(A few hints to help you start again and perhaps to help your prayer time be more effective. Take some time with each of these.)
1. The very thought or desire to pray is an invitation from God.
No one can say “Jesus is Lord” (1 Cor. 12:13) without a grace from God. So every time your heart is lifted, how- ever faintly, to look toward God – – – it is God actually reaching out to you. Let this be an encouragement. God loves you and wants your friendship. He’s begins the conversation.
2. Prayer is about Friendship and Trust in God.
So how do friends speak and listen to each other? Honestly, straightforward, without fear of offending, knowing your friend cares for you. Things like, “Lord, I’m sick and tired of …” or “Dear God, I did it again. Help me.” Or, “Why won’t you take this away Lord?” Or, “What a blessing that was. Thank you.” Or anything else your friendship needs to say.
3. God is invisible, so . . . images help.
God made our minds to work by way of images. Pictures of loved ones keep them more clearly in our minds and hearts. But we cannot see God so – – – images help. Jesus said he is a Good Shepherd, picture that. Water springing forth in the desert. A calming voice, a hand, etc. Let yourself find an image that helps you to trust his presence.
4. Start where you “are” not where you “should be”.
This is very important. You don’t “get holy” and then start to pray. We start right where we are. Lazy, selfish, angry, happy, . . . whatever. Give yourself to God just the way you are. That’s what friends do. But remember. . . . He’s the Lord. His will is the path to life. End your prayer by submitting to God’s will. Jesus did in the gar- den.
Again, “holy” thoughts are not what God wants. God wants YOU! In all your imperfections and failures. He’ll begin to show you a new path but it starts right where you are! Find YOUR way of praying not someone else’s.
5. Warm up to prayer. Don’t just jump in the pool. Take a minute or two to “prepare” your meeting with God. You’re beginning a holy moment.
A memory is a good start. How has God helped you in the past that you can thank Him for at the beginning of prayer? It helps to get a memory bank of times God has intervened. (It takes about 10 minutes to shake off the noise of the world and get down to business with God.)
6. We learn to pray by praying. (Remember the Holy Spirit will help you.)
No one ever learned to play the piano by reading about it or seeing a video. You learn by putting fingers to the keys. So too with praying . . . just do it. There’s no one there to grade you. God will take whatever you offer him and magnify it. Remember the Mustard Seed? (Mt. 4:31)
7. Be quiet. No thoughts. Just look out your window. God is with you.
After you’ve read scripture and spoken to the Lord, it’s time to listen. God speaks to us with thoughts, memories, and sentiments that move our will to want what God wants. Often times it’s only later in the day (or week!) we realize what God has done in our prayer.
8. Don’t try too hard. God comes in quiet, peaceful moments; often times unnoticed, like a bird landing quietly on a branch.
Just know that the smallest of gestures toward God brings his blessing. God loves you. You are his child. Keep on trusting, keep on asking, keep on looking for signs of his hand. “Seek and you shall find.” (Mt. 7:7)
Prayer. Just do it. It’s what love does.
Fr. Tim
