In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.
Matthew 6:7

Have you ever told someone that you will pray for them? What is the usual response? I do that and very often, I would get a thank you from them and they would prepare to walk away. Very often, they would be surprised when I told them that I would pray for them at that moment.

In the age of political correctness where religion or a public display of faith is frowned upon, I am often surprised at how appreciative people are when I offer to pray for them – specially if I pray with them.

I have prayed with someone before the Blessed Sacrament in church. I have prayed with one of my former office mate when I met him along a street in downtown Victoria. I also prayed with someone in a meeting room in the office. I do not know what happens after I pray with them, but they always thank me after.

St. Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. We pray where we are if there is a need to. We do not have to wait until we get home or to a church.

One of the things I have learned in these past years is to pray over things I see. I spend a lot of time in Downtown Victoria. I see a lot of things that would require prayer. A well dressed person who looks stressed. A drug addict shooting up drugs. A man on the verge of tears begging his daughter to come home. A prostitute waiting for customers. There are a lot of wounded people in our world and all of them need God. As Christians, people who know God, the least we can do is pray for them.

Prayers do not need to be long. If it comes from the depths of our hearts, it will go straight to the heart of God. It is sufficient to say, “Lord, bless this man.” “Lord, give this woman peace.” We have seen several examples of prayers that were short and yet caused miracles to happen. In 1 Kings 18:36-37, Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal and when it was his turn to offer the sacrifice, he prayed, “LORD, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Hear me, LORD, hear me, that this people may know that you, LORD, are God, and that you have turned their heart back again.” After he said this, fire fell down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice.

God heard, not because of the length of the prayer. God answered because the prayer asked God to reveal himself. These prayers are the most effective and are according to God's heart.

Lord, I want to know you. Reveal yourself to me.