An Invitation to Prayer
Today, continuing forward through the early days of Lent, we are building a strong foundation for the days and weeks ahead. Most likely tiredness, perhaps boredom or frustration, the temptations to give up will confront most of us in a week or two from now. The challenge to give up will happen. Don't you agree? The underlying stone we can put in place for the season of Lent and our entire life is prayer. An interesting fact: Amazon list more than 420,000 books on prayer --- almost half a million efforts to help us understand what prayer is and how to pray.
People do ask priests and others to share the "best way" to pray. That is translated as "the easiest" way.
The first reading in the liturgy today gives us a strong clue as to where we might find support for our prayer efforts. Isaiah's imagery is just marvelous. Do take a moment to click on to the reading. It is a quick read. In short the suggestion is that in the Word of God we will find our way to good prayer. In the Responsorial Psalm we are invited by King David to experience with him the work and the fruits of prayer. In the words of today's gospel Jesus gives us the way to pray. It is not new; it is not difficult; it is not a two or three year course (actually it is a lifetime's journey!!!). Jesus offers us a simple prayer that will open up for us the beauty, the splendor, the treasure of prayer. It is "Our Father who art in heaven ...."
Our prayer will never be as easy as reading a book. Why? Because our prayer will ask us to read our own hearts! In trying to come to a time when prayer is an "enjoyment," each person's task is to have a personal relationship with God. Were you to receive a questionnaire or be asked in a poll to list the each individual with whom you feel you have a personal relationship, how many names would you be able to list? More to the point: would you have listed any of the following: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Mary or a favored saint? Again, would you have listed any one of these?
Today we have become victims of "busyness." Distractions, obligations and a long litany of other "things" create log jams. Where can I find time for prayer? Let's be honest: it is much easier to sit down and watch some of the Olympic contests. Right? However, here at the outset of the Lenten season, we are reminded that prayer should be an integral part of our daily lives ... not just on Sundays! A genuine personal relationship with God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit will bring us to know this one sure fact: God so strongly desires a personal relationship with you.
