Persist in Prayer

Michie · Oct 19, 2025

There is a mystery as to why God sometimes makes us wait; pray on anyway. We may get frustrated by the delay; pray on anyway. We may get fatigued or even lose heart; pray on anyway. Like Moses, we should get friends to help us, be we must pray on.

Sunday, Oct. 19, is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass readings: Exodus 17:8-13; Psalm 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2; Luke 18:1-8.

The first reading (Exodus 17:8-13) in particular depicts prayer quite powerfully.

In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel.

One good thing about problems is that they help to keep us praying. Israel was at war, and their enemies were strong; it was time to pray. It shouldn’t be necessary for us to have problems before we pray, but if we’re honest, we’ll probably admit that they certainly have a way of summoning us to prayer.

Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, “Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him: He engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur.

Notice that Joshua and the army did not go forth until after Moses took up his position of prayer. Prayer ought to precede any major decision or action. We should begin each day with prayer. Important decisions should also elicit prayer from us.

Continued below.