Finding the Strength to Forgive Through Prayer

Posted on June 30, 2021November 23, 2021 by wisitech

Finding the Strength to Forgive Through Prayer

Most people don’t seem to understand how important ‘forgiveness’ is to the central tenets of Christianity. Finding the strength to forgive through prayer is at the heart of Jesus’ teachings and his crucifixion. It is understood that Jesus accepted death on the cross so that our heavenly Father might forgive our weaknesses on earth.

Jesus Seeks Forgiveness For Our Sins Through His Death

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7

Forgiveness is also important because as ordinary folks, we are bound to have wronged someone or the other at some point in our lives. Hence, we too need to be forgiven on earth as much as we the forgiveness we seek in the eyes of the Lord Eternal.

Do Not Be Quick to Take Offense Against Others

In the words of Jesus: ”For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15

Similarly, we should forgive those who have wronged us because it is unfair to ask God for his forgiveness when we have not been able to forgive “those who trespass against us”.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

Nor is there a number or limit to the times we should forgive.

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18: 21-22

The Lord’s Prayer

The most famous prayer for forgiveness is the one that Jesus teaches us himself.

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:9-13

Remembering these teachings from Jesus’ own life, his poignant death, and glorious resurrection, enable us to find joy in forgiveness and a chance to look forward to something better in the afterlife.

Psychologists say that forgiveness is a method of releasing the pent up feelings of resentment or retribution against a person or community who has wronged you. But sometimes the feeling of being wronged can be too overpowering. If that’s how you feel then remember that forgiveness is not the same as forgetting or condoning a wrong.

You are not bound to reconcile with an offender nor release him from his legal consequences. Your only duty of forgiveness is with respect to God. Letting go of the pain will help create the character you so proudly exhibit today. It helps heal old wounds, allowing you to move on with your life. Prayer can help carry some of this heavy burden of healing. This is because prayer is your personal way of letting the universe know that you have forgiven and are ready for happiness ahead.

Is there a personal prayer that you have in mind for forgiveness? Write it down and have it read out in the holy land of Jesus’ own crucifixion and resurrection. Send an online prayer request to the holy lands today.

The Significance of Saints Peter and Paul to Christianity

Posted on June 28, 2021November 23, 2021 by wisitech

The Significance of Saints Peter and Paul to Christianity

Were it not for the remarkable efforts of Saints Peter and Paul in the early spread of Christianity, none of the majestic churches or the many beautiful lessons that we celebrate today, would have survived. Saint Peter, the Apostle, is considered the leader of the 12 original disciples of Christ throughout his ministry. Saint Paul is widely believed to have been the most influential Christian missionary proselytizing Gentiles into the early faith and establishing churches across Asia Minor.

Christians celebrate the feasts of both Saint Peter and Saint Paul on June 29, (if this falls on a Sunday, the feast is referred to as the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul). This day marks the occasion of their martyrdom although history does not record them being executed on the same day, probably under directions from Emperor Nero after the sacking of Rome in the first century, CE.

Why do We Celebrate Saint Peter?

Saint Peter, the Apostle, who went by the name of Simon, was a simple fisherman from Galilee. During the time of Jesus’ ministry, he is said to have lived in Capernaum, at the Northwest end of the Sea of Galilee along with his brother, Saint Andrew, where they used to practice their fishing trade along with Saints James and John.

All the Gospels unanimously recognize Peter, as the first among the Apostles, often asking Jesus on behalf of the others when the meaning of a parable was not clear, or answering temple officials when they wanted information, or giving his boat to Jesus to preach to the gathering crowd.

According to the Gospel of Matthew: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
(Matthew 16:18,19)

Saint Peter is variously depicted as being vacillating and unsure at times, just like you and me. He could be rash and hasty on occasion, and sometimes act in irritation or anger. However, he could also be resolute, and gentle but firm, capable of showing great love and loyalty.

Peter was unschooled in the laws of Moses and it is doubtful that he knew any Greek, but when he was entrusted with responsibility, he showed great maturity and capability. This is the reason why Jesus chose him to be the ‘rock’ (in Hebrew, Peter means rock) upon which he would build his church.

Why do We Celebrate Saint Paul?

