Sunday, October 19, 2025

Dear brother and sisters,

Prayer is the way we encounter God, express our gratitude, recognize His blessings, and deepen our relation-ship with Him. For our own growth, prayer eases stress and anxiety, builds discipline and focus, nurtures faith and hope, strengthens resilience in times of struggle, and helps us maintain balance of body, mind, and spirit. When we pray together in community, prayer also becomes a source of unity. It fosters a sense of belonging, strengthens our bonds with one another, and creates an environment of comfort, support, guidance, and peace.

Unfortunately, many of us stop praying when faced with the challenges of daily life and struggles in faith. At times, prayer becomes the lowest priority, pushed aside by the burden of work, family, and responsibilities. At other times, we lose confidence in its value, especially when God seems silent, our intentions appear unan-swered, or the immediate signs we expect do not come.

Some of us may distance ourselves from prayer after walking away from God, falling into sin, and finally feeling permanently unworthy of His mercy. Some of us are also led astray by human temptations, distracted by evil distortion in social media, shaken by division and conflict, or influenced by those unfaithful around us.

Therefore, the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge reminds us how to pray and why we must pray without ceasing.

First, we should remember that in prayer, God does not ask for perfection but for perseverance. As His be-loved children, we are never abandoned, whether we feel weak, vulnerable, or unworthy. Before God, human reputation fades, wealth holds no value, and power carries no meaning. He remains always at our side, guid-ing, protecting, and supporting us as the Good Shepherd who never abandons His flock.

Second, we must trust that our powerful, loving, and merciful God always hears the cries of His people. Too often, we mistakenly think He is indifferent when He seems silent or slow to respond. We doubt His provi-dence when we “ask, but do not receive, seek, but do not find, and knock, the door remains closed.” We even blame Him when we wander astray, make wrong choices, and commit sins. Yet we forget that God always respects our freedom. He teaches, counsels, and guides us, but never forces us to live according to His will. We also forget that His plans are greater, more perfect, and far beyond our understanding. We cannot see as far as He does, understand as deeply as He does, or decide as wisely as He does.

Lastly, we should realize that prayer is not just asking God for favors, but as a sign of living faith. True faith is not measured by immediate results, but by endurance and trust. Persistent prayer shows our confidence in God’s promises and our hope that His justice will prevail. It becomes not just words, but our sincere reliance on Him in all things and at all times.

Sincerely yours in Jesus Christ and Our Lady of La Vang!

Reverend Kiet Anh Ta.