Prayers

Today’s Gospel Text: Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; 14 but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away. Matt 19:13-15

Reflection: We pray and pray and many a times nothing seems to happen.

Yet some are dedicated to their prayer life; they will have a committed time for personal prayer, for family prayer, for community prayer, for personal devotions, etc.

Life goes on and many a times nothing seems to happen, there is no fruit thereof or our personal expectations are never met.

Do we still need to continue in such type of prayer?

May be at times there is always the need to make an adjustment or a small correction in the way we pray and what we pray for.

Each time it is a ever new field we seem to enter; of learning newer ways of relating with someone who is almighty and powerful.

From the word of God we are encouraged and feel motivated that things may not always happen and yet we need to pray.

Prayer is a sure investment which will reap its reward; what is important is to approach God like a little child who may not even know the fruit they have received.

Even the scripture here does not reveal to us what happened when Jesus prayed over those little children but what the scripture does reveal is this:

That Jesus was insistent that the little children should not be prevented from receiving his blessings despite the opposition from his own dedicated disciples.

He even rebukes them for what seemed like a mere blessing; for any blessing from the Lord, may appear as a mere ritual, cannot be an empty exercise. 

Hence know this: Nothing may happen in our daily commitment to the Lord in prayer but there is a blessing which we receive and which the Lord longs to give us. Our eyes may not be able to see but it is surely there, stay at it.

Prayer:  Lord, I resolve to sit in your presence daily and in a dedicated way believing that you are there with me to bless me in ways beyond my imagination.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us