I Come In My Own Name: Is Pope Francis the False Prophet?

Pope Francis has stepped up his efforts to emphasize to the world that he “comes in his own name” (aka Jorge Mario Bergoglio)—this time exalting his name in the 2020 Vatican Yearbook, while minimizing his position in Christ as the “Vicar of Christ”. The signs of the coming apocalypse are all around us—their frequency, scope, and intensity growing at an exponential rate. Is it time put the hammer down on your prepping? Is Pope Francis the coming False Prophet?

I think it is fairly clear to anyone with even a child’s understanding of biblical prophecy that the Vatican will control the coming one-world religious system—identified as Mystery Babylon by the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. Furthermore, God has declared that this evil religious system will be controlled by the second beast—the False Prophet.

The question then becomes, is Pope Francis—Jorge Mario Bergoglio—this False Prophet?

If he is, then I would argue we are very close—on the proverbial threshold—of the start of the Tribulation period. Let’s face it, Jorge isn’t exactly a spring chicken anymore. If that’s the case, then the time has come for folks to really step up their preparations… while there is still time.

Pope Francis has been a virtual fountainhead of prophetic signs pointing towards a rapidly approaching apocalyptic future for the world. In this article, I want to take a moment to explore his most recent act—doubling down on his “I come in my own name” rhetoric… an act that is literally fulfilling Scripture before our very eyes.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio—The Pope Who Comes in His Own Name

To set the stage, we need to go back to 2015 and his address to the full United Nations General Assembly. This pivotal speech marked to start of Pope Francis’ declaration to the world that he comes in his own name—not that of Christ.

In his introduction, he asserted:

“Thank you for your kind words. Once again, following a tradition by which I feel honored, the Secretary General of the United Nations has invited the Pope to address this distinguished assembly of nations. In my own name, and that of the entire Catholic community, I wish to express to you, Mr Ban Ki-moon, my heartfelt gratitude.”

I find it interesting that this UN footage of the speech begins with the focus on none other than Bill Gates and then transitions to Pope Francis. Both are devoted advocates of humanity’s need for a one-world system of governance.

We’ll come back to this theme later. However, for now, it is important to recognize that Pope Francis has been driven from the start to diminish Christ and exalt himself.

His use of the phrase “in my own name” is critical and not by accident—it is an intentional fulfillment of Jesus’ words:

“I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.” (John 5:43)

I don’t think it gets any clearer than that—straight from the mouth of the Son of God Himself.

Furthermore, the more anti-Christ Jorge has become, the more billions of adoring people around the world “receive” and embrace him—along with his calls for ecumenical “fraternity.”

With all of this established, let’s look at his most recent move—a further (and significant) progression towards his coming role as the False Prophet.

Pope Francis Drops the Title of Vicar of Christ

More recently, Pope Francis has made it patently obvious how he has chosen to define himself. In it, we see this transition continuing to unfold—a progressive removal (or stripping) of Christ and elevation of the man (himself).

Prior to 2020, all Popes—including Francis—listed their titles at the top of their bio page in the annual Vatican Yearbook, beginning with ‘Vicar of Christ’ and ending with their birth name and a very brief biography.

This title is symbolically very important from the perspective of the Pope and the Catholic church. It represents the Catholic church’s understanding regarding the position and role of the Pope as standing in the place of Jesus Christ (having His authority in the church) and serving as the “high priest” or ultimate intermediary between Catholics and God.

However, this year, the 2020 edition of the Pontifical Yearbook featured the secular name JORGE MARIO BERGOGLIO, prominently displayed in large letters. His name was followed by the biography, the date of election and the beginning of his ‘ministry as universal Pastor of the Church.’ Finally, at the bottom of the page and separated by a dash, we find his titles in small print—relegated to footnote status and qualified as only “historical titles.”

Jorge Mario Bergoglio has exalted himself by elevating his name to the top—in large bold print. Furthermore, by dropping the historic and essential title “Vicar of Christ” (relegating it to a ‘small print’ footnote at the bottom), Pope Francis has minimized the position and role of Christ. While still being able to “claim” some connection to these Catholic titles, he has clearly put them visibly in second place to that of himself.

By denying this title, Pope Francis (Jorge) is essentially denying his role in serving and representing Christ—professing instead that he represents himself (a man).

In whose name does the Pope come? The new Vatican yearbook tells you all you need to know—the name is at the top of the page and in large, bold print… and that name is the name of a man.

Former papal nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò argues that it is impossible “to attribute it to a gesture of humility on the part of Francis, which is not in keeping with his name being so prominently featured.”

