Ask in prayer

Many of us, in our darkest hours and times of need, have placed ourselves in the presence of God and prayed.

The science of prayer indicates mixed results. Some studies show a definitive efficacy for prayer, while others show that those who are not prayed for are just as likely to make good progress. One study shows that those who are believers fare better than those who don’t. Secular humanists deny any impact at all.

And yet the Jewish and Christian scriptures reveal a conviction that prayer makes the difference. In fact the scriptures give an outline of what to pray for, when to pray, where to pray and how pray. For the faithful there is prayer of intercession, of praise, of thanksgiving, of forgiveness.

Around the world, every second of every day, there are people at prayer. In churches, chapels, classrooms, prayer rooms and meeting rooms are gathered those who believe that the expended energy which focuses on the needs of others, for the healing of the sick, for the reconciliation of sinners and the broken-hearted, for the consolation of the bereaved.

We all share stories of disappointment in prayer, starting with those of innocent childhood to those of unrequited love, and yet the confidence of the Christian is unshakeable: if our prayer is genuine, if it is God’s will, what we ask will be granted.

From his letter to the Philippians (4:4 – 7), Paul advocates: There is no need to worry, but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving…

This 3rd Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. The first word of the entrance antiphon is rejoice, hence ‘gaudete’. The joy that is celebrated is the joy of salvation, of God’s care for us, of the impending gift of his Son. In that ancient story which records the history of salvation, the plea, the hope, the prayer to the Lord was the deliverance of Israel from her enemies at the hand of God’s own chosen, anointed one, the Messiah. For Christians, Jesus fulfilled this prayer.

Teaching our youngsters about prayer, about what it does and how it happens is not about gullibility or misguided faith, it is about preparing them to be open to God’s action in their lives, to assist them to recognise his ongoing presence in the world around them and in the relationships they experience. Prayer and joy come together not only this Sunday, but every day. Make your days days of thankfulness and prayer, so that your families may see the fruit of good, prayerful lives in the way you celebrate each other.