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Father’s
Day and prayer
PRAISED BE JESUS
CHRIST!
(Now and Forever)
As we observe Father’s Day, thoughts turn to Jesus and his many
references to God as Father. Jesus used that phrase numerous times
throughout his ministry. Among his last words from the cross were:
“Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit” (Lk. 23:46). And, when
his disciples asked Jesus how they should pray, he told them to call God
their Father.
Many people have a rich life of prayer. Having moved beyond the simple
formula prayers learned during childhood, they utilize a variety of
prayer forms. When it comes to prayer, one size does not fit all. There
are as many styles and forms of prayer as there are individuals.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes St. John Damascene
when defining prayer: “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to
God or the requesting of good things from God” (2559). St. Therese of
Lisieux wrote: “For me, prayer is a search of the heart; it is a simple
turn toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing
both trial and joy.”
Some basics. First up, a person serious about prayer knows the
importance of a prayer time. For example, I am not a nighttime person.
I’m too tired and distracted to pray late at night. It took me years to
accept that reality. While I do pray evening and night prayers from the
Liturgy of the Hours, they are not left to late hours. I pray best in
the early morning. I’m fresh, least distracted, and free of outside
pressure at that time of day. No doubt it doesn’t work for everyone, but
it’s my primary prayer time.
Having a prayer place is also important. Posture, in my judgment, is
less important than a quiet, restful and comfortable place. In my case,
it’s a chair. Again, it works for me.
As a priest, I am obligated to pray the “Hours.” This prayer consists of
readings from various saints and Scripture, morning and evening prayer,
daytime prayer, and night prayer. In the ideal order, this calls for
prayer five times a day. Built around the 150 psalms, the “Hours” are
part of the liturgy of the Church, that is, prayer done in the name of
the Church and on behalf of its members. It’s a structured prayer.
There are many formula prayers. The rosary is one that has become an
important part of my life. Given the addition made by John Paul II,
there are now 20 mysteries or meditations. With the Hail Mary as
background, the meditations focus attention on key events in the life of
Jesus, Mary and the apostles. Slow to get into them, the luminous
mysteries of the rosary have become very meaningful to me.
There are also a variety of litanies and a multiplicity of prayers
written by saints. These form a rich heritage of prayer that is most
helpful in raising mind and heart to God. While the ideal is to simply
converse with God or sit in silence listening for the voice of God, that
doesn’t always work. It is precisely at those times that formula prayers
are most helpful.
Lectio divina is something you may have read about. It’s “divine”
reading. A person reads from the Scriptures or some spiritual writing.
The text is read several times and slowly in an effort to savor each
word and phrase. Reading aloud can be enriching to this prayer. A person
reflects on the ideas and insights uncovered in their reading. When
Scripture is used, it can be rewarding to insert your name in place of
the people highlighted by the Scripture, for example, the blind man, the
centurion, the leper, Jairus, one of the apostles, etc. Lectio divina
concludes in quiet time as one opens his or her heart to whatever God
might wish to impart.
An examination of conscience has become, for me at least, a very
meaningful form of prayer. It challenges me to reflect back on a given
period of time (24 hours or less) and to look for the presence of God in
those moments. I find that this form of prayer helps me appreciate the
numerous blessings God has showered upon me during that period of time.
It also highlights moments when I have not been at my best. There are
always things a person wishes they had done, as well as things done
which they wish had not taken place. Contexted in an attitude of
gratitude for blessings discerned, the next natural step is to seek
forgiveness of God and the brothers and sisters whom I have violated by
my selfishness.
Journaling is another form of prayer. A person creates a spiritual
journal or diary. It’s another way to discern God’s action in life.
Praise of God and thanksgiving for our blessings should be part of every
prayer. Yet, praise is present even in prayers of petition — for
example, when we ask God to strengthen our faith. It is present too in
the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on
me, a sinner.”
The reality that miracles continue to happen is something to think about
on Father’s Day. Last April, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
gave its stamp of approval to seven miracles attributed to people being
considered for canonization. One of those involved the cure of a man
from Anderson who sought the help of Blessed Theodore Guerin, foundress
of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. He was
suffering from macular degeneration. He turned in prayer to Theodore
Guerin and was cured. Prayers of intercession seeking cures and special
needs are yet another way to give praise to God.
I find myself seeking the intercession of John Paul II and others on the
canonization route on behalf of people suffering from illnesses. A
rather dramatic “miracle” attributed to our late Holy Father has been
reported here in our own state. And, I am convinced Theodore Guerin has
played a role in the cure of a close friend who has been declared cancer
free.
Adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise are all part
of a life of prayer. As the Catechism instructs: Because God
blesses the human heart, it can in return bless him who is the source of
every blessing. Forgiveness and every true need are objects of the
prayer of petition. Prayers of intercession consist in asking on behalf
of another. It knows no boundaries and extends to one’s enemies. Praise
gives God glory for his own sake, quite beyond what he has done, but
simply because he is (2644-2649).
Jesus was a man of prayer. We too are called to become people of prayer.
Since Jesus urges us to pray to God as Father, Father’s Day is a good
time to reflect on prayer and what is needed to enrich its quality. |
