pray always, or else
Jesus "told them a parable on the necessity of praying always and not losing heart." —Luke 18:1
A necessity is something that we must have or do. Otherwise, we will suffer dire consequences, even death. For example, food is a necessity. If we don't have it, we die. Jesus teaches that it is a necessity not only to pray but to pray always (Lk 18:1; 1 Thes 5:17). Otherwise, we will suffer dire consequences.
How can we pray always and thereby not put our lives in jeopardy? The Spirit "helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought" (Rm 8:26). The Spirit changes the necessity of praying always from an impossible burden to a privilege and a constant miracle. To pray always is to do God's will constantly because we are always aware of His presence. To pray always is to abide in love and abide in God (1 Jn 4:16). To pray always is to share in heaven.
Ask Jesus to teach you to pray always (see Lk 11:1). In answer to your prayer, God the Father through Jesus will send the Holy Spirit to help you pray always. You will enter into the mystery of Trinitarian love. Pray always.
Prayer: Father, may I pray in joyful thanksgiving for the constant privilege of praying always.
Promise: "When peaceful stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, your all-powerful Word from heaven's royal throne bounded, a fierce Warrior." —Wis 18:14-15
Praise: St. Margaret brought Christianity to Scotland by her example to her husband.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Lord, Teach Us to Pray, order, listen to, or download our CD 57-3 or DVD 57 on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 11, 2019
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