Mystagogy Lesson 4

These key areas are important when it comes to having a life in prayer. However, these are not objectives. Some of these are outcomes as a result of a life of prayer.

The real objective for a life in prayer is to listen to God and empty yourself so that you can be transformed into the will of God.  How is this done?  This is a good as well as important question. The answer is covered in part within this lesson. Transformation occurs across time within a life of prayer. For now, the hint is, learning to listen to God.

Beginning with small steps, a prayer life may start with route prayers.[1] A route prayer is one which the community of the Church has established as being beneficial and important for the life of every Christian. Some examples are the Our Father, Hail Mary, Apostles Creed, and the various acts (i.e. Act of Contrition, Faith, Hope, Love).

One may say that with route prayer the person is doing all the talking. This is true, but, the person praying should listen to the words they are praying. With this, add the heart of prayer which is to extend your heart into the meaning of what you are praying. Then end with a pause and silence.  This is far different then prattling from memory with a quick “Amen,” then moving onto the next thing. It is not quantity of prayer which God wants but quality.[2]

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[1] See the previous Lesson 3 and the quoted section from  St. Francis De Sales article #6.

[2] Ibid “ One Our Father said devoutly is worth more than many prayers hurried over.”

 Listening to God is First

There are two areas in “prayer listening” which are covered here. The first was already mentioned. When praying; listen to the words you are praying and mean them from the heart. The source of prayer could be from memory, a holy card, prayer book or a passage from the bible. It should be done thoughtfully and reverently. Pause after the Prayer.

The second area involves actually listening to God and/or listening for God to respond. This can follow any route prayer or opening prayer from the heart. Many times it can begin with a scripture reading, something prayed during the day, from within the week’s liturgy or perhaps a prayer asked to God for something. This requires being present with God in a time of silence.

While there are more formal (if I may use the word) aspects to “Listening prayer and it generally points to meditation and contemplation, of which much can be said. But at this point I am simply trying to get across the idea of simply listening to God.

As prayer, you stop and reflect on the scripture, homily or prayer (whatever may have been the source for the prayer). You open your heart and in silence appeal to God. The reflection of the words should be slow and thoughtful. It is a conversation with God. With any conversation there must  be a listening.

Martha and Mary.

38 As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.  39 She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

40 Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”

41 The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.  42 There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”       (Luke 10:38-42)

In this passage are two sisters who our Lord knew well and were greatly loved as friends. As sisters they were on par with each other. The scripture never reveals which one is older or which is younger.  Martha was serving intently and was pleased to do so especially for the Lord. It seems that Mary stopped serving so she could sit close to the Lord to “listen” to him. While serving is very important, stopping to listen to our Lord first is even more important.

Often in relationships you can live amongst a person, serve them or work with them and never take time to listen to them. Can you really say you deeply know that person? Can you really say you know what makes them tick? Listen to God First daily, then you will be better fit to serve Him daily and better prepared to serve out the day.

A note about Prayer methods

Throughout Church history, much has been written about prayer as well as the life of prayer (a prayer life). Some of it is good, in fact it is very good. Some of these writings include those written by saints or spiritual advisors and are intended to help the Christian soul be aware of an enriched prayer life.

Much of what is written about prayer is useful for the learning but they not all equal and some are not necessarily spiritually profitable. Often certain guides on prayer, while they speak with good intentions, they predominately emphasize the rubrics (method) which is all about the “how” it should be done. In circumstances of such as devotions and prayer at mass, rubrics are very important. This is true! Rubrics are important in so much as instructing the person on how it should be done. However, if the Christian is only concerned on the “how” and not the “who, what and why” they pray, then that Christian is not growing in their prayer life.

Quantity of prayers and devotions never equates to quality of prayer. Many jokes and “quips” have been remarked about the person whom you meet and they “talk, talk, talk, talk, talk” and you can’t even get a word in “Edge-wise” (as the saying goes). It is said that such a conversation is “A bit one-sided.”

Let’s face it, you do not want to be “talked at.” You want to converse with, to listen and share. You want to be “talked to,” listen and be listened to as well. Would you not want to give God your majestic and beloved creator who is your glorious Father in heaven the same courtesy when you pray!?

