spiritual warfare

I realize the importance of prayer, again, as I read 'Lepanto' edited by Dale Ahlquist. Pope Pius V knew how important prayer was in the naval battle at Lepanto. Many Catholics were praying for the Catholic warriors as they faced the Moslem aggressors before they could make a direct attack on Rome, the Red Apple. This Battle was spiritual, as well as bloody.

I was reminded of what happened in the movie 'Cinderella Man' when Jim Braddock, Russell Crowe, went in to fight for the Heavyweight Championship of the world. It was the time of the depression and he was a ray of hope to many people. Many Catholics were in Churches praying for him in this fight. Braddock was an underdog whom many thought would lose his life in this fight. It didn't happen. He won just as the Catholic fleet won, as the underdog, at Lepanto. Deo Gratias.

Now Catholics face their own battles in the 21st century and so does the church. the power of prayer is still Man's greatest gift in times of crisis. This is a time for prayer. There is Faith on earth. There are big battles lurking.