Intercessory Prayer
With regard to "intercessory prayer" -asking someone to pray for a specific intention - I've heard the argument, "what's the use in asking God for something in prayer? He's God, He already knows what I need, so it's futile to ask. And I certainly won't ask someone else to pray for a request, as if that person could possibly "change" God's mind."
Indeed, God knows what we need before we even formulate it in our heart, and it is also true that one cannot "change" God's mind (as if He were capricious) or the outcome of His will, as if by some magic prayer formula. Nevertheless, it is a NOBLE PRACTICE making our requests known to God and encouraging our Christian brethren to pray for our intentions, because it enables us to enter into a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with God and FOSTERING GREATER CHRISTIAN COMMUNION: God wills that we make our requests known to Him, just as intimate friends wouldn't hesitate to share their deepest concerns. Furthermore, God also "wills", at times, that certain outcomes (obtaining some special grace, the healing of a loved one, etc) be effected, precisely through the prayers of the Christian community, the "Mystical Body of Christ" (ex: Acts 12:5, Peter's release from prison).
I have observed on numerous occasions how making a prayer request has spiritually benefited: the person BEING PRAYED FOR (a miraculous healing, for example); the one ASKED TO PRAY (being involved in the specific mission to pray, resulting in a more intimate union with God than before); and the one who MAKES THE REQUEST (experiencing first-hand the tangible fruits of this network of prayer). For these and countless other reasons which we will probably only fathom after this life: I liberally ask for the intercession of others and am most honored when entrusted with the precious intentions of others.
First, as one who makes a request, I firmly believe that sometimes, God wills that particular graces be granted and released upon individuals through the act of making the request known to God. And in any case, it ALWAYS strengthens the bonds of unity among the Mystical Body that is ever called to be ONE as the "Father and the Son are One". Secondly, as one asked to be an intercessor, I approach the role seriously: God's grace is free, but it is not cheap. The price of that grace is none other than the Redeeming Blood of Christ poured out for mankind at Calvary. Thus, God's grace is invaluable, and sometimes, one needs to be willing to hurt and to sacrifice much in order to attest to such VALUE.
God's grace is like water being drawn from the well: the water is inexhaustible and is always there for the taking. However, the water NEEDS to be drawn: it requires the human work (indeed, a comparatively miniscule work relative to Christ's Redemptive work) necessary to draw that water. That work is our part - the small price we can pay through our prayer and myriad manifestations of sacrifice - in collaborating with Jesus in being an intercessor for His people.
Fr. Edward
Indeed, God knows what we need before we even formulate it in our heart, and it is also true that one cannot "change" God's mind (as if He were capricious) or the outcome of His will, as if by some magic prayer formula. Nevertheless, it is a NOBLE PRACTICE making our requests known to God and encouraging our Christian brethren to pray for our intentions, because it enables us to enter into a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with God and FOSTERING GREATER CHRISTIAN COMMUNION: God wills that we make our requests known to Him, just as intimate friends wouldn't hesitate to share their deepest concerns. Furthermore, God also "wills", at times, that certain outcomes (obtaining some special grace, the healing of a loved one, etc) be effected, precisely through the prayers of the Christian community, the "Mystical Body of Christ" (ex: Acts 12:5, Peter's release from prison).
I have observed on numerous occasions how making a prayer request has spiritually benefited: the person BEING PRAYED FOR (a miraculous healing, for example); the one ASKED TO PRAY (being involved in the specific mission to pray, resulting in a more intimate union with God than before); and the one who MAKES THE REQUEST (experiencing first-hand the tangible fruits of this network of prayer). For these and countless other reasons which we will probably only fathom after this life: I liberally ask for the intercession of others and am most honored when entrusted with the precious intentions of others.
First, as one who makes a request, I firmly believe that sometimes, God wills that particular graces be granted and released upon individuals through the act of making the request known to God. And in any case, it ALWAYS strengthens the bonds of unity among the Mystical Body that is ever called to be ONE as the "Father and the Son are One". Secondly, as one asked to be an intercessor, I approach the role seriously: God's grace is free, but it is not cheap. The price of that grace is none other than the Redeeming Blood of Christ poured out for mankind at Calvary. Thus, God's grace is invaluable, and sometimes, one needs to be willing to hurt and to sacrifice much in order to attest to such VALUE.
God's grace is like water being drawn from the well: the water is inexhaustible and is always there for the taking. However, the water NEEDS to be drawn: it requires the human work (indeed, a comparatively miniscule work relative to Christ's Redemptive work) necessary to draw that water. That work is our part - the small price we can pay through our prayer and myriad manifestations of sacrifice - in collaborating with Jesus in being an intercessor for His people.
Fr. Edward