The Power of Prayer

Dear Salesian Family,

Our catechism guide tells us that prayer is “raising our mind and heart to God. It is a meeting with the one I love and can confide in with my whole heart and soul.

St. Paul tells us in the scriptures: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)

How can I not be anxious when there is so much chaos and confusion? Time just gets away from me, and I feel like I am always rushing, trying to accomplish everything I wrote on my ‘To Do’ list. At the end of the day, I managed to do maybe one or two things on my list. This is when I desperately turn to God and ask, Why?

I must stop and communicate with God, my trusted friend and companion, through quiet, peaceful prayer. He patiently waits for me to turn to Him. Sometimes, I feel that he even laughs at my impatience and anxiety. I know no distance or time will ever make a difference in my relationship with Him. He will always be there to listen to me and be the source of that inner strength that keeps me going.

Knowing that He believes in me and trusts that I will do all within my power to remain faithful to my commitment, which I assume every time I sit back and open my heart to His grace and let Him be God. Yes, this is what I must do more often throughout the day. I must give myself time at the start of my day and the close of my day. I need a small window of time to communicate with the God who knows all my needs and will see me through as I struggle to keep saying yes with an open heart, ready to accept His will.

I am grateful for the power of prayer in my life. When I am feeling sad and lonely, in need of inner strength to face the challenges that stand before me at home, at work, with my children, and all around me, I pray that I may never forget this wonderful gift of prayer. God IS with me; God loves and cares for me. This is why I continue to strive to make prayer a way of life and not just a means I use when I am desperate and need God’s help. Talking with God helps me gain that peace that opens my eyes to the truly important things. I find that prayer does not change things but allows me to change how I see what God, in His goodness, has placed before me. Let us pray…

God bless,

Sr. Carmen, FMA