THE DYNAMICSOf Christian Prayer

PART TWO_________________________

ByRev. Fr. George Ehusani

Faith Clinic, Wed September 8, 2009

1

WHAT IS PRAYER?Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God. – St. John Damascene

It is the dialogue that goes on between God and the person in love with God

It is essentially “waiting on God” or holding on to the promise of God

It is the (verbal & non-verbal) expression of absolute faith, trust and confidence in, and total surrender to, God the Creator, the Redeemer and the Sanctifier

It is the demonstration of a humble acceptance of our state of sinfulness and utter helplessness and lowliness before the Awesome, Almighty All-holy, All-loving and Ever-Faithful God

2

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PRAY?St. Augustine says that the Lord has created us for Himself and our hearts are restless until they rest in Him_______________________________________To pray is to recognise the deep void inside us which only God can fill – and to desire or hunger for the filling of that void

To pray is to be in touch with the object of our profound inner desire

To pray is to rest in the Lord from time to time

To pray is desire and pursue intimacy with God

To pray is to recognise the awesome presence of God and to respond to that presence with adoration, thanksgiving, praise & petition

3

THE LIFE OF PRAYERThe life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the Truine God and in communion with Him(See Brother Lawrence The Practice of the Presence of God)

The life of prayer is the ongoing celebration of the covenant relationship between God and the human person, through Christ and in the Spirit

It is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with His Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit

It is the action of God and of the human person- springing forth from both the Holy Spirit and ourselves - wholly directed to the Father, through the Son

4

WHOSE INITIATIVE IS PRAYER?Prayer is God’s initiative. It is God’s gift

It is God who first seeks us out at prayer

It is He who first makes Himself known

The believer’s part is by way of response___________________________________

“The human being may forget his Creator or hide far from His face,he may run after idols or accuse the Deity of having abandoned him; yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer. In prayer the faithful God’s initiative of love always comes first. Our own first step is always a response” CCC 2567

5

WHERE DOES PRAYER COME FROM? Prayer comes from the heartThe heart is the centre of the human personIt is the well-spring of all relationships the seat of the emotions of LOVE or HATESIN or VIRTUE

If our hearts are far from God the words of prayer are in vain

In the words of Isaiah Jesus says of the Pharisees:This people honours me with lip service but their hearts are far away from me. The worship they offer me is worthless. (Mk 7:6-7)_______________________________________The heart - the hidden centre of the human person is the locus of prayer

Prayer however engages the whole personWhether expressed in words or other gesture it is the whole person who prays

6A SAMPLYING OF PRAYER IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (I)

Abel’s offering of the first born of his flock to God (Genesis 4:4)

Enoch’s invocation of the divine name (Gen 4:26)

Noah’s walk with God (Gen 6:9-7:4; 8:20-9:17)

Abraham intercedes for Sodom (Gen 18:16-33) Moses encounters God in the desert (Ex 3:1-10)

Moses speaks face to face with God as a man speaks with his friend (Exodus 33:11)

Moses intercedes for the children of Israel, and for Miriam his sister (Ex 17:8-12; Num 12:13-14)

7A SAMPLYING OF PRAYER IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (II)

Young Samuel learns to pray, saying: Speak Lord your servant is listening (I Samuel 3:1-10)

The prayers of King David (See 2 Samuel 7:18-29)_________________________________

The Psalms of David were— Personal prayers Communal prayers

The Psalms were of various forms—Hymns of PraisePrayers of LamentationPrayers of ThanksgivingRoyal ChantsPilgrimage SongsWisdom-Meditations

8A SAMPLYING OF PRAYER IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (III)

Prayer of King Solomon: at the dedication of the Temple of Jerusalem – that the hearts of the people may belong wholly to God (1Kings 8:10-61)_______________________The Prayer of Elijah – father of the Prophets: shows the power in the prayer of the righteous(1 Kings 18:20-40)Elijah also had an experience of God’s self-revelation in the context of prayer(1 Kings 19:1-14)_________________________The Prayer of the Prophets in general:were often in the form of— Attentiveness to the Word of God Argument & ComplaintBut they were characterised by Faith & Obedience(Amos 7:2-5; Isaiah 6:5-11; Jeremiah 1:6;15:15-18)

9

THE PRAYER LIFE OF MARY

The first time we encounter the Virgin Mary she was in conversation with the Angel GabrielShe acknowledged her lowliness before the Awesome God

Then we hear her proclaim the MAGNIFICAT

At the birth of Jesus Mary TREASURED all that was said of the child and PONDERED THEM in her heart

