• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Migration
    • Statement from Passionist Leadership Regarding Current United States Immigration Policies
    • The Global Migration Crisis: What Can a Retreat Center Do?
  • Laudato Si’
    • Laudato Si’ 2023-24 Report and 2024-25 Plan
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Sustainable Purchasing
      • Sustainable Purchasing Guide
      • Hints for Sustainable Meetings and Events
      • Sustainable Living Hints
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Come and See Holy Week Discernment Retreat
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Province Leadership
    • Vocation Resources
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Passionist History: Webinar Series
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

Daily Scripture, February 24, 2014

Scripture:

James 3:13-18
Mark 9:14-29

Reflection:

Prayer the Desire of God

"Why could we not drive the spirit out?"
He said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayer."

Life’s great problems can only be dealt with in prayer.   Prayer should be the most wonderful embrace of our lives!  The Greek New Testament word for prayer is pros-yü-khā’  which is used 39 times.   The verb form is pros-yü’-kho-mī  which is used 90 times.  These are not the only words for prayer in New Testament but the most frequently used.  Because this word as a noun and verb is the most repeated one in the New Testament we can see how important it is to understand it if we hope to grasp the meaning of prayer.

The etymology of pros-yü’-kho-mī  basically means  desire  euchomai.    St Augustine said "the desire to pray is prayer itself".  The verb form of the word for prayer is in middle voice.   With the desire for the other is the notion of a personal response of the beloved.   In simple terms when I pray not only must I desire God, but He first must desire me.  It is a two way street.  God must want my company before I can make any contact with Him.  I must pray that I can pray.  "O God, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise" is first thing we say as we begin the official prayer of the Church.

In grade school I really was attracted to a very pretty girl.  But I don’t think she hardly noticed that I existed, and I was too afraid to say anything to her.   It was my first failure in communication.  So it is with God.  No prayer will ever happen if God does not make the first move towards me.  Of course I must respond.  It takes two to pray!   Prayer is that ultimate embrace of  two desires.   It is the incredible hug of infinite love!

 

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Footer

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

Name

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2025 | Log in