Prayer Partner Ministry Coming to St. Thomas
Prayer Partner Ministry Coming to St. Thomas
“Don’t be afraid to try to deepen your relationship with God, to seek the Lord through prayer and through living the spiritual life vibrantly. It’s a commitment, but the rewards are tremendous — to have that relationship with God, to know God’s presence not only in prayer but in the midst of daily life, and to be able to seek and find God in all things.” Pope St. John Paul II
Over the next few weeks some of the important questions regarding prayer and the benefits of praying with a companion will be addressed. Prayer partners will be available one Sunday each month in the Chapel following the 9:30 am Mass beginning with the irst Sunday in February.
Does everyone need a prayer companion?
The answer to this question depends on the individual. How are you tuned in to God’s presence? Are you aware of what God is doing in your life? Sometimes we need to be reminded of these questions because sometimes we forget that we are God’s cherished sons and daughters. It’s at these times that we may need help in hearing God’s voice and feeling his presence.
When is the right time?
Life has a way of inviting us into a deeper prayer experience. For example, you might need to make a difficult decision, and so you want someone to pray with you, to join you in listening to God and how God might be leading you. Or maybe an old wound has surfaced and you want to bring it before God in a prayerful posture, waiting to see what He has to say to you. Or maybe you may want to nurture your relationship with God, deepen your prayer life, to be closer to God. Perhaps you are grieving the loss of a loved one or of a cherished relationship.
Whatever the reason God is inviting you to pray, praying with the support of a companion is a holy practice. Jesus said, “where two or three are gathered, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:20. All are invited to accept the invitation.
Prayer Partners available following the 9:30 am Mass in the Chapel Sunday, February 2.
What is a prayer partner and why do I need one?
Simply stated a prayer partner is someone who supports and accompanies others in prayer. In my own experience, I have found having a companion in prayer to be a great help to me in that I have someone to sit with me in the silence, to prayerfully listen to what is stirring in my heart and not to have any specific agenda other than being together in God’s presence.
What exactly do prayer partners do?
They help others attend to God’s presence and revelation and prepare to respond to him. In short, prayer partners support us as we discern God’s voice. The Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it this way: God calls us first. In prayer, our own first is a response to God’s initiative (CCC2567). Prayer partners support this response.
Next week: Does everyone need a prayer companion? When is the right time?
Questions? Contact Annette Kubalanza at akubalanza@stapostle.org or 630.355.8980, x124.
