Alone in Prayer !

Within the church calendar we are now in the 14^th week of Ordinary time, but is there any ordinary time for us believers?  One would suggest extraordinarily times are possible if we stay awake to God’s word.  The question posed by Jesus in today’s Gospel is “who do you say I am.”  We too can ask ourselves this same question.

I’m sure many times you have prayed alone, but we are never alone in prayer, we belong to the people of God who are praying collectively all over the world everyday.  It is within this community of believers that we get a sense of belonging as disciples of    Jesus and we can pray, joining in the Christian community worldwide.

As we carry our cross daily, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we need to be aware that Jesus has gone before us in prayer and in suffering.  In heartfelt prayers we hope in the promise of peace and mercy.  In praying  for our needs, whether in joy or sorrow, our  prayers reach the heart of Christ and Christ is continually interceding for us with the Father.  Prayer of the heart, alone or collectively, locally or globally, is the key to Christian living.

M.H.

8th July, 2007