The Power of Prayer
By Karen Stephens
Recently, I wanted some definition for the word prayer. The Catechism and St. Thérèse provided this:
“Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” (CCC 258)
“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” - St. Thérèse of Lisieux
In our Catholic tradition, there are many great “pray-ers” who have left us with volumes of beautiful prayers and yet, “we do not know how to pray as we ought.” (Rom 8:26)
A few months ago, my family experienced an unexpected loss that came in a dramatic fashion. My 55-year-old brother became a widower, and 4 nieces and nephews were suddenly without their mother. While they have all reached adulthood, they are all very young. Only one is older than 30.
The funeral and burial were rich in Catholic tradition and full of the beauty of the next life as well as acknowledgment of the joy and the realities that were Jenny. My brother wrote an amazing eulogy (delivered by a friend). He told me that writing it helped begin some healing for him.
There was incredible community and family support. People kept asking me what they could do. I had no idea, as this was new territory for me as well. If I was lost, I wondered, what must my brother and his family be going through? My answer quickly became, “Please pray for them.”
As more of my own friends became aware of the situation, they began to tell me they were praying for me. I quickly asked them to please pray for my brother instead. I couldn’t understand why they would pray for me. My loss was nothing in comparison.
Then God enlightened me, and I realized that I also “do not know how to pray as [I] ought”, so He gave me friends who prayed with me. I came to understand that their prayerful support is what provided me with strength, fortitude and wisdom to do what I needed to do, to help Bobby and his family.
As I write this, it has been a little over two months since that day. We are all learning a new language and the realities that come after any loss. My 3:00 PM Divine Mercy hour has now taken on a personal intent, while at the same time, making me more aware of the need to pray for the intentions of all.
Recently, I have encountered some folks who asked me to pray for them because they had forgotten their own need for prayer in the midst of praying for others.
Pray often and humbly let others pray for you. It is a priceless gift from a friend who cares.