MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO PRAY

 

DIFFERENT WAYS TO PRAY:

 

(read:  Mark 7: 24-30, the story of Jesus' encounter with the Syro-phoenician woman)

 

Jesus' give-and-take comments with the mother seeking help for her daughter indicate that God seeks a dialogue with us.   Perhaps this explains why there are so many different ways to pray.   We can use 1)  formal prayer   or 2)  our own words.   We can 3)  recite a list of troubles and petitions  or  4)   clear our minds to meditate and listen.   We can 5)  shed tears    or  6)  laugh.   We can even 7)  engage in banter with God -- as this mother did with Jesus.   We must take care to nurture our conversation with God.   Remember,  there is nothing so refreshing as a good talk with a friend.

 

(Charlotte A. Rancillo shares this reflection on that Gospel passage in the missalette, LIVING WITH CHRIST , for February 13, 2014  -- the numbering is ours   --  www.livingwithChrist.us. )