Jesus had a profound life of prayer that was fundamental to His relationship with His Father (and his disciples). Each of the pivotal moments in Jesus life and ministry were always preceded by intense, prolonged prayer: not just a human action but a divine dialogue. Jesus was intentional in making the time and place to pray, and sometimes he continued in prayer all night.
A central theme of the Gospels is Jesus’s continuous intercessory prayer out of love for each individual. He carries each of his disciples, and each of us, in His heart. This is beautifully captured by Pope Francis: “Jesus’ love and prayer for each one of us does not cease, it does not cease, but rather becomes more intense, and we are at the center of his prayer!“
Thus, even when our own prayers feel inadequate or weak, we can trust in Jesus’s constant intercession. As the Pope illustrates: “Even if our prayers were only stuttering, if they were compromised by a wavering faith, we must never cease to trust in him: I do not know how to pray but he prays for me.“
Jesus example is a reminder that prayer is the only source of light and strength. When we encounter difficulties or darkness, it is necessary to pray more intensely, every time the road takes an uphill turn. In those times, Pope Francis encourages one to remember that Jesus is praying for me personally – “In the moment of trial, in the moment of sin, even in that moment, Jesus is praying for me with so much love” – transforming prayer from a ritual to an intimate, ongoing conversation of love and grace.
You are invited to meditate on the Transfiguration: Luke 9:28-36. Jesus went up the mountain to pray, and was transfigured as He was praying. And from this comes the invitation to listen to Jesus.