In these days of pandemic in whom do the people of the world have confidence? In what do they trust? Obviously, they trust in the scientists, the medical teams, the people who care for them when they are sick, and the government and authorities. \u00a0Ultimately, people believe that when the vaccine comes, all will be well. Then people visualise \u2018getting back to normal.\u2019 Of late, this phrase changes to \u2018the new normal.\u2019 One thing is sure; there is no going back.<\/p>\n
In her situation, Queen Esther put her total confidence in God. She \u2018took refuge with the Lord.\u2019<\/p>\n
The first reading proclaimed at Mass today (Esther 4:17) shows Queen Esther\u2019s practicality to do what was right. However, above all, she had complete trust and confidence in God. There is something real and heartfelt about her prayer to God. She is not putting on a show or showing pretence. There is nothing fake about her. When Esther prayed, she poured her whole heart into her prayer. She recognised her aloneness before God. She said, \u2018come to my help, for I am alone.\u2019 Esther was true to herself. She was truly dependent on God, \u2018I am alone and have no helper but you.\u2019 Queen Esther trusted God from her \u2018earliest years\u2019 and understood that her ancestors trusted God\u2019s goodness and saving help. In her prayer, Esther knows what she needs. She asks for \u2018courage\u2019 to face the challenge that lies ahead of her.<\/p>\n
Queen Esther\u2019s prayer is a great model for prayer. \u00a0God understands Esther\u2019s prayer and God understands our prayer. God accepts that at times when we come to pray we are distracted, confused, absent, tired and disinterested. At other times, we are alert, content and fully aware of God\u2019s presence.\u00a0 Whatever way we come to God \u2018we come as we are\u2019 knowing, believing and trusting that God loves us unconditionally.<\/p>\n
The Psalm proclaimed at Mass (Psalm 137) proclaims the gratitude of the psalmist. The psalmist says, \u2018I thank you Lord, with all my heart.\u2019 Again, he has complete trust in God. He is confident of \u2018his faithfulness and love\u2019 and all that entails. This brings a sense of joy and assurance to God\u2019s people as they take time to reflect. To say thank you is a very important part of prayer.<\/p>\n
The Gospel (Mt 7:7-12) also assures the faithful of God\u2019s steadfastness. Jesus taught the disciples to pray, asking, searching and knocking on the door. God knows all we need even if we do not know ourselves. When we pray we talk to God. We thank God, we ask him for what we need, we say sorry and we tell him that we love him. God listens to our prayers and knows what is best for us.\u00a0 We believe that when we say, \u2018I believe in God.\u2019<\/p>\n
There is great hope expressed in the readings today.\u00a0 So in addition to the hope we put into receiving the vaccine and the further research of the scientists to eradicate the Covid-19, let us firstly place our trust in God. We also can ask Mary, Mother of God to intercede for us with God. Mary wants to do this for us but we must ask her. Mary had great confidence in God. She thanked God in her Magnificat prayer for his goodness to her.<\/p>\n
Prayer is an integral part of the Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/em> Religious Education programme for Catholic primary schools. VERITAS publications grants free access to all their resources. There are a vast amount of resources available on the theme of prayer including all the formal prayers and the Prayers of the Mass in the Children\u2019s Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/em> e-book.<\/p>\n