The Christian is bound to perform many good works, but before all else is to pray. For without prayer no other good work can be accomplished. Prayer is the mother of all spiritual blessings. The saints remind us that prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. "Every single grace comes to the soul through prayer".
If you haven't read the 19th century Russian spiritual classic on prayer, 'The Way of a Pilgrim', i highly recommend it. This book written by an old monk recounts the story of an anonymous Russian pilgrim who commits himself to a life of prayer. It teaches the practice of continuous inner prayer. Praying non-stop is pretty hard for many of us. Why? Because all wisdom of this earth or even a great desire for knowledge cannot help but only a 'poverty of spirit'.
What does it mean to be poor in spirit? It means to understand that everything we have in our life came from God - that without Him, we have nothing. To have no pride in our own abilities or ideas. To be convinced that God alone is our only hope - that we absolutely need Him from one minute to the next.
I hope you like this passage from the book:
"One must learn to call upon the name of God, more than even breathing : at all times, in all places and circumstances. If you are making something, you must call to mind the Creator of all things;
If you see the light, remember the Giver of it; If you see the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, wonder and praise the Maker. If you put on your clothes recall Whose gift they are and thank Him who provides for your life. In short, let every action be a cause of your remembering and praising God, and lo! you will be praying without ceasing and therein your soul will always rejoice. There, you see, this way of ceaseless prayer is simple and easy and within reach of everybody."
To pray means to be continually in the presence of God. Be assured that he hears even the slightest of our quiet sighs directed to heaven and our wordless thoughts. Lack of prayer causes a lack of continual dependance on God. Don't ever give up on prayer thinking it's useless. Prayer is your most powerful tool!
We must speak to God as a friend speaks to his friend, a servant to his master; asking some favor, acknowledging our fault, communicating our thoughts, our fears, our projects, our desires, and in all things seeking his counsel. ~ St Ignatius of Loyola
Hope i have inspired you a little to raise your random and unconscious thoughts up in prayer. Turn all those moments when you have zoned out... in fatigue, or just mindless chores into prayer and discover the hidden gifts of unceasing prayer!
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? ~ Corrie Boom
