Recommended Readings

Again, [amen,] I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Mt, 18,19-20
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Lk. 18,7-8

Your kindness* should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Phil. 4,5-6

Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; Col. 4,2

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread,or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. Mt. 7,7-11

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit* to those who ask him?” Lk. 11,9-13
and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. Jas. 5,15
Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. Mk. 11,23-24
But I will call upon God,
and the LORD will save me. Ps. 55,17

Give ear to my words, O LORD;
understand my sighing. Ps. 5,2

In my distress I called out: LORD!
I cried out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry to him reached his ears. Ps. 18,7

But you, LORD, do not stay far off;
my strength, come quickly to help me. Ps.22,20
Hear the sound of my pleading when I cry to you for help
when I lift up my hands toward your holy place. Ps.28,2
I praise you, LORD, for you raised me up
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. Ps.30,2
Hear, O LORD, have mercy on me;
LORD, be my helper.” Ps. 30,11
Though I had said in my alarm,
“I am cut off from your eyes.”k
Yet you heard my voice, my cry for mercy,
when I pleaded with you for help. Ps.31,23
Come quickly to help me,l
my Lord and my salvation!. 38,23
Listen to my prayer, LORD, hear my cry;
do not be deaf to my weeping!
For I am with you like a foreigner,
a refugee, like my ancestors. Ps. 39,13
LORD, graciously rescue me!l
Come quickly to help me, LORD! Ps. 40,14
I am weary with crying out;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
from looking for my God. Ps. 69,4
Graciously rescue me, God!
Come quickly to help me, LORD! Ps. 70,2
Help me, LORD, my God;
save me in your mercy. Ps. 109,26

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane,* and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,* and began to feel sorrow and distress.Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death.* Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father,* if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.* The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!”Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open.He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.” Mt. 26,36-46

Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.When he arrived at the place he said to them, “Pray that you may not undergo the test.”After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed,saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him.He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.]When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief.He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.”c Lk. 22,39-46

Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray to the LORD to take the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people, Nm.21,7
But when the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died out. Nm. 11,2
But Moses said to the LORD: “The Egyptians will hear of this, for by your power you brought out this people from among them.They will tell the inhabitants of this land, who have heard that you, LORD, are in the midst of this people; you, LORD, who directly revealed yourself! Your cloud stands over them, and you go before them by day in a column of cloud and by night in a column of fire.If now you slay this people all at once, the nations who have heard such reports of you will say,‘The LORD was not able to bring this people into the land he swore to give them; that is why he slaughtered them in the wilderness.’Now then, may my Lord’s forbearance be great, even as you have said,‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in kindness, forgiving iniquity and rebellion; yet certainly not declaring the guilty guiltless, but punishing children to the third and fourth generation for their parents’ iniquity.’Pardon, then, the iniquity of this people in keeping with your great kindness, even as you have forgiven them from Egypt until now.”j
The LORD answered: I pardon them as you have asked.Yet, by my life and the LORD’s glory that fills the whole earth, Nm. 14,13-21

As for me, far be it from me to sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you and to teach you the good and right way. 1Sm.12,23

I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. Rm. 1,10


Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love* for all the holy ones,do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, Eph.1,15-16
I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you,c4praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, Phil. 1,3-4

Therefore, from the day we heard this, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding Col. 1,9

We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope* of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, 1 Thes.1,2-3

To this end, we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, 2 Thes. 1,11

I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did,* as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. 2 Tm. 1,3

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if to others, indeed, they seem punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings[c] he took them to himself.
In the time of their judgment[d] they shall shine
and dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with the elect.
Wisdom 3:1-9


Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith[b] in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where [I] am going you know the way.”Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth[e] and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:1-6


Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am[a] they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24

But the righteous one, though he die early, shall be at rest.
For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time,
nor can it be measured in terms of years.
Rather, understanding passes for gray hair,
and an unsullied life is the attainment of old age.
The one who pleased God was loved,
living among sinners, was transported—
Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind
or deceit beguile his soul;
For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right
and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind.
Having become perfect in a short while,
he reached the fullness of a long career;
for his soul was pleasing to the Lord,
therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness.
But the people saw and did not understand,
nor did they take that consideration into account.[c]
Yes, the righteous one who has died will condemn
the sinful who live;
And youth, swiftly completed, will condemn
the many years of the unrighteous who have grown old. Wisdom 4:7-16