Instead, Viganò asserts that one can:

“See in it the admission — passed over in silence — of a sort of usurpation, whereby it is not the ‘Servus servorum Dei’ [The Servant of the Servants of God] who reigns, but the person of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who has officially disavowed being the Vicar of Christ, the Successor of the Prince of the Apostles and the Supreme Pontiff, as if they were annoying trappings of the past: only mere ‘historical titles.'”

Next, we are going to examine another sign from Pope Francis… and then circle back to wrap everything up in a neat package by exploring his overriding drive to create the one-world religious system of the end times.

The Occult: Pope Francis Now Wields the Satanic Stang

As Luiz Sérgio Solimeo notes, “Since the Middle Ages, Popes have used a ferula, a metal rod topped by a cross, to symbolize their authority.”

However, at the inauguration of the Youth Synod (October 2018), Pope Francis (or should I say Jorge Mario Bergoglio) presented himself to his adoring fans with a new papal ferula… out with the cross and in with the forked wooden staff.

For those not familiar with the occult, this forked, wooden staff goes by a different name—it is a stang.

Now the stang—a wooden staff topped with a fork—is from the world of witchcraft, for example Wicca in the United States. In fact, an important detail that should not be missed or ignored is that the young woman who gave the stang to Pope Francis was wearing a red wristband, another occult (Wiccan) symbol.

The red string bracelet is a very common talisman in witchcraft/Wicca and Kabbalah, which is basically a hybrid of Talmudic Judaism and witchcraft.

As one occultist author explains, “The Stang is adored by many modern Traditional Witches, myself included. It’s a tool whose use powerfully evokes a sense of connection to something old and primitive. In its simplest form, a forked staff, Witches use the Stang in various ways including representing the Horned One, aiding in spirit flight, and directing energy.”

[Caution: Link above is to a Wiccan blog!]

The stang itself can act as a mobile altar for witches and can be used for representing the Horned God, directing energy, or helping with spirit journeying.

Hearth and Hedge notes:

“A stang is a forked staff, of usually two or three tines, that can serve many purposes. It can act as a vertical altar, a bridge to the other world, a symbol of the world tree, a symbol of (or altar to) a Deity, a walking/traveling stick, or as a staff to raise/direct energy and to mark ritual space. It is usually used by hedgewitches and other traditional witches, but can be incorporated into numerous paths.”

[Caution: Link above is to a Wiccan blog!]

Luiz Sérgio Solimeo raises an excellent question: “Since, as Saint Robert Bellarmine states, ‘the whole Church always taught in words and examples,’ what did the Pontiff intend to teach through this gesture? That all religions are good, even those that worship ‘The Horned One’?”

Novus Ordo Watch drives home the point:

“Of course, many people will now say that we cannot assume that Francis knowingly used a Wiccan wizard’s staff for a ferula. Aside from the fact that no one in his right mind would use such a piece of sinister-looking junk in place of the Cross of Christ, it is Francis’ obligation to know what he is using. The burden rests on him to ensure he acts in accordance with the Faith at all times, not on everyone else to constantly find excuses for him. Even more importantly, however, we must point out that for Francis to knowingly use a witches’ staff in the liturgy totally fits the pattern we have seen from him over the years.”

Novus Ordo Watch does an excellent job of listing quite a few examples of this ongoing pattern if you would like to see more.

Regarding this occultic pattern exhibited by Pope Francis, Novus Ordo Watch aptly quips:

“At this point, the Great Apostasy is so far advanced that the ‘Pope’ can use a two-horned staff that is clearly linked to witchcraft, and except for a select few bloggers, practically nobody cares. If soon there is open Satanism being practiced in the Vatican, it will barely elicit a yawn. For his next ‘Mass’, expect to see a pitchfork or a broomstick.”

The signs are there my friend for those with eyes and a willingness to see.

Pope Francis & His One-World Religion of Universal Fraternity

Finally, it is important to place all of this within the context of Pope Francis’ overarching and driving passion—namely, the unification of humanity under a one-world, ecumenical religion of universal fraternity. It is a message he has been delivering in words and action his whole life.

Pope Francis’ 2015 United Nations Address

Let’s go back to that foundational speech Pope Francis made to the full United Nations Assembly in 2015 where he announced he was coming in his own name. What was he coming to deliver?

He came to deliver one message—the need for universal fraternity.

