What prompts a
person to pray?
We pray because
we are full of an infinite longing and God has created us men for himself: “Our
hearts are restless until they rest in you” (St. Augustine). But we pray also
because we need to; Mother Teresa says, “Because I cannot rely on myself, I
rely on him, twenty-four hours a day.” [2566-2567, 2591]
Often we forget God, run away from him
and hide. Whether we avoid thinking about God or deny him —he is always there for
us. He seeks us before we seek him; he yearns for us, he calls us. You speak with
your conscience and suddenly notice that you are speaking with God. You feel
lonely, have no one to talk with, and then sense that God is always available
to talk.
You are in danger and experience that a cry for help is answered by
God. Praying is as human as breathing, eating, and loving. Praying purifies.
Praying makes it possible to resist temptations. Praying strengthens us in our weakness.
Praying removes fear, increases energy, and gives a second wind. Praying makes
one happy.
“They
should seek God in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he
is not far from each one of us.”
Praying does not mean listening to yourself speak; praying
means calming down and being still and waiting until you hear God.
SØREN KIERKEGAARD
(1813-1855)
Suddenly I experienced the silence like a presence. At the
heart of this silence was the One who is himself silence, peace, and tranquility.
GEORGES BERNANOS
(1888-1948)
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