"LORD, TEACH US HOW TO PRAY" Rev Fr Charles Chibogu, (OP)

 INTRODUCTION - 

"IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE CHURCH GIVES US TWO MAJOR"

No matter what, "prayer is as necessary as the air, as the blood in our bodies, as anything to keep us alive,-to keep us alive to the grace of God."* So, whether our prayers are answered or not, *never stop prayer. *Why? *"Prayer is the best armour we have, it is the best key that opens the heart of God." *Hence, the disciples in Luke 11:1b, begged our Lord Jesus: "Lord teach us to pray..."

Prayer is a communication and a relationship with God. To deepen our relationship with God, we must never stop praying. As the Catechism explain, "We cannot pray 'at all times ' if we do not pray at specific times, consciously willing it. These are special times of Christian prayer, both in intensity and duration" (CCC 2697).

Importantly, St. John Paul II teaches: "It is through prayer that Jesus leads us to his Father. It is in prayer that the Holy Spirit transforms our lives. It is in prayer that we come to know God: to detect his presence in our souls, to hear his voice speaking through our consciences, and to treasure his gift to us of personal responsibility for our lives and for our world ". Indeed, prayer transforms my life and the life of the world. It is for this reason that St John Chrysostom declares: "Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness."

It is important to note that the Church gives us two major expression of prayer to help us develop this relationship with God. These expression of prayer are: Vocal and Mental prayers. However, mental prayer is divided into "meditation" and "contemplation". 

Vocal prayer: This is that which which is made by using some approved form of words, read, sung or recited; such as the sign of the cross, the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), the Angelus, grace before and after meals, Hail Mary, Our Father, Glory be, etc. On the other hand, Mental prayer, is that which is made without employing either words or formulas of any kind. Consequently, Mental prayer was defined by John A. Hardon in his Modern Catholic Dictionary as a form of prayer in which the sentiments expressed are one's own and not those of another person. This implies that Mental prayer is a form of prayer whereby one loves God through dialogue with him, meditating on his words, and contemplating him. It is a time of silence focused on God and one's relationship with him. Hence, it is distinguished from vocal prayers which use set prayers, although mental prayer can proceed by using vocal prayers in order to improve dialogue with God.

Meditative Prayer:

In meditation, we use our thoughts and imagination to seek to know God's will for our lives. When describing meditation, the Catechism of the Catholic Church succinctly put, "Meditation is above all a quest. The mind seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to adhere and respond to what the Lord is asking" (CCC 2705). More than anything, meditation seeks to answer the question "Lord, what do you want me to do?" (CCC 2706).

The prayer of meditation engages our thoughts, imagination, desire, and emotions. It involves the full spectrum of our mental faculties to give us an increase understanding and faith, and a conversation of heart to desire the things of God. Meditation strengthens our will so that we can say yes to whatever God asks of us. Reading the Scripture and the writings of the saints can be effective tools for meditation. We can reflect on these holy writings to see how Christian prayer meditates on the mysteries of Christ, such as found in Lectio Divina or the Rosary.

Contemplative prayer: 

In contemplative prayer we fix our hearts on Jesus. St. Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church, says: "contemplative prayer in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who know loves us" (CCC 2709). It is the inner prayer that takes place in our hearts. In contemplative prayer, led by the Holy Spirit, we surrender ourselves completely to the Lord "as an offering to be purified and transformed" (CCC 2711).

Contemplative prayer is a Free and undeserved gift from God in which we enter into communion with Him through the Holy Spirit. It takes place in silence, and is an intense time of prayer in which God strengthens us so that we can say yes to His will. During contemplative, we fix our gaze so completely on Jesus that we renounce our self, our self-will that stems from an attachment to sin, and are purifed to love and serve God and others. The person who enters into this prayer knows that he or she has nothing of his or her own, and is nothing without God. Only the poor and the humble can truly enter into contemplative prayer.

To draw conclusion, may I say, Prayer, whatever expression it takes, is a decision. No matter how busy we are, no matter how dispirited, we must set aside a part of our lives with the firm intention to pray. Not only is the how we nourish our own spiritual lives, but it is how we act as examples of prayer to our children. The role of parents as "teachers of prayer" cannot be underestimated. Evidently, the Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 2685 points out that "the Christian family is the first place of education". Parents are the first ones who teach their children How to pray, just as Mary and Joseph are the first ones who taught Jesus how to pray.

One of the greatest habits that parents give their children is attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each and every Sunday as a Family. Making this a non-negotiable element In Catholic family life will bring a lifetime of Grace for each and every member. Just as the Apostles asked Jesus to teach them to pray. After they had seen Him at prayer, so, too, Can parents set that same powerful example In their children's lives.