Saturday, April 29, 2006
The power of prayer
Last week's bible study was on Mark 11:12-25. Jesus curses a fig tree. He ransacks the temple. Basically, we see a cranky Jesus. But then Mark wraps up the lesson with some words about prayer.

In preparing for Sunday morning, I found these words from John Chrysostom, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God, Homily. They didn't call him "Golden Tongue" for nothing:

Prayer is an all-efficient panoply, a treasure undiminished, a mine never exhausted, a sky unobstructed by clouds, a haven unruffled by storm.

It is the root, the fountain, and the mother of a thousand blessings.

It exceeds a monarch's power....

I speak not of the prayer which is cold and feeble and devoid of zeal.

I speak of that which proceeds from a mind outstretched, the child of a contrite spirit, the offspring of a soul converted--this is the prayer which mounts to heaven....

The power of prayer has subdued the strength of fire, bridled the rage of lions, silenced anarchy, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains of death, enlarged the gates of heaven, relieved diseases, averted frauds, rescued cities from destruction, stayed the sun in its course, and arrested the progress of the thunderbolt.

In sum, prayer has power to destroy whatever is at enmity with the good.

I speak not of the prayer of the lips, but of the prayer that ascends from the inmost recesses of the heart.




Amen, and amen.

posted by Peter at 12:03 AM
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