24 September, 2023
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God – Matthew 5:8
Dear Heavenly Father, our only true and EverLiving God, you have created us in your image and have commanded us to attain to perfection such as yours. Being pure in heart has always been advocated by the prophets, the psalmists, the wisdom teachers, Jesus, and the apostles. A clean heart signifies your Holy Presence in our lives, and is mandatory for true, authentic worship. Lord, this highly materialistic world, filled with distractions of varied nature, has veered us away from spiritual gains, to achieve worldly gains and pleasures.
The things of this world, though temporary in nature, have tainted us by duplicity and deception. Many of us are lured by tricky motives and fall for the splendor of living a life of debauchery and spoil. Jesus has taught us that purity of heart is of utmost importance if we are to attain eternal life in your Heavenly Kingdom, as your adopted family. Those who are pure in heart, have experiential knowledge of your divinity, for they have sought to live with you every day. Assist us Lord, in obtaining the fulfillment of an ongoing ardour to keep our hearts pure.
O Gracious and Holy Lord, help us to rightly discern the temptations leading to downfall. Help us, through your Holy Spirit, to cleanse our hearts from the impurities of iniquity and to quickly rise again from the depths of sin through prayer and penance, thereby making timely reparation and escaping the snares of evil. Lord, we implore your help in all moments of our lives. Guard our hearts from impurity, imperfection and selfishness. Help us, O God, to be strengthened in mind and heart, in Jesus’ Name. Amen
