This is a question burn out of an experience I had while carrying out my pastoral duty as a pastor.  Beyond the surface meaning to this question lies the spiritual meaning that suggest the candle to be the light, faith, love and legacy someone has lived on for ages.

 

I have a faithful and dedicated woman in my parish who constantly remember all the deceased family members and booked Masses for them. On that faithful day, I asked the woman, I hope there is someone who will keep the light of your goodness, your faith, and your commitment burning after you are gone? Someone who can turn up just like you to book Mass for you after you are gone? She responded quietly, “I hope so Fr.” .Hmmm fear gripped me and I was speechless. Though, on her own, she is striving to make heaven at all cost but what about if she needs little support of prayers from her own children or family members after her departure. Who will put on the candle of prayer for her and by extension for you?  Who can pray for you in this prayerless generation and is there any hope for this generation? These are questions that keep bumping up in my mind since the woman departed from me.

Our world today feels busy and loud. Young people stare at phones and computers, chasing likes and videos. Many don’t pray much, and we call this a “prayerless generation.” But is there hope? Yes, there is! By looking at our grandparents’ faith, old sayings, and the Bible, we see a bright path forward. Long ago, our grandparents prayed a lot. They went to Church and booked Masses, special prayers for family or friends who needed help. My grandma would wake up early, hold her rosary, and pray before the day started. She taught me and my cousins how to say the Our Father and Hail Mary. These weren’t just words; they were ways to talk to God. She showed us that prayer is like breathing that keeps your soul alive. Today, many young people skip prayer. They are busy or don’t think it matters. But the lessons from our grandparents are still inside us, like seeds waiting to grow.

The Bible gives us hope in Proverbs 22:6, it says, teach the children the right way, and when they grow up, they won’t forget it. Our grandparents taught us to pray and some of our parents are still teaching us how to pray, and those lessons stick, even if we forget them for a while. What we need now is constant reminder, using every means to reinforce the kingdom of light, sharing with the youths the benefit of prayers and keeping up the hope alive that everything will be fine. Proverbs 13:12, tells us, hope that waits makes the heart sad, but a wish that comes true is like a tree of life. This means we can bring prayer back, and it will make us strong.

The Bible shows us that even when things look bad, God keeps a group of faithful people. In 1 Kings 19:18, God told Elijah He saved thousands who still prayed. Today, some young people are finding prayer again maybe through apps or tough times that make them think of God. We might forget to pray, but we can always start again. Our grandparents’ prayers, like the Masses they booked, are still helping us. James 5:16 says, the prayer of a good person is strong and works. Their prayers are like gifts that keep helping us. We can bring prayer back. We can book a Mass or say a simple prayer at dinner, like our grandparents did. Proverbs 11:14 says, without help, people fail, but with many helpers, they are safe. Our hope lies in encouraging ourselves and others to pray. When life feels hard, when it is tough and rough, when it seems God is blind to our suffering and deaf to our cries, God hears the cries of good people and saves them from trouble. Prayer can make us feel peaceful.

So, I will conclude by saying that, there is hope for this prayerless generation even though it might seems unrealistic. But with hope in the Lord which doesn’t disappoint, we can begin to pray again, even in small ways, and find joy. Let us remember that God’s love never ends, His kindness is new every morning.

However, remember to play your paths by nurturing and inviting your children to prayer while you are alive so that eventually you can have someone who can light the candle for you when you are far gone.