The Power of Prayer

Fr. Mike lays down the reasons we should pray and gives a few spot-on examples of how real life reflects the nature of prayer. Through prayer, God invites us into his will and gives us the dignity to participate in it, which strengthens our relationship with him. Fr. Mike covers these truths and more in this week’s video.
For a great study program on prayer, check out Oremus: A Catholic Guide to Prayer, by Ascension, at bit.ly/2fEBTaB.
MORE FROM ASCENSION:
Ascension Press main website: ascensionpress.com
Ascension Presents website: ascensionpresents.com
Ascension Press KZbin channel: / ascensionpress
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: / ascensionpress
Twitter: / ascensionpress
LinkedIn: / ascension-press
Subscribe: / ascensionpresents

[@dermotjones8753]

I know your ministry is mainly for the young but I'm a 57 year old lapsed Catholic trying to return to the church and find your talks inspirational. Maybe because after decades of addiction I'm stuck in my teens emotionally on a good day I'm like a responsible 17 year old. I appreciate your time and enthusiasm and often cry from a mixture of happiness and regret of all the wasted years and that there is still hope. God bless you

[@Nico-oi3fu]

Dermot Jones May God Bless You! 😊

[@paulconnell893]

As a 55 yr lapsed Catholic, I also found Fr Mike’s talks very helpful and now, a year into rediscovering my religious faith I’d like to send you my best wishes for your own personal return journey to your faith.

[@Tom-vz3yn]

Dermot , just do it buddy. I’m 52 and just got confirmed April 27, 2019. I too hated the wasted time, but it is what it is. Surrender and go for it!!!! Spiritual maturity starts with taking responsibility for your spiritual growth. It will require dedication, but it will led to freedom. God bless you

[@pam7533]

We are all young at heart, and never too old to learn!

[@abbie.ireland]

You can do it. Enjoy the rest of your life. :)

[@elsieandandrew]

I started praying the rosary recently... and I instantly noticed people, even strangers were more drawn to me than usual. I’m a young man now, and growing in holiness and praying the rosary has in part elevated me to be more manly and I seem to emit fatherly vibes. I work with children full time and I’m noticing kids respond to me like kids do to their father. It’s a cool feeling when you can see yourself becoming more like God. We were created to an image of God... even though we’re fragmented down here we still are allowed to experience it to varying degrees in the vale of tears and that amazes me. Sometimes when I look at a crucifix of Jesus I realize as man that’s what I’m supposed to emulate... although a terrifying realization in many ways, it’s also a satisfying realization to know God has given me the potential to be more than a lazy slob who commits sins of pleasure and doesn’t achieve anything, which is a common life young men are falling into.

[@godsmostfaithful6958]

For me it was better luck with life, but i don't believe in luck

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Serie A Leader Paramount Pictures

[@Brian_79DM]

Thank you Fat. Mike... your channel has helped me a lot. Today I went to my English Church in Amsterdam and I surrendered, I decided to devote my life to Christ and start my training into Priesthood. Please pray for me. God Bless.

[@princesitakta]

Brian D 😊That's beautiful. I've been praying for more priests and I am sooo happy to know that God has called you and you decided to answer Him. God bless you always.

[@kimfleury]

May the Blessed Virgin hold you close and protect you as her own dear child.

[@MsMrJiggs]

Brian i hope you are doing well!! God Bless you

[@XESexperience]

Our prayers for you always. God bless!

[@lizm8975]

Brian, I hope and pray that you are persevering in your discernment for the priesthood. I am praying for you!

[@Renxo761]

I'm a protestant but I love you Mike :)

[@happytunes8770]

see todd white

[@johnnylongshlong3677]

@@happytunes8770 - LOL! Do not follow Todd White haha!!

[@Donna-cc1kt]

“He doesn’t need to be convinced to love us more”. That’s humbling

[@jshephard404]

Thank you Fr. Mike! I want to be catholic!!

[@felicityengel8812]

Be Catholic! Go to a church and talk about it with the priest!

[@hillaryfrench174]

I would like to also learn more, but do not have any catholic friends and never have gotten up the nerve to visit the Catholic Church. I feel as if God is pulling me to explore the Catholic faith. I need guidance and courage to just go do it!

