Podcast: A Few Minutes with God

In this episode, Felice Gerwitz explores practical strategies for deepening your prayer life and overcoming common obstacles such as doubt, busyness, and spiritual dryness. Drawing from personal experience and scripture, listeners are encouraged to persevere in prayer and experience God’s transformative presence.

Deepen your prayer journey with these episodes from A Few Minutes with God on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

May God bless you today and always. Amen.

The post Pray Deeper: Overcoming Barriers to a Vibrant Prayer Life appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

It’s time for a challenge, a faith challenge! When was the last time you asked God for more of Him and less of you? When we look at our faith is it something we take for granted, or is it something we need to cherish? Felice shares three faith challenges in this 200th episode of A Few Minutes with God!

Visit my website for great faith challenging books, such as One More Child and A Few Minutes with God.

What is a faith challenge? It is a way to increase our faith in good times and in bad. It is a time to grow, to become stronger, and to be light to others. It is also helpful to be prepared and get your faith-kit together. Something you can pull out in times of need that will help you to overcome with God. God is here for us all of the time, yet in times of crisis, we freeze up and forget we have many tools in our arsenal!

Perhaps your faith has been challenged when something terrible happens in your life or the life of someone you love. What do you do during these times? Usually, we drop to our knees and pray, but sometimes we feel like God doesn’t hear us. Has this happened to you? For many Christians when our faith is challenged we get more of God, not less. We may not feel Him, but we know without Him we would fall.

All of us have been challenged by recent worldwide events. I don’t need to list them, I am sure you have a mental list of your own. It was and has been a horrible time with fear the number one ingredient that everyone in the media keeps pushing. Are you fearful? What do you do when you experience fear?

Another challenge in our lives is when someone lets us down. This is more difficult when it is someone we know or love. We feel abandoned and alone. We feel misunderstood. We feel at a loss. During these times where can you turn?

The biggest challenge we have as Christians is to get out of our own way and allow the Lord to work in our lives.  We often give the enemy the credit, but truly it is our own obstacles that are the most deferential to our spiritual growth. If things are not going as we planned we are quick to blame (or I am quick to blame, and maybe you are a bit like me?) but I’ve realized the older I get that the only person responsible for my spiritual growth or lack, of growth, is me.

Ask yourself these quick questions:

These are just a few of the ways we can check our own hearts and motivation. If we are striving to become more faithful in thought, word and deed we are working toward a goal and not becoming stagnant. The challenge for you this week and in the next is to grow in faith and challenge yourself in this way! May God be blessed.

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Thanksgiving and faith go hand in hand even when our faith is always being tested by the forces of this world. Even if everything in your life is going well, or as well as can be expected, it is as if we have one eye looking in the rearview mirror just waiting for something to happen. Maybe, however you are an optimist and you look at things as being in God’s hands, a very good place to be… and for us as Christians there is a very simple lesson and that is to get our priorities in the right place.

Your family, your immediate needs, maybe you are struggling with an illness and your priority is to get better. We must get our priorities straight and that includes thanking God in all things, having faith when faith seems distant, and looking at our lives as a temporary place yet, somewhere the Lord wants us right now.

Do you remember, some time ago (for those of you who have listened for a while) I did a show on being in the present moment? When our peace is robbed, it is because we are looking too far in the future.

And, as you are focusing on today—what are you thankful for. As I record this it is a time of difficulty as well as the holidays around the corner. And truthfully, many people might feel like there is not much to be thankful for…however, that is never true. As disciples of Christ, we have so much to be thankful for!

Gratitude is something that is innate for some people, it comes naturally—yet, for others it is difficult. Being grateful means we see the little things, the things often overlooked by others. We see the it in the sunset, in the time with family or friends. We see it in the ability to go to church and praise God. Without gratitude, we have no hope. Without hope we have no future. Where is our hope? It is with the Almighty.

Lately, the news has been dire. And when you listen to the news you hear doom and gloom, yet when you open the Bible, the Word of God is encouraging for those who love and follow the Lord and His commands. Remember the children’s song, based on scripture? This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad? Psalm 118:24 says, The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. But what about verse 25? Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!