He then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection in mind; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin. 2 Maccabees 12:43-46

A pleasant voice multiplies friends, and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.
Let those that are at peace with you be many, but let your advisers be one in a thousand.
When you gain a friend, gain him through testing, and do not trust him hastily.
For there is a friend who is such at his own convenience, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.
And there is a friend who changes into an enemy, and will disclose a quarrel to your disgrace.
And there is a friend who is a table companion, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.
In prosperity he will make himself your equal, and be bold with your servants;
but if you are brought low he will turn against you, and will hide himself from your presence.
Keep yourself far from your enemies, and be on guard toward your friends.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter: he that has found one has found a treasure.
There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend, and no scales can measure his excellence.
A faithful friend is an elixir of life; and those who fear the Lord will find him.
Whoever fears the Lord directs his friendship aright, for as he is, so is his neighbor also. Sirach 6:5-17


Don't abandon old friends, because newer ones are not their equals. New friends are like new wine; when wine ages, you will drink it with good cheer. Don't envy the good reputation of sinners, since you don't know how sudden their end will be. Don't delight in the success of the ungodly. Remember that they won't be considered righteous, even in the grave. Keep far away from people who have the authority to kill, and you won't be worried by the fear of death. If you do approach them, don't make a mistake, or they might take away your life. Be aware that you are stepping among traps and that you are walking on the parapet of the city's walls. As much as you can, investigate your neighbor and consult with wise people. Converse with intelligent people, and talk constantly about the Law of the Most High. Let righteous people be your dinner companions, and let your pride be in the fear of the Lord.
On rulers
A handicraft is praised because of the craftsperson's skill, and the one who leads a people is wise in speech. Talkative people are feared in their city, and people who are reckless in speech will be hated. Sirach 9:10-18

Don't bring just anyone into your house, because deceitful people set many ambushes. The hearts of arrogant people are like decoy birds in a cage; and like spies they will observe your downfall. They set up ambushes and turn good into bad; they place blame on praiseworthy actions. From a fire's spark come many coals, and sinful people plot and connive to shed blood. Beware of evildoers, for they plan evil things, and they might bring lasting disgrace upon you. If you allow strangers to live with you, they will twist you around in confusion and make you a stranger to your own family. Sirach 11:29-34

A friend is not avenged in prosperity, and an enemy is not hidden in adversity. their enemies are in pain, and when they meet with adversity, even friends will keep away. 9 When people are prosperous, Don't ever trust your enemies; for just as copper corrodes, so their wickedness does as well. If they are humbled and walk away stooped over, look after yourself, and keep up your guard against them. You will be to them as one who polishes a mirror, and you will know that it won't be completely tarnished. Don't put them next to you; they might overthrow you and take your place. Don't sit them on your right side, since they might seek your seat. In the end you will understand my words, and you will be pierced by what I've said. Who pities a snake charmer who gets bitten? Or anyone who goes near wild beasts? So it is with anyone who goes near sinful people and becomes involved in their sins. but if you waver, they won't be loyal. They will remain with you for a time, Enemies speak sweetly with their lips, but in their hearts, they plan to throw you into a ditch. Enemies cry tears with their eyes, but if they find an opportunity, they won't be able to get enough blood. If you meet up with trouble, you will find them there ahead of you; and appearing to help, they will trip you. They will shake their heads and clap their hands, and they will whisper many things and change their faces. Sirach 12:8-18


Whoever pricks an eye will make tears flow, and whoever pricks a heart reveals its feelings. Whoever throws a stone at birds scares them off, and whoever insults a friend breaks up a friendship. If you draw a sword on a friend, don't despair, because there can be a way back. If you speak harshly to a friend, don't be concerned, because there can be reconciliation. But in the case of reproach, arrogance, the revealing of a secret, or a treacherous blow, any friend will flee. Gain your neighbors' trust while they are poor, so that when they are prosperous, you will be filled along with them. In a time of distress remain with them so that when they inherit, you will be a joint heir. Before there's a fire, a furnace has vapor and smoke; so before bloodshed there are insults. I won't be ashamed to shelter friends, and I won't hide from them. And if something bad happens to me because of them, everyone who hears of it will be on guard against them. Sirach 22:19-26

