What is Prayer?
Prayer... a conversation with one whom we know loves us. (St. Teresa of Jesus, LIFE)
Prayer seems to be a need for every human person. Deep within each of us is the desire and the capacity for worship. All through the ages, we hear of the various ways men and women have lifted their hearts in tribute and petition- often to an unknown God.
We Christians have a gentler entrance into the life of prayer through Jesus. Because of Jesus, God is not an unknown deity, but a loving Father, a kind friend, a reliable support. Because of Jesus, we are able not only to worship God, but also to enter into relationship with God.
Made in God's image and likeness, we believe that God lives deep within us, bringing us to life every minute. One of the best ways to begin prayer is to picture that place where God lives and sustains us. It is here that the conversation begins...
Prayer sometimes comes very easily- great joy brings with it spontaneous gratitude and a desire to praise the God who we believe has blessed us. At times like this, words tumble from our lips, songs lift our hearts, everything is alive with the presence of a loved one.
At other times, overwhelming sorrow or feelings of desperation bring us to our knees pleading for the intervention-or at least the benevolent presence-of a merciful God.
Perhaps words won't come so easily, but grief has a language of its own and pain forces us to reach out to the other.
There are many methods of prayer, as many as there are people! Most people begin by saying familiar prayers- the Our Father or perhaps one of the Psalms-and reciting them quietly and thoughtfully. As they reflect on these words, they begin to understand them more deeply and appreciate the opportunity to enter into dialogue with God.
And God responds. However, we need to become attuned to the way God responds. At some times, God may seem very present and at others, very absent. There will be days when prayer comes easily and days when it seems as though we are wasting our time. We need to persevere until prayer becomes a habit.
The habit of prayer is nourished by good reading: Scripture and books explaining the Scriptures are key resources. There is a wealth of good books written by people who have learned the ways of prayer and have the gift of sharing their expertise. Most people who are serious about prayer find spiritual direction a great help (and there are priests
religious and lay people who minister as spiritual directors). One of the biggest helps is perhaps the simplest-friends. Friends with whom you can share your spiritual journey are good friends indeed!
We won't see visions or hear voices but we may receive an unexpected inspiration in the course of an ordinary day. Or we may suddenly become aware that we are in the presence of the Divine. Gradually, God becomes our constant and well-loved companion. Then no matter how we feel, we will know God's faithfulness.
The choice is ours. The Scriptures (and our own Hearts) tell us that God is always seeking us and has sent Jesus to us so that we could see the human face of God. It is up to us to do what we can to develop and deepen this relationship God so desires for us.
