THE BEST WAY TO PRAY

 

(chapel during Transitus service)

 

 

THE BEST WAY TO PRAY

 

Sometimes we pray to get what we want or need.  Sometimes we pray for guidance.  But the best reason to pray -- and the reason Jesus prayed -- is to join ourselves to God.  But there is no one way to do that. 

 

When his disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he taught them the "Our Father."   It is a prayer of praise and gives God the glory that he is due.   It is also a petition in which we ask God to provide what we need.  Third, it asks for forgiveness and the strength to be forgiving.   And last, it is an acknowledgement that God knows what is best for us and reminds us to submit to his will rather than our own.

 

God hears all prayers, but he wants to know that we are committed to that for which we are asking.  Jesus said to be persistent and continue to ask for God's help, seek God's will, and open the door to God's grace in our lives.

 

(This reflection is from the parish bulletin insert,  GROWING IN FAITH, for July 2012, published by Success Publishing & Media; to learn more about them, go to:  www.growinginfaith.com )