Dear Saints,

Does prayer change things? Many people who don’t pray would say no; in fact, that’s why they don’t pray - because it makes no difference. Scripture tells a different story on practically every page. The prophet Elijah, for example, changed the course of history with his prayer. Paul entrusts himself to Philemon’s prayer in the hope that it would reunite them. The angel Gabriel reveals that John the Baptist’s conception was an answer to his parents’ prayers. And by the end of Job’s story, the wretched figure of today’s first reading had been so restored to fullness of health and prosperity, God was following his lead on how to deal with some of his irreverent friends. So yes, prayer definitely changes things.

Above all, perhaps, it changes us. Prayer is conversation with God, and we simply cannot withstand such divine encounters intact, as it were. That’s because our “intactness” is really just brokenness in need of restoration and healing. We come as we are - sick, wounded, brokenhearted - and we leave with a wholeness that can only come from God himself. We meet the Divine Physician so he can grasp our hands and help us up.

Having been healed, we cannot keep our newfound vitality to ourselves. We must go where we’re called to go, say what we’re called to say, do what we’re called to do. We must win over as many as possible so that they, too, can enjoy the healing, restorative power of God’s friendship and love.

Christ’s Peace,

Father Daniel

δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