"O God, who will ever be like you? Do not be silent, and do not be unmoved, O God." Psalm 83:2 (RSVCE)

Meditation: If you are under stress, say to yourself: I am without fear or anxiety because I dwell in the presence of the Most High God. 

"Let them know that the Lord is your name. You alone are the Most High in all the earth." 

Psalm 83:19 (RSVCE)

Meditation: A mighty fortress is our God.

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Here is the 43rd prayer from my book, 100 Prayers of Purity for the Mission of Our Lady of America. Enjoy!

Prayer 43

Madonna in Glory¹

O Lord, give me a good digestion as well as something to digest. Give me health of body as well as the sense to keep it healthy. Give me a holy soul, O Lord, which keeps its eyes on beauty and purity, so that it will not be afraid on seeing sin. Give me a soul that knows nothing of boredom, groans, and sighs. Never let me be overly concerned for this inconstant thing that I call me. Lord, give me a sense of humor, so that I may take some happiness from this life, and share it with others. Amen.<sup>86

1</sup>"Madonna in Glory." Web. 18 May 2016.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ File:Dolci_ Madonna_ p1070185.jpg>
⁸⁶"Prayer for Health, Wisdom, and a Sense of Humor." Web. 7 July 2016. 
<http://www.spirituality.org/is/163/thought.asp>.

Copyright © 2010 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the glory of God.

"He set it as a testimony with Joseph, when he went out of the land of Egypt. He heard a tongue that he did not know. He turned the burdens away from his back. His hands had been a slave to baskets." Psalm 81:6 (CPDV)

Meditation: Use me, Lord, to ease the burdens of others.

"And he fed them from the fat of the grain, and he saturated them with honey from the rock." Psalm 81:17 (CPDV)

Meditation: Israel was taken into captivity because they worshiped false gods and disobeyed the Lord. He would have taken wonderful care of them had they done his will. Let us do what is right so the Lord will do good things for us. 

"I said: You are gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High." Psalm 82:6 (CPDV)

Meditation: I am God breathed.

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Here is the 42nd prayer from my book, 100 Prayers of Purity for the Mission of Our Lady of America. Enjoy!

Prayer 42

Madonna in Glory¹

Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. They are clean of heart who despise earthly things and always seek those of heaven, and who never cease to adore and contemplate the Lord God Living and True, with a pure heart and mind. Amen.<sup>84

1</sup>"Madonna in Glory." Web. 18 May 2016.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ File:Dolci_ Madonna_ p1070185.jpg>
⁸⁴"The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi, tr. by Paschal Robinson, [1905]." 
Web. 7 July 2016. 
<http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/wosf/wosf03.htm>.

Copyright © 2010 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the glory of God.

"Do not remember our iniquities of the past. May your mercies quickly intercept us, for we have become exceedingly poor." 
Psalm 79:8 (CPDV)

Meditation: Lord, have mercy on me, a poor sinner.

"Help us, O God, our Savior. And free us, Lord, for the glory of your name. And forgive us our sins for the sake of your name."
Psalm 79:9 (CPDV)

Meditation: Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned against you.

"The One who reigns over Israel: Be attentive. For you lead Joseph like a sheep. The One who sits upon the cherubim: Shine forth." Psalm 80:2 (CPDV)

Meditation: "Yes, it was silly for the King of Glory to look for poor little hearts among mortals to make thrones of them when he is seated on cherubims.

I want to answer your prayer
Every soul will obtain forgiveness,
I will fill it with light
As soon as it invokes my name!"^† (Thérèse is reflecting on how Jesus, the King of Glory, stoops to raise up the simplest souls to the heights of heaven, but Jesus will will forgive anyone who asks him.)

"O God of hosts, convert us. And reveal your face, and we will be saved." Psalm 80:8 (CPDV)

Meditation: The Lord's face shines upon me and is gracious to me.

"Turn back, O God of hosts. Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard; and complete what your right hand has planted, and look upon the son of man, whom you have confirmed for yourself." Psalm 80:15-16 (CPDV)

Meditation: Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. With his grace I will grow and flourish and bring honor to this name.

^†de Lisieux, St. Thérèse. La Bible avec Thérèse de Lisieux. Paris, France: Les Éditions du Cerf et Desclée De Brouwer, 1979. 77. Print. Trans. John P. Gross.

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Here is the 41st prayer from my book, 100 Prayers of Purity for the Mission of Our Lady of America. Enjoy!

