Episode 2576: The Power of Prayer and the Softening of Our Hearts - Nightly Episode

Welcome to tonight's episode, where we dive into the transforming power of prayer and its ability to soften even the hardest of hearts. We’ll explore the wisdom of St. Francis Borgia, who cried out, “Who could ever soften this heart of mine but YOU alone O Lord!” This profound recognition of God’s grace, alongside the advice of St. Bernard of Clairvaux on prayer’s power over temptation, reminds us of the importance of relying on God in our spiritual battles. We’ll reflect on how prayer is our greatest weapon against the evils we face in the world, and how it can lead to deep transformation within our souls, especially when our hearts become hardened by sin, suffering, or despair.
The Softening of a Hardened Heart
St. Francis Borgia’s words resonate with anyone who has experienced a season of spiritual dryness, where our hearts feel like stone, distant from God. He speaks from a place of deep humility, recognizing that no human effort, no amount of worldly pleasure or distraction, can bring true peace to a hardened heart only God can.

His cry to the Lord is a reminder that we must turn to God in moments of hardness, for it is His grace alone that can soften us. This transformation is one of the miracles of grace. In the same way that God promised in Ezekiel, “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26), He continues to work in our lives today, softening our hearts so that we may love Him and others more fully.
What causes our hearts to harden? It could be sin, unrepented and festering within us. It could be the pain of betrayal or loss that we haven't fully surrendered to God. It could even be spiritual complacency going through the motions without engaging in a personal relationship with Christ. In all these cases, we need the grace of prayer to melt away the coldness and invite God’s warmth back into our souls.
The Weapon of Prayer
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, as quoted by Paul Thigpen, tells us: “However great may be the temptation, if we know how to use the weapon of prayer well, we shall come off as conquerors at last, for prayer is more powerful than all the demons.” Prayer is not simply a passive act but a powerful force that, when wielded with faith, can defeat even the greatest temptations and evils.
The saints understood that spiritual warfare is real, and that the devil and his demons are constantly trying to lead us away from God. But they also knew that the most effective weapon we have in this battle is prayer. It is through prayer that we call upon the infinite power of God, who has already won the victory over sin and death.
We may sometimes feel overwhelmed by temptation or the struggles of life, but the key to victory lies in persistent, fervent prayer. Whether we are praying the Rosary, or simply crying out to God in our own words, each prayer strengthens our soul and makes us more attuned to God’s will.
St. Bernard’s advice should encourage us to never lose hope. When we are tempted to despair, fall into sin, or grow weary in our spiritual journey, prayer will always bring us back into the arms of God, where we can rest in His strength.

Practical Devotion to Prayer
Incorporating prayer into our daily lives is essential. Many saints, such as St. Francis Borgia and St. Bernard of Clairvaux, emphasized the importance of regular prayer, not just in times of crisis but as a daily practice. This is how we maintain a soft heart, open to God’s movements, and how we remain vigilant in the face of temptation.
One of the most accessible yet powerful forms of prayer is the Rosary. As we meditate on the mysteries of Christ’s life through the eyes of Mary, we are drawn deeper into the heart of Christ. Mary, who knows the sufferings of her Son and the joys of Heaven, intercedes for us and teaches us how to keep our hearts soft and our wills aligned with God’s.
When we feel our hearts hardening, whether through sin or pain, the Rosary can be a balm, allowing Mary to bring us back to the tenderness of her Son. Through this devotion, we can wield the weapon of prayer in the most powerful way possible by contemplating the very life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Conclusion:
In today’s episode, we’ve reflected on the need for God’s grace to soften our hearts, and the power of prayer to conquer all temptation. St. Francis Borgia’s humility in recognizing that only God can soften his heart is a call to all of us to let go of our pride, our anger, and our hardness, and allow the Lord to work in us.
St. Bernard’s words remind us that in the spiritual battles of life, prayer is the most effective weapon we have. It’s not just a comfort; it’s a means of calling down God’s power in every situation we face. And just as important, daily prayer will keep our hearts attuned to God, sensitive to His will, and strong against the attacks of the enemy.
Let us commit today to deepening our prayer life, trusting that God will use it to soften our hearts, make us more like Christ, and grant us victory in the spiritual battles we face.

Prayer:
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
We come before You, acknowledging our weakness and our need for Your grace. Soften our hearts, O Lord, where they have grown hard through sin, pain, or complacency. Help us to trust in Your mercy and to turn to You in prayer at every moment, especially in times of temptation.
Through the intercession of Your Blessed Mother and the example of the saints, may we be faithful to daily prayer, using it as a weapon in the spiritual battles we face. Grant us the grace to be ever-conformed to Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Thank you for joining us today. May your hearts be softened by God’s grace, and may you always wield the weapon of prayer with confidence and trust in the Lord’s victory.