St. Mary's Church Elizabeth, IL

9/21

READ EPHESIANS, CHAPTER 6, VERSES 18 TO 20

Begin and end with prayer

Not only does this letter begin and end with prayer (see Ephesians 1:3-14) but the words "pray" and "prayers" are repeated four times within these three verses. How did Paul and the missionaries he inspired stay focused on the gospel in the face of numerous perils and challenges they faced? (Read chapters 13 to 38 of Acts of the Apostles for a good sense of these.) Today's reading reminds us of the obvious: Only through prayer were these early Christians able to convert the soul of the empire.

"Pray in the Spirit at all times."

                                              EPHESIANS 6:18 

     A closer look at the specific requests the writer makes of his audience can help us fine tune this point. First, the writer exhorts the Ephesians to "pray in the Spirit at all times." Authentic prayer is never our initiative but always that of the Holy Spirit who expresses to God our deepest longings and needs - particularly those of which we aren't aware. Becoming more conscious of this simple truth is a powerful antidote against the "God as the Vending Machine in the Sky" idolatry. Such a misunderstanding leads us to believe God can be manipulated into doing what we want God to do if we find the right words.

     Next, the writer asks the community's prayer for his own missionary endeavors so that "when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known...the mystery of the gospel" and that "I may declare it boldly." Here are the two dynamics of Christian prayer - the discernment of the Spirit's movement and our acceptance of the grace that enables us to respond to that Spirit within the context of our lives.

->Am I comfortable with asking others to pray for me?

Prayer Starter: Teach me, Holy Spirit, to rely on the power of communal prayer and of your presence. 

Fr. Joachim