5 Religious Ways to Prepare Before A Crisis

No matter what happens in our personal lives, our families, in the Catholic Church, or in the world, we always need to be boldly prepared for whatever happens throughout the day. “In 1907, Baden-Powell, an English soldier, devised the Scout motto: “Be Prepared.” … In Scouting for Boys, Baden-Powell wrote that to Be Prepared means ‘you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.’”

Source: Bryan on Scouting – “Be prepared: The original story behind the Scout Motto”

We always need to be spiritually prepared too for anything that comes our way in the life of faith including whether God allows it, whether we have caused it, or whether the the devil and his minions are at it again to harass us with temptation. Below are five simple reminders of ways we can prepare for any battle, especially for any upcoming spiritual battle:

1. Serve others. 

Quote: “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant. Whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man (Jesus) did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:43-45; see also Mt. 20:26-28 and Jn. 13:1-17). We offer charity through serving our neighbor. When Jesus returns at his appointed time, we want him to find us occupied by serving the hungry, helping victims from natural desires (i.e. hurricane relief) with charity, or doing some other form of kindness or act of mercy.

Quote: “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so” (Mt. 24:45-46; see also Lk. 12:42-43).

2. Pray, especially the rosary.

Quote: If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.” – Pope Pius XI

3. Frequently make use of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation.

Quote: All the sacraments have a deifying purpose: Baptism introduces the Divine Life into us. Confession restores it when it’s lost through sin. Confirmation strengthens it. Matrimony and Holy Orders give it vocational direction. Anointing of the Sick prepares us for the transition to our heavenly homeland. And the Eucharist is meant to Christify us. – Bishop Robert Barron in his Letter to a Suffering Church: A Bishop Speaks on The Sexual Abuse Crisis, p. 73.

4. Know that Jesus is victorious past, present, and future

Quote – “No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ. His prayer brought benefit to the multitude that raged against him. How much more does it bring to those who turn to him in repentance. – Pope St. Leo The Great (Approx. 400 – 461 A.D.)

5. “Love conquers all fear.” – 1 Jn. 4:18 > Self explanatory…Don’t need a quote for God’s Word 🙂

– Fr. Jeff

Next Week > “5 Religious Responses During a Crisis”

Author: Fr. Jeff Allan

Biography - Fr. Jeff Allan, was ordained a Catholic priest on June 7th, 2014 for the Archdiocese of Detroit (AOD). He graduated from Adrian College in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice. After working in the pharmaceutical sales industry for almost three years, he felt called to discern the priesthood. Before being ordained a priest, Fr. Jeff was blessed to receive three degrees from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. They include a Bachelor of Philosophy, Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB), and a Master of Divinity (Theology). His assignments in the U.S. have included serving at multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit as an associate pastor and currently as a weekend assistant. Fr. Jeff is certified as a hospital chaplain through ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education). He has had the opportunity of serving at three Metro-Detroit Area Hospitals since 2017 where he serves in full-time ministry as a Catholic Priest and Hospital Chaplain. View all posts by Fr. Jeff Allan