Although not one of the original disciples of Jesus, Paul of Tarsus, who originally called himself Saul, was a self-proclaimed detractor and persecutor of the early Christians. According to the story, on his way to Damascus, he encounters a vision that would reverse his views entirely, and transform him into a lifelong and steadfast disciple of Christ.

Saint Paul was a contemporary of Saint Peter and by agreement, preached the message of Christ among the Gentiles or non-Jews, while Peter, and other apostles restricted their preachings to the Jews.

Unlike Peter, Paul was well-versed in the laws of the Pharisees, and skilled in the trade of tent-making. Of the 27 books of the New Testament, 13 are ascribed to Saint Paul. Half of the Acts of the Apostles deals with Paul’s life and works. It is to the letters left behind by Saint Paul to his followers, that the modern ideas of the Christian faith owe their origin.

”Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen! (Galatians 1:1-2:21)

If you wish to have these great patrons of the faith intercede for you in the devoutness of their faith, there’s no place better to do it than St. Peter’s Church in Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Israel. We can take your prayer requests to the holy land of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Write to us today.

6 Reasons Why We Pray in the Holy Lands

Posted on June 21, 2021November 23, 2021 by wisitech

6 Reasons Why We Pray in the Holy Lands

For most Christians, the places and sites where Jesus was born, grew up, lived, preached, was crucified, and was resurrected, are not just sites of historical importance but inspirational witnesses to purpose and sanctity of their lives on earth. While prayer is a deeply personal experience, praying in the holy lands as part of a group offers you a chance to connect and commune with God in unison. In unity there is much power.

Here are 6 compelling reasons why the faithful continue to pray and should continue to pray in the monumental churches and shrines of Israel.

1. Strength in Numbers:
To quote from the Old Testament, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”

2. Getting a Glimpse into the life and times of Jesus:
We also offer prayer requests in the Holy lands because seeing, being able to touch and feel, stones, soils, trees, and churches, and being able to smell the same air being moved by forces as ancient to this earth as Jesus Christ himself, can be a profound, possibly, life-changing experience. Through actual images the splendor and majesty of a holy shrine may fully be revealed.

3. Enhancing Belief:
Access to the holy lands can add to your sense of belief in a real and tangible God – a God who created the cosmos but still sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to live among and intercede for mankind. Christian tenets teach us to have faith without demanding proof in God’s existence. But witnessing for yourself, the places in which so many of Jesus’ parables unfolded, gives you a better understanding of biblical references and their place in your own belief system.

4. Learning to Pray the Right Way:
Romans 8:26–27: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” It is believed that the Holy Spirit will help us when we are unable to form coherent words for prayer. This follows from the verses above.If we pray incorrectly, the Holy Spirit corrects the errors in our prayers before they are offered to our heavenly Father. To support this argument by another example, consider verse 27 of the same book: the Holy Spirit “intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

5. Gaining a More Diverse World View:
The holy lands are unique in that they are the only place where churches of many denominations coexist. Not only do Christian churches pray alongside Jewish synagogues, in Jerusalem, but these are also some of the holiest sites for Muslims and those of the Bahai faith. When you are offering prayers in close proximity to communities with varying rituals and practices, you begin to get better at and gain respect for your own.

6. Learning from the Community:
Pilgrimages to the holy lands of Jerusalem, Jaffa, Capernaum, Mount Tabor, Gallicantu, and the Mount of Olives brings you closer to those travelling with you. You learn to respect traditions, cultures, and discipline. You also begin to learn how to be a better Christian by learning from the strengths of others.

The Salvation Garden virtually opens the gates for you, and for Christians around the world, giving you direct access to Jerusalem’s holy sites. Now you can send your prayer and have it physically placed in your chosen site of worship in the Holy Land. Write your online prayer request here.

How to Mend Strained Relationships on Father’s Day through Prayer

Posted on June 16, 2021November 23, 2021 by wisitech

How to Mend Strained Relationships on Father’s Day through Prayer

Living through our daily struggles can sometimes remove us far from the love of the fathers and mothers that bore us. Being physically far from your parents or not having spoken with them for a long time, your relationship with them may have been strained over the years. As Christians, it is our solemn duty to provide concern and care to aging and ailing fathers and mothers. If you have not communicated with your parents through broken relationships, this Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to mend those relationships.

