Not To Lose Heart

When there is a tragedy that overwhelms us, we hear people who say ‘We must pray’ or ‘You are in our prayers’. There are others who might say, ‘It is not prayer that we need but action. We have to do something.’

This is almost suggesting that prayer is useless. In the readings this weekend, Jesus gives us some clear teaching about prayer. He says emphatically that it is necessary that we pray always, without becoming weary or losing heart.

St Paul writes: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We don’t pray to try to change God’s mind. We don’t pray to inform God of our needs in case he doesn’t know them. We don’t pray to try to catch God’s attention. When we pray, we are asking God to show us what His Will is. We ask: ‘Lord, how do you want me to pray about this situation; this concern I have; this decision I need to make, this tragedy that has befallen me or my family or my community?’

Pope Francis, in preaching on this passage from St Luke’s Gospel, said:

That is why Jesus urges us to pray and ‘not to lose heart’. We all go through times of tiredness and discouragement, especially when our prayers seem ineffective. But Jesus assures us that, unlike the dishonest judge, God promptly answers his children, even though this doesn’t mean he will necessarily do it when and how we would like.

What about the last line of today’s Gospel: When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth? I believe this question is a reminder to us that we must not cease to pray, even if our prayer seems to be left unanswered. It is prayer that conserves the faith; without it, faith falters!

Loving Lord, give me a faith that is incessant in prayer, persevering, like that of the widow in the parable. Give me a faith that nourishes my desire for your coming. In my prayer let me experience your fatherly compassion which comes to encounter me, your child, full of merciful love.