The Power of Intercession: The Prophet Elijah’s Prayer

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI resumed his series of catecheses on the subject of prayer, focusing on the Prophet Elijah, during the June 15 General Audience held in Saint Peter’s Square.

Our Holy Father explained how "upon Mount Carmel Elijah revealed himself in all his power as intercessor when, before the whole of Israel, he prayed to the Lord to show Himself and convert people's hearts.” (cf. I Kings 18)   Elijah’s request "was that the people might finally and fully come to know and understand Who their God is, and make the decisive decision to follow only Him….  Believers must respond to the absoluteness of God with absolute and total love, a love involving all their lives, their energies, their hearts.... In his intercession, Elijah asked of God what God Himself wished to do: to show Himself in all His mercy, faithful to His nature as Lord of life Who forgives, converts and transforms….

As we look to Elijah’s example, let us be ever more convinced of the power of intercessory prayer, so that we can help all people to know the one true God, to turn away from every form of idolatry, and to receive the grace offered to us on the wood of the Cross and in the fire of the Holy Spirit.”

For more information please visit:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20110615_en.html

http://visnews-en.blogspot.com/2011/06/power-of-intercession-prophet-elijahs.html