[@megdenolo7666]

Hillary French How are you now?

[@lishmahlishmah]

Hillary French. Hi from Italy 💒💒💒 Becoming Catholic is not like becoming Protestant. I mean: meeting catholic friends is not enough nor walking into a church. Instead, you should ask a Catholic priest. He will tell you that you have to follow a sort of course in your diocese. During the "classes" or whenever you like, you can ask all the questions you desire so that you can decide if you want to be Catholic. Greetings from Italy 🌿🌿🌿 Praised be the Lord 💚 Jesus Christ 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@ttaayylloorrmmtt]

Don't you have to go through communion to be catholic? I dont think it's as easy as just deciding to be catholic

[@marymoser3396]

Wow, so interesting to think about the "coworkers with God" aspect. It reminds me of marriage and procreation: God doesn't NEED a man and a woman to create another human being (and in fact, any soul only comes into being because God wills it). But He freely invites men and women to be "co-creators" through an act of self-giving love and commitment.

[@g-c-rambo]

This is so odd...I just watched the documentary Fearless (on evangelization and healing), and then shortly after that I felt called to pray over my friend who was in pain that kept spreading. After praying with her, she said the only pain left was a headache. Before tonight I was always skeptical of lay people praying over others but I realize that God can and wants to work through even ordinary people. Then I accidentally clicked on this video and the message of "pray with others" just hit me for the third time tonight. God works in the most wonderful and mysterious ways 💕

[@icarus6492]

That parable of your dad, you and the shed was really enlightening. I never thought of it that way. Thank you. God bless. :)

[@bullyb6182]

Thank you so much father Mike for this beautiful message, my life was a mess until I found God, it’s was the greatest thing iv ever experienced, it’s made me a much better human being, and how your prayers are answered is mesmerising. God bless everyone

[@theadopted143]

From Malaysia. Ft. Mike, love your answer. I pray that whoever that listen and watch your video will meet you in heaven. Amen!

[@dyelanmink3213]

I pray that God bless you with peace, health, wisdom and that you guide many souls to Heaven.

[@robertyoung5678]

We all need to pray for all abused kids that justice will come upon any an all child predators an to receive great discernment about this world wide problem !!!!

[@UnratedAwesomeness]

To add onto this, it helps us practice love. By asking God to help someone when we can't physically help them, it helps us practice willing ourselves to do good and thus become better people

[@tobykeiffer5912]

Just found this channel, great video! Lately i fell away from God after my mom got cancer and my life went downhill the past few months... I want to get close with God again but im honestly struggling. If anyone could just pray for my family and for assistance in connecting with the Lord again i would be eternally grateful!

[@deeorlah]

Cheering you on. You're in my prayers.

[@calibanxpable]

Toby Kief May the Good Lord watch over you and your mom. May God guide you both and keep you close.

[@sharonleach8694]

thinking of you all my prayers are with you God bless

[@lindamclaughlin5065]

Just talk to Sacred Heart. He will listen .

[@tylermcgruder1074]

Isaiah 40:31 I just wanted to let you know that I pray for you. I hope that your hope in the Lord is renewed, and you can soar in His grace, run in His strength, and walk in His love.

[@thecarlitosshow7687]

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” - James 5:16

[@Encourager-Purpose-Destiny]

Faith, Prayer, and Works = Success!

[@eddieguz1]

For me praying many times is like telling something to a friend who is listening. Prayer goes beyond words other times. Wow, our lives themselves could serve as a prayer. The variety is greatly vast!

[@louiscyfer6944]

you are right, like talking to an imaginary friend.

[@marisa-lucero]

Hi father! Idk if anyone told you but you gave a reconciliation talk at a retreat i staffed last week (unfortunately my duties kept me hearing your talk) but apparently every retreatant ended going up to confession after! I just wanted to thank you for coming to the retreat and for putting yourself out there on youtube and just allowing to God work through you.

[@carmenpagan7959]

The example of building a shed is amazing! A huge “AHA! Moment” for me =D Thank you -Thank you -Thank you!!!

[@adamhovey407]

I think there are some atheists and agnostics that mistakenly believe we pray to change God. No, we pray that God may change us.

