priority prayer
“First of all, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for all men.” —1 Timothy 2:1
Jesus got up earlier than His disciples in order to pray (Mk 1:35). Jesus frequently prayed into the night (see Lk 6:12; 22:39ff). He taught His disciples to pray (Lk 11:1) and spoke of “the necessity of praying always” (Lk 18:1). Nevertheless, Jesus’ disciples probably did not grasp what Jesus meant by the importance of prayer.
A few hours before He was crucified, Jesus took three of His apostles aside in the Garden of Gethsemani where He hoped that they would pray one of the greatest “holy hours” of prayer ever prayed (see Mt 26:36ff). However, they fell asleep and missed out on this invaluable lesson on prayer. Less than fifty days later, Jesus ascended into heaven and told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem to be baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). As they waited, they devoted themselves to constant and communal prayer (Acts 1:14). They prayed what would later be called the first “novena,” nine days of prayer. They received the Holy Spirit, baptized three thousand people that day (Acts 2:41), and the Church was born. Thus, prayer was recognized as an original, constitutive part of the Church. Accordingly, the Church devoted herself to prayer (Acts 2:42) and made prayer a priority. Will you pray “first of all”? (1 Tm 2:1)
Prayer: Father, teach me the priority of prayer.
Promise: “When the deputation returned to the house, they found the servant in perfect health.” —Lk 7:10
Praise: Praying an all-night vigil changed Robert’s life. He fell deeply in love with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Reference: (Love, life and faith begin in the home. Forming a Christian Home Based Community will aid you in growing in your faith and love for God and others. A two-part seminar, Oct. 6-8 and Oct. 9-12, will equip you to begin the process of Building a Civilization of Love. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com for information or to register.)
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period August 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 2023
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.