Prayer

Prayer

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

         Many years ago, possibly ancient history to some, I had a homeroom moderator in my sophomore year of high school who would wait for the bell to ring initiating a new day of learning.  At the sound of the bell, he would say the word, “Prayer”.  We stood up to say the morning prayers invoking God to bless us in our future endeavors for the day.  What is Prayer?  Prayer is the lifting of our hearts, minds, and out total being to God.  We should begin our day with a Prayer.  “Good Morning, God” would be a great way to begin the day, not “Good God, Morning!!”

         Why do I bring up this subject?  As I have written in previous articles when I awaken early on a Sunday morning, I like to receive a double blessing.  After hearing Mass, listening to the homily, receiving Holy Communion, and being blessed at the Saturday evening Mass at my local parish, I usually turn to a Sunday morning Mass on television.  Once again, I hear the Word of God preached, listen to another homily, receive a Spiritual Holy Communion, and another blessing to begin my week.  One particular Sunday, I probably tuned into the television too early, and I heard a Church of Christ preacher speaking about prayer.  Everything was fine until the preacher told the television audience that it was great to talk to God, but you do not need to pray all day long.  That shocked and angered me.

         Prayer comes in many forms.  We petition God for our needs, both spiritual and physical.  We thank God for all that He has given us, no matter the size of the gift.  We thank God that we are able to serve others.  Even if we cannot serve physically, we can always pray for people following our Blessed Mother’s request at Fatima so that souls are kept from going to hell.  This is another act of service and prayer to God.  Remember, “What you do for the least of my people, you do unto me.”

         The only other point that I would like to make is that other Christians, non-Catholics, repeatedly tell me that Catholics do not know their bible verses.  What part of this biblical quote does every believer not know?  “Watch ye therefore and PRAY ALWAYS that ye be found worthy to stand before the throne of the Son of Man.”  Notice, that I used the old English version of that verse, but it describes what we are to do in our earthly lives and beyond.  It does not just pertain to the end of the age.  Our time in the body  ends at our human death also.  Not “praying always” may find you on the lukewarm side that will cause Jesus “to vomit you out of His mouth” as the Book of Revelations relates.  So let us make our lives a life of prayer.  This will also help us to control our sin nature as written in previous articles.  Get used to praying always as you will be doing that for all eternity or regretting the lack of prayer in your earthly life for all eternity.

         Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Gloria Tibi Domini.  Laus Deo.  See you in Paradise.