Here are just a few of his statements from that speech:

• He reaffirmed his “great esteem for the Organization, which [he] consider[s] the appropriate juridical and political response to this present moment of history… An essential response.”
• He stated the UN provides “a path towards attaining the ideal of human fraternity and a means for its greater realization.”
• He added that “justice is an essential condition for achieving the ideal of universal fraternity.”
• He argued that justice and universal fraternity “must be forcefully affirmed, by working to protect the environment and by putting an end to exclusion.”
• He asserted that “economic and social exclusion is a complete denial of human fraternity and a grave offense against human rights and the environment.”

Based on his philosophy, one must ask the obvious question: Is Pope Francis a Marxist?

He does after all come from Buenos Aires—a known hotspot for socialism and the occult; from a Catholic church that is known to have had deep ties to Nazism… one that supported and abetted Nazis fleeing from Europe and then hid them in Argentina. It would by no means be a stretch to consider that he was shaped by this throughout his life and ecclesiastic development as he ascended to his throne in Rome.

We discuss the evolution (or devolution) of Marxist philosophy in our article The Endgame: Woldview Evolution & Why It Matters for Preppers. I highly encourage you a moment to read it—and see how it is blatantly reflected in Pope Francis’ views.

Make no mistake about it, Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) is declaring to the world that if you don’t join the team, they will be coming for you—to either “forcefully” convert you… or, worse, remove you from their path to a one-world, ecumenical religious system of universal fraternity!

Pope Francis’ 2018 Christmas Message

Pope Francis has continued to deliver this message and perpetuate a transition to a universal fraternity—a satanic counterfeit religious system referred to as Mystery Babylon by the Apostle John in his prophetic letter to the church (viz., Revelation 17).

We see this in his 2018 Christmas message.

In this message, Pope Francis stated: “What is the universal message of Christmas? It is that God is a good Father and we are all brothers and sisters.”

He added, “This truth is the basis of the Christian vision of humanity. Without the fraternity that Jesus Christ has bestowed on us, our efforts for a more just world fall short, and even our best plans and projects risk being soulless and empty.”

Finally, he concluded by stating:

“For this reason, my wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity… Fraternity among persons of different religions. Jesus came to reveal the face of God to all those who seek him.”

In other words, God can be found, and salvation obtained, through any and all forms of religion. This is a perfect example of how Satan twists Scripture—peddling a lie that has a kernel of truth buried in it. Yes, God will reveal Himself to all who seek Him—but He will only be revealed through Christ.

Jorge is stressing the humanity of Jesus, to the exclusion of His divine nature. He was not just an example or picture of God—a model for living that can be discovered in all religions. Jesus has debunked the Pope’s satanic theology of universal fraternity, declaring: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

In response to this idea of universal fraternity, the Apostle Paul asked the believers in Corinth:

“For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

Paul’s answer? It was a resounding and unequivocal NONE: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers… Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord'” (vs. 14, 17).   

Yet, Pope Francis further emphasized this falsehood by declaring:

“By his incarnation, the Son of God tells us that salvation comes through love, acceptance, respect for this poor humanity of ours, which we all share in a great variety of races, languages, and cultures. Yet all of us are brothers and sisters in humanity!”

Understand, this is as blasphemous as it gets. This is a social gospel—not the Gospel of Christ.

Salvation come but one way: By faith alone, in Christ alone, through Grace alone!

You can love, accept, and respect humanity all you want, but it will not produce salvation. Paul made this expressly clear when he stated, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The Pope’s unambiguous message is one of universal fraternity—an ecumenical one-world religious system that recognizes the “oneness” of humanity and its inherent divinity.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio repeats the theme of fraternity over and over and over again… it is his mantra.

He declares, as the “vicar of Satan” (not the “Vicar of Christ”), that we are all a family, loved by god—regardless of how we recognize Him. We must, therefore, come together as one and realize fraternity perfected. And, if you’re not onboard, then you will be an obstacle to achieving perfection—an enemy of humanity that will be dealt with forcefully during the rapidly approaching Tribulation period.

Pope Francis’ January 2016 Prayer Message

We see this same message of universal fraternity—a one-world religious system—on full display in Pope Francis’ January 2016 prayer message:

Pope Francis & Universal Salvation

Just to be clear, this is neither a new idea from Pope Francis nor a one-time gaff. Jorge Mario Bergoglio made this crystal clear from the start of his papacy.

During his homily at Mass in Rome (May 2013), Pope Francis stated:

“The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord, and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart: do good and do not do evil. All of us. ‘But, Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good.’ Yes, he can… The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone!… We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.”

Understand, there is a massive theological distinction between the doctrine of unlimited atonement and universal salvation.

