Posted on 12/18/2018 8:29:49 AM PST by Salvation
To say that something is “necessary” is to declare that it is so essential that to be without it causes grave if not deadly harm. The word comes from Latin: ne– (not) + cedere (to withdraw, go away, yield). The root sense is that what is necessary is something from which we cannot stray, something from which there is no withdrawal, something we cannot evade. There is an expression in Latin, sine qua non, which literally means “without which not.” Its fuller meaning expresses something so essential that without it, other required things cannot proceed.
Do you see prayer in this way, as necessary, as essential? Do you view at something without which other things cannot happen? Sadly, it would seem that many do not. Prayer is something easily postponed. It’s something to be done if the mood is just right, or if we have an urgent need. It is seldom scheduled and easily skipped in favor of almost any other activity. We seem to be able find time for everything else, but prayer is easily set aside—I’m busy; I’m tired; I forgot; something came up.
These sorts of issues arise because most people don’t really view prayer as necessary.
But prayer is necessary. St. Augustine said, “God who made us without us, will not save us without us.” Jesus stands at the door and knocks (see Rev 3:21), but we must open the door of our heart for him to enter and feed us. Prayer is our way answering, of opening the door. Little else will happen until we open the door each day to Him.
This brief column is not intended as an exhaustive exposition on prayer. Rather, it is intended to remind us that we should see prayer as a necessity. To that end, here are just a few quick thoughts underscoring the essential nature of prayer.
Pray, my brethren; pray. Pray for the gift of prayer. Pray for the desire to pray. Pray! Prayer is necessary; it is essential.
We do not always know everything we should pray for; we do not always remember to pray for everything. God knows our weakness. But failing to pray as a general norm is deadly to our life and our salvation.
Did I mention that we ought to pray?
Monsignor Pope Ping!
How do we KNOW prayer is necessary when we don’t KNOW if our prayers even reach God’s ear or are accepted by Him?
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7
God is a loving Father who hears and answers all prayers ... but He is not bound by time. For example, I prayed for 50 years that my step-father would be baptized before he died. 3 years ago, he surprised us by waking up one morning and announcing that he wanted to be baptized Catholic. My mother did not take him seriously but he persisted until she relented and called the pastor of her parish. Since dad was in a wheelchair, the priest came to their home and sent us into another room with the door closed while he spoke with dad. Half hour later, we were called out to bear witness as dad received the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. Two months later, dad underwent knee replacement surgery and awoke with full blown dementia. Had he not been baptized prior to surgery, when he was in full control of his faculties, no priest would have baptized him. Ironically, the baptism took place before my mother passed away, 11 months later.
God has answered many of my prayers but these were all offered with "if it be your will". Luke 11:11 reminds us ""Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?" God knows what we need and answers prayers accordingly. Sometimes, the answer is 'no'.
Excellent answer.
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