[@larrycrabs5995]

Why do you want to change? And why pray for it? Just do it if you want to change.

[@RianeBane]

@@larrycrabs5995 We believe that the grace of God is necessary to do the human thing well. To love others, to be virtuous, to turn our minds to that which is transcendent--all are gifts that God gives us and wants us to do so we will be truly happy, and to do them more fully and with greater dedication we ask that God may strengthen us.

[@larrycrabs5995]

@@RianeBane What is grace of god?

[@huskyfaninmass1042]

Any answer yet?

[@chayanroychoudhury3091]

@@larrycrabs5995 God's blessing.

[@sabah4123]

Prayer IS powerful! Jesus said "make yr requests be made known to God". No one comes to the Father except thru Jesus Christ. 🙏🇦🇺

[@BloodhawkProductions]

wow my priest, Father Cristino just spoke on this in his homily two weeks ago. my notes from that; "we don't pray to change God's mind, we pray to change our hearts. in the Our Father we say 'thy will be done'. Prayer aligns our will to His. God longs for us to come to Him." thanks for your work Father Mike! God Bless

[@abbie.ireland]

I would like my disability cured. I’m a disabled single parent and so tired. I feel silly even asking! I feel very loved by God. So happy to be a catholic. :)

[@joshhazelhurst3284]

Praying for your healing through jesus amen.

[@lindajamme5459]

Well this was timely. We are having a prayer vigil at church from 7pm tonight until the 8am mass tomorrow for the election. I need to leave now so I will be wide awake to talk to God.

[@MB-yz2vc]

Thank you, Father Mike.

[@gemschaeffer7291]

I love praying and being in Union with my heavenly father...Amen

[@jehovahandjesuschrist648]

Wow... This guy hypnotized me with his speech.... Very wonderful

[@s.a.joignant8848]

This is what we're alive for, at the end of the day, isn't it? Just to work with Him, to love Him, just to be with Him. At least that's all I want.

[@andrewvallot9337]

Shakti Joignant Beautiful. !

[@90sdimples]

And that is all we need. :-) simple minded but you understand him well.

[@chuckHart70]

Not simple minded. I think it is very profound and complex actually.

[@90sdimples]

chuckHart70 i can understand why you would say that. God bless you.

[@kenshinjd]

Amen to you

[@brainsandbeauty2832]

father mike, you the man. Gods man lol love this, stumbled onto your videos this morning. Thank you for your videos!

[@jcpenny2438]

Wow! This always amazes me when I learn new things about God! Isn't it just amazing that he wants us to work next to him like a child would with their dad?! THIS IS SO COOL!

[@robwilliams239]

I’m so broken. I need God’s love right now. I’ve been praying for a couple of hours without stopping.

[@CatholicSaintslayIncorrupt]

A Great example your childhood gave to a relationship to God which can only develop in Prayer. Prayers from the saints on high to you Father I pray and your special needs shown.

[@josephbutler4925]

Thanks Fr Mike! You always make sense to me!!

[@LittleBlackBook91]

This guys stuff is awesome..the energy and good vibes...the joy of the Spirit of the Lord is maaaad

[@TheChio116]

Thank You! 😊😆❤️❤️💕💕💕☺️😇

[@ttchmp]

So its as god is encouraging us to concentrate our own energy to make things happen. Almost like it helps us take responsibility for our wants by asking it of god... God is a channel for us to Focus ourselves... I like it.

[@xiexiethankyou2192]

Good Job on this one. C.S Lewis is a good author to read and on prayer. If you allow me to expand, prayer is talking with the Father and Jesus Christ. The Lord loves you very much, He is a Divine LIVING being and like us, He desires to talk to His children and hear from his children. Not just prayer's of needs, but conversations with Him, gratitude towards Him, prayers for others and understanding. Pray also for your priests, Pastors, servants, nuns, your neighbors and even enemies. Never curse your enemies, but pray to God that they may open their eyes and turn away from doing evil or that God may stop their evil. God Bless!

[@ssshadowmeg]

Me sorprendió mucho eso de participar con Dios en Su trabajo de amor. Gracias!!!

