They Gathered in Order to PRAY

The experience of the first disciples was marked by a desire to live in right and personal relationship with Christ, now risen gloriously. Having sent his Spirit to them, the community of believers and followers of the Master, devoted time and heart to nurturing the relationship though a life of deep, authentic and Spirit-led prayer: “They went up to the upper room, where they were staying… all these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”[1] Prayer was important to them and it ought to be important to us as well. The Catechism[2] defines prayer in a number of ways, drawing extensively from both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, including the lives of the saints and mystics. For instance, it refers to prayer as God’s gift of grace to us, a surge of the heart; a simple gaze turned toward heaven; a cry of recognition and of love; the raising of one’s mind and heart to God; and the encounter of God’s thirst with ours, God’s thirst that we may thirst for him. In addition, prayer is considered our response of faith to the free promise of salvation and as well as a response of love. It is a covenant relationship between us and God, in Christ; it is the action of God and of man; and it is a communion of life between the heavenly Father and his beloved children. In a certain way, it is likewise a battle waged against ourselves, against Satan the Tempter and against our surroundings. But most of all, I’d like to underscore this special dimension: prayer is a vital, personal and living relationship with the living and true God.

Specifically, Holy Scripture teaches how the mystery of prayer is fully revealed in Jesus, in his teachings and in his own practice of prayer. Lest we forget, we know that there are five essential forms of Christian Prayer, namely, blessing & adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise. In addition, there are three expressions of prayer: vocal prayer, meditation, and contemplative prayer. From our own personal experience and struggles with prayer we often come face to face with the three main difficulties: distractions, dryness, and discouragement or spiritual laziness (acedia). Also, I believe it is valuable to consider the most popular objections to prayer: that is, a misguided and false notions of what prayer really is, thinking that we do not have time to pray, or even doubting its usefulness. The Catechism reminds us that if we respond to these barriers with humility, trust and perseverance, then these obstacles will be overcome.

Looking to what that great disciple and apostle of the Lord, St. Paul taught about prayer, will allow us to better appreciate the gift that it truly is in our lives. In his letter to the Ephesians,[3] he writes: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." To the Thessalonians[4] he exhorts: “Pray continually." To the Colossians he advises: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”[5] To the Romans[6] he encourages them with the words: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." It is a known spiritual fact that as we grow in faith we become more and more aware of a need for deep prayer. Again, as St. Paul tells the Romans:[7]“We do not know how to pray as we ought but the Holy Spirit prays within us.” It is consoling to call to mind that we have indeed received the Spirit of prayer. Finally, to the Philippians[8] he commends them: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

Indeed, how spiritually advantageous it would be if all our parishes and communities developed into authentic, apostolic, dynamic, joyful and life-giving schools of prayer. As St. John Paul II taught: “Yes… our Christian communities must become genuine "schools" of prayer, where the meeting with Christ is expressed not just in imploring help but also in thanksgiving, praise, adoration, contemplation, listening and ardent devotion, until the heart truly "falls in love." Intense prayer, yes, but it does not distract us from our commitment to history: by opening our heart to the love of God it also opens it to the love of our brothers and sisters, and makes us capable of shaping history according to God's plan.”[9]

As friendship in action, prayer allows us to experience the reality that we and God are friends as Jesus taught us: “I call you my friends.”[10] What can be greater? What can more truly satisfy the deepest aspirations of our being? God and I are friends. Therefore, prayer is very much about spending time, communicating personally, and intimately with the Someone we love - and doing it regularly. Looking to our friend and Saviour Christ, we notice, as did his disciples, that he often prayed in their midst, and at times, alone. Moved by our Lord’s own commitment to prayer, they once asked him: “Lord teach us to pray.”[11] Answering them, our merciful Redeemer gave them the model of all prayer: “when you pray, say Our Father…” He was teaching them, as it were, the best prayer ever, the Lord’s prayer, the one that came straight from the heart and lips of the Saviour and which the Catechism highlights most beautifully. By means of his own personal example, as related in the Gospels, Jesus teaches us not only the content of prayer, but also those inner dispositions and attitudes we are to possess as we approach prayer; namely, purity of heart that seeks the kingdom, forgiveness of one’s enemies and a bold and filial faith.[12]

