Joined:
10/24/2008
Posts:
21
|
The Need to Pray
1/13/2010 10:40:27 PM
Hi all,
Last week the topic of prayer came up. Some were remarking on how work and other types of activities can be prayer, and they can. However, it's been my experience that these other things TURN INTO prayer only when we "pray pray" as well on a regular basis. They are not prayer in themselves automatically.
No one ever draws close to the Lord simply by "working hard." (Cf. Luke 10:38-42) Like it or loathe it, it is very important that we make time for "prayer prayer" on a regular basis in order to gain a stronger foothold in the Kingdom, in order to more fully belong to the one "in whom we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28)
I came across an article a few days ago that speaks more on the subject and is quite good. It is primarily aimed at men (who probably need it more than women do), but will by no means fail to benefit women who read it as well. Wanted to share...
http://www.houseonthemoor.com/Winter-Spring07/WhyMenDontPray.html
Pax Christi,
Greg
|
|
|
|
Reply
|
Quoted Reply
|
Joined:
10/24/2008
Posts:
21
|
P.S.
1/17/2010 12:37:27 AM
A post script if anyone stops by the website any more....
My one lament after reading the article I cited above was that the author, while doing a great job with the topic overall, kind of gave one the impression that prayer, in essence, is a "necessary burden" when, in fact, it is often much sweeter than this. There are dry times to be sure. One must be disciplined in prayer in order to maintain a substantive prayer life, to be sure.
But the more one prays, the more they spend time with "the holy One of Blessing", the more they grow to love both God and prayer itself as a result. And there come many moments of great insight and consolation from this process over time.
When Mary began appearing to 6 children in Bosnia nearly 30 years ago, one of the first things she did was ask them to begin a regular prayer life. Now, considering the source, you might have expected her to have requested a full 15 decade rosary, a few chaplets, Vespers, a scripture reading and Mass every single day from each child. But far from it, she asked them to begin their prayer lives by praying 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Marys, and 3 Glory Bes per day....That was all.
No more, no less.
Why so little? Because Our Lady knew her children well. She knew that the prescription above would have been a recipe for disaster and failure. It takes time to get more and more acclimated to holy things. She knew this and asked the children to "start at the very beginning." So, it is with us. If you do not already have a regular prayer life, I would encourage you to begin one by perhaps praying the simple 9 prayers above each day. In time, this recipe will be too light for you and you'll want to increase your time with the Lord. Do so. Little by little. Step by step.
The dry times will come. But so will the ecstasies, until the day when we see the Lord face to face and our lives then quite literally become an ETERNAL and ready prayer.
Greg
|
|
|
|
Reply
|
Quoted Reply
|
Joined:
10/24/2008
Posts:
21
|
A great book on prayer
5/27/2010 1:38:31 AM
At least judging by the reviews. (I have not yet read the book myself.)
http://www.sophiainstitute.com/client/COL_ads/COL_bkst_praying.html
I described the online book on exorcism and deliverance ministry as "the solution" to harassment from the devil and, of course, these things have their place. But, really, the most essential antidote to demonic influence in our lives comes in holy living, the core of which is prayer.
|
|
|
|
Reply
|
Quoted Reply
|
Joined:
10/24/2008
Posts:
21
|
Book out of print - Find it here instead
5/27/2010 11:35:18 PM
Sorry. No sooner did I post about the book than I went to try and order a copy and the publisher did not have it because it's currently out of print. My brother recommended "Bookfinder.com." I used it and found the book there (yes, cut and paste this whole 4 line link into your browser if you want to go right to the options):
http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?ac=sl&st=sl&qi=wUyl17a2ol85aBTeTN28M4DHiNY_3236185639_1:1:76&bq=author%3Dromano%2520guardini%26title%3Dart%2520of%2520praying%2520the%2520principles%2520and%2520methods%2520of%2520christian%2520prayer
Greg
|
|
|
|
Reply
|
Quoted Reply
|