"He withdrew himself into the wilderness to pray..."Luke 5:17
One day, I was talking to my Dad about some of the problems. I also discussed about the prayers and offerings that I used to do. The list went like this. I attend Holy Mass every Sunday; if possible I go to church and attend mass on week days. I don’t miss novena to Mother Mary, I pray rosary, and I often give a part of my salary for heavenly deeds. There are people around me who don’t do all these, but live happy lives. Why always my life is filled with problems... Why all those who doesn’t pray, all those who appeared good to me, and back stabbed me has a fun filled life...Even if I pray or not, the situation doesn’t change. If God doesn’t need me, even I don’t need him...”He consoled me, and suggested me to ask the same questions to God....because this is something that I have to talk to God Himself and sort out. After he kept the phone, I asked these series of questions to my sweet Jesus.
As I took the Holy Bible, after sharing my agonies to Jesus, it was Luke 3:21 that read as follows; “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened.” It was when he started his earthly ministry he prayed, baptized from John, the Baptist and moreover filled with Holy Spirit.
I became a bit curious to know the instances where Jesus prayed, and as I went through the Holy Bible, Mark 1:35 says as follows “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” And this was when everyone including his disciples was looking for him that he went to a solitary place. He then decided to go to Galilee, preach in their synagogues and drive out demons.
The previous night that Jesus chose his disciples, "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." Choosing disciples was a significant part in His earthly ministry, and Jesus decides to choose those twelve, after a night long prayer with Heavenly father.
Another instance goes as follows: Matthew 14: 12- 13 “John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” – Yes, our Lord prayed when he heard about the death of John, the Baptist, for he was in agony, as every human being; for he was even sure that His purpose in earth is soon to be served.
Jesus expresses gratitude to heavenly father, when the 70 disciples, whom he commissioned, returned with a joyful message, after preaching in the places he planned to visit. Luke 10:21 says it as follows - "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight."
Another instance where Jesus prayed was during the resurrection of Lazarus. “So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.” – John 11:41. So, what was Jesus doing till the fourth day of his friend Lazarus’s death... Yes, he was praying. Praying to God, for he is going to do a miracle that he has not yet done. Praying to God, for many to believe in Him, as many among the Jews didn’t believe him as the Son of God. John 11: 45 say, Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.
His prayer life continues even during last supper, and in previous hours of death. Matthew 26: 39, Jesus’s pray at Gethsemane “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Following hours of agony, when he reached Calvery, he prayed for those who made him suffer until death: Luke 23: 34 - Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
In his last hour of death, he cries to Heavenly father in agony, Matthew 27: 46 says it as follows: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Shortly after this, as John 19:30 says, "It is finished. Father, into thy hand I commend my spirit" – Yes, Jesus died after commending his spirit to Heavenly father.
So, what does prayer mean? Is it a ritual that has to be followed by just offering novena, rosary, attending mass and so on...? Not at all... It is a way of life...It is a way to be in the Valley of Love, Valley of kindness, and Valley of endless grace.
Why, And How?
Seek his will, when you start something new, seek his will to decide about anything and everything, leave to him as you know that it is He who knows your purpose on earth. Be thankful to God in each and every circumstance. Pray even for your enemies continuously as they are also God’s children, and he came to save their souls also from the fear of hell. Pray to almighty even in the last hour of your death.
So, what is prayer for a Christian?
It is the way of life, where your soul unites with the soul of God. It is a continuous conversation that you should have with your heavenly father, and the Holy Mass, Holy Rosary and all other prayers you offer should be ingredients of the conversation.
Let us pray the magnificent prayer, as in Luke 11: 1- 4 “And he said unto them, when ye pray, say,
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” “
