Episode 2088 The Power of Prayer: Finding Solace in Troubled Times by Nancy

Nancy: Hello, and welcome to Catholic Reboot, where we will be exploring Faith and Reflection and the much need for Prayer. I'm Nancy, your host, and joining me today is Walt. It may be his podcast but I have the microphone.
Walt: Hi everyone, glad to be here and letting Nancy do the heavy lifting.
Nancy: Let’s start with the prayer that Christ gave us, The Our Father.
Nancy: Today, we're diving into a topic that's deeply rooted in many religious traditions: prayer. It's not just a routine or a ritual but a profound means of connection, guidance, and solace. Walt, could you start us off by exploring the origins of prayer?
Walt: Absolutely. Prayer has been an integral part of human spirituality for millennia. Its roots trace back to ancient civilizations, where faithful people communicated with God through spoken word, chants, or rituals. In our Catholic faith, prayer finds its foundation in the teachings of Jesus Christ himself, who emphasized the importance of prayer in fostering a relationship with God.
Nancy, how many times and ways did Christ reinforce prayer?
Nancy: Calling me out hey? Well, there are several examples I can provide you with, but here are a few:
Matthew 6:5-15
The Lord's Prayer (also found in Luke 11:1-4), where Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray and emphasizes the importance of sincerity and humility in prayer.
Matthew 7:7-11
Jesus encourages his followers to ask, seek, and knock, assuring them that God will respond to their prayers.
Matthew 26:36-46
The scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prays fervently before his arrest, demonstrating the power of prayer in times of distress.
Luke 18:1-8
The Parable of the Persistent Widow, where Jesus teaches the importance of perseverance in prayer.

John 14:13-14
Jesus promises that whatever is asked in his name will be done by the Father, reinforcing the efficacy of prayer.
John 15:7
Jesus encourages his disciples to remain in him and his words in them, so they can ask whatever they wish, and it will be done for them.
I could keep going, Walt, but didn’t want to over impress you!
Walt: No, I think you sunk that putt.
Nancy: Something that I think is worth mentioning, Walt, is that we not only learn from the references to Jesus and prayer in the New Testament, but from the different ways in which Jesus Himself prayed. The examples I mentioned refer to Jesus praying alone, praying with others, praying FOR others, praying for long periods of time, losing Himself in prayer.
He prayed regularly, His prayer was always heartfelt. Jesus taught us to never stop praying and He also taught us that not all of our prayers might be answered as we want or expect.

St. Mother Theodore Guerin spoke often about the importance of prayer, and like so many other saints who endured so many hardships on her journey, prayer was the one constant in her life. One of her many notable quotes is:
"Have confidence in the Providence that so far has never failed us. The way is not yet clear. Grope along slowly. Do not press matters; be patient, be trustful." Pray!
So many of our great saints depended on the power and constancy of prayer in their lives. What lessons they have taught us as well.
I’m sure you can touch on two or three saints and their prayer devotions and how crucial it was to them in their lives.
Nancy: We also have to mention that within the Catholic Church, prayer is central to its liturgical practices. From the celebration of the Mass to the recitation of the Divine Office or the Liturgy of the Hours (as you referred to in a recent podcast), prayer permeates every aspect of Catholic worship. It's a beautiful tapestry that weaves together scripture, tradition, and the collective voice of believers.

Walt: Absolutely, Nancy. The Catholic Church offers a rich tapestry of prayers, ranging from formalized prayers like the Our Father and the Hail Mary to spontaneous prayers offered from the heart. These prayers serve as vehicles for expressing gratitude, seeking guidance, and finding strength in times of need.
Nancy: Speaking of finding strength in difficult times, Walt, how do you think prayer helps individuals navigate through life challenges?
Walt: Well, Nancy, I think with all you have gone through over the last 5 years you are much better to explain that.
Nancy: Well although I have had some significant challenges, if you don’t mind me quoting Mary Tyler Moore who said, "Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you. Nobody gets through life unscathed." Prayer provides a source of comfort and reassurance for many of us during troubled times. It's a way to lay our burdens before God, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. Through prayer, we can find peace amidst chaos, clarity amidst confusion, and hope amidst despair.
Walt: And I think it's something that many of our listeners can relate to, especially those who may be going through a challenging period in their lives. Let me take a moment to discuss another such individual, a friend of ours, Sharon, who lost her son in his mid-30’s who had a family. She will tell you that prayer has been her lifeline during that terrible time and also other dark moments of her life. I think she and I felt overwhelmed by grief, fear, or uncertainty, but we knew that turning to prayer and our faith offered us a sense of peace and hope that we couldn't find anywhere else. We needed God and needed him badly. Nobody could fill that void but God.
Can you tell us how prayer specifically helped you through those challenging times?
Nancy: Prayer became my sanctuary, a place where I could pour out my heart and soul to God without fear of judgment. But prayer also allowed me to open up my heart and soul so that God could continue to fill it with the faith and strength to carry on when I felt like giving up. It was my faith that always reminded me that there was light at the end of the tunnel, even when the darkness seemed overwhelming. I am so grateful and thankful to have an unwavering faith; I lean on it all the time.
So prayer in and of itself is a testament to the transformative power in our lives. It is a must and truly without it we are lost within ourselves. But we have to remember that our prayers must mean something to us; they cannot be empty prayers. As you so often say, even when you don’t feel like praying or saying the rosary that it is then that you must really offer it up. Make that small sacrifice and show God that even though you’re not at your best, you know that He deserves all the best that you’ve got - no matter what.
Walt: Very true. Prayer is not just a religious practice; it's a deeply personal and intimate connection with the divine. Whether you're reciting ancient prayers or speaking from the depths of your heart, prayer has the ability to uplift, inspire, and comfort us in times of need. As we navigate life's ups and downs, may we always remember the power of prayer to guide us on our journey.
Nancy: I can’t really finish without including a couple of quotes about prayer from Bishop Sheen and Padre Pio.
Fulton J. Sheen: “It is not particularly difficult to find thousands who will spend two or three hours a day in exercising, but if you ask them to bend their knees to God in five minutes of prayer they protest that it is too long.”

St Padre Pio: "Prayer is the oxygen of the soul." and he also said “Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God’s heart. You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips but with your heart. In fact, on certain occasions, you should only speak to Him with your heart.”
Well thank you for letting me join you today, and may God bless you abundantly. Thank you to all our listeners for tuning in.
Until next time, may you find strength and solace in the power of prayer. Now go out there and Pray for somebody!