i dare you to pray
“But Ahaz answered, ‘I will not ask!’ ” —Isaiah 7:12
When we pray, we communicate with God, Who is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), our Savior and Lord, our Creator and Judge, “a consuming Fire” (Heb 12:29). It is an awesome privilege and a fearful thing to be given permission by God to pray (see Heb 10:31). Thus, the Church has traditionally invited us at Mass to pray the “Our Father” by saying: “We dare to say ‘Our Father.’ ” To put it mildly, it is a daring thing to pray.
Because Ahaz, the king of Judah, was too selfish, proud, and fearful, he was not daring enough to pray for a great sign, as God commanded Him to do (Is 7:10-12). In contrast, Mary dared to pray: “Let it be done to me according to Your word” (see Lk 1:38), although her life was dramatically changed and even endangered by praying such a prayer.
We will either be like Ahaz or Mary. We will be too afraid to begin or follow through with our prayer; or we will have the faith to pray that all be done to us according to God’s Word.
A true Christmas is here “for the asking,” that is, for the praying. I dare you to pray for Christmas by God’s standards. You may find yourself in a stable or on a cross. I dare you to pray and let Christmas be done to you by Christ Himself.
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to help me pray in my weakness and cowardice (see Rm 8:26).
Promise: “Nothing is impossible with God.” —Lk 1:37
Praise: “O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at Your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead Your captive people into freedom.”
Reference: (For a related teaching on Life-Changing Prayers from the Bible, view, download or order our booklet on our website.)
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