The Gift of Prayer

The Gift of Prayer
There are many beautiful ways to show your love for others. One way is to exchange gifts in the form of presents during Christmas-time or other holiday seasons, a birthday, baptisms, reception into the faith, a wedding, anniversary or graduation. Sometimes the gifts are monetary, or have a personal touch like a homemade craft or an eatable item. Another mode of giving is time in the form of volunteerism at your church, community center or some worthy cause; it may even be donating blood to your local Red Cross. All these forms when expressed from the heart represent the best of human affection.

There is another meaningful and special gift that you can give others. It is the gift of prayer. It can be given at anytime, in every place, or circumstance and has much spiritual benefit. It can be offered for specific individuals or various intentions.

When Jesus was asked by His disciples on how to pray, He taught them: “Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:9-13). Many of the Church Fathers have called the Lord’s Prayer “the perfect prayer.” "The same Lord who made us," says Saint Cyprian of Carthage, "also taught us how to pray, so that our petitions will be more easily heard, when we speak to the Father in the words offered to us by his Son.”

Jesus’ whole life became a perfect prayer. Even when hanging on the cross, the dying Jesus prayed that those who crucified Him be forgiven. (Luke 23:34) He invites us also to dedicate ourselves totally to God just as He did.

Because of their commitment to pray for others, many people compile a list of names of the living and the departed called “diptychs.” It is a practical way to remember them during morning and evening prayers and also on the five days of the “General Commemoration for the Departed.”

Many churches set up “prayer circles” in which parishioners are asked to pray for each other and various life circumstances that arise. Lifting up others before the Throne of God in prayer is without doubt a genuine act of love. Saint Paul wrote to those in the Church at Rome, that, “without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers.” (Romans 1:9)

The meaning of intercessory prayer can be summed up with the phrase that we so often hear in our liturgical services: “Let us commend ourselves, one another and all of our lives to Christ our God.

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