December 31

Twenty-fourth Tuesday after Trinity

Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 2 Corinthians 1:11.

IF the prayer of a multitude delivered Paul from danger, is it not our duty to expect that we shall derive great benefits from this advocacy? For since we are weak when praying by ourselves, but when we are assembled we become stronger, we importune God by our numbers. So great is the power of the supplication of the many. Therefore it is that we all assemble in God's house day after day, that we may more effectually draw God to show compassion. S. Chrysostom says, "Thy prayer has not such great force as when it is made in company with thine own fellow-members—as when the body of the Church in its integrity sends up its prayer with one voice while the priests are present and are offering up the prayers of the universal multitude." Would you learn how great is the force of prayer made in the Church? Peter was bound in prison, but prayer being made with earnestness by the assembled Church, straightway an angel delivered him out of the prison. What then can be more powerful than prayer?

Be mute who will, who can, Yet I will pray Thee with impassioned voice; My heart, that may forget Thee in the crowd, Cannot forget Thee here; where Thou hast built, For Thy own glory, in the wilderness! Me didst Thou constitute a priest of Thine, In such a temple as we now behold Reared for Thy presence; therefore am I bound To worship here, and everywhere.