Last Friday one of the churches I frequent had a special adoration taking place at the same time as Rachel’s Vineyard event, which is a special retreat for those seeking healing post-abortion. It’s a humbling experience to pray for others that you don’t know and may never meet, at least on earth.

I love spending time in front of the blessed sacrament. Sometimes I’m mentally chattering away about every detail of my life and other times I may just be sitting in silence, just soaking in the presence of God the way I do when I sit on my cruise ship balcony and watch the waves of the water. However the timing of this particular adoration coincided with those at the retreat when they would be sharing their experiences. The pastor of that parish was participating in the retreat and felt the prayers of those in adoration at that time really seemed to benefit the retreatants in giving them strength to share as well as to help them begin to find healing and forgiveness. This example is just one of the multitude of ways we can be prayer warriors. 

The word warrior sounds rather … combative. Whom are we fighting with our prayers? We are certainly not fighting God; we would never win. Since prayer is talking to God, it’s yet another reason that we’re not fighting Him. The essence of prayer is a communication with God. Intercessory prayer is asking God for His grace and blessings on another, which sounds nothing like combat. What we pray for is strength and protection against the evil that is all around us, and even in ourselves; and that most definitely is a struggle. I’ve heard the rosary being compared to being a spiritual weapon, yet any prayer — including Mass — could be considered one. While we are on earth, we are considered the Church Militant, those who are actively participating in the transformation of a fallen world into one that is constantly seeking and doing the will of God. 

We are all called to be prayer warriors, not just during special times, but on every ordinary day. This could be praying for particular people we know or for those in a particular situation or circumstance, like those traveling or in hospitals or nursing homes. Perhaps whenever you hear a siren or see an emergency vehicle, you pray for those first responders as well as those in need of the assistance. Maybe it’s daily praying for those who have or will pass from this life during the course of the day. One of the corporal works of mercy is to visit those in prison, but if you are unable to do that, praying for them and their families is a good alternative. In an age where language is dividing us into specific groups using every possible type of label, maybe praying for unity and those who seek to continue dividing us is a good tactic for a warrior. There are so many possibilities, it can be overwhelming! You don’t have to pick just one nor do you need to do all. If you’re not sure, let the Holy Spirit lead you. 

I think of intercessory prayer as an invisible thread connecting us across space and time. Sometimes we may see the fruit of our prayers, but largely we may need to wait until we reach heaven to truly begin to understand just how important it is. Let’s not wait until we get there and miss out on the opportunities we have, even at this moment, to pray for another.