Article – The Evangelization Power of Prayer and Love for God

September 25, 2024 by Pierre-Alain Giffard News, Recommended Texts

In the tradition of Catholic mysticism, saints and mystics have often spoken of the supernatural power that lies in prayer and our love for God. This power does not merely affect the one who prays but also mysteriously brings others closer to God. One of the most eloquent voices on this subject is Saint Marguerite Mary Alacoque, the French Visitation nun who was granted mystical visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her writings reveal that prayer, especially when inspired by love, holds within it a divine force that transcends the visible, moving silently but effectively toward the salvation of souls.

The Mystical Power of Prayer

Saint Marguerite Mary Alacoque’s deep devotion to the Sacred Heart exemplifies the belief that prayer is not simply a human activity but rather a communion with divine love. She taught that through prayer, the heart of the believer becomes united with the heart of Christ, who is constantly seeking to draw all souls to Himself. In one of her letters, she writes, “I can assure you that our Lord takes such pleasure in the love of those who devote themselves entirely to Him that He cannot refuse them anything. This is especially true of the salvation of souls, for whom He shed the last drop of His blood.” Here, we see the profound mystery: prayer offered in love taps into the very heart of Christ’s redemptive power, bringing others closer to Him in ways unseen and unfathomable.

This teaching is not limited to Saint Marguerite Mary. Other mystics, like Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, also emphasize the efficacy of prayer, especially intercessory prayer, for bringing souls to God. In her spiritual autobiography, Story of a Soul, Thérèse speaks of her ardent desire to save souls, particularly those who are most distant from God. She writes, “I wanted to save souls and forget no one. I prayed even for the souls of great sinners. I wanted to repair their sins by offering my small sacrifices.” Thérèse’s simple yet powerful prayers, rooted in love, became a channel of divine grace, bringing others to the mercy of God. Through her “little way,” she believed that even the smallest acts of love, when offered to God, could transform the world and save souls.

Love as the Catalyst of Evangelization

In the mystical tradition, love is understood not merely as an emotion but as the very essence of God Himself, for “God is love” (1 John 4:8). It is this divine love that mystics like Saint John of the Cross and Saint Catherine of Siena speak of when they describe the soul’s union with God through prayer. In this union, the soul becomes a vessel of divine love, and this love radiates outward, attracting others to God. Saint John of the Cross, in his work The Living Flame of Love, describes the soul’s burning love for God as a transformative force that purifies not only the soul itself but also those around it. He writes, “Love, when it is perfect, is like a fire that devours and perfects the soul in such a way that it causes the soul to pour itself out in love for others.” In this way, the soul united to God through love and prayer becomes an instrument of divine grace, drawing others closer to Him.

Saint Catherine of Siena, another great mystic, speaks of the soul’s love for God as a “fire” that cannot be contained. In her Dialogue, she recounts a mystical vision in which God explains to her the power of love to bring others to Him: “The soul, inflamed with My love, becomes another Me and works with the same power and grace that I work with. Through her prayers and sacrifices, many souls are saved, even those who are most obstinate.” Here, we see the mysterious and supernatural power of love-infused prayer. The soul in love with God becomes so united with Him that it shares in His redemptive work, participating in the salvation of souls.

The Supernatural Reach of Intercessory Prayer

The mystics also reveal that the supernatural power of prayer extends beyond the natural world. Saint Padre Pio, a 20th-century mystic and stigmatist, had a profound belief in the power of intercessory prayer. His life is full of testimonies from people who, through his prayers, experienced miraculous conversions and healing. Padre Pio often reminded people that prayer is the best weapon we have, saying, “Prayer is the key that opens the heart of God.” Through prayer, he taught, we can bring souls to God even if they are far away from Him, both spiritually and physically.

In the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, we also find a deep conviction in the supernatural power of prayer to bring souls to God, particularly through the prayer of intercession. In her Diary, Saint Faustina recounts numerous occasions when she prayed for the conversion of sinners, offering her prayers and sufferings in union with Christ’s sacrifice. One of her most profound experiences involved praying for the conversion of a dying sinner. She describes how, through her prayers, God granted this soul the grace of repentance at the last moment, illustrating how powerful prayer can be in bringing a soul to God, even in its final hour.

The Mystery of God’s Love at Work

At the heart of this mystical understanding of prayer and evangelization is the recognition that it is ultimately God who draws souls to Himself, but He invites us to participate in this divine work through our prayers. The mystics remind us that prayer is not simply a human effort to speak to God, but a participation in the very life and love of God. When we pray with love, especially for the salvation of others, we are cooperating with God’s own desire to save souls.

In conclusion, the writings of Catholic mystics like Saint Marguerite Mary Alacoque, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Saint John of the Cross, and others reveal the profound truth that prayer and love for God possess a supernatural evangelizing power. Through prayer, we enter into the heart of God and participate in His redemptive mission. In love, we become vessels of His grace, drawing others closer to Him, often in ways we may never see or understand. This is the great mystery of prayer: that in our communion with God, we can help bring about the salvation of souls, sharing in the work of divine love that seeks to gather all people to Himself.

Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work

Articles on evangelization and parish revitalization:

Prayers and Prayer Groups to Support the Evangelization Project

Learn more

DONATE for the Evangelization Project

Learn more

ARTICLE – The Parable of the Wise Landowner

Once upon a time, there was a wealthy landowner who possessed many horses. His lands were vast, and his well was deep, providing abundant water for his entire herd. Each day, the stable hands led the horses to the well to drink, and the horses were strong and healthy. But
ARTICLE – Extraordinary Signs in Extraordinary Times

Throughout history, the Catholic Church has recognized supernatural phenomena as potential signs of God’s continued presence. The Church teaches that God continues to manifest His presence through extraordinary means, serving as profound reminders that the Church, despite human weakness, remains under the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Consider the profound impact of
ARTICLE – The Evangelizing Message of Medjugorje

Pope Francis, with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has granted approval for devotion linked to Medjugorje. This approval recognizes the spiritual benefits and positive outcomes associated with the Sanctuary of the Queen of Peace. In a note Cardinal Fernández and Monsignor Matteo, highlight the significant spiritual fruits,

Ticket	Seats Available	Amount CAD	Select	Ticket Amount CAD	Total Amount CAD
				0	0
				0
				0