Adoration is a devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The fruits of this devotion are many, but I think building an intimate relationship with God is one of the most important. At first, adoration can be kind of awkward. Like any new experience, there is a learning curve. But the more you go and kneel before the Lord, the more you want to. That is because the love of Jesus is being poured out so profoundly, that it penetrates the soul and forms a hidden or secret unity between you and Jesus. That unity is unknown at first, but the more you are together, the more it grows. And it is in that growth that you discover the love Jesus has for you and the love you have for Him. Adoring Jesus was a big part of my healing from the effects of witchcraft. I went to adoration often before being spiritually attacked. But after the attacks began, it became a much bigger part of my life. I lived in a constant state of anxiety, so adoring Jesus was a brief escape from the spiritual sufferings I was dealing with at the time. I was attacked in adoration too, but for the most part, the only relief I ever received was at the Mass or in the adoration chapel. Both places where Jesus is perpetually present in the Eucharist. I was looking for peace, and I found that in adoration sometimes. But no matter how I felt, I knew that Jesus was present there, so I continued to go whether I found peace or not.
“Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the “King of Glory” respectful silence in the presence of the “ever greater” God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications.”
2628 CCC
It took years, but little by little, Jesus healed me. He secretly wooed me with His gentle love, and without understanding, I yearned for more. That is how God works. He doesn’t make things obvious. He quietly whispers to the depths of one’s soul, and when that soul responds to Him, He gives it everything according to its needs. We don’t have to be suffering to receive God’s Goodness, but quite often, it is the suffering that causes us to turn to Him. That brings me to the point of this article. If you want to win the battle against the enemy, you’re going to need God’s grace and strength to do it. You get grace in adoration. The Eucharist is the most powerful way we can do that. When we receive Christ into our bodies and adore Him in the Blessed Sacrament, a multitude of graces flow into our lives. These graces give us strength to fight the battle and a heavenly light or clarity to the challenges of life. Adoration is the place where Jesus communicates directly to the heart, and that changes a person.
“Know also that you will probably gain more by praying fifteen minutes before the Blessed Sacrament than by all the other spiritual exercises of the day. True, Our Lord hears our prayers anywhere, for He has made the promise, ‘Ask, and you shall receive,’ but He has revealed to His servants that those who visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament will obtain a more abundant measure of grace.”
St. Alphonsus liguori
I started going to adoration because I was hungry for God. Then, the devil ruthlessly attacked me, but that only drove me deeper into the heart of Jesus. I desperately needed Him during that time. Sometimes, adoration brought such comfort that I couldn’t imagine a day without it. But there were so many times when I couldn’t escape the anxiety and struggled with a ton of damaging emotions. That is how it is when you’re spiritually attacked by the devil. He doesn’t want us near God because he knows the outcome. If he can keep you away from Jesus, he can keep you his prisoner. But if we can remember the consolation we have received from God, which, most often, come during the Mass or adoration, that will keep us coming back to Jesus. And when the time is right, God will take all our suffering and turn it into joy.
“The Eucharist bathes the tormented soul in light and love. Then the soul appreciates these words, ‘Come all you who are sick, I will restore your health.'”
St. Bernadette Soubirou
Jesus consoles us even if we can’t feel it. He heals even if we still feel sick. And He loves us even if we feel no love. God is the One with all the power. It may seem like the devil is winning, but he isn’t. Jesus withholds all consolation for a time because He knows it is what will bring you to a deeper love for Him. During those times of desolation, we search for Jesus because we have experienced His love. That desolate time is a time of longing for Him. God knows this, and that is why He allows it. If you can see that truth, then no matter how unsettled you become, offer it to the Lord and remain in His presence. If you can do that, you will grow in strength and weaken the devil’s power over you. When you are in adoration, tell Jesus everything you are feeling, everything you are going through. Ask for His help. When you try to do deal with it by yourself, it’s too hard. Ask Jesus why this is happening to you. Whatever it is that you are struggling with that day, tell Him. Then be still, clear your mind and listen. Listen with your heart. Once you surrender everything to Jesus, the healing will begin. I’m not saying it’s going to happen right away. It won’t. Just be faithful to God and place all of your hope and trust in Him. When you can do that, you have entered the battle. Even though you feel weak, you are strong. You have joined all your suffering with Jesus. You have surrendered everything to Him and you are not alone. It isn’t going to be easy. No battle is, but if you can persevere every day, you will win in the end.
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