Sometimes, there may be genuine hurt that the father may have caused instead of providing the sanctuary expected of him. Yet, the Bible stresses on the role of the father in a child’s upbringing.

Proverbs 23:22: “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”

Luke 15:20: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

Hebrews 12:7: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?”

Therefore, it is Christian to find it in our hearts to forgive and tolerate. Besides, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to reconcile emotional issues and find closure before they pass. This article will help make it easier for you to go about repairing father-son or father-daughter relationships where they are troubled, especially if your father has grown old or is suffering from a serious medical condition.

The Bible is filled to the brim with stories of people who were less than perfect. But like the ordinary folks of today, they did their best to be kind, good, and generous.

2 Timothy 3:14–15: “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings (via Timothy’s Jewish mother and grandmother) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

The first thing that we as children have to be thankful to our parents is that we have been taught the ways of our Lord – of prayer, of humility, of sacrifice, and of dutifulness.
As a strong, independent adult, and as a believer in Christ, it is your duty to re-examine the motivations and decisions of your father, in light of your newer, superior knowledge. Praying to the apostles helps us to overcome doubts and weaknesses for they faced the same during the tempestuous trials from the life of Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Mending a Broken Relationship with your Father on Father’s Day

Dear God, Dear God, I accept that I have not had the best of relationships with my father. I cannot say that I have been blameless. On this occasion of your bountiful blessings (this Father’s Day), help me reconcile with my father in his ailing years. Grant me the strength and the grace, the wisdom and the compassion, to mend this broken relationship. Amen!

Prayer through the Apostles for Father’s Day

O Saint Peter of the divine rock and house of the Lord, Jesus Christ! Intercede for me this day to the heavenly Father as I pray for my own earthly father. I beseech thee to heal his heart even as you help heal mine. I accept that I need to be forgiven as much as my mortal father. Grant me the strength and the grace, the wisdom and the compassion, to mend this broken relationship. Amen!

Are you in need of prayer or intercession through the apostles this Father’s Day? Write in a Father’s Day prayer request and have it hand-delivered to one of five holiest churches in the land of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

What Changed My Life After Praying at St. Peter’s in Jaffa, Israel

Posted on June 15, 2021November 14, 2023 by wisitech

What Changed My Life After Praying at St. Peter’s in Jaffa, Israel

St. Peter’s Church at Old Jaffa has been a beacon for Christians pilgrimaging to the Holy Land for centuries. Constructed by French monarch, Louis the IX in 1654 over an older citadel surviving from the Crusades, the Church has been destroyed two times and rebuilt the same number of times during its lifetime.

St. Peter’s Church Architecture

With its high vaulted ceiling, marble walls, and stained glass paintings that depict scenes from the biblical history of St. Peter, including the miracle-catch of fish, the handing over of the keys, and the transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor, this church is the perfect spot for quiet contemplation and inspiration for prayer.

Much of the building was laid out by Spanish architects and designers, however remnants from the French include rooms in which Napoleon himself is said to have stayed during his campaigns in Egypt and Syria. History apart, this site is important to the Christian faith because it is here that St. Peter is said to have raised Tabitha from the dead and this church is dedicated to this apostle of Christ.

The church is a sight to behold when viewed from the South side at night with its looming entranceway and bell tower. Inside the church, the high ceiling means that the slightest sounds can be heard loud and clear.

The Spiritual Legacy of St. Peter’s

Despite these outer embellishments, St. Peter’s church is more than just a tourist attraction or a thing of curiosity. It is a testament to the most famous apostle of Jesus, who the others looked up to and gave way to when temple tax collectors wanted information from the disciples. Several accounts from the life of the apostles indicate that Peter was first among equals – at once a man of feeling and action and firmness and kindness, on the other.

It was Peter who possessed the insight and showed deep faith in the confession of Christ as the Son of God (Matthew 16:15–18; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20), and it was Peter who rebuked, and in turn was rebuked by, Jesus when the Master prophesied that he would suffer and die (Mark 8:32, 33). It was also Peter who manifested the temporary weakness of even the staunchest in faith when he denied Jesus as his Lord (Matthew 26:69–75; Mark 14:66–72; Luke 22:54–61). Later, however, with greater maturity, Peter discovered strength and, as he was charged by Jesus (Luke 22:31, 32), inspired others in strengthening their faith.

