For the sake of Abraham, your beloved…

“Do not take away your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham, your beloved, Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one, To whom you promised to multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven, or the sand on the shore of the sea.” (DN 3: 35-36)

It was a very ancient practice, from the age of the “Fathers of the desert,” not to pray directly to God, but through the intercession of the fathers. They respected their role and their friendship with God—“for the sake of Abraham, your beloved, Issac your servant, and Israel your holy one.” When we pray with the intercession of our favorite saints (or our spiritual fathers), we not only invite them to support our prayers, but we also recognize the power of being in a very intimate relationship with God. They personally met Him “with their whole heart” and also learned how He “is gracious and merciful.”

“Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.” (Gospel Acclamation)