Day 348: The Battle of Prayer - The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

[@elizabethcronin3074]

Thanking God for Fr. Mike Schmitz on this his 49th Birthday!🙏🎂

[@kimdsouza7392]

Happy birthday Fr. Mike Schmitz🎉🎉🎉

[@NAMASIVAYAMANANDASAKARAN]

Let's us wish him Happy Birthday and all the best. Amen!

[@kathleengruseck7849]

Happy birthday Fr Mike. I'm praying for you

[@peaceplease9]

Happy Birthday Father Mike!!! I hope your day was awesome!!! God bless you!! Praying for you and all of us here at CIAY.

[@yeseniamonroy5111]

Happy belated birthday 🎉 🎂🥳 Father Mike! ( Greetings from 🇲🇽 Mexico). May God bless you today and always! ❤ 🕊️ ❤

[@MariaAlves-c9t]

Most days are informative, but today's insights were next level. Thank you Fr Mike for your dedication to helping us grow. God bless you.

[@sploosabino]

Beautiful explanations thank you Fr. Mike.

[@vimelendez4796]

Happy birthday Fr. Mike

[@marygorman6222]

I'm still finishing up 2023 CIY & had to listen 2x. Fr Mike's so good.

[@francesf527]

Happy birthday Father Mike May God continue to bless your ministry

[@lupesoto8998]

Happy Birthday Fr. Mike! My birthday is the 13th. Fr. Mike's birthday is either before mine or after !!🎉❤

[@arryserrano4373]

🕊🙏🏼♥️

[@ipatecek]

Happy Birthday Father Mike. I can't thank you enough for the Cathecism and Bible in a year. God bless you for your generosity, I can only imagine how busy you are.❤❤❤🎂🍨

[@56Tyskie]

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.

[@StAlphonsusHasAPosse]

❤

[@yfaniran]

Happy Birthday Fr. Mike. May the good Lord continually bless and keep you 🙏

[@MH-np4yb]

Hello Father Mike and I wish you a happy birthday for today 🙏🏻✝️

[@williamstaffieri]

I was in St, Petersburg Moscovia years ago working with street children. We would go to Metro Stations in our van. The youth would come in and we gave them, hot tea, sandwiches, fruit, and cookies. We then would talk. One young 11 year old girl told us the police picked her up and put her in a cell with no bed, only the cold concrete floor. It was March and still cold. We asked her what she did? She replied, You know this Jesus you told me about! I just talked with him all night.

[@dianefrank3688]

We always need to be thankful that we have been given the gift of faith.🙏

[@sgrieger_]

As a mom of 3 I found it hard to fit in prayer. Waking up wee hours of the night, I felt it hard during my day to focus on praying. But when I started praying a decade or even a Hail Mary at a time when I was caring for my little girl, I could pray sometimes a full rosary before daybreak. I now, praise be to God, sleep through the night, that I can pray during dishes, laundry, driving to and from town, etc. Haha I'm typing this now as Fr Mike is talking about being a mediocre mom 😆 I encourage those who don't find time to pray to just DO, just start turning your thoughts to Him. Happy birthday Fr Mike!!!! Praying for you and all! Please pray for me!! 🙏💓💗💞🙏

[@angelynndizguys]

Happy Birthday, Father Mike!!! You are a blessing to us all! Praying you have a wonderful day! My prayers are with you & all of our CIY brothers & sisters! 🙏🏼🥳💕

[@roystonfernandes8305]

Prayer is a gift of grace, but it always presupposes a determined response on our part because those who pray "battle" against themselves, their surroundings, and especially the tempter who does all he can to turn away from prayer. Those who pray can be discouraged in the face of difficulties and apparent lack of success. Distraction, disappointments, and dryness are some difficulties in our prayers. Humility, trust, and perseverance are necessary to overcome those obstacles. We pray as we live because we live as we pray.

[@joanhaselman444]

Amen. Thank you, let us all pray for one another.

[@luciatanzil5281]

Dear Father Mike, thank you for reflecting God's light through your good works. God Bless you on your birthday and Always.

[@dianefrank3688]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FR. MIKE Thank you for all your teaching. May God Bless you on this special day.❤🙏🙏🙏

[@R_Thomp]

Thank you Father

[@zeejones4152]

Very very helpful and informative - thank you Fr. 🤗

[@elizabethcronin3074]

Hello everyone & Happy Day 348!🙏😊

[@TrixRN]

Hi y’all 👋 Happy day 348.🙏❤️ Elizabeth, I don’t get to Keith’s livestream, but thanks to you & the few months I could pray with it, I pray the rosary every morning right after Morning prayer.🙏❤️

[@elizabethcronin3074]

@@TrixRN that’s great Theresa! Do you pray with the replay?🙏📿

[@TrixRN]

Occasionally, I usually pray with a scriptural rosary. There’s a scriptural rosary on YT that states the fruits of each mystery, has the Scriptures on the beads, & the Memorare. Someone in the comments called it the de Montford rosary. I really like that one.

