By Leland Francisco. From Creative Commons

This letter was the introduction to the National Office for Evangelisation’s eNews which can be viewed here.

For those who have a relationship with God, prayer is essential. “Christian prayer is the personal and living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is infinitely good, with his Son Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit who dwells in their hearts.” (Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, n534)

Sometimes we can be surprised by God when we have prayed for something or someone and there is a direct and tangible response. This increases our faith.

Other times we cannot see God at work in responding to our prayers. We will never know or understand God’s ways this side of heaven. And that is when we are called to have faith and to trust. I find great reassurance in the refrain of the Divine Mercy with the words: “Jesus, I trust in you”.

Then there are times when we forget to pray and we begin notice that life can be a struggle or there is an absence of peace. We have moved away from God and start to feel it.

English poet Alfred Lord Tennyson famously said “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”

There are many things to pray for. Let’s offer them all to God, pray for one another and trust in His providence.