Effort to Pray

The WORD today inspires me to give more time and effort for prayer.

Waking up in the morning is one of the challenges in my life. I really find it difficult to wake up in the morning – so much that sometimes three alarms can’t wake me up. This is why what Jesus did in the gospel struck me. After a busy and tiring day doing God’s work, he woke up early. In other translations, it says that he woke up early to pray. He did not just sleep and rested, knowing that he was doing God’s work anyway, and he deserves a little more rest. Jesus woke up early and prayed.

Isn’t is inspiring how Jesus lived?

After a busy day doing God’s work, healing people and proclaiming God’s kingdom, Jesus woke up very early and went to a deserted time to pray, to have his alone time with God. Personally, kung ako yun, after doing God’s work, I probably would have slept longer, thinking that I need energy to continue doing His work and that my body needs to rest too… anyway, I’m doing God’s work, so ok lang naman siguro. Well, we see a big difference on how Jesus acted. Being the Son of God, He definitely is closer to God than any of us, yet that closeness, that relationship was not used as an excuse to pray a little less or to do other things. Kaya siguro lalo silang nagiging close ni God kasi ganun ang buhay nya. He gave priority to God – praying rather than sleeping… praying first thing in the morning. Ang galing, diba? Nakaka inspire.

As a result of that prayer life of Jesus, he was always on track, his life always in focus and always in the right perspective. When the disciples told him that everyone Is looking for him, he told them that they need to go to the other village. Why? Because he already did what he should, and needs to move on to the next town. Sabi nila, baka di sya paalisin and they may even make him their leader, because of his works and power. Kaya din ayaw bumalik ni Jesus, kasi hindi yun yung gusto ni God for him, and that may put the glory on Jesus, not on God. So there, Jesus was always in focus because of his prayer life and relationship with God.

Prayer will keep us on track like Jesus. In the first reading, we see the reminders of St Paul to new followers of Christ. Baby Christians, as some would call. Prayer helps a lot. It helps keep us on track, it helps us mature and build our own personal and intimate relationship with God.

How do I see prayer? Do I give prayer the time and effort it deserves? Do I spend quality and unhurried time for prayer? Is prayer useful in helping me build and strengthen my relationship with God?

May we also aspire to have a prayer life as strong as Jesus. As we live our daily lives, may we not forget to put God above all things and to give him the best.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not give prayer due importance and priority. Sorry for making up excuses. Sorry for being complacent. Lord, help me build my faith and relationship with you. Help me live right. Give me the desire and the will to pray. May I always be ready and willing to do things for you and you alone, and may I always put you first in everything. In a special way, I lift up my mom as she celebrates her birthday. May you always bless her and keep her. And may that desire in her to pray always grow and may she always be an instrument of your love to others. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/08/he-cured-all.html

Daily Readings

September 4 2019

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Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 433

Reading 1 COL1:1-8

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and Timothy our brother,
to the holy ones and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:
grace to you and peace from God our Father.

We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
when we pray for you,
for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
and the love that you have for all the holy ones
because of the hope reserved for you in heaven.
Of this you have already heard
through the word of truth, the Gospel, that has come to you.
Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing,
so also among you,
from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth,
as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow slave,
who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf
and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm PS 52:10, 11

R. (10) I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I, like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God
forever and ever.
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I will thank you always for what you have done,
and proclaim the goodness of your name
before your faithful ones.
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.

Alleluia LK 4:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 4:38-44

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever,
and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
She got up immediately and waited on them.

At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God."
But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak
because they knew that he was the Christ.

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,
they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, "To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent."
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.