For some success translates into money earned, and for others, success is in the smile of a child or a sunset or sunrise. Thanksgiving doesn’t depend on success. Thanksgiving takes a conscious effort of determining that you will be thankful…why? Why not? What is it in your life that you can praise God for, and mean it? Take some time to think about this. I see people post things on social media that show a sense of hopelessness. There is a sense that things are all bad and there is no redemption, but those people have not only lost a sense of hope and dare I say, faith. If we have faith—the faith that surpasses all understanding we have hope. And, if we have hope – we are thankful.

If I gave you five minutes to list all your grievances you could probably fill a sheet of paper, but if I asked you to list all the ways you are thankful and have hope, what would your paper say? The enemy does not want us to have hope and he has robbed a society glued to social media and television of hope. Do you have the weight of the world on your shoulders? Do you feel defeated? Think about this:

Ephesians 6:10-18

New International Version

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

How can we be vigilant? By praying dear friends, praying to our Lord because only God and God alone can change our hearts from being burdened to overflowing with Thanksgiving and hope!

Let’s pray.

Dear heavenly Father, I praise you and I thank you for everything. For the sun, the moon, and the stars, for the mornings and the evenings. For giving me the breath each and every day to not only survive but to thrive and to praise YOU who are worthy of my praise. I love you my God and I thank you, only YOU are victorious against the enemy and I thank God the Father for sending His only son that we can not only be saved but to be healed and to be joyful and hopeful people. Dear Lord, I pray for the following needs:   And I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Do you know how to pray? Many of us learned the basics through the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer is wonderful, and prayer is our lifeline to God. In this uplifting episode of A Few Minutes with God Podcast, hosted by Felice Gerwitz, discover timeless insights to elevate your prayer life and draw closer to the Heavenly Father. Whether you’re a lifelong Christian or exploring faith, this episode reminds us that prayer brings joy, peace, and a sense of Divine connection in our busy world.

Do you truly know how to pray in a way that transforms your life? While many Christians start with the familiar words of the Lord’s Prayer, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13, genuine prayer is our vital connection to God, fostering deeper intimacy and spiritual growth. Some of you are lifelong believers, and others are just beginning your faith journey, but we all need help to experience prayer as a source of peace amid life’s chaos. Prayer is a conversation with our Heavenly Father that can renew your spirit and align your heart with His divine will.

Prayer is a foundational habit most Christians learn early on. From grace before meals to bedtime petitions, it’s woven into our routines. As Psalm 100:4 encourages, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” My family instilled this in me, and we passed it on to our children. Yet, in today’s fast-paced society, prayer often takes a backseat amid distractions.

Social media, with its clickbait and targeted ads, can pull us away from what matters most. Algorithms track our interests—recipes, crafts, or news—and feed us more, but they also amplify division and anger. Proverbs 15:18 (read on air) warns us. This social engineering fosters rage over differing opinions, robbing us of peace and shifting our focus from God.

I’ve noticed this even in my limited time online for business. It’s insidious, dulling our spirits and distancing us from prayer. But there’s hope: unplug and reconnect with God. As Romans 12:2 urges, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Prayer transcends the earthly, inviting us into holy communion with our Creator, nourishing our souls with harmony and joy.

How do we pray without ceasing? Start with every breath: “Thank you, Jesus, for this day.” Luke 18:1 reminds us, “We ought always to pray and not to faint.” This grace comes from God alone. In our spiritual journey, we must remember that without His grace, we can do nothing, but with it, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

God often blesses us beyond our requests, anticipating our needs with love and mercy. Recently, a family medical scare was resolved in the best way possible—praise God for His protection! Yet, for many blessings, He waits for us to ask: “Ask and it shall be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). Prayer is essential, fostering gratitude and drawing us into God’s will.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 offers profound guidance on Christian living, emphasizing peace, patience, and prayer. Let me share this portion: (Read on air).

We are called to counter worldly tendencies—irritation, division, impatience—with grace.

Key takeaways include:

Why? It’s God’s will in Christ Jesus! Don’t suppress the Holy Spirit—despite past abuses in ministry, God’s gifts of prophecy and healing are for our good. Ephesians 6:18 adds, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

If you’re unsure how to pray, follow the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) as a blueprint:

Friends, prayer unlocks faith, love, and purpose. If peace eludes you, it’s a sign to pray more. I’m praying for you—please pray for me too. Let’s embrace this truth and let prayer transform our lives.

