The ‘power’ of prayer
30th Sunday C,
Cobh
26 October 2025
My friends,
There are many humorous stories told about people in tight corners in life who turn to prayer to God as a last resort. The humorous bit is usually the things they will do or not do ever again, if God answers their prayer in the way they have pleaded with him.
The humour comes too from our realising that God, however we grasp the mystery is not some kind of puppeteer who dangles us on strings with which he plays at his or our fancy.
Understanding clearly what it is we’re doing when we pray is not always easy. It often depends on our current life experience – whether good and positive or difficult and negative. There are many saints who in their writings have admitted to having real dark and difficult times in their prayer life. Darkness and doubt seem to be as constant companions on the spiritual way as illumination and consolation.
A helpful reminder always is to distinguish between our saying prayers alone or in a community, from periods of silence and meditation.
Today scripture readings offer the opportunity to reflect on prayer from different angles or perspectives. The words from Ecclesiastes reassure us that the Lord is always attentive to the prayer of the humble, the lonely and sincere of heart. The same sentiment is threaded through the verses of the Responsorial Psalm, “The Lord is close to the broken hearted. Those who’s spirit is crushed he will save.”
Later the Gospel from St. Luke, Jesus offers a model of authentic prayer by contrasting the disposition of the Pharisees prayer from that of the Tax Collector. The first is marked by pride and self-righteousness, the second by humility and the need for mercy.
The grace of these verses from the Word of God is they enable us to reflect on our own disposition – of mind and heart. Know when you are going through the motions of words of prayer and your heart is not in it – Maybe you’re in bad form, not feeling well, anxious and worried. If you are, that should be beginning moment of prayer – bringing oneself as you are. There is great freedom in doing so. It is praying with awareness, purpose and love.
As always St. Paul is never dull in his words because he speaks directly of God and his experience of his faith and trust in him. Today, St. Paul writes to Timothy as a testimony of his own experience and struggle, by way of encouragement to Timothy in his preaching.
His words have an immortal quality,
“I have fought the good fight to the end
I have run the race to the finish
I have kept the faith.”
While he is proud of his fidelity and perseverance he equally leaves us in no doubt.
“But the Lord has stood by me and gave me power.
So that through me the whole message might be proclaimed.”
My friends, our experience of prayer is meant to be one of joy, serenity and consolation in the midst of life’s ebb and flow. Its ‘power’ may sometimes be evident in some dramatic form. However, it is usually most evident in the daily witness to goodness, beauty and nobility of the so-called ordinary people.
“Lord, be merciful to me as a sinner”