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the [a]mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
“[b]Blessed are the [c]poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the [d]gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Matthew 5:1-11

Praise [b]the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God,
Who is enthroned on high, Who [c]humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth? He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the needy from the ash heap, To make them sit with [d]princes,
With the [e]princes of His people. He makes the barren woman abide in the house
As a joyful mother of children.
[f]Praise [g]the Lord! Psalm 113


Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Oh let Israel say,
“His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
Oh let the house of Aaron say,
“His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
Oh let those who [a]fear the Lord say,
“His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
From my distress I called upon [b]the Lord;
[c]The Lord answered me and set me in a large place.
The Lord is for me; I will not fear;
What can man do to me?
The Lord is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in princes.
All nations surrounded me;
In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me;
In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
They surrounded me like bees;
They were extinguished as a fire of thorns;
In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
You pushed me violently so that I [d]was falling,
But the Lord helped me.
[e]The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.
The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
I will not die, but live,
And tell of the works of [f]the Lord.
[g]The Lord has disciplined me severely,
But He has not given me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness;
I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to [h]the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
The righteous will enter through it.
I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me,
And You have become my salvation.
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief corner stone.
This is [i]the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
O Lord, do save, we beseech You;
O Lord, we beseech You, do send prosperity!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord;
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, and He has given us light;
Bind the festival sacrifice with cords [j]to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
You are my God, I extol You.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 118


I'll speak of other things I've been thinking, since I was filled like the full moon. Listen to me, faithful children, and blossom like a rose growing near a running stream. Send forth a fragrant aroma like incense, and bloom with blossoms like a lily. Raise your voice, give praise together, and bless the Lord for all his works. Tell of the greatness of his name, and give thanks when you praise him with songs on your lips and with harps. And this is what you will say when you give thanks: All the works of the Lord are very good. Every command of his will be carried out in its proper time. It's not for us to say, "What's this?" or "For what purpose is that?" Everything will be examined at its proper time. At his command water piled up in a heap, and by his spoken word reservoirs of water stood erect. His command accomplishes his good pleasure, and no one can diminish the deliverance he intends. The works of all living beings are before him; nothing can hide from his eyes. He sees from one end of eternity to the other, and nothing is too wondrous for him. It's not for us to say, "What's this?" or "For what purpose is that?" All things were created for their own purpose. His blessing covers like a river and soaks the dry land like a flood. Similarly, his anger will overtake the nations, as he changed fresh waters into brine. For the godly, his paths are straight, but for the lawless, there are obstacles. From the beginning, good things have been made for good people, but bad things for sinners. Basic to all the necessities of human life are water, fire, iron, salt, fine flour, milk, honey, wine, oil, and clothing. For the godly, all these things are for good, but for sinners, they will turn into evil. There are winds that have been created for vengeance, and they whip with strength in their wrath. At the moment of consummation, they will pour out their strength, and they will calm the wrath of their maker. Fire, hail, famine, and death— all have been created for vengeance— the teeth of wild beasts, scorpions, vipers, and a sword punishing the ungodly with destruction. These things gladly do what he commands. They will be ready for his service on the earth, and they won't violate his word when their time comes. Because of this, I've been steadfast from the beginning: I've thought things out and left them in writing. All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time. It's not for us to say, "This is worse than that," since everything will prove its worth at the proper moment. And now, sing hymns with all your heart and voice, and bless the Lord's name. Sirach 39:12-35

And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his [d]wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and [e]hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the [f]pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to [g]his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and [h]in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ So he got up and came to [i]his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and [j]embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never [k]neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your [l]wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you [m]have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’” Lucas 15:11-32


“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
“Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day [a]our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from [b]evil. [c][For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’] For if you forgive [d]others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive [e]others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:7-15

And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, [a]do not worry about your [b]life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single [c]hour to his [d]life’s span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For [e]all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Luke 12:22-31


“For this reason I say to you, [a]do not be worried about your [b]life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the [c]air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single [d]hour to his [e]life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But [f]seek first [g]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be [h]added to you.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will [i]care for itself. [j]Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34

But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be [a]merciful to me, the sinner!’ Luke 18:13