Prayer and Power!

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Col 2:6-15; Lk 6:12-19

Today’s Gospel highlights the intrinsic connection between prayer and power. 

The text mentions that ‘Jesus prayed all night,’ and such a mention shows the gravity of the decision he was about to make and the kind of mission that he wanted to carry out. We may remember other instances wherein Jesus is found in prayer, like baptism, transfiguration, and the garden at Gethsemane. 

Jesus’ life demonstrates that he needed prayer before naming his apostles. His prayerful communion with his heavenly Father empowers him to choose his companions in mission. Overlooking the worldly calculations on their qualifications, Jesus’ choice of apostles includes fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and even Judas Iscariot. Jesus’ preference for the ordinary proves to be a game changer in the end as they zealously carry forward his vision. The number twelve reminds us of the twelve tribes of Israel, suggesting a symbolic reconstitution of God’s people. 

Jesus’ healing and preaching ministry is proof of what prayer can do in translating vision into action. Just as Jesus chose people from different walks of life, his ministry embraces people from different parts of the land. Thus, we have already witnessed the roots of the Gentile mission here. The expression ‘power came forth from him’ shows the physical manifestation of the spiritual power that Jesus inherited from his communion and dependence with his heavenly Father. 

Looking at Jesus, we learn that there is immense power in prayer, and we need to tap into that divine energy to strengthen ourselves spiritually. Moreover, Jesus shows that prayer is at best an expression of our intimacy with God rather than a recitation of some formulaic statements. Hence, whatever lacks communion and whatever does not help us find a relationship with God amounts to mere distraction in the name of prayer. We pray to relate with God and demonstrate such a relationship in our lives. Any incongruency or contradiction in this will only be self-defeating. 

Let us pray that we may recognize and demonstrate the power of prayer in our lives. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar