(This reflection by Alice Camille appears in "Exploring the Sunday Readings" for this past Sunday, July 20th.)
Scripture: "The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray."
Some people seem to pray as naturally as they breathe. That may come from long practice, or it may be a special gift they've always had. But lots of us struggle in prayer, even to surrender fifteen minutes daily to the practice. This is where rosaries help; you don't have to come up with the words, just put in the time!
The Liturgy of the Hours is another practice that invites us to give the personal fumbling a rest, and let the professional psalmists show us how it's down.
Page-a-day reflection books or e-services may help.
Daily Mass is still available in many parishes.
Silent meditation may not involve words at all, which for many of us in a word-saturated world is a relief.
And, for those who can carry a tune, Augustine did say that singing is praying twice.
But sometimes we have to tell God how we feel, in our own words. Not because God doesn't know, but because we're compelled to say. Because sometimes friends must speak, and other friends will listen. Don't worry about the words. The Spirit is here to help.
(final questions from Alice Camille: "What context, formal or informal, assists you in prayer? How often do you pray in a spontaneous and personal way?")
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