Good communication is important in every relationship. Saint Teresa of Ávila describes prayer, our method of speaking with the Divine, as “a friendly conversation with the One we know loves us.” Catechism of the Catholic Church defines prayer as a “vital and personal relationship with the living and true God” (CCC 2558).
Just as there is more than one way to communicate with each other, there is more than one way to pray to God. “The Holy Spirit who teaches the Church and recalls to her all that Jesus said also instructs her in the life of prayer, inspiring new expressions of the same basic forms of prayer: blessing, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise” (CCC 2644).
Vocal prayer involves reading, reciting, or singing some approved form of words, such as the Lord’s Prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours, or Grace before meals. When two or more people pray together (for example at a Mass or in a Rosary group) it is called communal prayer. Mental prayer allows us to express our own sentiments and dialogue without following formulas. Meditation is active mental prayer, and contemplation is passive mental prayer. The basic elements of prayer include adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication.
Prayer should come from a genuine heart and a focused mind. Certainly, the quality of the prayer is more important than the quantity. But are we praying enough? Do we make prayer a priority in our lives? Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina says, “Prayer is the oxygen of the soul.” We do not forget to fill our lungs with air. So, too, we must remember to fill our souls with prayer. With practice, praying will become as natural and automatic as breathing.
If you are just starting to expand your prayer life, consider setting alarm reminders to pray. You can begin with morning, midday, and evening prayer times. Although in theory we should not need reminders to speak with our Creator, in practice we might benefit from them. Once you get in the habit of praying throughout the day, you will no longer need the alarms. Start with short, simple prayers. Over time, you will be able to stay focused for longer prayer sessions.
Prayer can strengthen and energize us. When you have more weight to bear, you can seek more strength through prayer. “Everyone of us needs half an hour of prayer each day,” noted Saint Francis de Sales, “except when we are busy—then we need an hour.”
In the words of Saint John Chrysostom, “Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.” This month, I am praying that you experience these blessings through your prayer life. Alleluia!