Deepen your prayer journey with these episodes from A Few Minutes with God on the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network:

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Are you ready? Today’s challenge is a commitment to pray. However, will you find the time? In today’s broadcast, Felice shares how you can begin with one minute, add another and another until you reach your goal of spending time with God each day.

Sponsor: Media Angels, Inc. Novels – Truth Seekers Mystery Series available on Amazon. Three novels for tweens!

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. A Few Minutes with God, The Journey Begins

Show Notes: Commitment to pray

First, there are some decisions to make:

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When was the last time you read a passage in the Bible, and it was as if the Lord was showing you a mirror image? I call that the Mirror of Scripture! In this episode, we’ll look at scripture verses that highlight areas that need our attention.

Visit our sponsor – CTCMath.com, for information about this wonderful math curriculum for kids ages K-12

Everyone wants to hear, “Well done,” or “Great job,” or better yet, “You are on the right track!” Yet, often the response we get when praying is silence. A silence of mind and of our hearts. How are we doing in our spiritual walk, and what does the Lord have to say to us in the words of scripture?

When we least expect it we hear God, it can be in reading a Scripture verse that we feel is powerful or just for us. Or, it can be in the words of a friend or something we hear at Church, maybe in a sermon but often in the Word being read. At my church, we hear readings from the Old and New Testaments each week. The readings may be ones I’ve read many times before yet they are powerful, and more so when it hits me as if a mirror is held up and I see my reflection.

I can say with assurance that many of us do not like what we see in the mirror. In fact, we possibly avoid looking into it other than getting ready for our day, in the morning. A mirror shows all of our flaws, the spots on our faces, the bad hair day, or other things we’d rather not address. By looking in the mirror we see how we look to the world.

Having a good body image and being happy with our own worth, inside and out is important. The point I’m making is that as a mirror shows our flaws and imperfections so too does a spiritual mirror. It shows us areas of faith we should work on to gain a better sense of where we are going. Hopefully toward a deeper faith.

Matthew 5:14-18 (Read on air.) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

I love this verse! There is a Bible Song, “This Little Light of Mine,” we taught our children, and they sang it at Bible camp. It further illustrates that the light of Christ should shine through us to others. Alone we do not shine light but with God we do, and if we have this holy light we have work to do for the Kingdom.

If we hide our light we are not sharing the good news. God knows our situation, He knows what is happening in our lives. He understands our trials and He doesn’t call us to do anything He is not preparing us for ahead of time. A friend of mine didn’t want to embrace faith strongly because he was afraid God would send him to Africa on the mission field. He was a doctor, and he was seriously worried about this! But, when he finally opened his heart to the Lord, He was ready to go anywhere God called him. He and his wife lead our prayer group for many years, and they are some of our closest friends. God never did lead him to the mission field, but God allowed him to pray with his patients and at times allowed healing.

What is the weakness of our lives? Do we make excuses so that we don’t have to go to the mission field as well? Opening our hearts to God allows Him and only Him to work in our lives in a powerful way if we allow Him.

James 1: 22-24 (Read on air)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.a]">[a] 23 For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.

Powerful! We can be doers with the grace of God, and His providence. Friends, God so loves you. And we can spread that love to others. Today I was at a store and something I purchased was way cheaper than I expected. I told the lady checking me out that God was blessing me. I hadn’t paid too much attention to her, other than to say hi and ask how she was since I was busy loading up the items on the conveyer belt. When she smiled back at me after hearing me say, God was blessing me she said, “I wake up each day and thank God for it, each and every day.” As I looked at her, I was smiling and agreeing with a hearty, Amen! This lady was missing some teeth and fairly elderly, and working, but praising God.

Some of us have harder lives than others and yet if we can praise God in the midst of our trials that is using our lives in a positive way.

By looking at Scripture as a mirror, exposing our shortcomings and ways we have not pleased God, we can offer this to the Lord with a heartfelt purpose and that is to change. By continuing to show God we are dooers not just listeners we can better align our will to His. This week your challenge is to pray to the Lord before you read the Scriptures. Ask Him to use the Word to be a mirror. Let this help you grow closer to Him and in your faith. I will do this as well. May God bless you today and always.

