Prayer: God’s gift to all

St. John Damascene, defender of the faith during the 7th century, wrote, “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2590). As God pursues us, we in turn are drawn to him in praise, gratitude, petition and help. Jesus not only shows us how to pray, he also gives the template for prayer. Since prayer “lifts” our mind and heart to God, it is something to be cherished and acted upon each day, perhaps even several times a day. Within the silence of our prayer, we encounter our Lord, who strengthens, nourishes and embraces us with his love.

Sitting still (Lk 10:38-42)

The Gospel of the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time tells the well-loved story of two sisters, Martha and Mary, and their response to Jesus during one of his visits to their home. In a nutshell, Martha greets and Mary meets. 

Martha welcomes Jesus at the door, tends to his needs and rushes off  to continue getting provision ready for the visit. Mary, on the other hand, sits beside Jesus and listens to him. Martha, “burdened and anxious” about the preparations for the gathering, insists her sister help her, pleading her case to Jesus. Jesus’ response is an invitation to calmness and peace, of which Mary has chosen. 

Although it is important to make sure the guests are comfortable, Jesus shows Martha the “better part,” being in relationship with Jesus, sitting with him and listening to his words. Everything else can wait.

Our time can be filled so much so that at the end of the day we are at the point of exhaustion. The culture seems to promote that “doing more is better;” filling our time is somehow more “productive” and good. Far be it we have “nothing” to do. When we have company at our homes, do we sit with them, share our undivided attention (put away cell phones and turn off the television) and conversation, build relationship and enjoy the “art of being together?” If we can do this, we can also find time to sit still with Jesus. Quality time with the Lord.

Being together with God (Lk 1:1-13)

So, what does prayer look like? How can one sit still with Jesus, let go of our busyness, anxiety and worry and welcome our God? In the Gospel reading during the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus shows us the way to pray, the “Our Father.” We learn from the catechism, “He (Jesus) was praying in a certain place and when he had ceased, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’ In seeing the master at prayer, the disciple of Christ also wants to pray. By contemplating and hearing the son, the master of prayer, the children learn to pray to the father” (CCC 2601).

Away in solitude Jesus teaches the apostles (and us) to pray to the father with glory, honor, humility and petitions asking for his presence, daily nourishment for body and soul, forgiveness and protection from evil. This is a path of faith, hope and love (CCC 2607). It is also a call to conversion, humility and trust in the father’s loving plan for his children’s salvation. 

Ask, seek, knock (Lk 1:9-10)

God always answers prayer. Jesus stresses, “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” 

Faith, hope and love encapsulate these two verses. It is by faith we “ask” for we believe God hears our prayer. We are confident in this because he is our father. He listens always. He is present to us. We “seek” with trust and hope in God’s promises through Jesus. It is our anchor as we look forward to God’s response. We “knock” because we know God’s abiding love will always open the door, receive us with joy and embrace us with peace. We humbly pray in the name of Jesus to God with confidence, boldness, expectancy and persistence. 

Trust and love

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI shared thoughts on prayer during a General Audience given in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Here are a few excerpts to ponder, “Christianity is not a religion of fear but of trust and of  love for the father who loves us … Each one of us, each man and each woman, is a miracle of God, is wanted by him and is personally known by him … We would not be able to pray were the desire for God, for being children of God, not engraved in the depths of our heart … In praying our heart is opened, not only do we enter into communion with God but actually with all the children of God, because we are one body. When we address the father in our inner room in silence and in recollection we are never alone. Those who speak to God are not alone … Prayer guided by the Holy Spirit, who makes us say: ‘Abba! Father! with Christ and in Christ, inserts us into the great mosaic of the family of God in which each one has a place and an important role, in profound unity with the whole.”

May we join our hearts and prayer together as one family of God as we pray, “Our father who art in heaven …”

Eucharistic Revival: Adoration

During this season of Eucharist Revival, try praying in the adoration chapel, sitting in silence with Christ Jesus in the real presence of the Most Blessed Sacrament. See more at diobr.org/eucharisticrevival.

Dow is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.