Furthermore, in all forms and expressions of prayer, the Catechism underscores the vital importance of the heart and how it needs to be attuned and attentive to God with whom we engage in a spiritual and transforming dialogue of faith: “By words, mental or vocal, our prayer takes flesh. Yet it is most important that the heart should be present to him to whom we are speaking in prayer: “Whether or not our prayer is heard depends not on the number of words, but on the fervor of our souls.””[13] These spiritual recommendations are not new — they reiterate Christ’s own teaching when he urged his disciples: “In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words.”[14] We are called to come to prayer with great love, faith and humility in our hearts; these are conditions that allow us to truly enter into that life-changing conversation with the Lord of love and mercy, the Lord of relationships.

Finally, one cannot overstate how much the quality of our life of prayer depends on the state of our heart, which the Catechism defines as: “the place of decision, deeper than our psychic drives. It is the place of truth, where we choose life or death. It is the place of encounter, because as image of God we live in relation: it is the place of covenant.”[15] In addition, we know that: “the Lord leads all persons by paths and in ways pleasing to him, and each believer responds according to his heart’s resolve and the personal expressions of his prayer.”[16] Of all the different expressions of prayer, the Catechism reminds us that the common denominator, the most fundamental characteristic is composure of heart.[17] But how can we acquire this composure? What does it look like? Basically, it takes on two distinct traits: (i) vigilance in keeping the Word of God, and (ii) dwelling in the presence of the Lord.[18] In a practical way, this means that if we desire and decide resolutely to become men and women of great prayer, truly “pray-ers,” then we need to have frequent recourse to God’s revealed Word in Sacred Scripture as well as purposefully practice “living” in the presence of God daily. Prayer doesn’t just happen by accident — it requires determination, intentionality, and practice so that we can grow in it and benefit from its gradual, transforming power. Most of all, we commend ourselves to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit, the “interior master of Christian prayer”[19] to inspire us, teach our hearts and allow us to experience the blessings of prayer in our lives.

Anecdotal Illustration

Some years ago, a young girl was very sick and was not expected to recover. Because of her love for Jesus, she was troubled that she had not been able to do more for Him in her short life. Her pastor suggested that she make a list of people in their little town who needed Christ and pray that they might put their faith in Him. She took his advice, made a list, and prayed often for each person.

Some time later God began to stir a revival in the village. The girl heard of the people who were coming to Christ and prayed even more. As she heard reports, she checked off the names of those who had been led to the Lord.

After the girl died, a prayer list with the names of 56 people was found under her pillow. All had put their faith in Christ—the last one on the night before her death.

Such is the power of definite, specific, fervent prayer. Do you have a prayer list?[20]

Questions to Ponder

How important is prayer to me and how much time daily and weekly am I devoting to it? Am I convinced that Christ speaks to me in prayer and that as his disciple I need to make the necessary effort to cultivate this means of sanctification? Which definition of prayer speaks to me more than others and why? Of the different forms and expressions of prayer, which am I more conformable with and why? In taking a deep look at my heart, is it disposed and ready to encounter the Lord in prayer? What are the most difficult obstacles for me when praying? Can I recall when I felt the presence, love and action of God in my prayer time? Is there someone in my circle of family, friends and community that I can turn to for help in growing in my prayer life? Perhaps the pastor of my parish? Perhaps there are online resources that I can benefit from in coming to understand and appreciate more fully the gift of prayer?

[1] Acts 1: 12-14

[2] CCC, 2558-2565

[3] Ephesians 6:18

[4] 1 Thessalonians 5:17

[5] Colossians 4:2

[6] Romans 12:12

[7] Romans 8: 26-28

[8] Philippians 4:6-7

[9] St. John Paul II, Apostolic letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, 33

[10] John 15:15

[11] Luke 11: 1-4

[12] CCCC, 544

[13] CCC, 2700

[14] Matthew 6:7

[15] CCC, 2563

[16] CCC, 2699

[17] CCC, 2699

[18] CCC, 2699

[19] CCC, 2672

[20] Henry G. Bosch, “Our Daily Bread, March-May, 1996, page for April 3,” in Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002)