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Why would anyone want to talk about the topic of hopelessness? Because that’s how many people feel today—overwhelmed by a heaviness that seems to press in from every side. Yet in this podcast episode of A Few Minutes with God, we’ll explore how we are called to be people of joy and thanksgiving. In all things, God is glorious, righteous, and the source of true hope.

Hey friends, welcome back. Today, we’re diving into overcoming hopelessness because all around me, I sense it: people depressed and worried about the future, unable to let go of the past. We’re taught to give glory to God in everything, but what happens when we feel abandoned? Today, I want to unpack how hopelessness is a lie from the enemy. Our focus shouldn’t be on what is, but on what is to come.

When I was younger, I looked at life’s hardships as temporary. I thought, If only we had a bigger house, if only we had another car, if only we could (fill in the blank). The good news? As I grew in my faith, I realized that “if only” kept me in a state of unhappiness. Yet another lie of the enemy to keep my eyes on the wrong thing!

Many times on our journey toward Christ and a deepening of our faith, certain truths are revealed. Usually, this comes later in life. Why not earlier? Why can’t we grasp this as young people? Well, some can. People like Charlie Kirk understood and was given a grace few people have. He was given the grace to understand God’s love, to articulate it, and to challenge those who lived with unbelief or doubt. He was also, I believe, given the grace of martyrdom. His work on earth had come to an untimely end for us, but not for the glory of heaven. God is not surprised, while we are often left in shock, disbelief, and hopelessness.

That’s why, when I see helplessness in the world today, I know this too shall pass. Some people are ready for the good news; their eyes have been opened. Others just aren’t there yet. And yet there is a way to overcome hopelessness.

Don’t you think the Lord Almighty, the God of heaven and earth, knows this about us? He knows everything about us—which is why we should be thankful and joyful people. Truly, our lives on this earth are but a fleeting moment in the vastness and awesomeness of our God and Creator.

Yet when things hit us personally, we often see them as a personal attack or punishment for something we did. Neither is true. If that were the case, we’d only see righteous people walking around unscathed.

As it is written in (Psalm 42:5): “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my Savior and my God.”

We do not know the mind of God—only He knows why bad things happen to good people. What we must focus on is the love God has for us, an undeniable truth. If we’re open to this love, we can live a life of joy without bounds.

If you’ve ever contemplated God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, you’re at a place where you know the depth of His love. If you haven’t had a chance to reflect on the Trinity, I encourage you to do so—it will change your life.

If you don’t know this yet, get on your knees, pray, and ask the Lord to reveal that He is there. He has not abandoned us. He has not left us without His love and protection. That doesn’t mean we always feel it, but we should know it in our minds and hearts.

One of my favorite scriptures (Jeremiah 29:11): “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

I choose to be hopeful. I choose to believe in God. I choose to understand that His will is not mine. In doing so, I’ve been freed from the shackles of this world—the “what ifs” and “how comes.” No more questioning, “Lord, I’ve been a good servant—why haven’t I been blessed?” Instead, we can release these thoughts and declare, ‘Here I am, Lord.‘ I come to do Your will. (Remember the enemy wants you hopeless, the Lord wants you, with His help, to overcome hopelessness!)

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Read on air.

(Romans 15:13)“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” 

I pray that you, too, find hope and understanding in the faith of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

For deeper dives into faith, joy, and overcoming challenges, here are four recommended episodes from the podcast:

The post Overcoming Hopelessness appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Do you think your prayers never get answered? I believe you should never underestimate prayer! In this podcast, Felice discusses ways we can shortchange the Lord and what a blessing it is to realize that our prayers have been answered.

Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels, you can find curriculum as well as books such as One More Child and A Few Minutes with God.

Before you ask, no, my prayers do not always get answered, well–let me rephrase that. They do get answered but not how I would like them to be answered. I hope that makes you feel better. But that is no excuse to underestimate the power of prayer. We can pray, sometimes for years (or it seems like years), with no results.

If you haven’t done, so already, I invite you to listen to a previous podcast I did that is on the topic of forgiveness. What does this have to do with prayer? Well, I prayed for many years, and it turned out to be seven years, for a situation that happened in my life. Basically, I was praying for a person who had hurt me. Every time I was upset or felt helpless, I asked the Lord to bless this person. Did I feel like praying was a blessing? No, but felt led by the Lord to pray it anyway.

