THE WONDER AND POWER OF PRAYING WITH OTHERS

October 19, 2025 – 29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101925.cfm)

Being with young people in the ministry, allowed me to witness and observe their difficulties as they try to live the faith. My generation, the millennial and even those who are younger than me, usually express the difficulty of consistency in praying.

Despite the busy environment of the cities, the many distractions brought about by our gadgets, the internet and the need to socialize with others, young people also desire to have deeper grounding. This means that there is a deep desire among the young to connect with God – to be one with Him.

Yet, the circumstances and particular situations that they are in would sometimes prevent them to be consistent in relating with God through prayer. There are also the personal struggles young people face, or problems in their relationships with their family and friends and demands from work or their studies.

Thus, prayer is believed to be time-consuming and demanding. At times, it can be tiring. To pray can even be lonely especially when we feel alone and feel that nobody understands us.

This Rosary Month, every night, our young people in the chaplaincy are visiting homes. And to the families who were visited, surely, you can attest to this. Sometimes they were many, sometimes few. Sometimes they were on time, sometimes late.

Though I observe from a distance, what touched me deeply is the very presence of our young people. These students must have surely felt tired and exhausted from their academic demands. Yet, they would still make time. Sometimes after the family rosary, they would look broken and annoyed after being scolded and nagged by some elders during the Family Rosary.

Yet, despite all these, they remained. Constantly reminding and inviting others to join in praying the rosary. Keeping the faith despite many odds.

We may not realize, yet, prayer indeed moves us. Prayer helps us endure hardships and demands. Prayer gives us strength not to dwell on our weakness but to rely on the grace of God to work in us and with us.

I find this a moving experience. Again, this reminds me that prayer changes people not just those who are praying but also those who are affected by the prayer in one way or another. What I find more interesting also is by witnessing how powerful prayer can be when we too are with others.

This reminds me of the readings we have today. In the first reading, Moses raised up his hand in prayer to God. Moses prayed for Israel because an enemy waged war against them. The Book of Exodus recalls how Moses in the long run grew tired. Whenever he let his hands rest, the enemy, Amalek had the advantage of the battle.

Yet, what is more interesting was the presence of Aaron and Hur. Seeing Moses growing tired in praying, the two helped him by supporting both hands of Moses. Through their support, Moses’ hands remained steady till sunset.

This tells us that we find more strength in praying with others. When we too are with others even though we feel tired and lonely, the very presence of our dear friends and loved ones could uplift us and inspire us.

The presence of Aaron and Hur reminded Moses that he was not alone in asking favor from God. Moses became persistent and consistent in praying because Aaron and Hur also joined with him.

This story may sound primitive but there is wisdom behind here. We find it there the power of praying with our friends. Surely, praying can be tiring as Moses experienced it. It is also time-consuming. It can be emotionally exhausting especially when we are internally and externally troubled. Yet, praying with our friends is different. The company and the assurance that we are not alone, gives us hope.

Jesus, in the Gospel, reminds us also of the need to pray always and never to give up. The parable of the persistent widow captures that message of Jesus. Moreover, Jesus also emphasized that character of God who pays attention to us and to our prayers. The dishonest judge who gave in to that persistent widow just highlighted the compassionate Father that we have. Indeed, God is most willing to listen to our prayers and grant the deepest desires of our hearts.

Indeed, the parable is an invitation for all of us to realize the need to pray always without becoming weary or exhausted. But how do we not grow weary? Well, this is where we find the importance and significance of our friends, of our community.

As this was addressed by Jesus to all the disciples, it is to be understood that prayer becomes our strength, source of comfort and growth in faith. Prayer also becomes our way of life as a community of disciples of Jesus. St. Paul reminds us of this in his 2^nd Letter to Timothy, “be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient” – since to pray is also a means of proclaiming the Word of God.

Now, these are the invitations for us today as well as your take-aways

First, Pray with our friends. Do not be shy or hesitate to ask your friends to pray with you. Even if you are in a public place, pray with your friends. Even if that is through a simple meal that you share at Jollibee or Minute Burger or at a carenderia in ComCent, pray with your friends. Pray with your friends not just during bad and difficult times but also during celebrations and in times of gratitude.

Second, Pray with the Holy Scriptures. As we pray with our friends, maximize also the gift of the Holy Bible because praying with the Holy Scriptures allows us to discover God’s wisdom and invitations. Maximize it because as St. Paul reminds us, “All Scripture is inspired by God.”

Third, Pray to confront, to encourage and to embrace. Praying with others is not just about mumbling words or repeating memorized prayers. To pray also becomes our way of confronting ourselves of our sins and failures, to encourage one another through our presence and to embrace each one with love and affection despite our limitations and differences.

In this way, we allow our faith to grow together as friends and as a community of believers. Hinaut pa.