Today’s readings were about prayer.
Which is interesting because I’ve been doing a bible study and I’m stuck on the prayer chapter.
It’s not because I find it difficult to pray. It’s because I find it difficult to sit down and find time to study. There always seems to be something else to do or maybe I find things to do?
Hmmm, in all actuality I probably waste an hour or two a day on different things when I should be learning my music or studying.
I was talking to my husband about prayer last week and I was telling him all the different ways I try to pray during the day.
Usually, I don’t get out of bed without saying a prayer. On my drive to school I like to listen to Alistar Begg. He’s a Protestant preacher, who actually is probably pretty Anti–Catholic but I’m not real sure why as for all intents and purposes he sounds like a Catholic, who knows?
If I don’t listen to Alistar then I like to listen to a motivational speaker like Joel Osteen or Joyce Meyer. I know, I know, many people call them prosperity preachers and maybe they are but they are also very good at reminding people that God actually loves us and isn’t just sitting up there counting all our sins.
I think Catholics can forget this sometimes and get wrapped up in rules and roles and forget that the God of the universe died for us. Our sins are already forgiven, we are already saved, the price was paid 2000 years ago on a cross. There is no number of Hail Marys or Our Fathers that will change what already is, we are forgiven.
We can strive for perfection but we will never achieve it, it is impossible to achieve apart from God. We will never be in a state of perfect grace until we are home. People like Joel and Joyce remind me that God is loving and kind, that I am His daughter and that He looks at me lovingly.
My Catholic faith teaches me that I can and should ask for forgiveness often through the sacrament of reconciliation. God’s forgiveness is a freely offered gift. Joel and Joyce remind me that I shouldn’t be afraid to ask for forgiveness because our God is a loving, kind and compassionate God, who has already given it to us, though we don’t deserve it and can not earn it.
So, I was thinking I really should pray before I start class everyday but I’m usually in such a rush I don’t think to do it. We do pray most days before we leave our house and I do ask God to watch over the students at my school and our daughter’s school as well as the teachers. I do pray for my students that I know are having trouble. I care very much about them and their lives. We do pray also for our family and friends.
Anyway, today was an interesting sermon because it got me thinking about where else I could add prayer. Father James said to pray persistently. He talked about a Saint called Katharine Drexel. She was known as the woman who prayed all the time by the Native Americans she helped. She also helped fund and found Xavier University, a historically African American and Catholic University in Louisiana. Father James said St. Katherine prayed persistently.
I think our lives are supposed to be prayers. I think if you live your daily life with God foremost in your heart and mind each day of our life can be an offering of prayer. Talking to God, our Father throughout the day, chatting with Him while we drive or do chores, out loud or in our heart. Asking Him what we should do in our day. Asking Him to help us hear and see Him daily. For me, that’s what it means to pray persistently.
I have a ways to go but I am ever so thankful for God’s love and the ability to reach out to him at any time and ask for His help and guidance. He is always there ready to listen. You don’t have to go looking for Him. You don’t have to take a spiritual journey to India to find Him. You don’t have to be reincarnated until you’re perfect. You can’t find Him in the majesty of the mountains or the vastness of the sea. He dwells in you and me. He’s right here everyday, right next to us, near us, with us, in us, waiting to hear from us.
I read somewhere that with a lot of other religions you have to go looking for God. Christianity teaches the exact opposite. God comes looking for us. He wants every single one of His sheep with Him and He will go out and find you, call you, run to you. He is in the quiet. Prayer allows us to hear Him and build a relationship with Him. He waits for us in heaven, our ultimate home.
I hope to remember this every day of my life and I hope on days I don’t, I will hear Him call me back to Him.
Today for prayer…I Give Thanks!
KOR!
Here’s another favorite song of mine…Oh that I could have His Eyes
Thankful Runner Girl 