I invite you to do this. If you are upset with a person or hold a grudge against them, it is always best to go to the Lord in prayer and to pray for this person. The reason is that the enemy dislikes it when we pray for someone. The enemy wants us to be upset and unkind in our thoughts and in our actions, and when we reverse that and pray for a person who we believe has wronged us, then the enemy has no power over us and usually leaves us. In my case, a chance meeting showed me that all of that animosity and hurt feelings and everything else that I was feeling was gone.

This was truly a miracle, and seven years–wow! That’s why we should never underestimate prayer! I didn’t even realize it had been so long. However, the outcome was such a blessing in my life and one that I wanted to share with all of you. It isn’t always easy to admit when we are at fault, and holding grudges and unforgiveness in my heart is an example of being at fault. None of us are exempt from sin.

I learned through perseverance and prayer that the Lord always answers our prayers, and we should never underestimate prayer or his power in our lives, we feel defeated and alone and that no one hears us or understands us, and I think that’s what leads so many people into sin —they think that no one understands them, that God doesn’t hear them until finally a situation crops into their lives that they feel is an answer— but instead the situation becomes worse than the solution.

Friends, we must be steadfast and continue to pray. When I look at the lives of the Saints, those holy men and women who’ve gone before us. I see their lives are marked with struggle, yet they continue on and persevere. What a wonderful example that is for each one of us. Can you imagine if Abraham had given up or if David had stopped worshiping God after sinning? Sure, it took him some time to repent, but eventually God, God wants our hearts and minds to be single, focused and living the best life we can keep him at our center. The key is repentance and prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

That is a scripture we should commit to memory!

One of my sons started listening to a podcast from a businessman.  He has been very successful, and he wants to share his success with others who are striving to live lives that he calls “striving for excellence.” I may have mentioned this to you in a previous podcast, but it’s worth mentioning again, especially since it has encouraged my son to strive for excellence. I explained that when we strive for excellence we’re striving to put on the mind of Christ. Excellence only comes from God, the same way we receive grace or blessings in our lives. It is a pure gift.

When we strive to live each day the best way we can, we should offer up our day to the Lord. Otherwise, are attempting the impossible, especially with daily temptations.  Striving to do something on your own is a recipe for failure. How can we strive to put on the mind of Christ? One way is to focus on what is important each and every day to our day to the Lord and ask him to come into our lives in a deeper way. I often pray this prayer. I don’t know how successful I am, but I do ask the Lord to come into my life in a deeper way.

We should set aside some time for prayer. How often you can do this depends on what is going on in your life; I know people like the idea of downtime, but what better way than spending time with God? On the days that I can’t spend time with God, I offer my day to him. I try to focus on what is important that day and give it the rest to him.

Colossians 3:16 (Read on air.)

Can we sing gratitude? I’m sure if we were all in a room together and sharing about how the Lord has answered our prayers, we would be amazed at each of our stories. Each one of us has hardships that we bear, but each one of us has been blessed whether or not we realize it. If not, perhaps you can pray for an attitude check. Praising God in all things, seeing the good in our lives and those around us. This takes prayer, and it takes grace!

One way we can see how we are doing in our faith walk is to look at our lives as a glass that is half full or half empty which is it? Is your life half full, or is it half empty? If you believe your life is half full, meaning that you are blessed, rather than half empty, meaning you are lacking, that is one indication. No, it’s not an exact science, but it is an illustration that shows how we can look at things optimistically or pessimistically. The choice is ours. Believing that God hears all of our prayers is really Important.

Ultimately, when we pray, it is up to the Lord; if he answers the way we would like him to answer or not, if it is a prayer that is important to our salvation, those are the ones that are answered the most. For example, Lord, give me more faith, our Lord, bring me closer to you. Remember, when we pray, it is not a feeling; it is a decision we make. We make a decision to pray similarly to making a decision to forgive ourselves as well as others as we are closer and closer to the Advent season. As I record this, and it will probably play for the first time during December, the season of Advent, let us call to mind how important it is to pray to the Lord and offer our daily struggles to him.

Your challenge this week is to look at answered prayer as a gift and give God all the glory that He rightly deserves.