[@dianefrank3688]

@@TrixRN I have several different utube rosaries that I pray with; but I have not come across the one you are mentioning. Do you have the sight as to find it. ❤🙏

[@dianefrank3688]

🙋Elizabeth & All 😊Day 348 ❤🙏

[@TrixRN]

Happy Birthday, Fr. Mike! 🎊🎉🎈🎂 May the Lord abundantly bless you this day & all the days of your life, now & in the life to come. Amen! 🙏❤️

[@chavelasalas9151]

Happy birthday Father Mike lots of prayers .praise be to GOD Amen 🙏

[@daleasleson2402]

Happy Birthday, Father Mike! Take some time out to relax, even if it's only for 15 minutes or an hour. God bless you and Merry Christmas!

[@United_Continental_767]

Happy Birthday, Fr Mike! Have a blessed day and year ahead 🙏

[@joanhaselman444]

Happy Birthday, Father Mike, and thank you with all of my heart for walking us through the Holy Bible and the CCC, complete with explanations. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@310Starfire]

♫ ♪♫♪ Happy Birthday today, Fr Mike!!! ♫ ♪♫♪ You share this day with my younger sister, Chrysa, who was your 7th grade teacher!!!

[@meihui7767]

Wow

[@ritasaar2208]

Thank you Father Mike. Happy Birthday. Prayer is difficult sometimes. But, we need to pray and I just hope I am doing it as God wants me to. Hearing that the Holy Spirit is with us in prayer is most helpful.

[@rm-paradise]

Father, may everything that I do this day, whether it be full of joy or pain, whether it be full of love or of grief, I ask that everything I go through today be offered to you just like Jesus offered everything to you. It is in his name we pray. Amen. 12/14/2023.

[@sgrieger_]

Happy birthday Fr Mike!! 🥳🤗💓🥰🎉 thankful for you and hope you have a Blessed day!!!!!

[@francisrodrigues4615]

By this teaching I realized I'm not alone - The Holy Spirit helps me to pray even through my weakness and distractions.

[@marybailey6254]

Blessings to all who are participating in the CIY & BIY today🙏🏻🕊✝️🕊🙏🏻

[@DeadNetCord]

Holy Spirit teach me to pray

[@susannebrule3160]

Thank you Father Mike. 🙏🙏🙏

[@NAMASIVAYAMANANDASAKARAN]

Happy Birthday dear Fr Mike Schmitz. Amen!

[@ritibiam5452]

Happy Day 348 ❤

[@angelagalluzzo883]

Happy Birthday, Father Mike🙏🎄✝️

[@carolynalameida709]

Thank you, again :). God's grace is what I need always!

[@marieconstantia4441]

My life has been continual steps of conversion. For example: 1) Taking the Lord’s name in vain? No more. 2) Contraception? No more. 3) Reading sensual books (remember Fifty Shades?). Quit it. 4) Others. 5) More things to come….. Right now the Lord is working through get me to stop the gossip. He didn’t ask me to clean up everything when I really came to Him, He worked on me one step at a time. Keep in mind I was a Catholic all my life but I was blind to what I was doing. Thank you Jesus, Holy Spirit and Mary!

[@marianmilne6009]

That was just wonderful. Thank you Fr Mike and everyone who makes this possible. Praying for you and everyone here. God bless🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@arryserrano4373]

Happy Birthday Father♥️♥️♥️✌️🦋

[@socorrocervantes9363]

May the Holy Spirit dwells and fills us a prayerful life to make time for our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Thank your Fr Mike and everyone for being a prayer warrior. To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

[@lynnfitzpatrick6465]

Happy Birthday to you, Father Mike. Thank God for you and thank you and your team for this wonderful gift throughout the days of the year.

[@RaySchneider-l9x]

Happy birthday Fr. Mike. Thank you for CIY

[@artorefalnera3055]

Fr. Thank you ❤. Praying for you, for the Ascension team and for all my CIY brothers and sisters. God bless ❤🙏

[@dianefrank3688]

❤🙏

[@irenec3906]

"But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” When I did Bible in a Year the one thing I discovered was that I got the time I devoted to it back in my day, I really felt God's Blessing in that respect. I believe that the time we devote to God can make us even more productive. Not that that's the aim, but I believe it's the result. God Bless everyone, and thank you Fr Mike 🙏

[@vimelendez4796]

When we feel dry in prayer , we need to persevere because God is molding is to a higher form of prayer

[@Hymnstreams]

Many Happy returns of the day Fr. Mike ( Dec 14)

[@phylliscory2105]

Finding God in difficulty happens. Pray on!