Prayer 41

Madonna in Glory¹

O blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, obtain for me a lively faith, firm hope, and perfect charity, entire detachment from myself, contempt of the world, patience in adversity, humility in prosperity, attention in prayer, purity of heart, right intention in my works, diligence in the fulfillment of all the duties of my state of life, constancy in my good resolutions, resignation to the holy will of God, perseverance in Divine grace unto death; that, having overcome by your joint intercession and your glorious merits, the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, I may be made worthy to appear before the face of the chief and eternal Bishop of Souls, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<sup>81

1</sup>"Madonna in Glory." Web. 18 May 2016.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ File:Dolci_ Madonna_ p1070185.jpg>
⁸¹"Raccolta: The Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul." Web. 5 July 2016. 
<http://www.liturgialatina.org/raccolta/peter.htm>.

Biblical quotes taken from The Sacred Bible, Catholic Public Domain Version, Original Edition, 2009. Ronald L. Conte Jr., translator and editor. (CPDV)
<http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/index.htm>

Copyright © 2010 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the glory of God.

"So then, may they put their hope in God, and may they not forget the works of God, and may they seek his commandments." 
Psalm 78:7 (CPDV)

Meditation: As I approach the finish line, I pass the baton of remembrance of God's love to my wife and children and to the world at large.

"He broke through the rock in the wasteland, and he gave them to drink, as if from the great abyss." 
Psalm 78:15 (CPDV)

Meditation: Just as water from the rock satisfied the thirst of the Israelites in the desert, so does the water that flowed forth from the side of Christ satisfy our thirst for eternal life.

"And he commanded the clouds from above, and he opened the doors of heaven. And he rained down manna upon them to eat, and he gave them the bread of heaven. Man ate the bread of Angels. He sent them provisions in abundance." 
Psalm 78:23-25 (CPDV)

Meditation: Lord, you are the bread of life. Thank you for all you have done for me and mine.

"And he remembered that they are flesh: with a spirit that goes forth and does not return."

Psalm 78:39 (CPDV)

Meditation: Lord, you know how weak a creature I am. Yet you came to heal creatures like me. Heal me then in body and soul.

"And he took away his own people like sheep, and he led them through the wilderness like a flock." Psalm 78:52 (CPDV)

Meditation: Father, when I see all the wonderful things you have done for me, I am speechless.

"And he led them out in hope, and they did not fear. And the sea covered their enemies." Psalm 78:53 (CPDV)

Meditation: When storms arise, I will not fear, dread or be terrified because the Lord is with me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is the 40th prayer from my book, 100 Prayers of Purity for the Mission of Our Lady of America. Enjoy!

Prayer 40

Madonna in Glory¹

O blessed Aloysius, adorned with angelic virtues, I thy most unworthy suppliant recommend specially to thee the chastity of my soul and body, praying thee by thy angelic purity to plead for me with Jesus Christ the Immaculate Lamb, and His most Holy Mother, Virgin of virgins, that they would vouchsafe to keep me from all grievous sin. Never suffer me to be defiled with any stain of impurity; but when thou dost see me in temptation, or in danger of falling, then remove far from my mind all evil thoughts and unclean desires. Amen.<sup>79

1</sup>"Madonna in Glory." Web. 18 May 2016.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ File:Dolci_ Madonna_ p1070185.jpg>
⁷⁹"Raccolta: St. Aloysius Gonzaga" Web. 18 June 2016. 
<http://www.liturgialatina.org/raccolta/aloysius.htm>.

Biblical quotes taken from The Sacred Bible, Catholic Public Domain Version, Original Edition, 2009. Ronald L. Conte Jr., translator and editor. (CPDV)
<http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/index.htm>

Copyright © 2010 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the glory of God.

"From the heavens thou didst utter judgment;
    the earth feared and was still,
when God arose to establish judgment
    to save all the oppressed of the earth." Psalm 76 8-9 (RSVCE)

Meditation: "Soon Jesus will rise up to save the gentle and the humble of the earth.

You who come to redeem the earth,

Defend the elect. (...)

O child! Raise your voice

To save the humble and gentle heart."^† Thérèse de Lisieux

"I consider the days of old,
    I remember the years long ago.
 I commune with my heart in the night;
    I meditate and search my spirit:
 “Will the Lord spurn for ever,
    and never again be favorable?" Psalm 77:5-7 (RSVCE)

Meditation: I have removed the veil of sin that kept me from feeling your presence. Father, it was not you who turned against me, but I who rejected you.