Brief notes on Prayer

Below is a brief compendium on prayer which is provided as an aide:

Scripture provides insight about prayer. The Bible contains stories of the people of the Old and New Testament who were freed from bondage for one purpose. The purpose was to worship God. So Prayer is a fundamental aspect of worship to God. Freedom from the bondage of sin does not mean we flit about like a butterfly crying “I am free- I am free!” Salvation gives you a purpose, and that purpose is the freedom to worship God.

Prayer is part of the good works of a Christian (included are Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving). All prayer begins with the Christian soul acknowledging and putting themselves in the presence of the Lord God Almighty.

Remember, you as a Christian have at your disposal the Holy Spirit to help guide and form your prayer life. You may also have prayer buddies which you can pray with. The same can be true by praying with your guardian angel and patron saint. Fellowship in prayer can be done with your Church community.

The Object of Prayer is always God the Father.

As Jesus showed us while on earth He would pray “MY Father…”

Also, as Jesus taught us “Our Father who art in heaven….”[1]

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[1] Luke 11:1-4

A Process of Prayer:

1.     Listen: This is where the soul says “Speak Lord your servant is listening.” You must be willing to listen even if it is the silence.

2.     Reflect: The purpose or point of prayer where we allow God to place his hand of blessings on us and acknowledge “this is the Lord Speaking.”

3.     Wait: be willing to submit to God’s will. ‘Your Will be Done’ (Mt 6:10 ; Psalm 46; Psalm 130

4.     Receive / Respond. Thanksgiving, gratitude towards God.

5.     Petition: Provide God with our petitions (Acknowledge your needs your life and present them before God)

The Motive of Prayer

1.     To Give (as an end in itself) – Praise and Thanks to God. But allow God to respond!

2.     To Receive (as a means) – Faith, Courage, insight, mercy, and so forth.

Aspects of a Prayer life

1.     Set aside times for Prayer – specified times and many/any times.

2.     Places for Prayer – in specified places and many/any places

3.     Ways of Prayer – with specified words and any words or no words at all

Kinds of Prayer

Below is a list of prayers along with a brief description.

Liturgical: The Mass, sacraments and the Liturgy of the hours

Devotional:

a.)   Group (Penance services, Lenten devotionals, Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Stations of the Cross, prayer services etc.)

b.)   Shared – Individual prayer shared

c.)    Personal/private: prayer in private

Novenas fall under this heading for devotions

A novena is a prayer with a specific intention offered nine days in a row. The name originates from the Latin novem, nine days of prayer said by the disciples and Mary between Ascension and Pentecost.

Direct Access (Conversing)

a.     Adoration (Worship of God)

b.     Thanksgiving – Prayers of Gratitude

c.      Reparation – “I am sorry…!”

d.     Petition – “Please Lord I am in need of …”

Meditation: (Seeking)

“Consideration, and reasoning on a religious truth”

(Divine knowledge, self-understanding; direction in life; meaning of certain things in life) Also known as discursive prayer (“reflective”), characterized by reflections of the mind (thoughts)

Contemplation (Discovering/enjoying)

“An Awareness (Growing awareness) of God with Love and Admiration.”

Also known as intuitive prayer (“immediately perceptive”). Characterized by affective sentiments of the will (feelings).

A Jesus Moment: Rivers of Living Water.

37  On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.

38  Whoever believes in me, as scripture says:

       ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him.’

John 7:37-38

Christ wants us to be light in a darkened world. To prepare ourselves for this we must avail ourselves to the sacraments and to prayer. It is from the Sacraments and with prayer where we cry to God that we thirst and humbly ask for His living Water.

It to God we go to obtain living water of grace. Jesus is not indicating this a singular action or some one-time deal. He intends this to be a constant reception of coming to the fountain to drink.

The springs of living water flows from His heart which was pierced. As He hung on the cross a roman soldier pierced His heart with a spear and gushed blood and water.

Christ as a ‘river of living water’ provides the strength to serve. What are some ways I can serve Christ?

Can it begin with prayer?