[@MrDarshD]

This is an important reminder of how the act of prayer is a grace from God and comes from the Holy Spirit. We don't escape from reality or empty our minds, but we communicate with God as Jesus did. This episode also reminds us that the excuses or circumstances that don't allow us to pray are the things we should analyze and see if those are necessary and if those things are separating us from God. That's spiritual warfare or the battle within. We must look beyond any immediate tangible outcome or logic and believe in God. He is working, and things will happen. Thank you so much for this, Fr Mike and Team Ascension. I'm praying for you and for the fellow listeners. God bless

[@pablocanziani8465]

Happy Birthday Fr Mark, all the way crom Argentina, where we have a warm summer Christmas! Thanks for your work. The contents and your explanations in the CIY are translated shared in various ways in our weekly Medjugorge Cenacle meetings.

[@rachelcarter3249]

Powerful talk today, Father! Thank you.

[@sandyrausch1999]

Oh Happy Birthday Fr Schmitz! 🎉❤😊

[@gemmacrichton2195]

Thank you lord for Fr Mike, Happy birthday to you Fr Mike, may God continue to bless you and give inspiration to share the catechism with us, the gospel and many more words of God 🙏🙏❤️❤️🎂🎂🎉🎉

[@CarmenRodriguez-vx1km]

Thank you Fr.Mike ❣️

[@arryserrano4373]

God first in our hearts & in everything 🕊🙏🏼🕊🙏🏼🕊🙏🏼🕊

[@17CW68fNv]

I love this episode, thanks Fr Mike for your explanations. I just returned from adoration, I should have listened before I went. Praying for you, and all on CIY. May God Bless. Claire.

[@jamesmcgrath3841]

@17 Aww. You can always use it for the next adoration!! 😁

[@marianmilne6009]

Thank you, Fr Mike. There is so much in here. Loved it. I'm praying for you and everyone here. God bless🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@SuperRuthJ]

Hi everyone! Thank you Father Mike! ❤🙏❤️

[@dianefrank3688]

Hi! I too am so thankful for Fr. Mike. ❤🙏

[@mbnorris73]

Father Mike’s favorite❣️🙏🏼

[@brooklyngal-b1b]

Happy birthday Fr. Mike, God bless you today and always!

[@chavelasalas9151]

Thanks be to God for all my answered prayers ❤❤Amen prayers Father Mike Amen

[@evelynorona971]

Happy birthday Father Mike, May the Lord continue to Bless You with all that is good!❤ Thank you for all you do, Love you 🌹 💞

[@mariaanadacosta1409]

Thanks for this teaching on prayer, Fr. Mike. You have cleared my doubts and answered my questions. Was indeed an enlightening teaching.

[@WJKaplan]

Amazing! Thank you Fr. Mike for this Journey we've been on for the last 348 days!

[@lisastechschulte2312]

Happy birthday Fr. Mike!

[@lorrainefolkes4908]

Happy birthday, Father Mike. You continue to amaze me as you "unpack" the Catechism for us….🥰

[@RebeccaMarksteiner]

God bless you Father Mike and happy birthday🙏❤

[@JayRedding12_12]

Happy birthday, Father Michael Thomas Schmitz 🎉

[@cherylsellstrom9839]

🥰 49 and holdin’! Happy birthday Fr Mike!

[@wreloise1]

LORD HELP! “Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭41‬ ‭ “But if we are troubled and distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation;…. ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬a

[@KolokaiKalai]

❤ Day 348...Thankyou so much for your time...Praying for you and all in the Ascension team 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@143mschrag]

Amen. Father in Heaven, I thank You so much for everything, for Your Son, for faithfully loving me and being in my presence. I Praise You and Glorify Your Holy Name, in Christ Jesus. Amen 🙏🏻 Thank you so much Fr. Mike and Ascension. As always, I am praying for all of you. God Bless 🙏🏻

[@vrcarlos6955]

This really helps. I show up for prayer. But I often wonder, "How does this work?" Knowing that it is the Holy Spirit who is doing the work frees me to just keep showing up and giving my heart to the God who created me. If I can work towards humility, perserverence and trust that's doing pretty good. Thanks. May God be praised!

[@dawnmireles2912]

December 14, 2023 Do you have just a moment in time to pray for Souls in Purgatory with me? According to tradition, St. Gertrude the Great, was told by Our Lord that each time she piously recited the following prayer, it would release 1,000 souls (or a vast number) from their suffering in purgatory: Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, for those in my own home, and in my family. Amen. In her account of another vision, St. Faustina describes Purgatory as a "great crowd of suffering souls" undergoing purification. Further, she says that the souls are "praying fervently, but to no avail, for themselves; only we can come to their aid" (Diary, 20)

[@patmendell381]

Oh thank you so much for this teaching, perhaps I can quit worrying about if I am praying “right”.

