Every day at Graymoor we receive prayer requests from people asking the Friars to remember them and their petitions in our prayers. People often tell me that they are having a very difficult time praying. So, let’s talk about prayer.
Prayer can be a very difficult practice for many of us. What does it mean “to pray?” There was a song some years ago that really sums up prayer very well. It was called “Reach Out and Touch.” Prayer is a reaching out to touch someone and that someone is God and all that God involves and includes. One of the best ways of reaching out to God is in the mass. While it is not our only form of prayer, the liturgy, the mass is the principal prayer for the Christian community. It is the prayer Jesus gave us as the memorial, the link and the connection, to the spark of life between ourselves and our God.
Then there is private prayer when we are alone with God. There is no set pattern and really no rules. During those times we simply talk to God in our own words like we would to a friend. These are times when you say whatever you feel to God. Talk about anything, talk to Him about your life. But, also talk to Him about His Life and the things He did.
But, whatever you talk to Jesus about, be sure to pause now and then to let Him reply. He might want to talk to you. When He speaks to us, it will not be His voice but an inner feeling. Always remember prayer is not a monologue where we do all the talking. Prayer is a dialogue and God also wants to talk to us. You cannot have a relationship with anyone unless you talk to them. It is the same way with God. You have to make time to speak to Him and to communicate with Him.
Prayer is not just a personal matter. There will always be time when we pray for our own needs. But, our prayers must also include those around us and even those we do not know. That is why we say “Our Father” and not “My Father.” Often we try to make our prayers productive. They have to yield something or we try to change God’s mind. Ideally, just place yourself in God’s presence, open yourself to Him, be receptive and let Him change you. Private prayer is so important. Jesus showed this when He went off by Himself to pray, when He was pushed, shoved, shouted at and when He was stretched to His limit. He drew strength and regeneration from periods of private prayer. His disciples observed this and feeling frazzled themselves said, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
Perhaps we all need to ask the Lord, “Lord, teach us how to pray.” Teach us how to pray to find a deep sense of peace and wholeness. Teach us to pray from the heart. Teach us how to pray when we feel far from any shore, far from any person and adrift without a send of direction. Teach us to pray when we are overwhelmed by day-to-day living. Teach us how to pray when we are feeling great, everything is going well, and we are joyful. Teach us how to pray when we are celebrating.
But, above all, in all situations when convenient and inconvenient, in season and out of season, for God’s sake Lord, “Teach us how to pray.”
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM THE LORD LITERALLY PREPARED FOR
I FACED ONE OF LIFE’S STORMS
ONLY THAT I WAS MORE ATENTIVE TO THE LORD
HIS FATHERLY SECURITY PROTECTION PLEASE 🙏
THAT I WILL GIVE YOU PEACE THROUGH THE STORM THAT IS GOING TO RAGE SOON AFTER THE RAGING STORM A COMPLETE CALM ALSO
GREAT MIRICLES
THE MIRICLE OCCUR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 7TH
THEE FEAST OF DIVINE MERCY 🙏
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What a beautiful and heart warming article! I felt like crying reading this, dont know why…I am not feeling sad! It really touched my heart…I wake up super early before work to pray in the quietness of the morning…thanking God for another day, pray for my family , friends , coworkers and all deceased.
But , Lord please teach us how to pray!
I am not Catholic, but my friend Joanna is & she sends me your letters, Father Bob.
Oh boy, I really needed this one as I have felt for a long time that my prayers are not sufficient. My journey with God & Jesus started when I was 4-5 years old & I still say my prayers in child like faith, nothing fancy, not many words, but with heartfelt feeling for Our Father, Savior Jesus, for others, the world, my family & myself on a daily basis.
Your letter has lifted a lot of struggles I have put myself through thinking I needed to be a “prayer warrior” but thanks to you, I will stop trying to be something I’m not.
Joanna & I have a very close relationship that includes God & Jesus, as our main topic. We have been sharing & emailing each day for years. Joanna visits Graymoor a lot & when my husband & I lived in NY we also visited your beautiful place.
May God Bless You Father Bob, for caring & sharing your wonderful letters!
“When He speaks to us, it will not be His voice but an inner feeling.” When I read this comment it hit home with me. I was speaking with a friend one day trying to explain an experience I had after praying to St. Anthony. Something told me to stop and look back where I had been and right there was what I had been praying to find. The words “inner feeling” perfectly expresses what I could not in my own words. I realize that I was praying to St. Anthony at that moment, but I now realize that those moments where I feel that inner peace, I know that it’s God speaking to me and what a beautiful feeling that is. Thank you for this wonderful article.
Very informative.