Lord teach us how to pray

Gen. 18:20-32, Col. 1:12-14, Lk. 11:1-13. On this Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, the Church challenges us to turn to God in prayer in all circumstances of life. In today’s first reading, Abraham our father in faith demonstrated great courage as he approached God without fear to intercede for Lot’s family and Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham teaches us that we have a duty to intercede for others in prayer. Through our intercession, God can save the righteous, heal the sick and save those in all types of danger. It does not matter how far they are from us, because distance is not a barrier for God to hear us or act on our behalf. With Abraham's faith, he drew close to God to intercede for these two cities. Paul affirms this fact in today's second reading: He reminds us that God is so close to us. This is possible due to our faith in God who raised Jesus from the dead. Therefore, it is through this same faith that we must constantly approach God our Father in prayer for others and our world that is in chaos.

If we must achieve any success in our work, our prayer life must be revived and burn with zeal. Therefore, like the disciple in today’s Gospel, we must humbly implore Jesus: “Lord teach us how to pray.” Prayer is a “simple project” that accomplishes much. It is also a thing of the spirit. Hence, Paul reminds us that: “We do not know what to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us in groans that words cannot express” (Rom. 8:26). If we pray according to the will and mind of God, He will hear us. Our God never goes to sleep. He knows when, where and how to respond to us. All we need is to be persistent, patient and humble, because prayer unlocks the heart of God and breaks barriers.

May the Lord whose mercy endures and whose love assures, bless us as we turn our hearts to God in prayer, may our prayers never be made in vain and our petitions never go unattended! Amen!! Good morning and happy Sunday!!!