Welcome to our daily rosary meditation. Let's begin in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen. And let's call to mind all those we've promised to pray for.

Here in this month of October, we're going to dedicate a number of meditations to the fourth part of the

Catechism which walks through very practical advice on prayer. And we begin this series with what the

catechism calls the battle of prayer. And there is a real sense in which prayer is the primary

business of life. We're on this earth primarily to grow closer to God.

And we grow closer to God primarily through prayer because prayer is friendship with God.

So prayer is what we're made to do, but if that's the case, why is it so hard?

Why is it so tough to establish a prayer schedule? And why is it so tough to stay focused even when we do

make time for prayer? In fact the Catechism calls prayer a battle.

That's strong language.

A battle?

Against whom?

Whom are we fighting when we struggle to pray?

And actually it turns out we're fighting two opponents.

There are two forces at work within us,

both of them trying to keep us from praying. Now you might think I'm

going to say the devil or our fallen human nature but surprisingly the two enemies are time and love.

Our Father who aren't in heaven, hallow would be your name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us to stay 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 a man.

Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee, art thou among women blessed is a fruit of

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