Posted on July 5, 2024
Catechism Meditation:
Prayer of intercession consists in asking on behalf of another. It knows no boundaries and extends to one’s enemies. ―No. 2647
REFLECTION. Intercessory prayer is a powerful way to support others spiritually. This can be done in a general way — as when we pray for the faithful departed, the poor or victims of a natural disaster — or specifically by praying for a particular person by name. We may not be in a position to help others in a particular way every time a need is expressed, but we are always given the opportunity to pray for them.
God knows our cares and concerns and wants us to entrust those to him. The Gospel stories of the healing of Jairus’ daughter (Lk 8:40-42,49-56), the man born deaf (Mk 7:31-37), and the paralytic lowered by his friends through the roof (Mk 2:1-12) all speak to the faith of people who approach God. These are not concerned with what they want for themselves, but with the needs of someone else. In the story of the paralytic, for example, it was the faith of the man’s friends that led Jesus to cure the man (Mk 2:5).
In the story of Job, we see that intercessory prayer is not only effective, but it can benefit the one who does the praying. Job, who prayed for others despite his personal trials, grew in humility and selflessness and was ultimately rewarded when the Lord restored his fortunes (Job 42:10). When we ask God to have mercy on someone else, we too can develop greater mercy and humility.
PRAYER. Father, bless those who are in need of Your grace and mercy.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“Too often, when someone appeals for help in trouble and exposes to the priest his depressed soul, we tell him to pray. Certainly! But do we intercede?” ― Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Featured Video:
When Someone You Love Walks Away From God / Leaves the Church (8:28)
