St. Monica and the Power of Persistent Prayer

by Mike Aquilina, Mark W. Sullivan

Many of us give up on prayer when we don't get the answer we want WHEN we want it. For nearly two decades, Saint Monica prayed for her wayward son. Years and years of prayers, seemingly unanswered. Countless tears shed with no relief. Yet she would not give up. That very act of persistent prayer blessed the entire Church, for we have all benefitted from the conversion of her son, Augustine, who became one of the most revered saints of all time. Parents of any age or at any stage can cultivate the same virtues in prayer that Saint Monica discovered during her long wait for God's answer for her child. This devotion includes 18 contemporary reflections, meditations taken from the writings of Saint Augustine, and prayers adapted from the liturgy and other ancient sources.
Don't give up. Persistence in prayer can change everything -for you, your children, and maybe even the world.

Genres: Catholic, Biography, Spirituality, Religion, Prayer

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Mike Aquilina is author or editor of more than thirty books, including The Fathers of the Church, The Mass of the Early Christians, and A Year with the Church Fathers. He has co-hosted eight series that air on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). He has co-authored books with Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., and theologian Scott Hahn. He is past editor of New Covenant magazine and The Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper. He appears weekly on Sirius Radio's "Sonrise Morning Show." Mike and his wife, Terri, have six children, who are the subject of his book Love in the Little Things.

In 2011 Mike was a featured presenter of the U.S. Bishops' Diocesan Educational/Catechetical Leadership Institute. He also wrote the USCCB's theological reflection for Catechetical Sunday in 2011.

His reviews, essays and journalism have appeared in many journals, including First Things, Touchstone, Crisis, Our Sunday Visitor, National Catholic Register, and Catholic Heritage. He contributed work on early Christianity to the Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought.

Mike is a also poet whose works have appeared in U.S. literary journals and have been translated into Polish and Spanish. He shared songwriting credits with Grammy Award-winner Dion DiMucci on the forthcoming album "Tank Full of Blues."

Reviews

[Jeff Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is meant to provide only a short biography of her, but mainly to emphasize lessons in prayer we can receive from her. Lots to think about, or really to rethink about.

[Tracy L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In reading this book, it gave me hope for my own children. Learning more about St. Monica and St. Augustine has encouraged me that there is hope. My prayers are being heard, the timing isn't right yet. Never cease the prayers, and now I have two more saints to pray to, to ask for their assistance too. This book is a great read for all parents that are worried about their children. It's pretty amazing that our humanity is the same now as it was over 1700 years ago. As parents, we have the same worries about our children now, as Monica had in 354 AD. Keep praying for your children, and never, ever stop.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but powerful reminder for moms that prayers for our children are heard.

[Ann Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a new go- to Saint after reading about St Monica. I really didn’t know anything about her and wanted to learn about her as I was invited to a St Monica book club at church. Monica is a model for praying for our children and waiting patiently. One thing Monica said is that nothing is far from God.

A few other messages from the book I want to remember-
1. Parenting helps us become the Saint God wants us to be. Our children raise us.
2. Our children will learn gratitude and generosity from our deeds.
3. We should be demanding of ourself but mercilful with others.
4. From our constancy, our children learn God’s constancy.
5. A parents love does not end at the grave. Intercession continues.
6. She said about her son Augustine, even when Augustine was far from God, God was not far from Augustine.
7. If we say thank you often we will make our homes a lot more heavenly.
8. I will be quick to forgive, quick to apologize, and eager to reconcile.
9. May St Augustine and his mother St Monica accompany us with their prayers and draw us ever closer to the Lord.
10. Watch o Lord with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones O lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones. Pity your afflicted ones. Shield your joyous ones. And all for your loves sake. Amen

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short book (123pp) of meditations. The subtitle says it all: “the power of persistent prayer.”
St. Monica was the mother of St. Augustine, one of the greatest saints of the Catholic Church. However, it took him years to become “saintly.” It is said that Augustine prayed, “Make me good, God, but not yet.” Despite his sinful young manhood, his mother never stopped praying for him.
I read one or two chapters a day. I will definitely go back to this book!

[Melanie Falconer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book about St. Monica. St. Monica was the mother of St. Augustine, who before becoming a Saint led a less than exemplary life. St. Monica never gave up praying for and supporting her son until he returned to his faith and started living the life she knew he was meant to love. The book has wonderful meditations and prayers.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a brief introduction to St. Monica, and is followed by 18 meditations and prayers. I enjoyed how a resolution to match each meditation is included. The book also includes stories about the author's grandmother mixed into each chapter. If nothing else it's inspired me to read St. Augustine's Confessions and seek out more in depth info on St. Monica.

[Audrey Ateca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent short book. I am Protestant not Catholic. There are some bits of Catholic doctrine but also lots of things that were encouraging to me as a mom who prays for her children and whose greatest desire is for them to walk in faith with Jesus

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a biography that relates the past to the present, this is the book for you. Inspiring and relevant.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

St Monica is a wonderful intercessor for mothers. This book is a lovely example of her life.

[Antoinette M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Wonderful stories and advice for all!

[Trishia Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needed this!

Beautiful example of enduring love and hope and never giving up but leaning on the promises of Christ and the Blessed Mother.

[Eileen Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple book of prayer for mother and child.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best biography of a saint that I have read so far.

[Chelsey Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoke to my heart as a mother in an amazing way. She is my patron saint and I feel so much closer to her after reading this book.