How should I pray?
What should I say to God when I pray?
Should I hear God answer me when I pray?
How do I know if God hears my prayer?
These are common questions from those who want to pray or learn to pray. While there are no easy answers to these questions. Each one admits of many responses and wisdom rests in fidelity to the desire to pray... But here's a little gem I found in an email from the pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church just across the street. His email "signature" always includes a quote worth pondering, like this one:
Poet Scott Cairns recounts a Dan Rather interview with Mother Teresa in which he asked her what she says to God when she prays. "I don't say anything," she said. "I just listen." Rather then asked what God says to her. "He doesn't say anything," she responded. "He just listens."
-ConcordPastor
I find I need a "visual" to pray. I have a picture of Jesus hanging on my bedroom wall. When I pray, I take it down and talk to Him. There are times I truly feel his presence. I go to church to listen and learn. I can't pray well there, though. I'm too distracted.
ReplyDeleteMother Teresa'a answer is wonderful. Sometimes I feel obligated to "speak in my mind" sort of like when you are with someone and you feel someone should say something! I need to listen more.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the UU pastor's gem, or should I say Mother Teresa's bit of gold.
ReplyDelete