Thursday, 20 June 2024. Readings: Ecclesiasticus 48:1-15, Ps. 97:1-7, Matthew 6:7-15
“If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:15)
Today’s first reading pays glowing tribute to two great Old Testament Prophets: Elijah and Elisha. For some days now, we have been reading about Elijah, how he defeated the prophets of Baal in a contest, how he prayed, and there was no rain in Isreal for three years, and how he was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind. “How glorious you were, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has the right to boast which you have?” (Sirach 48:4-5).
What about Elisha, who received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit? “Nothing was too hard for him, and when he was dead, his body prophesied. As in his life he did wonders, so in death his deeds were marvellous.” (Sirach 48:13-14). As we remember the wonders of Elijah and Elisha, today’s Gospel passage reveals the secret to their greatness. Elijah and Elisha were prayer warriors; they understood the meaning of prayers and knew how to use prayer. Let us now consider some lessons about prayer as contained in today’s Gospel passage:
- Prayer is intimacy with God; it involves talking and listening to God. In other words, prayer goes beyond telling God our needs or complaining about our difficulties. To pray well, you must try to listen to what God is saying in the depths of your heart, and this is only possible when we do not talk too much. Jesus says, “In praying, do not heap up empty phrases.” Jesus warns against using prayer to attract the applause of others. “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door.” (Matthew 6:6). How do we listen to God when we try to impress others? If you find it difficult to pray when you are alone, yet you easily lead (or actively participate in) public prayers, it is a sign of deep-seated hypocrisy.
- Since prayer is an act of intimacy with God, the number of words we use does not determine the efficacy of prayer. God is moved by our faith, not by the length or volume of our prayers. “They think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them.” God hears our prayers because He loves us, not because we use many words. For instance, can you compare the length of Elijah’s prayer with that of the prophets of Baal when God sent down fire to consume the burnt offerings? Do not let anyone make you believe that you haven’t prayed unless you sweat. Ensure that every word you utter is meaningful. Feel free to speak in tongues, but remember that God also hears prayers in plain languages.
- In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus shows us that prayer, like any building, requires structure and plan. Just as a building begins with a foundation, prayer must begin with adoration (thanksgiving and worship). “Hallowed be thy name; Your Kingdom come.” Before you start asking God for your needs, you must remind yourself of all He has done in the past. By skipping this aspect of prayer, we allow room for doubts. If you do not see any reason to thank God for the past, you might soon conclude that your prayers aren’t working. At this point, you become like a person building a house without a foundation. You are asking God for something, but deep within you, you are not expecting to get what you are asking for. Do you want to kick out the spirit of doubt from your heart? Sing praises to God. As the saying goes, he who sings well prays twice
- Another important aspect of the structure required for effective prayer is repentance (contrition), which has two aspects: humility and sorrow for sins. Prayer is never an opportunity to command God; it is an exercise in humility. Postures that express humility, such as kneeling, standing, genuflecting, bowing or prostrating, are highly recommended. We may sit while meditating or reading the Bible, but postures that encourage sleep must be avoided. Given our sinful nature, we don’t deserve anything from God. We must always address God with the attitude of the prodigal son when he returns to his father. This expresses this with the phrase: “Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
- Only after asking for God’s will to be done can we proceed to ask for our daily bread. Part of this ‘daily bread’ is asking for the forgiveness of our sins, the grace to overcome temptations and our deliverance from every evil. Daily bread is not limited to food, bodily pleasures or other earthly things. Also, by ‘daily bread’, Jesus wants us to know that prayer is a daily activity and that our only concern is for today. Do not worry about yesterday or about tomorrow.
- The Lord’s Prayer contains a call to action. When we say this prayer, we promise God to forgive those who trespass against us. By failing to keep this promise, we make our prayers ineffective. Jesus told us that when we bring our gifts to the Altar but remember that someone has something against us, we should leave the gift and go for reconciliation before offering them.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, work through me as you worked through the prophet Elijah. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 11 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ecclesiasticus 48:1-15, Ps. 97:1-7, Matthew 6:7-15).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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