[@ht7461]

Wow, nice explanation on prayers! Saintly people become powerful by union with the Supreme Being through prayers/meditation/thoughts/mantras, teachings, reciting holy scriptures, etc. We, neophytes need much more purification or cleansing due to previous sinful activities, therefore take advantages also of spiritual recordings, videos, audios even while driving/walking/running, etc. For example, cell phones can also become a temple of God glories by playing spiritual audios while not in use

[@Alexa-kb7fl]

Thank you Fr. Mike - your wisdom and lessons are invaluable to me. God bless you.

[@UnknownMexican1]

Wow, what an amazing answer, you couldn't of answered it any better, thank you so much Fr. mike !

[@eleanornajar3702]

Father Mike you are the first that I have heard with such a pleasing and fun personality ❤ all others I have come in contact with are on the serious side ❤ Thanks for being you.

[@andreastorres8819]

Such an inspiration to me, I look forward to Father's sermons daily 🙏🙇

[@rexhaney9806]

That's beautiful parents who care about their children it's like God wanting to help his children to grow in knowledge and love of him and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

[@mariajohnpaul1]

Thank you Fr.Mike. God knows the greter good . When we ask something to happen in prayer, God answers us to understand his will. Prayer changes us . Once again thanks for explaining.

[@lizzie9989]

Thank you for making these videos! They are truly a blessing to me.

[@manuelbenedictomartinezang6478]

Amen. GOD bless you father

[@judyjudi]

God bless you Father Mike! the analogy you used- working with your dad to build the shed- was too deep! God wants to spend time with us, and by praying/spending time with Him, we learn more about Him and how He works! How profound!

[@chrisvalery3678]

Such a wonderful comparison and example for us to live by. Thanks Father Mike for your inspiration.

[@jaydizzy4139]

Our God Is Powerful

[@michi2868]

Of all the years that ive been to church and being close to god NOW watching your videos everything is sooo clear to me! Omg its incredible how well u explain it ! We have been so blessed to have you! Please do not stop making these videos they are helping me a lot! God Bless you all!!!

[@kingsouzoms7573]

Thanks Fr. Mike

[@nafinongkynrih8270]

Thank you so much father 🙏

[@alexkim756]

learning so much thank you

[@maruchito]

Gracias Padre Mike

[@carissareyes4290]

Working alongside the Father...what a beautiful analogy. Praise God. Thank you for your videos. They keep me honest and guided. I pray I have to courage to live them out consistently, even in the face of opposition. May God bless you for what you do. From South Texas, Carissa

[@ramonlong5463]

BEAUTIFUL! BEAUTIFUL! BEAUTIFUL! ,FR. MIKE! SIMPLY AMAZING AND AWESOME!!!! SINCERELY , RAMON :)

[@margaretguaragna6504]

Amen!!! Thank you Father Mike .. I love you ! 🙏🥰✌🏼

[@joanneward7483]

Love your talks on prayer. It helped me so much. Thank you Father Mike

[@shermiladsouza7679]

Thank you fr. Mike... You preach very well...heart touching

[@Brillemeister]

Persistence is the key, isn't it... That makes sense. I keep having to remind myself that God's listening, because it gets hard to remember that. No reason not to keep praying, though. Thanks for your videos, as always, and God bless you!

[@clarencegonsalves6704]

amazing explanation! God bless you Fr Mike

[@jishjohn1991]

Father Mike! I love your videos. Please keep posting more, these videos have helped me so much to grow close to God. Thank you! God bless!

[@TheEve55]

Thank you father! God Bless you

[@katewilson4780]

One year on from when you posted this; I really needed to hear this in exactly how you have explained. I’m signing off and going to spend some time with my Father, thanks be to God and thank you Father Mike

[@sharonleach8694]

1st time I've heard this . and what an amazing way to put things . I'm new to this subject and finding my way around things . I've been praying and reading the bible everyday. I feel my heart goes towards God.