The first merely asserts that Christ’s death on the Cross was a propitiation for the sins of the world (cf. John 3:16). In other words, He fully and completely satisfied the just demands of a righteous God regarding the penalty of sin (singular).

The second asserts that this propitiation is applied universally. That is, His propitiation necessarily redeems all of humanity.

I highlighted “redeemed” in the Pope’s message because it is critical. He has asserted that humanity has been universally redeemed—all have acquired salvation (even the devout atheist).

Jorge Mario Bergoglio even added, “And this blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God, and the blood of Christ has redeemed us all!”

Just in case there was any confusion or misunderstanding about what Pope Francis intended to mean, Rev. Thomas Rosica, a priest with Vatican press ties, actually tried to explain the Pope’s message by stating: “No person is excluded from salvation simply because of so-called original sin; one can only lose their salvation through serious personal sin of their own account.”

The Catholic church, under the leadership of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is now literally preaching that the foundational doctrine of original sin (total depravity) is false. Instead, we are all born perfect and saved… and can only loose that salvation by intentional and serious sin.

Meaning, as long as you are a friend to humanity and the universal fraternity, you remain saved—whatever religion or non-religion you chose to practice. However, if you don’t play by the rules of the new ecumenical one-world religious system, then you will have lost your salvation and deserve to be persecuted as enemies of the state and humanity.

Wake up people! You can’t make this stuff up… the signs are screaming at us. God has foretold exactly what is now happening before our very eyes—and what is about to happen.

Pope Francis: Unity—Not Doctrine—Matters

Jorge Mario Bergoglio has not just been focused on unifying non-Christians with the church. He has also waged a deceptive battle to bring the Protestants back into the fold—back under the umbrella of the Catholic church.

His tool? Why the “guilt” card of course. He peddles a message that implies doctrinal difference only cause harm and create discord within the fraternity and, therefore, are evil and of the devil.

truth-be-told insightfully noted:

“With the Papacy realizing that they can’t use the Jesuits to destroy the Protestants from the outside, they devised the “ecumenical” strategy, which is to seek for enough “common ground” to reunite the children back to the mother church. They make sure to frame the argument, in such a way that if you’re still “protesting” then you’re in favor of division, which is of the Devil.”

In fact, Pope Francis gave an introduction for a John 17 Movement event in which he stated: “Division is the work of the ‘Father of Lies,’ ‘the Father of Discord,’ who does everything possible to keep us divided.”

The full video of his universal message is below.

However, there’s a teeny-tiny problem with the Pope’s “let’s all come together and play nice in the sandbox” message of global fraternity… it simply isn’t biblical.

Jesus made it crystal clear that He came to bring division—not peace and unholy unity:

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:49-53)

Does this mean the Pope would argue that Jesus was of the devil?

(That was the position of the liberal Sadducees of His time!)

Jorge has incessantly called for Protestants to set aside their doctrinal differences and join the Catholic program of universal fraternity.

Again, this is not a biblical position (not that Jorge seems to care). To the contrary, Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the importance of doctrine, including:

Romans 16:17

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”

1 Timothy 4:16

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

Titus 1:9

“Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”

Titus 2:1

“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.”

1 Timothy 4:13

“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

2 Timothy 4:1-4

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Thus, it would appear that it is Jorge that is the little “father of lies”—one whom the Apostle Paul warned “will not endure sound doctrine.” He is a deceiver preaching a false gospel of “fables” and a universal fraternity that is unbiblical.

To learn more about this emerging one-world religion, I encourage you to read our articles Wokeness—Rebirth of Global Babylonian False Religious System, Pope Francis & Vatican Mint Pagan Mother Earth (Pachamama) Silver Coin, and Catholic US Supreme Court—Pope & Vatican Poised to Usurp Constitution?

Final Note: Jorge Mario Bergoglio and the Number 666

One final note that I find interesting and worth mentioning is that “Bergoglio” equals 666 when you sum the ASCII values of its letters (capitalized).

Regarding the False Prophet, God declares:

“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666” (Revelation 13:18).

This calculation involves a few presuppositions:

• This is the number for a literal and specific man
• This number represents some form of valuation of the man’s literal name
• This valuation equals the number 666

I don’t necessarily put tremendous weight on this particular sign for two reasons: (1) there are lots of things (e.g., names) that can add up to this number based on a wide-range of methods and (2) I believe this will be more of a confirming sign for people inside the Tribulation period.

