What do we ask for from God? Do we ask for things that are really important for our life and well-being, or merely things we want to have and own in life? How do you pray? I know for myself, Prayer is calming and helps me to focus on what matters. I try to journal about my day ahead in the morning, asking for strength and courage facing the day. I'll say a prayer of offering and service as I walk to work, giving it to God, especially when I'm tired. Then at the end of the day, it's good to find time for reflection on the graces God has given throughout the day and how we to change for tomorrow. In having a constant prayer life, we become speechless as to the things we think we want and need, and offer everything to God, accepting the graces and will He has for us in our life.
Today's Gospel states:'"And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses' (Matthew 6:7-15).
God knows what we need before we ask anything. How then should we pray? Jesus tells us the words of the 'Our Father', how we need to pray, and to surrender ourselves to God's will and love. However, it's hard to hear and recognize God's will for us if there is always chaos and never Silence, peace. Going to mass is the perfect opportunity to hear God's word and will in your life, but not just through mass and by accepting the Eucharist, but also through daily prayer. Mother Theresa said:"We all must take the time to be silent and to contemplate, especially those who live in big cities like London and New York, where everything moves so fast. This is why I decided to open our first home for contemplative sisters (whose vocation is to pray most of the day) in New York instead of the Himalayas: I felt silence and contemplation were needed more in the cities of the world. I always begin my prayer in silence, for it is in the silence of the heart that God speaks. God is the friend of silence - we need to listen to God because it's not what we say but what He says to us and through us that matters. Prayer feeds the soul - as blood is to the body, prayer is to the soul - and it brings you closer to God. It also gives you a clean and pure heart. A clean heart can see God, can speak to God, and can see the love of God in others. When you have a clean heart it means you are open and honest with God, you are not hiding anything from Him, and this lets Him take what He wants from you". Only through having a continuous and constant prayer life can we be brought to our full purpose of becoming Saints, becoming people of God.
Today's prayer comes from 'Joy of Nine' a prayer for silence:
Faithful and gracious God, we seek to draw nearer to you in this time of devotion and prayer. Open us to your word that we might be guided in your Spirit toward all truth and love, for we pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
