Persistent Prayer Breaks Through

November 12, Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
3 John 5-8 and Luke 18:1-8

What is worthy of God? The first reading tells us. It’s fidelity, that is, walking in the ways of the Lord and teaching and showing others to walk the same way. Fidelity is not self-serving. Fidelity is remaining true to our calling to win souls, including strangers, to the Father, despite challenges.

Further, the Gospel shows us a picture of fidelity, that is, persistence in prayer, not giving up despite or even in front of a great obstacle or opponent. How many of us give up when confronted with a great challenge? How many of us succumb when faced with a great adversity? Don’t many of us back out when confronted with oppositions, failures, or impossibilities? How many of us don’t even lift a finger for the sake of a stranger? We give up without even trying.

Persistence goes a long way when it is directed towards the good of another and not only for oneself. The persistence of the poor widow in the Gospel did not only do her good. It moved and changed the judge, a non-believer. Her persistence is likened to what our prayers should be – sincere and never giving up even when things seem impossible because prayers open even hardened unbelieving hearts.

Indeed, when we are faithful in our prayer life, miracles happen. The miracles don’t necessarily mean that we get what we want. Our persistent prayers facilitate the flow of the grace to overcome the inevitable disillusionments we meet in life. So, when we persistently pray, the answer to our specific prayer becomes secondary. The miracle is in the change of heart that happens in us and in others. Only prayer can open us to the inspirations that will keep us going and believing.