[@godsmostfaithful6958]

I read the bible everyday too, half way done with all the old text bibles

[@godsmostfaithful6958]

It and my family is how i started being catholic

[@tamtran3030]

Thanks you father mike

[@earthygardens4599]

Hi Father Mike .I am a child magnet .I dont know y just is .yes i Taught bible classes to children .Learning to counsol.Ect .Was comming home from the General store .I walked all the children were out I was sourounded by 4 and five and six an up to nine .ages of the children There was about 10 or 11 .We are going to the garden to tomarrow.Were doing a clean up to get ready to make a green house .One little girl i do hope and pray that she can come her name is Olivia .I love her just her smile maked everything just so happy so i pray she can come I ask this in Jesus name that we can all get together to do this ..My O posative blood with deat as my perfum .After the hurracain we have a over stock of mosquito.Enjoying every single child and watching there little souls be so happy .Olivia say s the garden is the happyest place in the world .Not disney land .She enjoys playing in the water barrows we have six and smaller one also all with screans Use big trash cans cut out the middle and stapled it in and then turning them in so they can't hurt any one .I hope and pray that my self does well enough for them . We do have a frog down there it belongs to Alberto If you could just say a little pray for us tomarrow that Olivia will be able to come .I also have a nother request.

[@virtuosa77]

"God instituted prayer in order to give to his creatures the dignity of being causes” Blaise Pascal -- Great quote! Thank you Fr Mike!

[@nelsongonzales5491]

"As i have done, so you must also do" Amen and Amen. Thank You.

[@francismausley7239]

Excellent theme... Thanks once again... "Prayer is a ladder on which the soul ascends into Heaven. It is the link with the spiritual realms, and if used with true dedication, brings the spiritual forces to the aid and assistance of the believers in this world." ~ Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Faith

[@Rodsterangel]

Beautifully explained Fr. Mike... Thank you

[@camilamartinez9040]

Your videos definitely help answer questions I’m having now that I’m trying to have a relationship with god ❤️

[@TSG2006]

Thank you father

[@victor03000]

Im 48 and Father Mike has helped me return to my Catholic roots that I unfortunately lost for 3 decades. The time lost is a bitter pill to swallow because there’s only one life on earth but I’m praying for light at the end of the tunnel and deliverance from regret and to be prepared for the battle with the accuser.

[@tanliz765]

Finally, the answer to a question I've been having for a while. Thank you, Fr. Mike!

[@scottyakoubian9238]

This may be one of your best videos. Thanks for posting it!

[@immortalmonk2891]

Another great video Fr. Mike.

[@sophialouiza]

Wow, thankyou very much Fr. Mike! What a great explanation!

[@theartistilani]

Wow! I love that analogy! I never thought of prayer that way.

[@betsytharayil9831]

That's so nice.... To be in prayer..... to be co workers.. Thank you fr.

[@glenjeremiah2234]

Prayers for one thing sure is the Showers of blessing.

[@martineyube4061]

thank you!!!!

[@montanamornings8526]

Thanks Fr Mike

[@chuckthompson9646]

Thank you for insight Fr. Mike

[@kathylawson6337]

Beautiful explanation! Thank you Father!

[@emeselatkoczy9011]

Probably the best video I've seen on prayer.

[@thecatholicmass]

Love

[@kerwinfernandes9583]

Thank you fr. Great example in the end. God bless u! 🙂🙏

[@clarkestatham1298]

Have you ever walked into a room full of people where you felt a vibe? This "vibe" is a spiritual reality even if it is negative. The vibe can rub of on us. God is a Spirit and those that Worship God worship him in (Spirit and Truth) and that is a vibe.

[@princesitakta]

Father Mike, thank you for all your beautiful lessons through this media. Would you please make a video about leaving the past behind and forgiveness in this time of Jubilee? God bless you.

[@nopenope6391]

The shed example was great! I’ve been starting to falter in my prayer life when asking for a certain thing (I don’t know if it’s gods will)... but after watching this, it’s comforting to know that just my working with God will bring us closer regardless of what happens in my physical world!

[@flyesouisi]

Thanks. I love this.

[@jaydizzy4139]

Praying Is Good

[@eugengolubic2186]

I've struggled with this. Thank you!

[@markthomas4083]

Good timing!

[@maria11r]

Thank you for making these videos!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@gabbystreet103]

What a wonderful video.. needed this.

[@johsiantorres8495]

Thanks for helping me in my path father.