At the wedding in Cana she interceded for the couple, and Jesus performed his first miracle

She was with the Apostles in the Upper Room praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:38, 46-55; John 2:1-12; John 19:25-27)

10THE PRAYER LIFE OF JESUS

Jesus demonstrated the importance of prayer in his life and ministry—

He gave us a supreme example of “prayer-life”(He constantly withdrew to spend time in prayer)

Before decisive moments/major landmarks in his life & ministry, Jesus prayed(Mark 1:35; Luke 3:21; 9:28; 22:32; John 11:41-42)________________________________________Jesus’ prayer was characterised by:FAITH – CONFIDENCE – THANKGIVINGOBEDIENCE – SURRENDER – LOVING SUBMISSION(See Hebrews 5:7-9)

He said the High Priestly Prayer for us (John 17)

The last words of Jesus on the Cross were prayers(Luke 23:34 & 46; Mark 15:34)

11 JESUS TEACHES US TO PRAY

Jesus teaches his disciples the “Pater Noster” or “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4)

He also taught them the conditions that make for efficacious prayer—Bold/Courageous/Audacious/Expectant FaithTrust in God’s GoodnessConversion of Heart & HumilityForgiveness of & Reconciliation with NeighbourPersistence/Perseverance/Vigilance(Luke 11:5-13; Luke 181-18; Matthew 18:23-35)______________________________________Jesus told a number of parables on—The importance of prayerThe need to persevere in prayerHumility as necessary disposition for prayer

(See the Parables of Importunate Friend; the Importunate Widow; the Pharisee & Tax Collector)

12 JESUS HEARS PRAYERS

Jesus invites his disciples: TO ASK and we shall receive TO SEEK and we shall find TO KNOCK and the door will be opened to us

While on earth he already heard the prayers of:The LeperJairus the Synagogue OfficialThey Canaanite WomanThe ParalyticThe Woman with haemorrhageThe Sinful Woman who anointed him Bartimaeus the blind beggar The Good Thief on the Cross

Jesus revealed to us that he is the Mediator between us and the Father and teaches us to pray in his NameOur prayers would be heard if we have faith & loveIf we abide in Him & keep his word (John 14:13-14; 16:24)Christ is glorified when we pray in his name

13 CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER

Christian prayer is characterised by:

Ardent FAITH in God

Firm TRUST in God’s Love

Unshaken CONFIDENCE in God’s Promises

Total OBEDIENCE/SUBMISSION to God’s Will

A humble disposition of “WAITING” on God

14

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (I)

Prayer could be:

A PERSONAL/INDIVIDUAL ENCOUNTER in the privacy of one’s heart/room(See Matthew 6:5-6)

OR

A COMMUNAL ENCOUNTERwith one’s prayer group/cell/sodalitywith one’s spouse/familywith one’ friendswith one’s local Church(See Matthew 18:19-20)

15

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (II)Prayers come in the form of:

1. PRAYER OF ADORATION & BLESSING(a) Adoration is the attitude of a man/woman acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. In adoration we exalt the greatness of the God who made us, who saved us and who sanctified us. Adoration is the homage we pay in the Spirit to the King of King – the respect we give in silence to the Lord of Glory

(b) The prayer of blessing is the human person’s response to God’s gifts. God first blesses us, then the human heart blesses God in return as the source of every blessing

Examples of this prayer are: Holy, Holy, Holy…The Gloria, Glory be the Father, Son & Holy Spirit…& the song: “How Great Thou Art”

16

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (III)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Christians have been taught to give thanks in all circumstances. So every need/event can become an occasion for offering thanks

We read in Ephesians:Do not drug yourselves with wine, this is simply dissipation; be filled with the Spirit. Sing the words and tunes of the psalms and hymns when you are together, and go on saying and chanting to the Lord in your hearts, so that always and everywhere you are giving thanks to God who is our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 5:18-20)___________________________________________The Eucharist is the supreme prayer of thanksgiving:In the Eucharist we thank God for the mysteryof our creation, our redemption in Christ and for the gift of the Holy Spirit the Sanctifier

17

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (IV)PRAYER OF PRAISE

Praise is the form of prayer which recognises and lauds God for who He is

In the prayer of praise the Spirit is joined to our spirits in bearing witness that we are children of God (Rom 8:16)St. Paul urges the Ephesians to sing psalms and spiritual songs and make melody to the Lord (Eph 5:16)

