by Deacon Bob Ellis –
The number of prayer initiatives under way during this time, when Satan’s demons seem to hold our nation firmly in their grip, is edifying and encouraging. However, most that I’m aware of haven’t pointed out the importance of yeast in the baking of bread. Without yeast, it won’t rise. Without yeast the prayers may not measure up to the task at hand.
During his second apparition to the Fatima shepherd children, the Angel of Portugal told them to “offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High.” When Lucia asked how they were to make sacrifices he responded: “Make of everything you can a sacrifice and offer it to God as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended and in supplication for the conversion of sinners. You will thus draw down peace upon your country.”
On May 13, 1917 Our Lady asked the children: “Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended and in supplication for the conversion of sinners?”
Sacrifice, reparation, and conversion are the key words in the preceding two paragraphs. The objective of the prayer initiatives can be summed up in the word “conversion.” When our nation is converted from the sin and degradation which is leading to its demise the demons will have lost their grip. But I don’t believe conversion will be accomplished by prayer alone.
And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29)
For my purpose here, the word “fasting” represents everything we can make a sacrifice of as in the words of the angel to the children in paragraph two above. I believe it essential that we all add as much sacrifice as we possibly can to our prayers.
When I was young, I always got goosebumps when I heard or sang along with our National Anthem, God Bless America, America the Beautiful and other patriotic songs. Then, as I observed our nation gradually turning away from God during my adult years, tears began to frequently accompany the goosebumps. Today I can hardly get past the first word or two without sobbing and find myself almost entirely unable to sing along through the end. Why? Because our nation has rejected God almost entirely and I’m keenly aware of the consequences. God will not bless and protect a nation such as we’re becoming.
The reparation spoken of at Fatima is the repairing of the broken relationship between God and mankind. Our sacrifices are how we atone to the Almighty for our sins. The relationship cannot be repaired without them. Unless we quickly repair our nation’s relationship with God, all will be lost. Like our ancestors who were enslaved by Egypt because they rejected Him, we will be enslaved by an evil Communist dictatorship with Satan’s minions at the helm because of our rejection.
At Fatima, Our Lady warned of the annihilation of entire nations if people did not stop offending God. The most blessed nation in the history of nations stands today on the precipice of just such an annihilation. Who would have ever thought that we would inflict such a fate upon ourselves? Whether or not it occurs remains to be seen.
I urge everyone to add as much sacrifice as possible – make of everything you can a sacrifice – to whatever prayers you are engaged in and to begin right away.
If you have a question or would like to discuss anything in this article further, I can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 920-371-1931.
May God bless each of you and your families.
Deacon Bob Ellis is the National Coordinator for the World Apostolate of Fatima USA.
