Prayer and Praying

What is prayer to you? How do you pray?

Prayer is the most important talk I do. It is the best thing that happens to me as I feel most intimate with God, my creator and saviour, my refuge and strength, my only constant friend.

In recent years, especially the past months, I find myself often in prayer, in solitary, or even amid the maddening crowd. Prayer is extremely appeasing. My praying has become more intense too, as biological days race and tick.

The Power of Prayer

Praying to know God better

Through prayer, we directly connect with God. No intercessions. No in-betweens. No detours. Reading and studying the scriptures isn't enough. True, we get to know about God, but by praying, we get to know him, develop the patience, the perseverance and faithfulness of God. The more we pray in earnest, the more we get to know him... 

Intercessory Prayer and Great Intercessors

Leaders of the Bible Great Intercessors.

Who are these Biblical intercessors who prayed in earnest to God?  There are many of them,  and to name a few:

• Moses interceded for the people of Israel, in particular, for the forty days and forty nights.

• Elisha the prophet interceded for a dead son.

• Job interceded for his friends while suffering for his terrible losses.

• Daniel interceded for Israel, for twenty one days.

• Apostle Paul in the New Testament interceded through prayers in practically all his letters to the Christian churches during his ministry.

St. Francis of Assissi's Prayer of Peace

 St. Francis Assissi and his Prayer of Peace

Yesterday, I found this short prayer writen anonymously that simply touches. I thought of so many people I haven't heard from for such a long time, and more so, supposed friends simply out of touch from each others'  busy lives.  I share it with warm thoughts:

"Lord, make old people tolerant,
Young folk sympathetic,
Great folk humble,
Busy folk patient,
Bad folk good,
And make me what I ought to be."

A great challenge, but put to practice our lives may run smoothly, and the world a beautiful place to be.