the enemy’s target practice
“I prayed for this child.” —1 Samuel 1:27
You can determine what is important by what the enemy attacks. Military enemies attack water supplies, bridges, roads, and supply caches. The enemy doesn’t waste valuable military resources by attacking targets of limited importance. Likewise, you can determine what is spiritually important by what the evil one and his kingdom of darkness attack. Marriage and family are very high on the devil’s list of targets.
God sent His only begotten Son into the world through a family (see Lk 2:22ff), so the evil one hates God’s love of marriage and family. Consequently, Satan has targeted the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2335, 2363). He has also targeted the family by continually raising up new Herods who search for the children to destroy them (Mt 2:13), through contraception, abortion, divorce, drugs, immorality, peer pressure, bullying, rebellion against parents, and many other forces.
Repent of any participation in the attack of the enemy on marriage and family. “Bear with one another; forgive whatever grievances you have against one another” (Col 3:13). Bring your family to the Lord (see Lk 2:22). Pray with your family and for all families.
Prayer: “Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and praise” (Ps 96:7).
Promise: “See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God!” —1 Jn 3:1
Praise: “Observe, my son, your father’s bidding, and reject not your mother’s teaching” (Prv 6:20). Father, thank You for entrusting Your Son to the protective care of Joseph and Mary.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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