There's a certain kind of prayer that results in "swift justice." God will not delay long over us when we pray in this way (Lk 18:7). In this way of prayer, we call out to God "day and night" (Lk 18:7) and realize that at all times, even at the best of times, we are in desperate need of God. In this prayer, we cry out: "Save us by Your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but You, O Lord" (Est C:25). We pray with the Psalmist: "Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!" (Ps 130:1) We pray as Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemani (Mk 14:32ff). When we pray in this way, we understand "the necessity of praying always and not losing heart" (Lk 18:1).
It takes faith to face, head on, the terrible condition of our world and our desperate need for God. However, when we pray in faith, aware of our total dependence on God, and call out to the Lord day and night, God's "all-powerful Word from heaven's royal throne" will bound into our doomed land (Wis 18:15). The Lord will save us. He will intervene, break through, and set us free.
Will anyone pray the prayer of necessity and faith? "When the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on the earth?" (Lk 18:8)
| PRAYER: | Father, "increase our faith" (Lk 17:5). |
| PROMISE: | "They ranged about like horses, and bounded about like lambs, praising You, O Lord! their Deliverer." –Wis 19:9 |
| PRAISE: | At the age of seventy-one, St. Rose began a school for Native American children. She had strength for everything in Jesus (Phil 4:13). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College