The Meaning of Prayer ~ by Mary Walker

Prayer and the Word connect us in the practice of our faith. We saw in the first reading, Exodus 17, how Moses, as the leader, stood back and directed the Israelites to wage battle against Amalek. Moses was to "stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand." He was raising his hands in prayer to God.

So often we do not understand what prayer is. Frequently, we bargain with God or we ask God to please go along with the "Big Request." But prayer helps us understand the plan of God in our life. Prayer helps us to establish a relationship with God.

In the Gospel, Luke 18, we learn that when the faithful pray, we feel fulfilled. We are connecting with the Spirit of God and His Will in our lives. We need to surrender all.

Remember, one who doesn't know the meaning of prayer or the Scripture, is like an empty body. Prayer can change things in God's own time; and according to His Will.

~ Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~