Persistence In Prayer

    The Gospel this week shows that God expects all to be persistent in prayer, asking Him for help. Being persistent when we pray is an essential practice for a deep, ongoing relationship with God. Here are some reasons why it is so powerful:
Persistent Prayer...

1. Strengthens Faith by continuously reminding us that God is present and working on our behalf.
2. Develops Patience by teaching us to wait patiently for God's response. 
3. Deepens Relationship with God by keeping us connected, preventing our relationship with God from growing stagnant.
4. Aligns Hearts with God's Will by helping us to stop asking only for what we think we need and start desiring what He wants for us.
5. Encourages Spiritual Growth by keeping us spiritually active, prompting us to seek God regularly.
6. Invokes God's Favor because when we persistently pray, we show God that we value His involvement in our lives. In turn, God often shows favor, whether through answered prayers, blessings, or peace in our hearts.

   There are several themes in the liturgy today that we can draw our attention to and for us to reflect upon as we dedicate time for prayer and meditation for God and the Church this week.

   First is about mutual support in prayer. The First Reading from Exodus depicts Moses receiving physical support from Aaron and Hur to keep his hands raised during the battle. This serves as a metaphor for the communal nature of prayer. The reading suggests that believers do not have to endure their struggles alone. Rather, they can and should support each other in their prayer life, especially when it is difficult to remain steadfast.

   The Second theme expressed by the Second Reading suggests perseverance through hardship. Saint Paul's letter to Timothy exhorts believers to "be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient". This reinforces the idea that maintaining faith and prayer is not always easy. The reading acknowledges that challenges will arise, and it is through perseverance that Christians stay rooted and produce spiritual fruit.

   The Third and final theme is about the importance of trust and unwavering faith. The story of the persistent widow in the Gospel of Luke and the account of Moses in Exodus both highlight the importance of unwavering trust in God. Moses keeps his arms raised in prayer for victory, illustrating a consistent reliance on God, while the widow's persistence wears down the unjust judge. This underscores the idea that if a corrupt human being will eventually grant justice, God, who is just and loving, will certainly hear the prayers of the faithful.

    The prayers of the faithful, fueled by persistence, are part of the larger work of serving God in the world.