"Thy way was through the sea,
    thy path through the great waters;
    yet thy footprints were unseen." Psalm 77:19 (RSVCE)

Meditation: Although at times I lost my way, you were always there, Lord, leading me through mighty waters.

^†de Lisieux, St. Thérèse. La Bible avec Thérèse de Lisieux. Paris, France: Les Éditions du Cerf et Desclée De Brouwer, 1979. 77. Print. Trans. John P. Gross.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is the 39th prayer from my book, 100 Prayers of Purity for the Mission of Our Lady of America. Enjoy!

Prayer 39

Madonna in Glory¹

O Lady most pure, who by reason of thy virginal purity didst merit the glory to be so bright and so majestic in thy body after death; obtain for us the strength to detach ourselves from every foul spirit of impurity. Amen.77

¹"Madonna in Glory." Web. 18 May 2016.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ File:Dolci_ Madonna_ p1070185.jpg>
⁷⁷"Raccolta: Third Novena: In Preparation for the Feast of the Annunciation." Web. 1 July 2016. 
<http://www.liturgialatina.org/raccolta/novenas.htm>.

Copyright © 2010 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the glory of God.

"We do not see our signs;
    there is no longer any prophet." Psalm 74:9 (RSVCE)

Meditation: Sometimes it seems that we are left to our own devices. We pray and get no response. Sometimes God's answer is "no" or "not yet." However, God's answers are timely, given in his own time, not ours. They must benefit us and also agree with his divine plan.

"Have regard for thy covenant;
    for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence." Psalm 74:20 (RSVCE)

Meditation: No need for alarm. With Jesus in the boat, no storm can harm us. 

"But I will rejoice for ever,
    I will sing praises to the God of Jacob." Psalm 75:9 (RSVCE)

Meditation: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Luke 1:46-47

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Here is the 38th prayer from my book, 100 Prayers of Purity for the Mission of Our Lady of America. Enjoy!

Prayer 38

Madonna in Glory¹

Mary, most holy Virgin, when thou wast saluted by Gabriel the archangel, and the message from God was conveyed to thee, and thou wast exalted by God above all the choirs of the angels, then thou didst confess thyself the handmaid of the Lord. O, obtain for me true humility and angelic purity, enabling me so to live on earth that I may ever be worthy of the blessing of God. Amen.⁷⁵

¹"Madonna in Glory." Web. 18 May 2016.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ File:Dolci_ Madonna_ p1070185.jpg>
⁷⁵"Raccolta: Third Novena: In Preparation for the Feast of the Annunciation." Web. 18 June 2016. 
<http://www.liturgialatina.org/raccolta/novenas.htm>.

Copyright © 2010 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the glory of God.

"But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
    my steps had well nigh slipped." Psalm 73:2 (RSVCE)

Meditation: Thank you, Father, for always being there to catch me when I fall.

"[The eyes of the wicked] swell out with fatness,

    their hearts overflow with follies." Psalm 73:7 (RSVCE)

Meditation: My greatest possession is my Father's love.

"Nevertheless I am continually with thee;

    thou dost hold my right hand.

    Thou dost guide me with thy counsel,

    and afterward thou wilt receive me to glory." 

Psalm 73:23-24 (RSVCE)

Meditation: The hardest times bring the greatest blessings, for they keep bringing me back to my Father's sanctuary.

"My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for               ever." Psalm 73:26 (RSVCE)

Meditation: The weaker I become, the more I cleave to God.

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Here is the 37th prayer from my book, 100 Prayers of Purity for the Mission of Our Lady of America. Enjoy!

Prayer 37

Madonna in Glory¹

And do thou, our special advocate and example, St. Bernardine, lover of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model of Christian modesty, and restorer in thine own time of piety and good morals, present our supplications to the Holy Family, and implore of them for our times that, together with piety and the fear of God, holy purity of soul and body may reign in all Christian families, and in all who are the children of the holy Roman Church our Mother. Amen.<sup>73

1</sup>"Madonna in Glory." Web. 18 May 2016.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ File:Dolci_ Madonna_ p1070185.jpg>
⁷³"Raccolta: Holy Family." Web. 24 June 2016. 
<http://www.liturgialatina.org/raccolta/family.htm>.

Copyright © 2010 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the glory of God.