The Transforming Power of Prayer

Catholic Man
September 18th, 2007
Maurice Blumberg

When Aaron, then, and the other Israelites saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him. (Exodus 34:30)

What's so frightening about a radiant face? Nothing, unless you understood why Moses' face was glowing. He had been in the presence of God. He had seen the glory of God, something so awesome that no human being could behold it and survive (Exodus 33:20; Isaiah 6:5). The Israelites were afraid that looking at Moses' radiance would have the same effect as looking at God himself. The mere thought was inconceivable!

How blessed we are! In Jesus, God has become both visible and approachable. Because Jesus has taken on human flesh, we can now look upon God and live. Not only can we see the face of God as we "gaze" at Jesus in our prayer and worship, but they have the power to transform us.

We know that Jesus is the Son of God. We know that he loves us and died for our sins, and has risen from the dead. We know that he desires to personally reveal his great love to us. We believe it; we profess it every week at Mass. And yet how often do we take these truths of our faith so lightly? Do we come to prayer each morning expecting to be lifted up to heaven and touch the very heart and mind of God? Do we come expecting his glory to be revealed in us in some way?

The hard truth is that too often we trust our own abilities to bring about the kind of faith that transforms our lives. We simply must rely on God to give us divine revelation by his Holy Spirit. This is what prayer is all about — coming face-to-face with Jesus. It is about coming to know God intimately by spending time with him in praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and quiet listening. It's about meeting the one who is our creator, redeemer, counselor, and friend.

The good news is that when we gaze at Jesus in prayer and look to the Holy Spirit, Jesus really does reveal himself to us. He really does want to change our heart, piercing it with his love in a way that transforms us into his image. As we gaze on Jesus, like Peter we will proclaim: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Like Thomas, we will bow before him and cry out: "My Lord and my God." And like John we will come face-to-face with the life-changing reality that God is love. The more Jesus reveals himself to us, the more we can begin to grasp "what is the breadth and length and height and depth" of the Lord we follow (Ephesians 3:18). Nothing compares to knowing Jesus. The revelation of his love and power is worth striving for in prayer!

Do you want to know another fruit of gazing on the face of Jesus? What happened to Moses can also happen to us: We will begin to radiate his goodness to those around us. Prayer really can transform our lives. It can turn us into loving apostles. It can make us holy! As Paul wrote: "All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Can any promise be more inspiring than that?

"Lord, I want to know you. More than anything else, I ask you to reveal yourself to me more deeply than ever before as I come into your presence in prayer. Thank you, Jesus, for making it possible for me to look on the face of God and live! Holy Spirit, draw me into a closer relationship with God and transform me as I gaze on his holiness."

Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing us to adapt material from daily meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. What is your reaction to the article's description of what should happen when we pray?

2. Do you believe that Jesus is approachable when you come to him in prayer? Do you believe that he can speak to you deep within your spirit, not necessarily in an audible voice, when you pray? What is your own personal experience of this?

3. What role has prayer played in deepening your faith and your relationship with Jesus Christ?

4. How important is a time of daily prayer in transforming you into the image and likeness of God — into being a man of God?

5. What steps can you take to improve your prayer life?

6. If you are in a men's group, end your meeting by praying to the Lord for one another that each of you would come into the presence of Christ in prayer with expectant faith that he will transform you into his image and likeness. Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.

Comments

Guest

1) Many thanks as it is much needed in my personal journey as a 69 year old father of 7, grandfather of 13 or so (who's counting?). Even with prayer, I try to "do everything myself". Though I talk to Him through the day. Esp. do I speak with St. Joseph, et al, in thanksgiving for aid in this or that project. E.g., when I was flooring my 2100 sq.ft. home with hardwood floor that I scrounged (legally and morally) from a company near my work, I would thank Joseph for helping me. I've never floored a home before, hope never to again. Without him, I couldn't do it. And I ask him to aid me in writing a book about him. We "fled" L.A. in 1989 and promised Joseph that, if we could leave, I would write a book about him. Haven't forgotten that promise as my Queen gently reminds me.

2-3) On a scale of 1-10, a 20. Of course! That's why he went to Heaven, to always be with us, always. Even after the divorce from my first "wife", I never lost faith in Him or the Church. And I've deeply thanked Him and the Holy Spirit for this unearned grace. What a Friend! What a Lord! I am experiencing some tough emotional issues currently. I constantly speak to Him – and try to listen. I put one foot in front of the other – and thank Him for carrying me. You see, gentle readers, I've always experienced a oneness with the Church as She has been my true mother. For those who have the faith, no explanation is necessary; for those who don't have the faith, no explanation is possible (St. Augustine).

4) How important is a glass of water when I've been without one for a day or two? With my Queen, the Rosary in the morning is crucial, and daily Mass when possible – ALWAYS Sunday Mass. Sometimes even the Divine Office (Lit. of Hrs.). What a gracious set of readings for each and every day of one's life. Oh, all this and Heaven too.

5) Take several moments of quiet time – without the Idiot Box – to "be" with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph prior to the Rosary or Divine Office. One just has to have QUIET TIME, esp. during Mass, though the "modern" mood of Masses in Boise, ID and environs is abrasive and callous in sound, called "reverential music". I sometimes cover my ears, the "sound of music", including the words, is so obnoxious and obscene. Reminds me of a "revival hour" or the "Grand ol Opry". And Jesus is to praised with this crap?

6) I don't belong to a men's group, but my Queen and I are life professed Dominican tertiaries, Third Order of St. Dominic, i.e., O.P.L. (Order of Preachers Laity). This in Boise, ID. In Idaho? Call either John Keenan, (H) 208-375-2532, (W) 208-334-4283 or Mark Gross, (H) 208-343-6894 (W) 208-373-0102.

7) Finally, my EM: domaquinas@clearwire.net. I did a little piece on "Reverence at Mass" which I could share with people. It appeared on the website of "Adoremus" many months ago.

8) Finally, Finally – PLEASE pray without ceasing for our Pilgrim Church on earth, for all of Her members, esp. the bishops, for an increase of Good, Normal, and Orthodox priests and religious.

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