“The more you pray, the less you'll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You'll feel more patient and less pressured.”

“Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.” ― Mother Teresa: (1910 – 1997: Founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata)

Gospel Text: (MK 1:29-39)

On leaving the synagogue

Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.

Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.

They immediately told him about her.

He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.

Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset,

they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.

The whole town was gathered at the door.

He cured many who were sick with various diseases,

and he drove out many demons,

not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn,

he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.

Simon and those who were with him pursued him

and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."

He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages

that I may preach there also.

For this purpose have I come."

So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons

throughout the whole of Galilee.

In many instances during his public ministry, the Gospels tell us that Jesus went off to a quiet place to pray, to commune with his heavenly Father. At the night before his arrest, trial, condemnation and death on the cross, "filled with anguish and distress," Jesus prayed to his Father at Gethsemane, "Father, if it is your will, remove this cup from me; still not my will but yours be done."  (Lk 22:42) In prayer he was in complete union with his Father.

The Church offers the Eucharistic sacrifice as our great prayer to the Father; participation at Sunday Mass is very important in the life of all members of the Church. The Church stresses the importance of prayer: ordained ministers and religious are required daily prayer. We are all urged to pray and to pray unceasingly.

Are we too busy to spend time with God in daily prayer?