prayer

A form of communication with God formally defined as “a vital and personal relationship with the living and true God.”** Prayer is an opportunity to raise your heart to God, to create an intimate space with God, and to listen and be listened to.

Prayer is a personal affair. For some, praying seems complicated. It may leave us thinking God is unreachable if we don’t know “how to pray.” However, it is in prayer that we can see that God is present in our human experience,and closer than what we think.

There are many forms of prayer: the liturgy of the hours, Lectio divina, contemplative prayer, and the rosary.  But we don’t need to know them all for God to listen. Prayer can be as simple as a loud sigh after a long day, allowing God to take away the heaviness of our heart. Prayer can simply be sitting in church, contemplating the cross; or embracing God’s creation, like looking at a tree and meditating in silence.

Prayer is trusting in God’s loving care. It is feeling the warmth of God’s presence when we need it  most. Prayer is also a joyful celebration of God’s grace in our lives.

Dear God, 

Sometimes it is hard for me to find the right words to pray and reach out to you,but Your grace always finds me. You know what’s in my heart. I know You listen when I feel Your presence with a warm embrace, or when I hear a quiet voice inside of me letting me know everything is going to be alright. 

What is your prayer for today?

**Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2558