Prayer

Jesus told His disciples to pray like this: “Our Father Who art in heaven……..” “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret”. “Where two or more are gathered in My name there I am in their midst”.

As seen above, prayer is private; it also is a community expression, and it is a way of communicating with the Lord in times of need, want, and thanksgiving.

I remember my old pastor preaching on the collection at Mass and how the petitions that go before God are in two baskets; one containing requests that is overflowing, and the other containing thanks almost empty.

How do we formulate our prayers? Are the problems of life overwhelming to the point that there is no way out of a dilemma and there is no one else to reach out to? Have we found ourselves in a situation that looks like the world around us is collapsing and we are the last ones family or friends have looked to for guidance? Or have we passed by a church feeling depressed and wondered for a fleeting moment if going inside would solve our present situation? The answers to these and perhaps many more do have a solution! But where does one reach out to find cure for the expressions we encounter?

Using the word cure above reminded me of a priest whose memorial is August 4, St. John Vianney, who was called the Cure of Ars. He was so-called because the diocese sent him to the remote village of Ars where his being a confessor healed many who were in need of God’s Mercy and forgiveness. My reason for mentioning this is even those in psychiatric professions realize that confession can sometimes, if not innumerable instances, become the healing factor in many cases.

Many times our prayers find us seeking God for all of the above mentioned maladies especially when there is no one else who can understand our situation and show in some mysterious way how to find the path out of a depressive manner. Confession is just one of a myriad of cures or answers to prayer.

When we begin to pray, such as grace before meals, do we always ask God to “Bless us O’Lord…….”? Or do we think of giving God the Praise and Glory, which belong to Him, first then completing the prayer with thanksgiving for the blessings and Grace already received? There are times when some prayers become so common that the words just flow without meaning or substance. Unfortunately, they become just that; words without thought.

Contemplatives pray most often by listening to what God has to say. He really will speak to our hearts and minds and the pattern of conversation may be a one-way message of love, peace, and deep thought of Him within our souls. You just need to be open to God’s Word and learn to adapt your thinking to His Will.

The one important aspect of prayer is not to choreograph the outcome. God hears every prayer no matter how large or small it may be. The problem is expecting God’s response to correspond with the expectations of our request and not with the spirit of the prayer. That is to say when seeking an answer to even the smallest prayer it isn’t necessary to formulate the right words or the most profound manner in which to reach God, but to speak from the heart as if speaking with a close friend. In fact God is a close friend and wants to be considered as such. Not in a condescending way but as a father who listens and wants the best for us, but knowing that at times even a father must discern our needs and carefully consider what is best for us when listening to the request. There may be times when our prayer may do more harm than good for us or the persons we are praying for, and the ultimate answer may not fit our immediate needs until a time only known and understood by a caring and loving God.

Consider this, when we find ourselves at a cross-road in life where there is no practical solution to a problem, it could be God’s purpose to get our attention and rely totally upon Him for a way out with a result that is better than if we had been left alone to ourselves and found ourselves falling into a deeper pit of confusion. Ever hear the old adage; Let go and let God! Many are the troubles of man, but many more are the solutions of God’s answers to our prayers. Pray without ceasing and seek the Lord always expecting His Grace upon our troubled hearts.