notes are in order 1) the books in blue are books I have written and 2) the books with bold titles are for daily meditation.  Important: Be sure to use the links I have provided below. There are translations of important works that deeply distort the intended meaning of the authors. Yes, folks actually do this. As well, there are translations that are well intended but that really miss the mark. To help you find the right versions of these books, I have provided all the links below. Yes, it took a lot of work to do this. If you are appreciative, please donate to Apostoli Viae HERE. Catechism of the Catholic Church Into the Deep - Finding Peace through Prayer -  by Dan Burke Scripture - New Testament Reading - The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible The Better Part - Fr. John Bartunek Theophilus - Michael O'Brien Corpus Christi - Holy Communion and the Renewal of the Church - Bishop Athanasius Schneider (Out of Print) Time for God - Fr. Jacques Philippe Introduction to the Devout Life - St. Francis de Sales A Devotional Journey into the Mass - Christopher Carstens Confession - Its Fruitful Practice Contemplative Rosary - Dan Burke and Connie Rossini Seven Deadly Sins - Kevin Vost Thirsting for Prayer - Fr. Jacques Philippe Navigating the Interior Life - Dan Burke Q&A Guide to Mental Prayer - Connie Rossini Spiritual Warfare & the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke Searching for and Maintaining Peace - Fr. Jacques Philippe 30 Days with St. Teresa of Avila - Burke & Lilles Living the Mystery of Merciful Love - Burke & Lilles Her Life - St. Teresa of Avila Fulfillment of all Desire - Ralph Martin Finding God through Meditation - St. Peter of Alcantara Soul of the Apostolate - Dom Chautard The Sacrament of the Present Moment - Fr. Jean Pierre de Caussade Discernment of Spirits - Fr. Timothy Gallagher Divine Intimacy - Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen The Way of Perfection - St. Teresa of Avila Humility of Heart - Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo Spiritual Canticle - St. John of the Cross Fire Within - Fr. Thomas Dubay I Want to see God - Fr. P. Marie-Eugene Interior Castle w/Commentary - Teresa of Avila - Dennis Billy Fire from Above - Anthony Lilles Union with God - Fr. Gabriel fo St. Mary Magdalen Impact of God - Fr. Iain Matthew I Am a Daughter of the Church - Fr. P. Marie Eugene Ascent of Mt. Carmel - St. John of the Cross Spiritual Consolation - Fr. Timothy Gallagher Collected Works - St. John of the Cross Happy are You Poor - Fr. Thomas Dubay