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This episode of ‘A Few Minutes with God’ explores how Christians view vocation and purpose. In a recent NBC Gen Z poll, the findings showed how different men and women look at the world. No wonder so many people are depressed. In this episode, we explore ways to incorporate a faith-driven approach to balance family, work, and purpose. Whether you’re wrestling with career pressures or family goals, discover how God’s plan brings peace.

Typically, I don’t approach news trends, but this one struck a chord. The saying that men and women are different is highlighted along with the political divide. If you want to dive into the exact poll and its findings, we won’t cover them here, but what we will cover is the solution that is uncovered in Christian, and especially Catholic, beliefs.

How the NBC Poll Highlights Gen Z’s Divide on Success

Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus is an old book, yet that caption could not be more real, as evidenced by the poll results in a nutshell. Without getting into the politics, the NBC News Decision Desk Poll (August 2025) shows that Gen Z (13-28 year olds) are split in their vision of a successful life. For young conservative men,  getting married, a good family and “having children” is their top priority, while more liberal women prioritize “fulfilling work” and “emotional stability,” with only 6% valuing family. Both cite economic pressures, with 40% of Gen Z naming inflation as their top concern. This gender and political divide reflects a broader cultural question. And it is not a new one.

Can family, career, and inner peace coexist? Catholic teaching on vocation offers a timeless answer, guiding young adults to live counterculturally through faith. In fact, this is true for all Bible-believers if they believe and hold dear the Word of God. My Christian friends are often closely aligned with the same ideals and values that I hold as a Catholic.

What is more important than family? Well, God, of course. The Lord should be first and foremost the center of our lives. However, some of these young people have it so wrong.

Vocation is God’s call to holiness through love and service, not just a career choice. How do we serve others before ourselves? This is a countercultural idea. We as parents serve our children and our extended families. Most of this service is self-giving. The Bible is clear, faith and family are important. Having a special vocation and calling is a gift from God.

The Bible is clear, we’ve been created for a purpose, and you are not an accident.  Genesis 1:27–28  (Read on air). 

Matthew 6:33 (Read on air.)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1603, 1877) emphasizes this aspect of family life. The family is a “domestic church” (a community of love). When we work as God intended within our families, we participate in God’s plan for our lives. And what’s more is that every person has a universal call to love God and others, lived out through marriage, single life, or service.

What does all of this have to do with the poll? The survey shows that men value family, while women seek work and stability. Our vocation unites these as sacred paths when rooted in faith.

The Catholic perspective is that work has dignity (Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II). This is reflected by the grace that God gave us, and the God given ability. How do we use it? It can be any role, from parenting to professional work, whether it is white-collar or blue-collar, or anything in between. What does this mean for us? It shows us that our family and relationships take precedence over “hustle culture” or self-focused goals, guided by faith.

Every person has the choice to show up at work or at home. Professionals can strike a balance between work and time for loved ones. Parents can find purpose and joy within the home despite economic strain. Many of us chose to have a single-income household because we prioritized family over income.

Faith offers a countercultural path to fulfillment beyond the pressures of society. Living this way means trusting God’s plan over temporary cultural trends.

Even if you are not in the category of Gen Z we can still ask the Lord to lead us daily and guide us. What is our purpose today, or this week? Often, we float through life without giving any thought to what God wants for us. And, truthfully, we may be afraid to ask!

Pray Daily: Ask God, “What’s my purpose?” through simple gratitude prayers to find clarity.

Be thankful! No matter what happens each and every day, we thank God even when we are not thankful. Choose to be thankful and soon you will see that whether we are or not, it will change our outlook on life.

Use Your Talents: What gifts do you have? If you have a specific gift or calling use it! Apply these skills, for example helping your neighbor, friend, or church. Creating and leading a Bible study. Serving others even from home. If you pray to God and ask Him to use you, offers will come finding you! Each of us wants to be wanted and needed in some capacity and we want to do worthwhile and fulfilling things. When you work for the Kingdom of God, it is very rewarding!

Build Faith-Based Community: Connect with friends or parish groups for support. When I was asked by our local pastor to help with the Pre-Cana, or marriage prep, I agreed. My husband and I meet with couples at our home and work through their needs, addressing some difficult questions as they arise before marriage. In this way, it allows us to act as mentors, and it is fulfilling to both of us because we can work together in this ministry, sharing the knowledge we have gained over our 46 years together.

