As we ask how the gift of prayer can bless our Lenten journey of conversion, we must begin by recalling that prayer, prayers and prayerfulness are related but distinct realities. So if we wish to grow in our prayer with God, let us try to understand what they mean and how they are related.
Prayer is the “communication” that flows from our personal relationship with the Lord and gives expression to our desire to deepen our awareness of His presence in our lives, to share with Him our deepest concerns and desires, and to strengthen our commitment to serve Him. Prayer is an aspect of our relationship with Christ, wherein we speak with Him and He speaks with us. Such “speaking” does not always involve spoken or mental words. Rather, just as spouses can intuit what the other is thinking or feeling, prayer is establishing a relationship where we commune with Christ on the deepest levels of our life. As such, developing a true life of prayer takes a lifetime to realize.
An important tool in our life of prayer is reciting prayers, that is, formulas that have been developed over the centuries designed to raise or minds and hearts to God. Jesus Himself taught the prayer that is known as the “Our Father,” to be a tool that helped those who use it to express our love of Our Father in heaven, while sharing with him our desires and hopes. However, we must remember that reciting prayers alone, without the proper open disposition of mind and heart to God, will not achieve their true divine purpose.
Finally, the state of prayerfulness is the attitude that allows us to see God in every circumstance of life. We slowly learn to recognize His love and support in every moment of every day, especially when the world does not see Him. Developing an attitude of “prayerfulness” allows us to fulfill the command to “pray always”, that is, not to recite prayers in every moment of life (which would be impossible to achieve) to be attune our eyes, minds and hearts to see God in our lives at all times (which is possible and necessary for us to remain faithful disciples in the world). Given all this background, we can ask:
How faithful am I to set aside time to commune with God in prayer each day? In silence? As a priority in my life?
Do I recite prayers each day but do not sit in silence long enough for God to speak to me? Do I recite prayers only to fulfill an obligation?
How often do I challenge myself to see God’s presence throughout my day? In difficult moments? At times when no one else can see Him?
If you and I reflect on these question during the upcoming days of Lent, it will be time very well spent.
The previous reflection originally appeared on Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Facebook page. Follow the Bishop for daily reflections and weekly homilies.