Perseverance in Prayer

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Thursday, 27th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, October 8th, 2020

Texts: Gal. 3:1-5; Ps.  Luke 1:69-75; Luke 11:5-13

Jesus Christ speaks on prayer today. He reminds us to be persevering in prayer; he tells us not to grow weary in prayer. He speaks of how persistent in prayer could give us what we want. He reminds us that persistence in prayer could grant us what friendship could not dare to give. Friendship may fail but persistence will not. He says, "I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs."

Persistence in prayer is an act of faith; it is faith in action. Without faith, no one could persevere in prayer. Faith makes us to stay put and refuse to call it a quit. It is faith that makes us a winner at last; it is often said, 'winners do not quit.' Faith makes us to stay till the end; salvation belongs to those who persevere to the end. Faith is very key to our salvation; it is faith that connects us with God. It is what we do in faith that glorifies God. Outside faith, our works are meant for our personal ego. Hence, the scripture says it is by faith that we are pleasing to God (Heb. 11:6). It will be very difficult to be a righteous man without faith; the scripture says, the righteous shall live by faith (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17). St. Paul, in today's first reading, reprimands the Galatians for neglecting faith and placing emphasis on law. He says, "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?"

St. Paul tells us that we receive the Spirit by hearing with faith, that is, by believing in the word and persevering in it. We persevere in the word when we act on it. Jesus assures  us that he whoever prays for the Spirit will receive it. He says, "If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Lord our God, we thank you for your generosity towards us, we ask you for Holy Spirit and the grace of perseverance in prayer; give heed to our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke