Skip to main content
The Catechism in 2590 tells us that "prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." How often have you prayed to God only to remain waiting? Do you think God is not listening? How did you learn how to pray? It was most likely as a child at the side of your parents or grandparents. It may even have been by a priest or nun in school. The point is, most of us are still praying in that child-like way. We still are asking God for created things. Raising one's mind and heart to God means that we are asking for God's will in all things. When you pray, do you ask that God do his will? If you are like most of us, your prayer is more often about your needs and wants. It is about your desires and not the will of God. Now I realize that many of us pray for other people. I spent the last few days in deep prayer asking God to spare a friend's life. I considered it a good thing from God. However, the answer to my and many others prayers on this occasion was no. Our dear friend left this earth for greater glory. She was called home by our Father to serve Him in another capacity. Very frequently, God's answer to our prayers is no because He knows that the created thing we are praying for is not going to bring us the happiness we think. He knows everything and He knows when to tell us no. The understanding of God's love and compassion, His plan for our lives, is very comforting. We often are angry when we are told no but have you ever stopped to think about the why of God telling us no? The next time you find yourself praying for something that you think will bring you ultimate happiness, think about the real reason you want it. Is it replacing something more substantial in your life? Is it replacing God? If the answer to your prayer is no, take the time to pause and reflect on why that is the right answer. God is our protector. He is always ready to embrace us and keep us from harm. So let's begin to practice to pray in the more enlightened way described in the Catechism. Raise your heart and mind to God as you pray. Ask that His will be done in all things and remember to pray for wisdom. He is ready to answer our prayers when He knows it will help us towards the ultimate goal of life everlasting with Him.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gentle Art of Holy Surrender

In the quiet, dusty corners of our hearts, we often harbor blueprint drafts of how we think our lives should unfold. We carefully map out our timelines, hoping for a smooth path, and it is only natural to feel a bit lost or weary when a sudden storm alters our course or a door we prayed would open remains closed. Yet, our Lord does not stand at a distance during these moments of uncertainty; He is a tender Shepherd who walks beside us, gently whispering, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" ( Jeremiah 29:11). When our own plans crumble, it is not a sign that He has abandoned us, but rather an invitation to fold our hands, release our grip on the pen, and offer our own quiet fiat—letting Him guide us into green pastures we could never have found on our own. Placing our trust in His loving providence allows us to breathe deeply and find rest, even when the road ahead is shrouded in mist. E...
Post a Comment
Read more

Woman, Behold Your Son

The spiritual climax of the Gospel of John, as Father John Waiss points out, occurs at the foot of the Cross, where Jesus utters his parting words: “Woman, behold, your son!” and “Behold your mother!” (John 19:26-27). While these words were addressed to the Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, the Church has long understood this moment as a universal adoption. To truly image Christ, we must share in His parentage; if we embrace God as our spiritual Father but reject Mary as our mother, we treat Christ as a half-brother rather than our "firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29). As Origen noted as early as the third century, the profound depths of the Gospel are only accessible to those who, like John, rest their heads on Jesus’ breast and receive Mary into their own homes. This maternal role is deeply rooted in biblical typology, positioning Mary as the fulfillment of the great mothers of the Old Covenant. She is the New Eve , the mother of all the living according ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Masterpiece of the Creator

In the Catholic tradition, the universe is not a product of random chance, but the intentional masterpiece of an all-loving God. From the sprawling galaxies to the intricate details of the microscopic world, every created thing reflects the wisdom, beauty, and power of its Divine Architect. Genesis reveals that God spoke creation into being, looking upon the cosmos and declaring it good. As Catholics, we recognize that science and faith beautifully converge here: the laws of nature are the very blueprints of the Creator, inviting us to look at the wonders around us and praise the Artist behind the canvas. Yet, the pinnacle of God's creative act is found in humanity, where He breathed His very life into the dust of the earth. Fashioned in the divine image and likeness, both man and woman possess an inherent dignity, intellect, and capacity for love that transcends the rest of creation. We are designed not merely to exist, but to be mirrors of God's communion and grace in the ...
Post a Comment
Read more