There is a bishop I worked with for several years especially when he celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation. Every time he celebrated this sacrament, he told the adults and teenagers present that he would pray for them.
Now, I'm sure he wouldn't remember the names of all those he confirmed – sometimes more than a hundred at a time – but I am sure that he prayed for them. Paul didn't know the names of all of the Ephesians who had embraced Christianity either, but I'm sure that he prayed for them as the bishop prayed for those he had confirmed.
There are people whom I worked with over the years that I also still pray for, although I'm not as dedicated as the bishop or Paul.
I believe in the power of prayer. I believe that it is important to pray for those we love, those we can't forgive, and those who are in need. I also believe that it is important to pray for all those who have passed on their faith to us.
For me, that includes my parents and grandparents, my older half-sister and half-brother, various aunts and cousins as well as teachers, priests, minister, religious sisters, and rabbis.
I am so grateful to them for this gift that I pray for them. I pray for those who have died and I ask them to pray for me. I also pray for those who are still alive and ask God to continue to bless them in their work.
I invite you to pray for those who passed on the faith to you, both those who have died and those who are alive.
Those who have died are probably praying for you anyway, but I'm sure they would be happy to know that you are thankful for the gift they gave you, and will be happy to pray for specific needs if you ask them. Those who are still alive are also in need of your prayers so they may continue to lead others to Christ.
