Prayer Life

[Mark Dohle]

Prayer Life​

As a species, we tend to overthink certain areas in our lives that are very important. One’s life of prayer can be one such topic. When talking with some retreatants they often want to find ‘one way’ to pray. For instance, “Centering Prayer”, the rosary, or some other form of prayer. Now centering prayer and the rosary are wonderful forms of praying and can lead to deep contemplation and intimacy with God. However, when it is made ‘the prayer’, this can lead to a delay in one’s spiritual development.

For a Christian our mediation/prayer is based on an open loving relationship with the ‘Infinite Mind’ manifested in the revelation of Jesus Christ. Prayer is seen as an invitation from the Holy Spirit to open one’s heart in a trusting loving relationship. So, as we grow so does our prayer life and the form it takes. The ways of prayer can change over time more than once. There will be times when we need to be quiet in the presence of God. At other times we may need the Rosary to settle our minds so we can focus or do Lectio Divina. Over time we let go of being overly attached to one form of prayer and allow the Spirit to lead us.

There are moments when we can be called to be in God’s presence by interior silence or to say a holy word we like to use. Driving, if by oneself is a perfect time to focus in prayer on the presence of God. It helps me drive better and not get flustered when ‘things happen’. Waiting at the airport, or the doctor’s office is a good time to pray or to do spiritual reading. Over time this becomes second nature.

To lead a deep life of prayer, we must allow the Holy Spirit to bring us to self-knowledge and at the same time allow us to truly love ourselves in this long process of inner vulnerability to the Spirit. It is easy to forget that we are commanded to love ourselves. It is commanded because it is not an easy thing to do. We are called to prayer especially when we are struggling with deep issues. The main problem will be about our weakness, and lack of freedom, to love God, and others, the way we would like. This insight allows us to understand our need for grace and trust. To trust in God’s love, is a great act of self-love as well.

This death to self is the door to a larger more expansive experience of God, us, and others. In prayer we learn that we are the problem, not God, nor others, but in how we react, love, and forgive.

We learn that the suffering caused by our seeking to grow in the love of God is by far an easier cross than the ones we manufacture for ourselves. Yes, it is a struggle to pray, for there will be days when we seem to struggle and fail to pray the way we think we ought, but it is in our intention that is important, and the patience in which we continue this often-trying discipline.

Prayer is not a luxury for the Christian but a necessity.-Br.MD