The Power of Prayer

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

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Gospel of Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans,who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him..."

Do you find prayer difficult or are you a prayer warrior?  Are you quick to respond, "I will keep you in my prayers" or rather silent?  I admit prayer is something that doesn't come natural to me.  I have to  schedule prayer time with God  in the early morning and evening hours or I won't do it at all.  I envy people who pray with ease.  It's like their hearts are naturally acclimated to holy dialogue with God.  How are they able to spontaneously communicate with God?  How are they able to quiet their minds and disconnect their hearts from egotism in order to pray for others?

I think pride can interfere with prayer life.  When we focus on ourselves and what we desire, our prayers become fruitless.  God may listen to us, but to his ears we are babbling on and on about stuff he doesn't necessarily think is good for us.  He wants us to pray for His will; leave all control to God!  He wants us to pray for the souls of others we may know or who are strangers to us.   Yes, if we have personal intentions we wish to petition God for, by all means pray for them.  Just be careful not to pray for things that are unnecessary, evil, or downright harmful.  With well formed consciences, we will realize what we pray for may not be for the best.

My parish has focused the Year 2015 on prayer.  I think this is a fantastic initiative.  We can all use advise on how to strengthen our prayer lives.  There are so many ways to pray that can easily fit in anyone's schedule.  There are simple prayers like the Our Father, the Hail Mary, or the Jesus Prayer. Liturgical prayer follows the Mass layout.  The Divine Office/Liturgy of the Hours are formal prayers said at designated times of the day.  Then there is contemplative prayer, Lectio Divina, and the Holy Rosary. Many people are gifted at simple mental prayer.  

The power of prayer is something we should not ignore!  Prayer really does work!  It's heals and saves.  It comforts.  It helps us through discernment.  It relaxes us and keeps us focused on the Lord.  Prayer as the "fruit of silence" helps us live holy and rich lives.  Sometimes we may believe God isn't listening to our prayers.  He's too buy saving others from eternal damnation.  However, God does hear our petitions.  He loves our praises of thanksgiving as well as our petitions for help.  We must learn to be patient with God because he will answer us in due course time.  God is known to give us what we least expect, surprising us with "answers" to our prayers in subtle ways.  We should always be alert and aware.  Even if God doesn't give us exactly what we wish, in the long run things normally work out for the better!  

Pray the "Our Father" sometime during the course of the day and always remember God knows what we need before we even ask!

Blessed  Constantius Servoli of Fabriano, Dominican Friar and Priest, Pray for Us!

-J.