*Saturday 25th May 2024 Daily Reflection and Meditation*
_Is anyone among you suffering? Pray. Is anyone in good spirits? Sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Call the priests of the Church to pray over him or her and anoint him or her with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:13-14)
Pray always with a childlike faith. A child trusts totally. Have such a faith so that with St Augustine echoing further the disctum of St Anselm, "you may believe in order that you may understand." Trust like a child even when you pray.
*Have a blessed weekend.*
SATURDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK IB ORDINARY TIME YEAR B 2024
*The Power of Prayer and Childlike Faith*
_People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:13–14_
*Readings: James 5:13-20. Mark 10:13-16.*
_Introduction:_
In today’s readings we are reminded of two profound truths: the power of prayer and the importance of childlike faith. We are called into a deeper relationship with God through fervent prayer and simple-trusting faith.
*The Power of Prayer:*
James emphasizes the transformative power of prayer in various circumstances:
_Personal Prayer:_ "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise." Prayer is our first response in times of trouble and joy, anchoring us in God’s presence. Through personal prayer we communicate to God our needs, we have a heart to heart conversation with him, what St Ignatius of Loyola, in his Spiritual Exercises, calls it a _colloquy_
_Intercessory Prayer:_ "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." James encourages communal prayer, underscoring the unity and mutual support within the Christian community. It is for this reason that we ask others to join us in prayer and pray for a certain need.
_Efficacy of Righteous Prayer:_ "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Our prayers, when aligned with God’s will and offered in righteousness, have the potential to effect real change, even healing and restoration even though it is not that prayer that heals us since we are unworthy, but the mercy of God that overlooks our sinfulness.
*Childlike Faith:*
Jesus highlights the significance of childlike faith:
_Welcoming Children:_ Jesus rebukes his disciples for hindering the children from coming to Him, saying, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
_Humility and Trust:_ Jesus uses children as models of the kind of faith we must have to enter the kingdom of God: "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." This calls us to embody humility, innocence, and absolute trust in God.
*Prayer as an Act of Childlike Faith:*
When we pray, we approach God with the trust and dependence of a child. Prayer is not just a duty but a demonstration of our reliance on God’s goodness and power.
_Healing and Wholeness:_
Just as a child runs to a parent for comfort and healing, we are invited to turn to God in prayer for our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The communal aspect of prayer also reflects the inclusive, welcoming nature of Jesus, who embraced the children.
*Invitation:*
_Be Persistent in Prayer:_ Make prayer a constant part of your life, turning to God in every situation, just as a child constantly looks to a parent for guidance and support.
_Cultivate Childlike Qualities:_
Strive to trust God wholeheartedly, embrace humility, and remain open to His love and direction.
_Foster Community through Prayer:_
Engage in communal prayers, support one another, and build a community that reflects the unity and compassion Jesus taught. If anyone is sick, let the community gather and pray for him or her. Let him or her receive the sacrament of the Holy Annointing. Don't wait until the person is at the point of death so that you call the priest to annoint him or her. It is a sacrament that heals you spiritually and at times physically as well.
_Conclusion:_
As we continue with our reflection, let us commit to deepening our prayer lives with the simplicity and trust of a child. Let our prayers be powerful and effective, rooted in righteousness and community. And may we always welcome others, especially the most vulnerable, into the loving embrace of Christ.
*Let us pray:*
"Heavenly Father, help us to come to You with the faith of a child, trusting in Your love and power. Teach us to pray fervently and to support one another in our journeys. May our lives reflect Your kingdom on earth. Amen."
*Have a blessed Saturday -Pray for my complete healing*
_Rev Fr Francis Wambua, SJ_
*Jesuits in South Sudan*