[@ElviaAlamilla-cr2ge]

God bless you Father Mike

[@carlz7777]

These past days have meant to very much as I often have felt that I was praying incorrectly; not praying well enough; criticizing myself for the unending distractions; etc. Thank you Fr. Mike and the entire Ascension team! 🙏❤

[@chibuikenwokike8561]

This is so much. I now understand why you call it your favorite part

[@dcamille-]

Amen and God Bless🙏📿🙏

[@vimelendez4796]

Even NO, is an answer

[@angellaayebale]

The most undesired answer from God😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@joseguzman1051]

Amen 🙏.

[@annbrebeck2280]

Happy Birthday Fr Mike Schmitz

[@Melissa-dz6je]

Your favorite section in the CCC~God gave to you as a Gift of Grace 🎁 for Your Birthday 🎂 Today! Happy Birthday🎈 Fr. Mike! May God Abundantly Bless You!!

[@glenapereira3492]

Prayer is a gift of the Holy Spirit , but we have to put in our grit and effort. Prayer is a battle against self and the devil as he does not want us to be in union with God. We need to just walk, live, and do God's will daily to fight this spiritual battle. Prayer is a mystery as God is often in the difficulty, discomfort and distress of our lives, doing more for us. We cannot measure God's grace. In order to gain humility, trust and perseverance, we must battle sadness, discouragement, disappointments, dryness and wounded pride. Ask the Lord to use our dryness in prayer to purify our hearts 💕 . Its a moment of sheer grace to cling to the Lord our Giver.😊

[@dianefrank3688]

❤🙏 Good words to ponder.

[@glenapereira3492]

​@dianefrank3688 thank you 😊

[@francesstager997]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!

[@naomiwelch6715]

Another beautiful reflection to share with my daughter and students as these questions come up so often. God bless Fr. Mike and this group.

[@hlobend2111]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼. Amen to prayer from the heart

[@dianefrank3688]

Praying for Fr. Mike & CIY 🙏🙏🙏 Thanks everyone for your prayers for my son, The electrician came on Wed. and he was able to restore all the switches in the breaker box and it only cost $165. Unless something else turns up, the house is back to where it was before shut down. I am still trying to get the electric company to pay the $2000.00 as the electrician and two neighbors are willing to testify if necessary.❤🙏

[@StAlphonsusHasAPosse]

I'm glad the house is restored to how it was. I hope you are able to get the electric company to pay. Have a blessed day

[@user-hg2kw1hs5p]

I hope things get settled soon.GOD be with you.

[@dianefrank3688]

@@user-hg2kw1hs5p Thanks ❤🙏

[@TrixRN]

$2000!!! What was that for?!?

[@dianefrank3688]

@@TrixRN 3rd attempt to comment hopping it doesn

[@francesstager997]

THANK YOU FOR THIS POWERFUL episode!!🙏

[@carolradlinger8661]

God’s blessings on your special day, we are so grateful for you !❤ I see what you mean on this section 🙃

[@almapuritaparcon3435]

Day 348.🙏🙏🙏❤

[@metildajoseph5265]

Greetings Father Mike, Thoughts :- -> Message reflect with, "Prayers contemplate with Transubstantiation to overcome Obstacles in Holy Path of Lord Jesus Christ for Progress in all aspects of Spiritual Life." -> Excellent Insights Father.. Thanks Team CIY, Team Ascension Press. With Prayers, Ranjith Joseph (R.J)

[@dana_ch82]

Exactly the right words at the right time. Thank you so much 🙏🏻❤️

[@meanchoolee5845]

Thank you Father Mike

[@davidohagan2731]

Truly, this was “incredible!”

[@paulacevedo8814]

Praise to you God and Jesus Christ😇🙏❤

[@got2bgt]

The CIY needs to START with this section!

[@jamesmcgrath3841]

@got2bgt That is a fair point. Fr Mike even said something along those lines before he started this part. That he wished he could have done it in conjunction with the other parts. Maybe he'd do it differently were he to do it over? But then that will always be true. Everything can be tweaked.

[@deedeebuhler9610]

May God bless you always 🙏

[@e_libby]

I feel distracted during mass and in my prayers. I find it interesting that distractions were brought up today, considering I went to confession and confessed this last night. The Holy Spirit definitely works in mysterious ways. 💗

[@goofball811]

Great job Fr Mike. Seems like the MORE I pray; the MORE time I have to get the Other stuff done.......Is that a coincidence??? Blessings. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY u young pup.

[@robehrgonzales77494]

DaY 348 (13-June-2024) HaPpY ThursDaY A❤m❤e❤N❤

[@marygorman6222]

Yes, after the Intro.