Pray and Do Penance to Save Souls
Today, consider in Divine Appeal 65: "Pray and do penance to save souls, and you will obtain God’s predilection." Prayer and repentance are tangled together, each complementing and enriching the other in the soul's journey to holiness. Prayer opens the way to communication with God, fostering intimacy, while repentance fosters humility, repentance, and spiritual renewal. Ultimately, prayer and repentance guide souls on the road to eternal life, opening them to the grace and mercy of God (Luke 18:13). Thus, they serve as important means of spiritual renewal and growth, inviting souls to draw near to God and experience His perfect love. Repentance includes acknowledging sin, seeking reconciliation with God, and accepting repentance, as in King David's plea for forgiveness (Psalm 51:10) and Joel's call to "return to the Lord with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." (Joel 2:12). Jesus links prayer and fasting, emphasizing their combined efforts in spiritual growth (Matthew 6:5–18). Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist exemplified the transforming power of prayer and penance through a life of holiness and devotion. These practices provide tangible means for souls to deepen their relationship with God, bringing them into harmony with His will through continued prayer and sincere repentance (1 Thessalonians 5:17), knowing that our humble efforts will save souls and bring them into the presence of God. Let us imitate the love and compassion of our Savior, always seeking to bring others to Him, who is the source of all grace and salvation.
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