The Catholic Doors Ministry presents from their Bible
Course
"How do
I pray?"
This question is frequently asked to those who
minister to the faithful. To know how to
pray, one must understand the meaning of praying. What does it mean to pray? The dictionary defines it as addressing God,
making a fervent request, beseeching and imploring. The New Roget's Thesaurus defines praying as
invoking, supplicating, communicating with God, worshipping, begging, adjuring
and pleading. It further associates
prayer with devotions, services, chapel, entreaty, supplication and petition. Truly, all of these, plus more, answer the
question "How do I pray?"
WHEN
APPROACHING GOD
When a person goes to a
florist to buy a flower, he selects the most beautiful flower that he can find,
one that emits a pleasant fragrance, one that is blooming, that is rich in
colourful petals, that is free of defects, that is appealing to the eyes,
etc... Symbolically speaking, when a person presents a prayer petition to God,
it is like presenting that most beautiful flower in exchange for a worldly or
spiritual favour that is being requested. The greater the beauty of the flower,
the greater the likelihood that the petitioner shall obtain the favour that he
is seeking from God. If the petitioner gives God a flower that is covered with
dirt, has a number of defects and half of the petals are missing, surely this
would be an insult to God. God would turn His back to the petitioner and ignore
the unworthy prayer request.
DISPOSITION
As previously indicated
through the flower example, when approaching God, it is necessary to be
properly disposed. What follows is a number of desirable qualities that are
pleasing to the eyes of God. Having the right disposition improves one's chance
of obtaining God's blessings.
The qualities that are necessary in a successful prayer petition are
equal to the petals that are found on the flower that is being presented to
God. If some of the qualities are missing, it means that during the prayer
petition, God will be offered a defective flower.
As a general rule, when it will benefit the spiritual growth of a
believer, the Lord God will answer his prayer petition. But again, the believer
must be properly disposed. In other cases, the grace of God may touch the heart
of individuals before they have achieved such a disposition in order to lead
them towards a proper disposition. The timing for achieving the right
disposition depends entirely on how the grace of God works in each individual
person.
CONVERSION
OF HEART
The first petal which is absolutely necessary, is a conversion of
heart [Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2608] prior to approaching God in
prayer. The individual must have a sincere desire to change his life from the worldly
ways to the spiritual ways.
HUMILITY
There is a need to always approach God in a humble manner. A prayer
said in humility is worth more than all the boastful prayers. When appropriate,
one should kneel in an act of reverence, recognizing his sinfulness. Humility
adds another petal to the flower.
SIMPLICITY OF WORDS
When praying, do so with the simplicity of a child. Express simple
words that come from the heart. Jesus said, "When you are praying, do not
heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be
heard because of their many words." [C.C.C. # 2608; Mt. 6:7] A few sincere
words from the heart are more pleasing to God than a large number of repeated
devotions, prayers or words.
SPIRITUAL
NEEDS
A common error of many who petition God is to ask for worldly
things, fame, love, pleasures and wealth. Their prayer petitions are for
worldly things, their requests totally ignoring their spiritual needs. A
balanced prayer includes both, one's spiritual and worldly needs. "What will
it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?" [Mt.
16:26] One day, all physical gains shall come to an end; spiritual gains shall
last an eternity. A prayer petition that includes spiritual needs adds another
petal to the flower that is presented to God.
PERSEVERANCE
When you pray for a need that relates to your spiritual growth, such
as a holy marriage, present your petition without ceasing. Persevere, not just
for a day, but for weeks and for months until such time as you have received
what your heart truly desires. "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and
you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who
asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks,
the door will be opened." [Mt. 7:7-8]
Excerpts from The
Catholic Doors Ministry presents from their Bible Course – excellent source of
how to pray and over 3459 prayers to discover -- http://www.catholicdoors.com/courses/howtopray.htm
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