The Goal of Prayer

Why pray? It’s a great question, and I think the answer lies in understanding what exactly prayer is.

There is so much that has been said about prayer — I certainly can’t sum it all up in one post — but perhaps a simple image can help us reach the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the essence of prayer.

This summer we went on a pilgrimage, and it brought us to ancient cities with beautiful monastic dwellings, hidden amidst the shops, bustle and chaos of city life.

Discovering these beautiful, hidden gems and stopping for a prayer or Mass or just a moment to regain a little peace left a lasting impression on me.

Walk inside one of these monasteries, and you will often discover enclosed gardens that serve as unexpected places of beauty, peace and prayer.

They also can serve as a beautiful image for prayer.

Prayer is very much like discovering an enclosed garden within your soul.

Sometimes it’s an absolute pleasure to be in that garden — other times,  you might be abundantly aware of all the work that needs to be done there (that’s what confession is for).

Prayer can be humbling.

It can stir up things in us we didn’t even know were there. It can bring to light things that need to change in our lives.

Prayer is not always about “feel good” moments — but it is absolutely necessary for becoming the man or woman God created you to be.

There is no one way to pray — in fact, there are as many ways to pray as there are moments in time.

In it’s purest form, prayer is a loving encounter with the One Whom we love and the One Who loves us back.  Contrary to popular belief, words aren’t a necessary part of prayer.

It’s been said of John Paul II, that when words failed him, he would groan in the Holy Spirit. Words can be a part of a loving conversation with God — but there are moments that prayer moves beyond words and may even be likened to a two-way gaze of love.

Like any relationship, it can be complicated and we can stumble over trying to “do it right” — but the good news is that God sees our effort.

He isn’t expecting us to perform like we are a Saint in a play. God wants us to be ourselves. The more we can throw off masks and be ourselves before God, the more we are able to actually pray.

I love to pray with scripture — but the goal is to begin a conversation with God. It’s not to just read — it’s about an encounter.

I have been told from good priests that the whole point of a morning meditation is to draw out of ourselves honest, loving feelings and sincere words of love, adoration, thanksgiving, and petition.

The second you feel a movement of God within you is the second you put the reading away and just sit with God, for as long as He will sit with you.

Sometimes words are spoken, other times, not.

Prayer leads to a greater freedom to live out your life in joy and contentment. It doesn’t mean that all will go well in your life — but that, with God, you will see it through.

Prayer is also work.

Don’t be afraid to put the work in, to show up, and to be still — so still that your heart might actually begin to beat in Unison with the Creator of the Universe, if only for a moment.

How beautiful is that — to be so close, so united to God that your heart actually beats for a moment in unison with His? 

That union is the goal of prayer, and it can happen despite distractions or whatever else you feel is in the way. 

So just keep showing up, try your best, and leave the rest to God.

There is so much more that can be said on a practical level, and I have a post here on more practical tips for morning prayer.

But just know that prayer is an adventure. It has twists and turns and God may ask you to do crazy things for Him in the midst of it.

By the way, seeking out a trusted well-formed priest or spiritual director to discern what God is asking of you in your prayer is a great idea — especially when it comes to the important choices in life.

Pray will change the way you look at your life and live your life. Eventually prayer will lead you HOME to be with God and live in perfect happiness with those who love Him for ever.

So don’t give up the fight to pray.

Sharing over at Kelly’s