Prayer
"We know we should pray, we know to whom we should pray, yet doing it, well thats a whole different ball game!"
I was very fortunate to be exposed to the monastic tradition in my early formative years of being a Christian. As a spiritually fumbling young man, I learnt to love prayer. The Bishop with whom I lived at the time, said to me "You can't bask in the sunshine of God's love all day Karl, there is work to do." I love nothing more than enjoying the wonderful presence of God.
It is hard to convey the refreshing renewing power of prayer; needless to say it has become as essential for my daily ministry, as drinking water is to my body, or breathing air is for life itself. I believe that if we are to deeply drink of the Spirit of God in prayer, we must discipline our desires and discover the joy and love of prayer. To discover this love requires us to expose the deep and often hidden reality of our desire and ask ourselves, how would we answer Jesus when he asks, as he did Simon Peter, "Do you love me"? Many times battles have been won and God's Holy Spirit outpoured because he honors those who honor him in prayer, he delivers us, equips us, blesses us and envigorates us for ministry.
Maybe I still 'bask too much in the sunshine of God's love', yet, I have learnt the hard way that there is nothing I have to offer, nothing I can possibly bring to the ministry to which I am called, if I have not first received it from Jesus. In this, I share the enthusiasm of the apostle Paul when he says: "I want to know Christ and the mighty power that raised him from the dead"(Philippians
Mindful of the very real danger that prayer can become a selfish pursiut, I keep inmind the burden that God placed on Ezekiel, a burden to bring to God's people, God's word (Ez 2:8-3:11) but particularly the responsibility of Ezekiel to fulfil the task (
What follows is part of the general introduction to the Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Hours that has some usefulinsights into the prayer life of Jesus. I include this text, because I find the explanation and insight it gives to the life of prayer of encouragement, especially when the "spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" which is more often the norm rather than the exception.
Karl Carpani
Vicar
Christ The Intercessor With The Father
In his goodness the Son of God, who is one with his Father (see Jn 10:30) and who on entering the world said: "Here I am! I come, God, to do your will" (Heb 10:9; see Jn 6:38), has left us the lesson of his own prayer. The Gospels many times show us Christ at prayer: when his mission is revealed by the Father; [4] before he calls the apostles; [5] when he blesses God at the multiplication of the loaves; [6] when he is transfigured on the mountain; [7] when he heals the deaf-mute; [8] when he raises Lazarus; [9] before he asks for Peter's confession of faith; [10] when he teaches the disciples how to pray; [11]when the disciples return from their mission; [12] when he blesses the little children; [13] when he prays for Peter. [14]
The work of each day was closely bound up with his prayer, indeed flowed out from it: he would retire into the desert or into the hills to pray, [15] rise very early [16] or spend the night up to the fourth watch [17] in prayer to God. [18]
We are right in thinking that he took part both in public prayers: in the synagogues, which he entered on the Sabbath "as his custom was;" [19] in the temple, which he called a house of prayer; [20] and in the private prayers that for devout Israelites were a daily practice. He used the traditional blessings of God at meals, as is expressly mentioned in connection with the multiplication of the loaves, [21] the last supper [22] and the meal at Emmaus. [23] He also joined with the disciples in a hymn of praise. [24]
To the very end of his life, as his passion was approaching, [25] at the last supper, [26] in the agony in the garden, [27] and on the cross, [28] the divine teacher showed that prayer was the soul of his Messianic ministry and paschal death. "In the days of his life on earth he offered up prayers and entreaties with loud cries and tears to the one who could deliver him from death and because of his reverence his prayer was heard" (Heb 5:7). By a single offering on the altar of the cross "he has made perfect forever those who are being sanctified" (Heb 10-14). Raised from the dead, he lives for ever, making intercession for us. [29]
5. Jesus has commanded us to do as he did. On many occasions he said: "Pray," "ask," "seek" [30] "in my name." [31] He taught us how to pray in what is known as the Lord's Prayer. [32] He taught us that prayer is necessary, [33] that it should be humble, [34] watchful, [35] persevering, confident in the Father's goodness, [36] single-minded, and in conformity with God's nature. [37]
Here and there in their letters the apostles have handed on to us many prayers, particularly of praise and thanks. They instruct us on prayer in the Holy Spirit, [38] through Christ, [39] offered to God, [40] as to its persistence and constancy, [41] its power to sanctify, [42] and on prayer of praise, [43] thanks, [44] petition, [45] and intercession for all. [46]
1975. The Catholic Book Publishing Corp.N.Y