Aug 14 Fri
Does God talk to me in prayer? (II)
Christ had outlined the main conditions for prayer and for a genuine relationship with God. What are those conditions?
The first condition is the RECTITUDE OF INTENTION: it means turning to God for God’s sake, not for other reasons; certainly not simply to be seen by others, nor to pretend a goodness we lack (cf. Mt 6:5). We turn to God because He is a personal being who must not be used as a means to an end. He has given us everything we possess; we exist because of his love; He has made us his children; He tenderly cares for us; and He has given his own life to save us.
Why do all people (Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, pagans) pray? Why do they pray? Why do even those who believe that they are not praying pray? The answer is very simple. “I pray because God exists. I know that God exists. That is why I pray."
The second condition is TRUST: we address Him as Father, Abba. God is not a distant being, much less an enemy of humankind, whom we must keep happy by constantly appeasing His wrath or meeting His demands. He is the Father who cares for His children, who knows what they need, and who gives them what is best for them (cf. Mt 6:8).
The third of the conditions for prayer, which introduces the revelation of the Lord’s Prayer: Simplicity, DO NOT USE TOO MANY WORDS (cf. Mt 6:7).
Too many words can overwhelm us and distract us. Thus, instead of turning our gaze to God and resting in his love, we run the risk of becoming prisoners of our urgent needs, our anxieties, or our plans. In other words, we may end up closed off, without prayer truly opening us to God and his transforming love.
“In the evening, you will be tested on love; learn to love as God wishes to be loved, and transform your condition.” To love means to attune oneself to the other, to discover their preferences and take joy in fulfilling them, and to learn—sometimes through some suffering—that our good intentions alone are not enough; rather, we must learn to get it right.
And how will we learn to love God? How will we know what He likes?
Above all, it is openness to a God who has revealed His true face to us and opened the intimacy of His heart to us. Only by knowing what dwells in God’s heart can we truly pray; only then can we love Him as He wishes to be loved. And, in light of that knowledge, we can change and align our prayer and learn to pray in the best way possible.
Using inspired words from the Sacred Scripture, we will find in them “solid food” (cf. Heb 5:14) for our prayer. Also, using the psalms and prayers of the Mass.
All of it, done under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes new horizons open up before our eyes, without us really being able to explain. Why? It is the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts. And we must listen.