chosen to pray the marathon?
"Then He went out to the mountain to pray, spending the night in communion with God." —Luke 6:12
In imitation of Christ, we are sometimes called to spend several hours in prayerful communion with God (Lk 6:12). This may be a vigil, a day or night of recollection, or a retreat. After we spend these special, extended times with the Lord, He sometimes raises up leaders for His Church (see Lk 6:13). Then He may cure those "troubled with unclean spirits" and all those suffering from diseases (Lk 6:18-19). When the Lord calls us to extended times of prayer, we have reason to rejoice, for the grace to pray for an extended time is often followed by many other graces, as the Lord chooses leaders, drives out demons, heals the sick, etc.
Is the Lord calling you to pray for long periods of time? We may receive this calling only infrequently. Therefore, when we have been called to spend the day or night in prayer, we should thank the Lord for the privilege of having this grace. We should accept it enthusiastically with joyful anticipation of many other graces for the whole body of Christ and ourselves.
Pray. Pray more. Pray for days and nights when the Lord calls.
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to teach us to pray for extended times.
Promise: "Thus did God disarm the principalities and powers. He made a public show of them and, leading them off captive, triumphed in the person of Christ." —Col 2:15
Praise: Juan attended a retreat and went to Confession for the first time in seven years. When his sins were absolved, he experienced a great desire to witness his love for Jesus. Now he leads a small Christian community.
Reference: (We at Presentation Ministries offer our retreat center and our retreats to you when you are called to pray for an extended period of time. For more information, contact us at 937-587-5464.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 22, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 24, 1999