We praise God for the wonderful things accomplished in His Son Jesus – his Incarnation, his Death, Resurrection , Ascension & his promised coming in glory_________________________________________Most of the Psalms and Canticles of the Breviary are prayers of praise (See Psalms 145-150)The Doxology at mass is a prayer of praise

18

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (V)

PRAYER OF PETITION (including Penitential Petitions)

“The human person is a beggar before God,” and that is why this is the most popular, the most usual and the most spontaneous form of prayer: we ask, we seek, we knock, we beseech, we invoke, we entreat, we cry out… to the One who created us, who sustains us and who has our destiny in his hands___________________________________ We pray for the Kingdom & all that is necessary to have it We do petition for our daily needs— spiritual & material We ask God to protect us from adversities— from evil, from principalities and powers, from falling into sin & the power of Satan_____________________________________When we do fall into sin, we pray for forgiveness(See Psalm 51; Luke 18:13) Every need can become the object of petition

19

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (VI)PRAYER OF INTERCESSION (i)

Asking on behalf of another – including enemies!

An intercessor is one who stands in breach between God and another person or other people

Whenever we intercede for people – especially sinners – we pray like Jesus Christ the one Intercessor between God and humanity

Since the time of Abraham, asking on behalf of another has been characteristic of hearts that are attuned to God’s love & mercy(See Gen 18:16-33; 1 Kings 18:10-61 Isaiah 53:12; Jeremiah7:16)

20

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (VII)

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION (ii)

Christian intercession participates in Christ’s intercession and expresses the communion of saints Those who pray the prayer of intercession are concerned not only for their own needs but for the needs of others – including their enemies and even those who reject the Gospel

(Matt 5:44; Luke 23:28, 34; Acts 7:60 Phil 1:3-4; 2:4)

21

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (VIII)PRAYER OF MEDITATION (i)

Christians have developed many forms of meditation over the ages. A popular form is meditation on the Scriptures or a some other spiritual text. It involves—

1. Slowly reading the Scripture/Spiritual text with faith

2. Reflecting on the message God has for us through the text

3. Dwelling for some time on whatever word or phrase strikes us & letting it sink deep into us

22

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (IX)

PRAYER OF MEDITATION (ii)

4. Making appropriate response to the message For example— if the text makes us appreciate God’s greatness we respond with gestures of praise and thanksgiving

if the text makes us realise the challenges that face us, we ask for help

if the text makes us realise our sinfulness we may be moved to contrition and ask for pardon_________________________________________

We could begin our meditation session with the prayer of young Samuel: “Speak Lord your servant is listening” (I Sam 3:9)Also useful to start is Psalm 34:8— “Taste and see that the Lord is good”

23

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (X)

PRAYER OF CONTEMPLATION (i)

Contemplation is the form of Christian prayer whereby one is just there – doing nothing!

in admiration of God’s Greatness & Might in gratitude for God’s love and goodness in awe at God’s saving deeds in earnest desire for God’s love & friendship

This is a profoundly deep form of prayerIt is adjudged the most sophisticated and the most difficult to attain

But it appears to be a natural consequence of, and follow up to the practice of meditation

24

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (XI)

PRAYER OF CONTEMPLATION (ii)

Many Monks, Nuns and Hermits who have reached a high standard of prayer often succeeded in achieving a good degree of contemplation

Yet some amount of contemplation is not only possible but necessary for ordinary Christians who are encouraged to be “Contemplatives in Action!”

25

FORMS OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER (XII)PRAYER OF CONTEMPLATION (iii)

Contemplation is a grace from God Yet it demands some effort from the human person The person desiring contemplation must provide the environment Including: outward silence & inner quiet or emptiness deep faith and perseverance

The Christian Contemplative takes seriously the words of Psalm 46:10— “Be still and know that I am He”

(Ref: Work of Christian Mystics like St. John of the Cross, St. Theresa of Avila and Edith Stein)

AIDS TO CHRISTIAN PRAYER1. Scripture

2. Psalms/Hymns/Choruses

3. Holy Objects & Pictures

4. Serene Environment(outward and interior quietude)

--in a chapel--in a dedicated part of one’s house--in the desert

--on a mountain-top --by a spring

--other beautiful natural phenomenon 5. Suitable Physical Posture (relaxed & comfortable)

26

OUR FATHER

WHO ART IN HEAVEN

HALLOWED BE THY NAME

THY KINGDOM COME

THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH

AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

GIVE US THIS DAY

OUR DAILY BREAD

AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESSPASSES

AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESSPASS AGAINST US

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

BUT DELIVER US FROM ALL EVIL

AMEN