Homily for Monday of the 2nd Week of Lent
Theme: Corporate Prayer
By: Fr. Gerald M. Musa
Homily for Monday March 14 2022
In northern Nigeria, whenever there was a delay in rainfall or when there is not enough rainfall, Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists were encouraged to pray and ask for mercy and God’s intervention. Likewise, Daniel prayed to God on behalf of the people of Israel, asking for mercy. Sin has a social character because nobody commits sin alone and sin has ripple effects on the human family and community. Corporate prayer is the act of coming together to pray, especially for a purpose such as thanksgiving, confession, adoration, and supplication. Daniel prayed, “…We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances…” (Daniel 9:5-6). The prayer of Daniel in the Old Testament serves as a biblical model of corporate prayer. In the New Testament, the ‘Our Father’ is a corporate confession because of the phrase used:’Forgive us’and plural pronouns’Our,’ ‘We,’ and ‘Us’ (Matthew 6:9-13). The ‘Prayer for Nigeria in Distress’ is also a corporate confession as we say to God:”Listen to the cries of your people who confidently turn to you. God of infinite goodness, Our strength in adversity, Our health in weakness, Our comfort in sorrow, Be merciful t Us Your people. Spare this Nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy, and doom.” How active are we in praying as a unified family with one mind and heart?
Daniel 9 :4 b – 10; Luke 6:36 – 3 8; Monday, 2 nd Week of Lent.