DON'T GIVE UP BE PERSEVERANT IN PRAYER HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 10WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME JUNE 2022

DON'T GIVE UP, BE PERSEVERANT IN PRAYER

After the annihilation of the false prophets of Baal from the country and the people had accepted Yahweh as their God, Elijah sort through prayer to God the invocation of rain upon the land. We are told “Elijah went up the top of Carmel; there he bowed himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees” (1kings 18:42). He prayed fervently and perseveringly till God granted his request. We are told that for ‘seven times Elijah sent his servant to go up and look towards the sea to observe the climate change and only but on the seventh time did the servant observe a little cloud no bigger than a person's hand rising out of the sea’ (1kings 18:43-44). Elijah in his commitment to prayer did not give up after the first count, he persevered, endured, and persisted even up to the seventh time until he saw the manifestation of God. 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, we are reminded once again of the essentiality, necessity, and efficacy of prayer in our Christian life. Prayer for every Christian is a necessity and not simply an obligation because without prayer our faith is weakened, our hearts are disturbed, we are disconnected from the grace of God, and our souls become like parched land without water. The disciples knew the essentiality of prayer, so much so that even after the ascension of Jesus, they remained in the upper room in constant prayer (Acts 1:13-14). We can do the same as Christians. Remember, prayer is the Key. Elijah prayed fervently and never loosed heart. He was not discouraged by the silence of God on the many counts he made while praying. He trusted with deep faith that God will surely answer his prayers and show mercy. His persistence and his endurance in prayer won him the favour of God and finally, there prevailed heavy rain upon the land (1kings 18:45). Friends in Christ, if we are convinced that God is our father and we are his adopted children, then we need, based on the faith and trust we have in God as our father, to be constant, persistent, unwavering, assiduous, and perseverant in our prayer requests. Let us not be lured to the conclusion that the silence of God implies abandonment or desertion, rather, God as Father does things in his own precious time following his plan. God's time surely is the best for us. Do not give up on that prayer request, God listens.

A prayerful Christian is a reconciler, a pacifier, a crack Moulder, a peace-maker, etc. One who is not at peace with his brethren cannot claim to be at peace with God. Genuine worship or sacrifice is birthed by authentic peace and unity with one's brethren. Jesus warned, “when you are offering your gift at the altar, and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift” (Mt5:23-24).

Beloved in Christ, with fervent heart, let us submit to God in constant prayer, asking that He may gracious to us and bless every one of our good heart intentions.

Have a pleasant day!

Fr Remi osj