He who truly loves his neighbor and cannot efficaciously assist him, should strive at least to relieve and help him by his prayers.
~ St. Teresa of Jesus
I’m living by these words of St Teresa of Avila this week. A dear old friend told me earlier in the week that doctors had found a growth in her spine. Just a month away from a happy retirement, she gets this news – and yet, finds the heart to offer up Masses for my daughter who’s sitting for her finals. Earlier too, someone on a Catholic forum went through the sudden hospitalisation of his brother and later, lost him. Today, he wrote these pain-filled words, I’ve had five days in the garden of Gethsemane. I did not think it was possible to suffer so much and live.
Tears gather in my throat. Oh, how much some in the world are suffering. I have my relatively good health and so many things to be happy about. Yet, not one of it can be shared with those walking the path of burning coals now.
Then, appears St Teresa, throwing open the window to her home as I go by,
If you cannot efficaciously assist him, at least pray for him.
What a mercy this recourse to prayer is. Where would anyone be without this grace of knowing we have somewhere to send broken hearts and tears to, somewhere to channel our own fears and sufferings, and through that transform it into love? How transformed this world would be if it only knew of this blessing availed to mankind when the rain pours in its varied falls.
For great, great indeed is this grace of prayer.
writingonmyheart 
Your words prick my heart. Of late I have been feeling more and more the great sorrow and pain of so many in our world. I do try to pray as I think of it – your post gives me courage to do more. Thank you, dear CaitlynneGrace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The touch upon your heart might be of your angel encouraging you to continue helping. There are days and days when life can be so turned in on itself that it seems like we cannot do more or cannot even pray. But as I’ve come to learn, even such days have their great worth when we simply offer up our hours as a prayer. Every little thing counts. Someone, somewhere will be lifted up by even the tiniest sparks from our heart.
LikeLike
Thank you, CaitlynneGrace. I’m drawn to these words “…even such days have their great worth when we simply offer our hours as a prayer. Every little thing counts. Someone, somewhere will be lifted up by even the tiniest sparks from our heart.” My heart is encouraged… we carry on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
💚
LikeLike
Sometimes all we can do for someone is pray for them. And even when there are other ways to help, we should pray as well. I really value believing in prayer, especially when I know so many people who are truly hurting right now. Excellent post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true, Ann. Prayer ought to accompany anything and everything to make sure even the help we render is what is actually needed. You’re right when you say that many are suffering now. Some pains are obvious or are made known; some less so. Our prayers can help to cover a wider area of need.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Praying for the dear ones in your midst! All prayers matter…Wishing you blessings on this Sunday afternoon. It is raining here…a soft day, all the green things soaking up the moisture. As the rain helps all things to grow, so does prayer cause our souls to bloom and grow…we grow in love, and the love spills out into the world. The earth needs the rain, and we need prayer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful reflection. Yes, as the earth needs rain to live and to flourish, so do we need prayers for similar reasons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person