Let Us Pray

We witness three intense moments of prayer in today’s scriptures. The first is  Stephen’s prayer as he is about to be stoned. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he sees a vision of Jesus at the Father’s throne. As a crowd is beginning to stone him, he  prays, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” As Jesus entrusted himself to the Father,  Stephen entrusts himself to Jesus. Then Stephen also makes a prayer asking forgiveness for his killers. 

In the Gospel, we witness the final words of Jesus’ great prayer at the Last  Supper, a prayer for those future generations who will come to believe because of those who preach the gospel. This profound prayer asks that all believers participate in the communion Jesus has with the Father, entering into the mystical indwelling of the Father in the Son and the Son in the Father. The communion in the very life of the Father and the Son will come about as the work of the Spirit. 

In the final vision in the book of Revelation, John the Seer invites us to join him  in the simplest prayer of all, initiated by the Spirit and the bride, the church of  the future, calling out to the One who is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning  and the end, the bright morning star: “Come, Lord Jesus, come!” 

The Easter season’s final gifts before the feast of Pentecost are prayers naming the Spirit’s work: our surrender to the Lord, forgiveness of others, communion in the Trinity, the final coming of the Lord. 

Consider/Discuss

• Do these prayers reflect your needs? 
• What would you want your final prayer to be? 

Responding to the Word

Come, Lord Jesus, come this day into my life. Send your Spirit to draw me more fully into the intimate communion you share with your Father and with all believers. Help me to pray with attentiveness and commitment the prayer you gave us: Our Father . . .