St. Peter, the Intercessor for Prayer Requests from Around the World

The trust that Jesus placed in Peter and his future role in spreading his teachings is displayed by the fact that Jesus chose Peter to witness the resurrection before any of his other apostles. Peter is often shown to be closest to Jesus and acts as his representative and spokesman on many occasions.

Because of this fact, St. Peter offers us the opportunity to act as an intercessor, pleading with Jesus, our Lord, on our behalf. As the head of the first church after the resurrection and ascension of Christ, Peter is the first leader of our communities in prayer. This is the proximity to the origins of the Christian church that acts as a symbol of devotion and faith for Christians worldwide. If you’re ever in Israel, this church ought to be an integral part of your pilgrimage.

Alternatively, you can be a part of prayers offered in the Holy Land, in the church of St. Peter at Jaffa, by sending in prayer requests to the Holy Land online.

The Salvation Garden is a praying community dedicated to making the Holy Lands of Jerusalem, accessible to believers around the world. If you somehow can’t make it to the lands where Jesus was crucified and resurrected, we can take your online prayer requests, print and hand-deliver them to select churches.

10 Things I Learned from the Passion of Christ

Posted on June 11, 2021November 23, 2021 by wisitech

10 Things I Learned from the Passion of Christ

The passion of Christ or the suffering that Jesus endured despite being innocent of the crimes the rabbis accused him of, is not merely a history lesson to be reenacted for posterity. There are critical life lessons from the way of the cross that we can carry forward into our own lives. These lessons are not simply to be revisited come Easter week. They have to be considered and practiced throughout the lives we lead.

Here are the 10 most important lessons that the passion of Christ teaches us.

1. Courage: While some traditionalists may believe that Jesus freed us from original sin by sacrificing himself on the cross, the most obvious aspect of the suffering that Christ faced on his way to Calvary is the courage and fortitude that he showed. Being wronged may not necessarily be a part of everyday life but when it does happen, learning the strength with which Jesus faced his trials is a lesson all of us could use.

2. The Willingness to Surrender: God’s divine plan has a logic that may not be apparent in our time. Nor is God responsible for man’s depravity and independent actions. By accepting God’s will in times of adversity, we make ourselves stronger to lead life in more exemplary ways.

3. The Habit of Prayer: Indulging in everyday prayer keeps us morally honest, mentally sincere, and psychologically healthy. Unburdening yourself, especially as part of praying communities does wonders in helping you sort and prioritize difficulties in life.

4. Patience: Jesus knew that he was innocent and that the trials of a manipulated mob were unjust. Yet he chose to suffer and accept death at the hands of his aggressors. His quiet fortitude and tenacity is borne out by his successfully creating an example for the world to follow.

5. Forgiveness: Following off the last argument, knowing how to forgive those who have wronged you is one of the hardest lessons in life. Jesus showed us exactly how this could be done, 2000 years ago.

6. Perseverance: Jesus is said to have been singular in the tenets of his faith despite having the world conspire against him. This speaks volumes about how consistent we should remain and persist in our moral principles no matter how lonely it gets.

7. The Ability to Take on Suffering: Suffering isn’t just physical pain that you may have undergone during an illness or an experience with disability. It is also the mental dejection that you face when you have to depend upon others for the slightest of needs. The passion teaches us how Jesus used the power of prayer when things became too tough to endure. He does express his anguish momentarily. But in the end, he is strong as ever. That is the example we can learn to follow.

8. Emerging from Redemption: There are times when we feel so dejected by the wrongs we may have committed in the past that we fail to see how we can make amends in the future. Every minor act matters as Jesus showed when he chose to forgive the criminal, Barabbas for his small act of kindness by the cross.

9. Looking for Hope: Even when all the world seems against us, being able to see things in perspective and persisting with habits of kindness, justness, and compassion, helps us hold on to our Christianity. Prayer helps as well.

10. Preparing for a Better End: As Christians, we are free to live our lives fully, struggling in the pursuit of a skill, a study, or a calling. We’re also free to love, laugh, and play. But our faith strongly directs us to prepare for a place in a kingdom that’s not of this world.

Month: June 2021