Unceasing prayer

Luke 18:1-8

          There is a practice known and acted upon by many in the Christian Church called 'the hours' The hours are prayers said throughout the day. Prayers on waking, prayers in the morning, noon, afernoon, evening and night. In this way, when done throughout the world 'the Church' (us) offers unceasing prayer as this passage suggests.

          I thoroughly enjoyed the hours we seminarians offered in the chapel.  Perhaps it was part acoustics because our voices were not that of the Mormom Tabernacle Choir, but our voices raised to God in prayer seemed magical and glorious. I am a firm believer in praying constantly. Not the overtly pious type of making signs of the cross constantly. Not even the wrote prayers of our youth or the rosary but a constant conversation if you will.  Conveying our thoughts and thanks to God all during the day.

          When I was a young man I had a weight problem and I recall praying fervently that I would awaken in the morning realizing a miracle had occurred and the exceess weight would have been all gone. Of course that did not happen. But an amazing thing happens when you pray constatntly for something. It keeps the concern in the forefront of your mind and so you are more likely to actually take whatever action you can to work on the issue in addition to what help God affords. There is no doubt in my mind that God can perform any miracle. I also beleive that we are to do whatever we can to help ourselves. Praying unceasingly in this way gives praise to God and helps you yourself to do your part.

              I recall the story of St. Monica who prayed for the conversion of her son for over 30 years before it actually happened. I have no doubt that such constant prayer probbably wore out God and very likely her son as well. Monica's son, St. Augustine lived, well, let's just say - an interesting life before he converted.

       Praying unceasingly as this pasage suggests is a most excellent way to keep God in our lives all day long. As I said, it does not have to be formal prayer either. Most of our daily lives do not alow such unless you area Trappist monk. Speak to God all day in thanks, in hope , in love

           

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” ’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’