Furthermore, the number could also simply represent (in a figurative sense) the number of “man” (in a general and plural sense) and denote the absolute imperfect nature of the beast (the false prophet) in comparison to the absolute perfection of the True Prophet (Jesus Christ)—meaning 666 verses 777.

However, I do find it something worthy of consideration because it fits within Daniel’s prophecies regarding the Tribulation period, where God declared, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4).

In other words, God was indicating that there would be a lot of divine signs that simply could not be understood by people until we got closer to the “time of the end”—when our knowledge would increase, and our frame of reference would be appropriate for discerning and interpreting them.

Obviously, we would have never been able to determine the ASCII value of letters prior to the computer age. Thus, this could be knowledge that is only knowable today in the last days as we approach the Tribulation period.

Again, I’m not dogmatic about such “calculations” of the biblical 666 number. However, it is very interesting that it would potentially fit one Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

To learn more about Pope Francis, we encourage you to read our article Pope Francis & Vatican Mint Pagan Mother Earth (Pachamama) Silver Coin.

Conclusion

Is Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) the False Prophet?

I believe the signs—overwhelming in their number, scope, and significance—arguably point to that very conclusion. However, if he is not, then he is most certainly the immediate predecessor of the False Prophet—a counterfeit type of John the Baptist, preparing the world for the true False Prophet.

Remember, Satan is never original. He always mimics God through the use of false counterfeits.

Either way, the totality of these divine signs—only a very few of which we have examined in this article—clearly tell us that we are on the doorstep of the Tribulation period. We are in the last of the last days and the outpouring of God’s wrath and judgment on man is coming. Our time to prepare is short.

If you’re interested in learning more about the coming tribulation period, I encourage you to read our articles:

• Daniel’s 70th Week & Fig Tree Generation—Is Our Time Running Out?
• Mystery Babylon—God’s Judgment on America Forthcoming?
• Signs in Sun, Moon & Stars—Horsemen of Apocalypse Ready to Ride?
• Signs & Prophecies Emerging from Israel—Last Chance to Get Prepared?
• Red Heifer a Harbinger of the End Times—Prepare for Apocalypse?
• Jewish Anticipation Grows—Rabbi Asor Says Coming of Messiah at Hand?

Understand, we are not just talking about one or two things. Yes, the fulfillment of John 5:43 and Pope Francis’ drive for a global false religious system are clearly two really huge ones. However, Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) has provided the world with an endless stream of warning signs through his words and actions—confirmations that he is the False Prophet… or at least manifests the spirit of the False Prophet.

He comes in his own name—exalting himself, while minimizing Christ—and he comes to realize a one-world religious system predicated on a radical and satanic foundation of religious indifferentism—a universal fraternity that upholds the validity and equality of all religions (or no religion).

“He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.” (John 3:30-31)

“I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.” (John 5:43)

Regardless of you views on Pope Francis, my point is simply to warn you that we are on the threshold of a great period of tribulation—the pouring out of God’s wrath and judgment as has never been seen on earth.

As with Noah, God always warns us. Everyone thought Noah was crazy… until the rains came down and the waters came up. Noah chose to believe and trust… and he was rescued from God’s wrath and judgment.

Don’t repeat their tragic mistake! Don’t ignore the warnings and the signs God is trying to send you. The time is now… His judgment is imminent.

Jesus is our Ark—get on board before the doors are closed and the body of Christ is snatched away (raptured) to safety.

It’s great to be physically prepared. After all, we don’t know how bad things will get in these last days before Christ calls his church home (cf. John 14:3). As such, we certainly encourage you to prep with great intensity—as we do—in case you should need it.

However, first and foremost, you need to be spiritually prepared—you need to be on the Ark my friend (i.e., in the body of Christ). The time for putting off your decision has come to an end. It’s time to decide if you’re going to trust Christ or not.

I implore you to accept God’s forgiveness and His gift of eternal life that has been offered to you solely through the grace of God by placing your faith in Christ alone. As I always say, it’s not complicated—but it does require a volitional act on your part (one in which you cognitively decide and commit to this course of action).

This is where Christ’s propitiation for all actually redeems you personally!

It’s time. Wherever you are, however you are, please take a moment to make that decision and communicate it to God through a simple, heartfelt prayer. We desire and look forward to meeting up with you one fine day in heaven!

Then, once you’ve gotten on the Ark, keep on keeping on with your physical and spiritual preparations!

We also encourage you to read our article Mystery Babylon—Is God’s Judgment on America Forthcoming? and Red Heifer a Harbinger of the End Times—Prepare for Apocalypse?

As always, hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and—in all things—pray!