Pope Francis once again reminded to the importance of praying insistently as wars are fought around the world. The Holy Father has given a preface for Cardinal Comastri’s new book, “Praying Today. A Challenge to Be Overcome”.
The preface of a book published on Tuesday, 23 January.
The Pope’s preface introduces Cardinal Angelo Comastri’s “Praying Today. A Challenge to Be Overcome” in connection with the Year of Prayer.
“Prayer is the breath of faith; it is its most proper expression,” writes Pope Francis.
It is not easy to find words to express the mystery of prayer, continues the Pope, adding that despite the many definitions from saints and masters of spirituality, “it can only ever be described in the simplicity of those who live it.”
Cardinal Comastri’s book is the first in a series of brief texts set to be published throughout the Year of Prayer, which was launched on Sunday by Pope Francis ahead of the Jubilee of 2025.
Pope Francis explains that this series seeks “to promote this Year of Prayer” and to help Christians “to enter into the various dimensions of prayer.”
He thanks the various authors of the series for their contributions, adding, “I gladly place these ‘Notes’ in your hands, so that each one may rediscover the beauty of entrusting oneself to the Lord with humility and joy.”
In fact, “the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025 is just around the corner,” continues the Pope in his preface, wondering: “How can we prepare for this event, so important for the life of the Church, if not through prayer?”
Pope Francis describes the modern-day need for “a true spirituality, capable of responding to the great questions that arise every day in our lives, provoked also by a world scenario that is certainly not serene.
He then highlights this world scenario by shining light on “the ecological-economic-social crisis aggravated by the recent pandemic; the wars, especially the one in Ukraine, which sow death, destruction, and poverty;” and “the throwaway culture of indifference.”
“These phenomena contribute to generating a heavy climate, which prevents so many people from living with joy and serenity,” says the Pope. “We need, therefore, our prayer to rise with greater insistence to the Father, so that He may hear the voice of those who turn to Him in the confidence of being answered.”