How do we pray?

By Deacon Norbert Gaudet, Raymore RC church.

October 28, 2024

Remembrance Day is coming up, and we pray for the deceased who gave up their lives for our freedom. We pray for their families and for those at war. We pray for peace in our world, our country, our communities, our families and in our hearts. We pray for many things and people. The question is, "How do we pray"?

The gospel passage in Mark 10:46-52 is a marvellous instruction for us on how to pray. It's the miracle of Jesus healing the blind beggar, Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus actively sought Jesus, cried out with faith to Him, acknowledged Him as the Messiah and persisted when many tried to silence him. He was confident that he would be healed by Jesus. There are three aspects of prayer that Bartimaeus used - boldness, persistence, and confidence.

Are we bold enough to ask for what we really want? It doesn't mean we will get it. By asking boldly, we are showing faith. Do we even know what we really want or are we captive of the values of this world telling us what we should want? Things like wealth, power, fame, pleasure ... Am I seeking what makes me happy for the moment? Am I blinded by confusion over what is important? First, we need to know what we REALLY want then ask with boldness.

People often call my oldest sister stubborn. She always replies, "I'm not stubborn. I'm persistent". How persistent are we when we pray? Bartimaeus was persistent even though "many sternly ordered him to be quiet but he cried out even more loudly ..." (Mk 10:48 NRSV). Bartimaeus persisted because he believed he had dignity and self-worth. Christians believe that our human dignity comes from being created in the image of God, a God of love. Today's culture calls the choice of assisted suicide "dying with dignity". The concept of dignity is being changed. Ending a life is not ours to choose, it is that of our creator. His calling us back to himself is dignifying not the other way around, us choosing to end it. That is not dignifying. Bartimaeus persisted because he valued himself. Do we value ourselves enough to be persistent?

What do we do when we really want something? We push through obstacles to get it. We make sacrifices, we ask, we persist, we push forward and so on. Do we do it in a humble and loving way or are we bullyish, rude and exploitive. We must always be mindful of the methods we use to obtain what we want.

Bartimaeus also showed confidence throwing off his cloak which was his warmth and comfort and sprang up and went to Jesus. Throwing it off and walking off was risking losing it in the crowd. He had to have confidence that he would be healed. When we pray, are we ready to show the same trust in Jesus, throwing off "our cloak", our comfort?

No matter what we pray for, we can follow Bartimaeus' example, being bold, persistent and confident.