Offer Your Work: Dedicate daily tasks to God as acts of love. Try it and again it will change you! God doesn’t need anything from us but we need him. When we dedicate our tasks, our work, and even those chores we don’t want to do to our Lord, it is a great blessing. It transforms routine into purpose. We are basically grounding our lives into God’s call.

Finding Your God-Given Purpose in a Chaotic World

Finding Hope

Power Focused Prayer

Fruits of Faith

The post Vocation and Purpose appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Have you been in shock and awe over the events of the day? In this podcast, we will discuss how God works in the midst of tragedy and how to keep things in perspective.

 As I record this in the early fall of 2025, our world has been shaken by events that have left us in shock and sorrow. Whether you’re a Christian or someone searching for truth, these tragedies have struck a deep chord in the hearts of all who hold faith dear.

I don’t often focus on the specifics of these events, as dwelling on the negative can overwhelm us. Yet, the pain is undeniable—natural disasters and senseless violence have made it hard to catch our breath. Many of us have wept for those we don’t even know, grieving for a world in desperate need of a Savior. As believers, we know that Savior is Jesus Christ. Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Still, the evil we’ve witnessed points to one source: the enemy, satan, who seeks to divide and destroy. I have been in shock and awe over what has happened.

Relentless challenges—hurricanes, earthquakes, ruthless killings—leave us asking, “What has happened to our world?” Many of us just want to live simply: to go to the grocery store, pick up our kids, or spend time with family. For those who homeschool, like I did, we often shield our children from the news because it’s too painful to process. On social media, we see not only hate but also a disturbing joy in tragedy. How can anyone take pride in suffering? The answer lies in the enemy’s influence, capturing hearts and minds across generations.

When churches reopen to half-empty pews, when people turn to horoscopes or New Age philosophies instead of God, when our airwaves are filled with filth, it’s hard to find refuge. Even watching a movie requires careful vetting. As Christians, we face a critical question: What can we do?

I see frustration boiling over. Many are fed up, unwilling to “turn the other cheek” or seek reconciliation. But this is exactly what the enemy wants—division, strife, and hatred, even toward our neighbors. The oppression is palpable, and it’s in these moments that we, as believers, must storm heaven with prayer.

Yet, even prayer is mocked. Some ask, “Where is your God?” I know where my God is, but do they? The September 2025 issue of The Magnificat offers wisdom for these times. (Read on air) On September 17th, it reflects on trusting God’s providence, drawing from Psalm 36:6: “Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.” St. Augustine reminds us that God’s plan is often hidden, like a single tile in a grand mosaic. We may question why the wicked prosper or the righteous suffer, but we cannot see the full design. God’s justice is not absent—it is beyond our understanding. We must trust Him and leave judgment in His hands.

We don’t fully understand why God permits evil, but we know He is righteous and good. He has given us free will, and with it comes the choice to follow Him or the enemy. In these dark times, we must pray unceasingly—on our knees, for ourselves, our families, and those who don’t know the Lord. Many who perpetrate evil have bought into the enemy’s lies, and we must pray for their hearts to turn to God.

Amid the pain, there is hope. I hear stories of miracles—people who haven’t opened a Bible or attended church in years are turning to God. Conversions are happening; seeds of faith are being planted. Our role is not to judge how long this will last but to nurture these moments of grace.

Why do we follow God? Is it out of duty, or because we love Him with all our heart and soul? I pray it’s the latter, for that love endures. We are all in this together, praying for a world that reflects God’s love and justice. Jesus died on the cross for our redemption, yet many have turned to self-centeredness and evil. If that’s you, there’s still time to turn back to God.

Begin each day with praise: “Lord Jesus, I thank You. You are the King of Kings, the Alpha and Omega, the Bright Morning Star. I worship You.” At day’s end, pray: “My God, I thank You for today ‘s joys and sorrows. Thank You for the chance to serve my family, friends, and those who don’t know You. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Let us pray unceasingly, trusting in God’s wisdom, and hold fast to the hope of His salvation.

The post Shock and Awe: Finding God’s Hope in the Midst of Tragedy appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.