I asked many, both young and old, if they have time for prayer? Their response is “no.” Many said they have no time to pray, some said ‘I don’t need to pray’, while some others said they don’t know how to pray.
What about you? Do you pray? Do you know how to pray?
When I was reading this scriptural passage from Luke, I was touched with the eagerness and hunger for prayer of his disciples. Not all people have the same attitude like them.
With this, I came to a question of: What is prayer? Why do we need to pray?
I heard many stories of miracles around the world and their common testimony is because they prayed to the Lord.
I remember the words of Matthew the evangelist, who wrote: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7.
Some people were always asking something from the Lord but don’t want change in their lives.
I think when the Lord gives, it will change your life.
Prayer is vital for a Christian.
Without it, it is difficult to enter into a relationship with the Lord and to grow in all the virtues that bring us closer to him.
St Catherine of Siena from her book ‘The Dialogue’ says perfect prayer is not attained through many words, but through affection of desire, the soul raising herself to me, with knowledge of herself and of my mercy.
St. Therese of Lisieux once said, ‘‘prayer is the secret to joy, happiness and peace’’.
I think she’s right, when you pray you will find light and peace.
Prayer is not mere words, it is more on listening to the Lord.
●Contributed by Father Line Abilgos of St Michael’s Catholic Church, on behalf of the Combined Churches of Deniliquin.
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