Reflection
Perseverance in Prayer
Today, the Word of God reminds us of something essential to Christian life: “We must pray always and never lose heart.” Prayer is not merely a religious act; it is the breath of the soul, the inner strength, and the bond that unites us to God, who always loves and protects His people.
The image of Moses with his arms raised on the mountain shows us that faith also requires effort. When he kept his hands raised, Israel prevailed; when he lowered them, the people faltered. Then Aaron and Hur supported him, so that prayer would not cease and victory would come. So it is with our life of faith: if we rely only on our own strength, we soon grow weary; but when we allow ourselves to be helped by the community, we find again the strength to remain faithful to the end.
The Gospel continues with the widow seeking justice. She had no power, only faith and perseverance. And it was her perseverance that moved the unjust judge to listen to her. Jesus uses this contrast to teach us: if even an unjust man can yield to persistence, how much more will God, the good Father, listen to the cry of His children! To persevere in prayer is not to repeat empty words, but to make an act of faith: to believe that God is present, even when He seems silent, so that we may learn to trust Him more deeply.
St. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, points to the source of this perseverance: the Word of God. It teaches, corrects, strengthens, and equips the believer for every situation. Whoever allows the Word to enter the heart finds the light needed to bear witness to the Gospel “in season and out of season.” Today’s Psalm confirms this with great confidence: “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” He never sleeps; He always watches and protects our life.
Thus, perseverance in prayer helps us to remain before God in humility and trust, not in self-sufficiency. And this without tiring, even when it seems that God does not hear us, respecting His time and His ways.
For those of us who have consecrated our lives to the Lord, this invitation is even more urgent: to persevere in prayer, in love, and in fidelity, until the day when Christ returns and fully accomplishes His justice and mercy.
Sr. Teresa – Nguyễn Thị Hồng Nguyệt, OP
Community of Our Lady of the Rosary – Vietnam
