DAILY HOMILIES #prayer

Nevertheless, when Jesus says we should ask, did He mean we could ask for just anything? What did Jesus consider when he said we should ask, seek and knock? The answer to this question can be seen in the lines that follow: “If you, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13).

How do we tap into the protection offered by our Guardian Angels? One: Be conscious of their existence. Many Christians today are unaware that they have guardian angels. Hence, they nurse unnecessary fears leading to anxiety, depression and faithlessness. Some Christians are more conscious of the powers of the demons than they are of their God-given powers. St. John writes: “Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).

Just as in the case of Lazarus, Jesus spoke, and the dead obeyed. What does this teach us? There is no problem that is too big for God to handle. If the dead can hear and obey the voice of God, why should I give up? What began as a sad story ended up with songs of praise to God. They glorified God’s saying. ‘A great prophet has arisen among us!’ and ‘God has visited his people!’ This very phrase was part of Zechariah’s song of thanksgiving when his power of speech was restored after the birth and naming of John the Baptist.

Jesus consulted with God all night long. It was only after this consultation that Jesus made His selection; first, He chose twelve persons – a number symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel; secondly, all twelve persons were men; thirdly, none of these men was perfect – each of them had character flaws here and there, some will still not believe after many miracles, one would deny Him, and one would eventually betray Him.

We will be playing the ostrich if we deny that there are no demon-possessed individuals in our churches. Do not be deceived; it is not everything that glitters that is gold. It is not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord” that will enter God’s kingdom. (Matthew 7:21) It is not everybody you see in church who is there to worship God. Some go to steal, kill and destroy. (Cf. John 10:10). Don’t get caught off-guard.

This was now the second time the disciples were facing a possible shipwreck. Previously, Jesus was with them, but he was sleeping on a cushion. When his disciples woke him, he rebuked them for their lack of faith. This time, Jesus could see they were even more scared knowing He wasn’t with them in the boat, so He went to them walking on the sea. This was a lesson to the disciples, a proof that no matter how tough and challenging their journeys may be, they must never be afraid.

My brothers and sisters, have you written your will? If God were to demand your soul this very night, would He call you a fool or a wise person? According to St. Ambrose, “The things that we cannot carry with us are not our own. Virtue alone is the companion of the dead. Mercy alone follows us—and mercy alone gains abodes for the departed.”

There is a saying: “Do not spend your health trying to make money because all the money in the world cannot buy back your health.” Similarly, we can say: “Do not spend your soul trying to gain the world because all that the world contains cannot buy back your soul.” Never get so busy that you do not have time for personal prayer and daily examination of conscience (which is the act of checking up on your soul)

Leadership is not easy, but there is a secret to being successful at it: PRAYER. As a man, Moses was physically weak; he had lost his youth. He couldn’t speak coherently and confidently (hence the need for Aaron). The success of his leadership prowess came from his constant meetings with God. Every good leader must have a tent of meeting with God. We are powerless if we are not in tune with God through daily prayer.

Prayer is not one-way traffic. We ask God because we are His children, and by asking Him, we also declare that we live according to His instructions. Sin destroys our relationship with God. When we pray, we should have complete confidence in God. At the same time, our prayer must affect the kind of life we live. If we beg from God, we must not forget that others are begging from us; others who need our charity; others who need our forgiveness; and others who need us to intercede for them, just as Abraham did for Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jesus taught us a short prayer in our Gospel passage. This prayer does not use repeated/empty phrases. It gives God His due praise and glory. It begs God; it does not issue commands. It is a prayer of commitment in that it asks of God and tells God what you will give to Him. When you pray the Lord’s Prayer, you ask for your daily bread; you also promise to forgive those who sin against you. Do not be too focused on taking from God when you pray that you forget to give back to God.

As Christians, we are constantly the subject of hatred by wolves who pretend to love us. Jesus does not pray that we should be taken out of the world. Jesus prays that we should be protected from the evil one. Even though we wrestle against principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12), we are assured of God’s protection. We do not wrestle as victims but as victors, because Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33).