praying from one end to the other

St Ignatius of Antioch talks to us about praying for others in A Year with the Church Fathers. He says we should pray without ceasing for other people. He points out that Jesus had many enemies during His ministry, and He prayed for them. He even prayed that those who killed Him would be forgiven. For "they know not what they do."

How many of your enemies know what they do? How many of our brothers and sisters are caught in the lies of the enemy? Have bought the spin that our world has spun? There might be some who know the evil that they're doing. But so many that do wrong do it because either they're deceived, or they're being forced into it by others. Whatever the case, they need our prayers.

Two of the spiritual acts of mercy are praying for the living, and praying for the dead. Some of my readers might not feel comfortable with praying for the dead, and that's fine. Take what's useful to you from my blogs. But those of you who believe in purgatory, don't forget to pray for those who have passed away, that they might go through their purgation quickly and go to heaven sooner rather than later.

But in all things, rejoice. And pray without ceasing. Let every conversation you have turn into a prayer. If you involve God in everything, your whole life becomes a prayer from one end to the other.

God, please help us pray without ceasing.