Jesus said there is "the necessity of praying always and not losing heart" (Lk 18:1). We are to "never cease praying" (1 Thes 5:17). Jesus prayed early in the morning (Mk 1:35) and late at night (Lk 22:39-41). Because we are His disciples, we imitate Him and pray formally so much that we are in the spirit of prayer during all daily activities. Jesus continues to invite us to watch and pray at least one hour with Him (see Mt 26:40).

Because we communicate with God in prayer, it is obvious that it is a privilege and a necessity to pray. Nevertheless, we struggle to pray always daily, faithfully, and deeply. The Spirit, however, "helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us" (Rm 8:26).

The Holy Spirit helps us overcome our weakness in prayer in many ways. The Spirit calls us to:

• pray the Mass,
• pray with others (Mt 18:19),
• pray with our spouses,
• pray as a family,
• pray in tongues (1 Cor 14:2),
• pray from the Bible, and
• fast and pray (Mt 17:21).

The Holy Spirit is praying for you and leading you in prayer. "Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's lead" (Gal 5:25).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, December 4, 2001

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 10, 2001