One of the things I pray for in my daily prayers is the conversion of this person or that person, the conversion of sinners, and my conversion as a sinner.

For example, I pray daily for the conversion of Russian President Vladimir Putin (that the war in Ukraine end and compassionate treatment of all peoples), North Korea President Kim Jong-un (that he cease the pursuit of nuclear conflict), and China President Xi Jinping (that he does not start a war with Taiwan).

I pray for people I know in troubled marriages and for their conversion of heart.

I pray for the conversion of those who do not respect life and take it without a second thought in our cities and towns, and especially for those who believe in abortion.

I pray for my conversion to love, know, and follow Jesus better. I pray for the conversion of those who do not know or follow Jesus’ teachings.

I wondered what the Catechism of the Catholic Church mentions about the topic of conversion and I found the following which I thought would be good for us to think about:

“Jesus calls to conversion…The Human heart is heavy and hardened. God must give man a new heart…God gives us the strength to begin anew…Conversion is accomplished in daily life by gestures of reconciliation, concern for the poor, the exercise and defense of justice and right, by admission of faults to one’s brethren, fraternal correction, revision of life, examination of conscience, spiritual direction, acceptance of suffering, endurance of persecution for the sake of righteousness. Taking up one’s cross each day…”

May we pray daily for our conversion and that of the world.

–By Deacon Tom Gryzbek