Ivan of Medjugorje: Our Lady tells us the importance of prayer groups

We are increasingly aware that prayer groups are a sign of God for the times in which we live, and are of great importance for today's way of life. Their importance in today's Church and in today's world is enormous! The value of prayer groups is clear. It seems that the prayer groups at their beginning were not accepted with confidence, and that their presence raised doubts and uncertainties. Today, however, they are entering a period where their doors are open and they are being trusted. Groups teach us to be more responsible and show us the need for our participation. It is our responsibility to cooperate with the prayer group.
Prayer groups teach us what the Church has been saying to us for a long time; how to pray, how to be formed, and how to be a community. This is the only reason why a group meets in assembly and for this reason alone we must believe and wait. In our country and nation, as well as in other countries of the world, we must create a unity so that prayer groups become like a single hearth of prayer to which the world and the church can draw, confident of having a praying community by their side. .
Today all different ideologies are followed and for this reason we have a decadent morality. It is therefore not surprising that our Heavenly Mother with great perseverance and with all her heart urges us, "Pray, pray, pray, my dear children."
The presence of the Holy Spirit is bound to our prayers. The gift of the Holy Spirit enters our hearts through our prayers, through which we too must open our hearts and invite the Holy Spirit. The power of prayer must be very clear in our minds and hearts, whatever form it takes - prayer can save the world from catastrophes - from negative consequences. Hence the need to create, in the Church, a network of prayer groups, a chain of people who pray that the gift of prayer takes root in every heart and in every Church. Prayer groups in the world are the only possible answer to the call of the Holy Spirit. Only through prayer will it be possible to save modern humanity from crime and sin. For this reason, the priority of prayer groups must be to TAKE TO HOLINESS so that their prayer becomes an open channel to let the Holy Spirit freely flow and let him pour out on earth. Prayer groups must pray for the Church, for the world, and with the power of prayer itself to fight the evil that has infiltrated the structure of today's society. Prayer will be the salvation of the modern people.
Jesus says that there is no other form of salvation for this generation, that nothing can save it except fasting and prayer: And Jesus said to them: “This species of demons cannot be driven out in any way, except with fasting and prayer . " (Mark 9:29). It is obvious that Jesus does not refer only to the force of evil in individuals but to evil in the whole society.
Prayer groups do not exist only to bring together a group of well-meaning believers; but they cry out the urgent responsibility of every priest and every believer to participate. Prayer group members must take seriously the decision to spread the Word of God and must seriously reflect on their development and spiritual growth; the same can be said about the free choice to belong to a prayer group, since it is a serious matter, the work of the Holy Spirit and of the Grace of God. It is not imposed by anyone but a gift of the Grace of God. Once one is a member he has a responsibility. It is something to be taken very seriously because you are receiving a profound experience of the grace of God.
Each member must renew the Spirit in the depths of his being, in the family, in the community, etc. and with the strength and intensity of his prayers to God he must bring God's medicine into the suffering world of today - the health of God: peace between individuals, freedom from the danger of catastrophes, renewed health of moral strength, peace of humanity with God and neighbor.

HOW TO START A PRAYER GROUP

1) The members of the prayer group can gather in the Church, in private homes, outdoors, in an office - wherever there is peace and the sounds of the world do not prevail there. The group should be led by both a Priest and a lay person as long as they have solid spiritual development.
2) The group director should highlight the purpose of the meeting and the goal to be achieved.
3) A third possibility to found a prayer group is the meeting of two or three people who have had experiences in the power of prayer and who wish to propagate them because they firmly believe in it. Their prayers for their growth will attract many others.
4) When a group of people want to get together in the desire and joy of sharing their thoughts, talking about the faith, reading the Holy Scriptures, praying for mutual support on the journey of life, learning to pray, here are all the elements and already there is a prayer group.
Another very easy way to start a prayer group is to start praying with the family; at least half an hour each evening, sit together and pray. Whatever it is, I can't believe this is an impossible thing.
Having a priest as group director gives great help in achieving a successful outcome. To be in charge of a group today, it is of great need that the individual have profound spirituality and wisdom. So it would be better to have a priest for guidance, who would also benefit and be blessed. His leading position gives him the opportunity to meet all people and to deepen his spiritual growth, which in turn makes him a better director of the Church and the community. It is not necessary for a priest to be tied to one group.
For the group to continue it is very important not to stop halfway. Be persistent - persevere!

PURPOSE OF PRAYER

Prayer is the way that leads us to the experience of God. Because prayer is Alpha and Omega - the beginning and end of Christian life.
Prayer is for the soul what air is for the body. Airless the human body dies. Today Our Lady emphasizes the need for prayer. In her numerous messages, Our Lady puts prayer first and we see the signs of it in everyday life. Therefore, one cannot live without prayer. If we lose the gift of prayer, we lose everything - the world, the Church, ourselves. Without prayer, nothing remains.
Prayer is the breath of the Church, and we are the Church; we are part of the Church, the Body of the Church. The essence of every prayer is contained in the desire to pray, and in the decision to pray. The threshold that introduces us to prayer is knowing how to see God beyond the door, confessing our faults, asking for forgiveness, wishing both to no longer commit sin and to seek help to stay away from it. You have to be thankful, you have to say, "Thanks!"
Prayer is similar to a telephone conversation. To make contact you have to lift the receiver, dial the number and start talking.
Lifting the handset is equivalent to making the decision to pray, and then the numbers are formed. The first issue always consists of composing ourselves and seeking the Lord. The second number symbolizes the confession of our transgressions. The third number represents our forgiveness towards others, towards ourselves and towards God. The fourth number is total abandonment to God, giving everything to receive everything ... Follow me! Gratitude can be identified with the fifth number. Give thanks to God for His Mercy, for His love for the whole world, for His love so individual and personal towards me and towards the gift of my life.
Having thus made the connection, one can now communicate with God - with the Father.