Prayer can be tricky. Sometimes we might experience guilt for not having prayed enough for the people who have asked for prayers. Sometimes we might feel that our petitions to God are overwhelming. God knows our needs. God does not forget. Then there is a Scripture that says to “pray always.” How can this be possible given the busy lives that we lead?
Maybe this question about praying always would subside if it simply meant being open to God’s presence in everything that is happening in our world. Christ chose to be human so he could walk with us in our experiences in everyday life. He did go up the mountain to pray alone at times, especially when things got hectic just as we might need to get away or spend some time alone to center ourselves and affirm what is essential in the way we are living.
We can look to the saints to know what prayer can mean in living a fulfilling life. Read the small book by Brother Lawrence, a Benedictine monk, titled “The Presence of God.” He talks about being in God’s presence while he is baking bread. We do not have to “pray hard.” When our intention is to spend our day in faith, hope and love, anything is possible.
• Do you want to nourish your prayer life?
• Is your prayer mainly in the words you say or in formal prayer?
• Is God’s presence with you in your everyday experiences?
O God, teach me the way to pray.