Message from Fr. James - October 5, 2025

Prayer,

“Increase our faith”. Have you prayed these words? The apostles prayed to Jesus in these words, as recorded in today’s Gospel. Did you think of their conversation with Jesus as a prayer?

I want you to pray so that you “surpass the merits and desires” of your heart because God will “give what prayer does not dare to ask” (as the Collect Prayer to begin this Sunday’s Mass). Jesus meant this when he said, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’, and it would obey you”. Who would merit such authority, desire such an outcome, or dare to ask for it?

Your prayer can be so much more than, “Increase our faith”, if you try praying like a pirate! A pirate says, “ARRR”, and so does a good prayer that surpasses your merit and desire, and receives more than it dares to ask. First, “A” means “Acknowledge” something inside of you. Name it. Such as, “I want to be married”, “I’m just so angry”, or “I feel little”. Write it down. Be specific. Don’t stop yourself. Let it out. Second, “R” means “Relate” it to God! Tell God what is inside you. I usually mess up at this point because I suddenly “recognize” what I think is wrong and I suddenly “react” with what I think will fix it. This short-circuits the prayer. It leads to a quick and boring conclusion like, “Increase our faith”. Rather, go beyond your own merits and desires. “Relate” to God. This begins a real prayer. Third, “R” means “Receive” from God. This is real prayer! You are making an act of faith that God is real and can communicate. God can inspire you, give you a word, give you an image in your imagination, recall for you a memory, and move you. If prayer means conversation with God, then listening for God is prayer. Just having your ears open is prayer! Finally, “R” means “Respond”, which can take any form most natural for your character and fitting for your circumstances. Usually, my first response is awe and thanksgiving because I have really related myself to God and received God. My response may also be to say something or do something, like wearing an eye-patch – just kidding! But seriously, after praying “ARRR” like a pirate, I know God better. I’ve spent time with God and experienced what God is like. I love God better. I want you to pray “ARRR” so that you receive what you haven’t dared to ask.

God bless,

Fr. James Fangmeyer