Loving and Making Others Pray

Divine Appeal Reflection - 1

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 1: "Love and make many pray.”

The very first appeal of Our Adorable Jesus—"love, and make many pray"—is not simply an instruction but a revelation of His own Heart. He does not ask us to perform extraordinary feats but to participate in what He Himself lived. In Nazareth, He sanctified silence, work, and family life, showing that love expressed in hidden fidelity is already prayer (cf. Lk 2:51). This is the first school of making others pray: to love so consistently that those around us glimpse heaven in the ordinary. Love without prayer becomes fragile sentiment, while prayer without love becomes cold routine. But when love breathes through prayer, it becomes fire, contagious, capable of awakening hearts. Practically, this means embodying a presence that radiates peace—blessing a child before sleep, holding silence instead of gossip, offering a gentle word that invites God into a conversation. Love is not proved by words alone but by the life that becomes transparent to God. If our lives carry this fragrance, others are moved not only to notice but to pray. Thus the first appeal is not about multiplying devotions but about becoming living seeds of prayer, planted in daily soil, bearing fruit quietly yet abundantly.

We behold in Jesus’ public ministry a constant rhythm: love blossoming into prayer, and prayer returning as love. At the Jordan, as He prayed, heaven itself opened, revealing that true prayer ushers others into divine encounter (cf. Lk 3:21–22). From nights of solitary communion on the mountain, He came down radiant with mercy—healing the sick, forgiving sinners, and multiplying bread for the hungry (cf. Mk 1:35–39).Love carried Him to prayer; prayer sent Him back to love. His teaching of the Our Father was not merely words but a transmission of His own relationship with the Father—a school where all are invited. To “make many pray” means following this same rhythm: first seeking God in silence, then living love in action, then leading others into that same current. Practically, this is lived by offering to pray with someone instead of only giving advice, by gently reminding family to begin the day with thanksgiving, by blessing the sick aloud instead of only inwardly, by suggesting moments of prayer at work or school. Love takes courage, and courage opens paths for prayer to be shared, not hoarded.

The Gospel shows that Jesus deliberately prayed aloud at times to draw others into the mystery. Before raising Lazarus, He lifted His eyes and prayed for the crowd to believe (cf. Jn 11:41–42). At Emmaus, His blessing of bread opened the disciples’ eyes and set their hearts burning (cf. Lk 24:30–32). In both moments, prayer was love made visible, awakening prayer in others. This reveals how practical this appeal is: it calls us to let our prayer be seen, not to perform, but to invite. Parents who bless their children aloud teach them that God is present. Workers who pause for grace before meals open a door for colleagues to remember heaven. Friends who whisper a Hail Mary together in times of trial give courage that words alone cannot. Saints embody this wisdom. Saint Monica converted Augustine by years of hidden prayer. Saint Francis Xavier taught whole villages to pray by teaching even children to invoke Jesus’ name. Today, we too can be bold: to propose prayer naturally, to create spaces where prayer flows—whether in homes, streets, schools, or hospitals. Prayer offered with love spreads silently, like light through windows, until hearts begin to glow.

The Eucharist is the summit of this first appeal. Every Mass is love that becomes prayer, and prayer that becomes love poured out for the life of the world. Jesus at Emmaus showed how prayer in communion awakens burning faith. Each time we receive Him, we are sent to multiply prayer beyond the altar. Paul’s exhortation to “pray without ceasing” (cf. 1 Thes 5:17) is not a command of endless words, but of a heart turned Godward in all things. The saints confirm this. Saint Catherine of Siena transformed her family chores into intercession. Saint Alphonsus taught that offering daily trials is already prayer. Saint Francis of Assisi made all creation into a hymn. Practically, this means beginning prayer circles with friends, gently leading family Rosaries, inviting others to Eucharistic adoration, or even sending a short prayer in a message instead of mere advice. To love and make many pray is to weave a hidden network of intercession through the world. This is no small mission—it is God’s own design, entrusted to fragile hearts. If lived faithfully, it will console Christ’s Heart and draw countless souls into eternal communion.

Prayer

Our Adorable Jesus, make our lives living altars where love becomes prayer and prayer becomes invitation. Grant us courage to awaken prayer in others by witness, by word, by hidden fidelity. May our days shine with Your Presence, until every soul is drawn to adore You in love. Amen. 

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.