Reflect on the importance of Jesus's prayer for protection and truth in our lives and families, inspired by St. Bernardine of Siena's teachings.
Today's Gospel: John 17:11b-19
Jesus lifts up a tender prayer to the Father for His disciples:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name . . . keep them from the Evil One . . . consecrate them in the truth.”
Jesus desires nothing more for His disciples than to remain close to Him. He desires this for us, too. Everything else flows from this desire: surrender, faith, and hope.
As parents, we follow this example when we pray for those entrusted to us: for our children’s safety and health, for their hearts to stay pure, and for them to grow strong in faith. Jesus’s prayer reminds us that we are never alone in our concern. He intercedes for us before the Father. Our task is to keep pointing our children to truth, rooting our homes in prayer, and trusting that God guards what we cannot. This last piece is the greatest leap of faith we have as parents, and we are challenged to surrender our deepest fears to Christ.
Today, we also honor St. Bernardine of Siena, who preached the power of the holy name of Jesus. His witness reminds us that there is strength, peace, and protection in calling upon the name of Christ over our families.
Ponder:
Do I trust that Jesus is praying for my family right now?
Pray:
Dear Jesus, through the intercession of St. Bernardine, keep my family safe in Your holy name.
Pray Together:
Pray over each family member by name tonight. Invoke the holy name of Jesus. Trace the sign of the cross on your children’s foreheads, saying, “Jesus protect and bless you.”
Copyright 2026 Maria Morera Johnson
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