When spending time in prayer, we strive to live out our deep desire to grow closer to God and to receive what God longs to give all of us: God’s unconditional love. Prayer, then, is the courage to listen to the gentle voice of love. Listening means allowing God space to speak to us: through the quiet of prayer, in our own deep desires, through the Scripture, or through the words of someone meaningful in our lives.
The above excerpt was written by Fr. Raphael Zwolenkiewicz, OFM Conv. who recently shared a beautiful reflection about Pray with the Parishioners of Our Lady of Grace, Castro Valley. In the reflection, Fr. Raphael encourages us to “find a prayer method with which we are comfortable so that our relationship with God can grow. Throughout these 40 days of Lent, we are given an excellent opportunity for God
to know our Here is a copy of Fr. Raphael’s reflection.
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
During this time of Lent, we are invited to grow in our relationship with God. This holy season presents an opportunity for us to set aside some quality time to be with the Lord, to talk with the Lord and listen to Him speak to us. Very simply, Lent invites us to spend time in prayer. And, please remember that when we pray, we enter into a conversation with God. Spending time in prayer, we strive to live out our deep desire to grow closer to God and to receive what God longs to give all of us: God’s unconditional love.Prayer, then, is the courage to listen to the gentle voice of love. Listening means allowing God space to speak to us: through the quiet of prayer, in our own deep desires, through the Scripture, or through the words of someone meaningful in our lives. As in any relationship, we are invited not only to speak, but also to listen with an open mind and heart. To do this we need to spend a few moments quieting down and settling into a prayerful and comfortable position. Then, we need to find a space where we are free of distractions. Silence and solitude can help us focus on things like the reading of Scripture or looking back on moments from one’s day/life. A quiet place helps us to listen more deeply to God’s presence, as well as taking note of our response.
Even when we might not have time to quiet down, we can be assured that God meets us where we are. That means that God does speak to us in the noise and confusion of our day. Even if we only have time to stop for a moment, calling to mind God’s presence, or speak a petition…that’s prayer.
There are several different methods of prayer. Here are a few classic methods of prayer that you might want to make a part of own prayer life:
• The Rosary: This popular devotional prayer invites us to meditate on the saving mysteries of Jesus’ life and the faithful witness of Mary, our Mother in faith.
• Lectio Divina: In this prayer of “divine reading,” we listen to how God speaks to us through slowly reading and contemplating Scripture or other texts.
• Centering Prayer: We focus silently on a sacred word that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us.
• Contemplation: We use our imagination to place ourselves in a scene from Scripture using all our senses and take notice of how God may be speaking to us.
• The Examen: An opportunity for us to prayerfully review our day in the presence of God.Let each of us find a prayer method with which we are comfortable so that our relationship with God can grow. Throughout these 40 days of Lent, we are given an excellent opportunity for God to know our hearts and our needs and be drawn into a deeper communion with Him. At all times, pray!
–Fr. Raphael Zwolenkiewicz, OFM Conv.