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

Pray Unceasingly

Today’s Gospel Text:  And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Vindicate me against my adversary.' 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?" Luke 18:1-8

Reflection: So often we are exhorted to pray and Jesus invites us not just to pray but always to pray or pray always unceasingly.

Can that be possible, can we be praying always and all the time?

Yes, it is possible to pray always and at all times, even when we are asleep or working. It is a special grace given to each one of us at baptism and which we have failed to use.

It is like a gadget or an instrument given to us and may be with us still, in good condition, and we may never use it, more so because no one taught us how to use and when.

One of the key things we would teach those who would attend our retreats was how to always pray and all who followed the instructions would experience the power of God’s Spirit at work in them leading them to pray constantly, always and at all times.

They were taught how to develop the habit of habitual prayer and contemplation, which otherwise they would never have picked up, if it was not taught to them.

A few experience this power at Charismatic or Pentecostal gatherings but they tend to fade away if they don’t maintain that discipline in daily prayer.

Is it an option? It can never be an option, for we were called and chosen to worship God through every aspect of our lives and even sanctify the temporal order.

This we can do only by working in close union with the God who is still working in creation and wants to use each one of us as his instrument. 

We can do so not by having beautiful visions and plans for him, noble as it may seem, but rather by working in union with him.

One way of praying always is to ask the Lord for the grace and learning to praise him and thank him in all circumstances beginning with our personal prayer time before we begin the day.

Prayer:  Lord I pray that I may cooperate with your grace to pray unceasingly at all times and in every situation. 

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