Reflections from the Heart – August 11, 2024

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” One of my favorite prayers is “Lord, we beg you to visit this house and banish from it all the deadly power of the enemy. May your holy angels dwell here to keep us in peace, and may your blessing be upon us always. We ask this through Christ our Lord.” The prayer is a prayer of deliverance, which comes from Night Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours, recited by clergy, religious and devoted laity at the conclusion of the day. The special prayer is an optional prayer when Night Prayer falls on a solemnity that does not occur on a Sunday, but I am inspired to recite it daily. I find myself offering this prayer when experiencing a difficult conversation, when a challenging situation arises, and even when there seems to be a strong sense of heaviness, darkness or gloom in a room, situation or conversation I find myself in. I find myself reciting this prayer upon entering our campus, or while entering a church or any public building. I even offer the prayer before entering the office, a home, or just while entering the quiet temple in my own heart before entering and offering quiet, intimate prayer with the Lord. It is a gracious opportunity to seek God’s favor and ask for assistance, grace and help. In a particular way, to pray for God’s presence in order to remove the presence of evil from our midst. To invite God’s holy angels and saints to enter into communion with us here on earth while we commune with them spiritually in heaven and experience the gift of God’s peace and blessing. Asking God to keep us in peace is in a sense asking God, begging him, even pleading with him to rid us of all that distracts and detracts us from his peace – sin, evil, violence, war, hatred, anger, and lack of forgiveness, charity, respect and love. Asking for peace is asking God to deliver you from all of your enemies especially your fears. We ask for help and assistance from God in order to eliminate, banish from us and heal us from our innermost fears. Those things that choke and stifle peace and keep us from freely experiencing an intimate and loving relationship with God. Fear imprisons us. Prayer liberates us, frees us, floods us with hope and fills us with peace. Seek the Lord. He will answer you and grant you pardon and give you peace.