The is the second of four homilies on how to pray. Last Sunday we saw prayer's first step: gratitude. We now see the second element of prayer: persistence. Persistence has to accompany gratitude. Otherwise, it turn to bitterness or simply will die. The Old Testament reading gives a powerful image of persistence - Moses extending his arms to God. As long as he keeps his arms up, the Israelites win the battle. But when Moses weakens and lowers his arms, the Israelites take a beating.
The best thing a father can do is to pray for his family. Persistent intercessory prayer is a manly task. We need fathers who pray for their wife and children - and grandchildren. I experience that as a priest. On Sunday morning, when I make a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament, I know that battles are going on in our homes...
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