“Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.” (Luke 18:1)

The major theme for this 29th Sunday in ordinary time focuses on the necessary virtue of persistence or constancy in prayer, trusting God completely as we pray. The virtue of persistence in prayer is challenging to many people today because many people have a mistaken idea about what prayer is and how to pray. Many people have the misconception that prayer is to say a “magical spell” or a “preset of words” like an incantation that, once those words are pronounced, the magic will happen immediately. And if events or things in our lives have not changed according to our expectations, then, we did not “pray” correctly or failed to “follow” the correct procedure, and have jeopardized the desired outcome. Prayer comes from the Latin word “precaria” or “oratio” which means 'petition.' It is an invocation, supplication, intercession that seeks to communicate with God for the purpose of petition, thanksgiving or praise. St. Teresa of Avila explains that prayer is “nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.” For St. Teresa of Avila, prayer is not about saying magical words or phrases, but it is about relationship. In other words, how do we deepen our personal relationship, faithful trust, confidence in God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in all aspects of our lives.

Persistent prayer means to cultivate intimate presence with God, to communicate with Him constantly without giving up or losing heart or patience, objecting, neglecting or doubting; listen to Him with full attention, confident to let God guide us, and obedient to act, to fulfill His plans and to conform to His will in our lives.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to develop persistent prayer in our spiritual life, to exercise our Christian stewardship, to use our time, treasure and talents to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves, participating in the works of mercy, to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God.  

How can we help each other pray more faithfully, persistently and communally, not losing heart in God?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.