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WHAT IS PRAYER?
Prayer is the raising up of a humble mind and a contrite heart to a generous
God or requesting of good things from God.
For Paul therefore, Prayer is a gift, a covenant a common and above all
living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond
measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with Holy Spirit, for the good of oneself
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and the entire creation. It is equally a habit of being in the presence of God and in
Communion with him and all those who are called by his name.
In the light of other writings of St. Paul, Prayers is a loving, humble and
trusting commitment of intimacy with God in Christ. All want to know is Christ
and to Experience the Power of his resurrection (Philip 3:10). It is a watchfulness,
being attentive to Him, looking up to God, asking in Jesus’ name in the power of
the Holy Spirit.
Jesus and the Father have the same Spirit, are one in One Spirit (Phil 1:19)
and their spirit guides us moves us (Rom. 8:14) and help us in our Prayer. When
we cannot find words to pray well, the Spirit himself expresses Our Prayers in a
way beyond words … and the Prayers expressed by the Spirit accord with the
mind of God.
Jesus and the Father are One Remaining in Jesus through his Sprit, I remain
united with the Father and I can go prayerfully to him as his Child because I have
the spirit of his Son.
In Paul, Prayer with this understanding is always, effective, efficacious and
productive.
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intercessor. For Paul Christians have a responsibility of Pray for and challenge for
Pray for others. … And intercede for the Saints according to the will of God (Rom
8:27) Intercession he who prays looks not only to his own interest, but also to the
interest of others even to the point of praying for those who do him harm. (Phil
2:4).
Pray at all times, be thankful in all Circumstances. This what God wants
from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus (1Thess 5:17-18). The intercession
of Christian has no boundaries;
I urge that Petitions, Prayers, requests, and Thanksgiving be offered to God
for all Peoples for kings and all others who are in authority ( ).
Paul besides asking for Prayer for others Prayed for God’s intervention in a
miraculous way that would bring conversion, increase in faith, guidance, healing
and Peace among his new faith community. I remember you in My Prayers (Eph.
1:16) and Every time I pray for you all, I pray with Joy (Phil 1:4).
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He who did not spare his own son but handed him over for us all, How will
he not freely give us everything else? (Rom. 8:32).
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THREE CONDITIONS FOR EFFICACIOUS PRAYER
1. Prayer must be made in faith.
2. Prayer must be true and sincere.
Prayer must conform with life; we imitate what they contain and obtain
what it promise".
3. Fasting and Penance (Reconciliation)
We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us we
implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2Cor. 5:20).
CONCLUSION
In marking the beginning of the Year of St. Paul and St. Jude’s Parish Week
with St. Paul, let us be inspired by the Example of the Prayer life of St. Paul and
when we find difficulties in our Prayers, as we will, may His Prayer assist us.
Paul was a great intercessor, a man of Prayer, who Prayed taught how to
pray and motivated others to Pray and God moved. During his life he maintained
this balance between his word addressed to men and his word addressed to God.
In our time we are not only being called to be people of Prayer but to be a
people seen Praying.
May God and His Church find you afire with God in Prayer Amen.
REFERENCES
1. E.M. Bounds; Answered Prayer, Whitaler House, USA 1994
2. Robert Faricy; Praying; SCM Press Ltd. London, 1979.
3. Sr. Ann Shields: Pray and Never Lose Heart; Servant Books OHIO,
2001.
4. Walter Vogels, W.F: The Prophet, A Man of God Camelite Center of
Spirituality. Dublin, 1982.