The Presentation of Question 27 Chapter 13 : 1/4

How does In God's Love 
written by Janet Hurlow
relate to 
the Catholic Faith ?

  Chapter 13 We Pray  1/4

        Part 1 Introduction to Prayer  
                      Section 1 Why Pray?

590          Before reading this Chapter, I would encourage the reader to reread two wonderful passages on prayer from In God’s Love in which the titles themselves express great truths.  The passages are # 49, “This Is More Wisdom Than All That Is Taught: Pray, For Kindness Is in Speaking to the Ones You Love” and # 508, “Speak to God, Ask Him Whatever You Desire”.   

591           In reading In God’s Love, we find at least seven compelling reasons to pray.  The first has already been mentioned: we pray because it is wise to do so.  “O, how wise are those who pray on Earth, and this is only the beginning of such wisdom.”(1)

592           Second, we pray because God is listening for our prayers.  The messengers state, “Very small children, in this, understand: your Father loves you and listens with such tenderness….This is our God who listens.”(2)   They also express that “These are God’s own children who cry.  This is your Father who listens to His little ones with such mercy.”(3)
 
593           Third, we pray because our prayers please God.  The Catechism, quoting the eloquent Saint Augustine, writes, “Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him. <8>”(4)   The messengers simply state that “God is so pleased when you speak to Him.  This is more wisdom than all that is taught.”(5)   The messengers often use the image of song, voice, or reaching as another “word” for prayer.(6)   God longs for our songs: “God is so pleased when you send your voices to Heaven.  Sing out as children of God.”(7)

594           Fourth, we pray because we need help.  When addressing the battle of prayer, the Catechism notes that we need to humbly embrace the reality that “Apart from me, you can do nothing. <20>”(8)   In a parable/explanation format the messengers simply address this same truth that should propel us into prayer.  After writing a parable about a man who by himself was totally lost and then is helped, they ask, “Are you wise enough to cry out to God for a little help and some directions?”(9)   (Asking for God’s help and God lovingly helping us will be discussed later in this Chapter.)

595           Fifth, we pray because God is the answer.  The messengers write, “God is the answer to all of our questions.”(10)   They also write, “God is your answer.  His power is limitless.  Seek His answers and never fear the future.  He will care for you.”(11)  And, “God is the answer to all prayer.”(12)   Furthermore, they write, “God is the answer to all of your hopes and dreams.”(13)   Not only is God the answer to everything, but God understands everything.(14)   This includes us, for they write, “Mankind is His Creation.  He understands Earth people very well.”(15)   (Asking for answers will be discussed later in this Chapter.)

596           Sixth, we pray because God made us prayerful creatures, worthy to pray to Him.  When discussing the “false notion” that some people feel that they are unworthy to pray to the almighty God, the messengers powerfully correct this error and assert our worthiness: “O my God, how can I speak to one who is as awesome as You are?  How can I speak to You in this lowly state of existence?  I have not been so faithful as I should have been.  I have not loved as I should have loved.  Who am I that I should be so worthy?  With this thought in mind, I am humbled before One who is exalted above all that is made, for His Spirit is to be respected and revered.  Some Earth people feel in this way and do not pray because they feel they are unworthy to stand before the King….. Those who feel so unworthy in the presence of God are thinking wrong thoughts.  This is the God who came to Earth.  He became man….. Sons and daughters of Earth, God has made you worthy to enter into His presence and speak to Him in whatever way you desire.  You are His Creation.  You are His children.”(16)   They also simply write that prayer is life: “Reach out, saints of Earth.  Keep reaching on Earth.  Never stop reaching out to God.  In this reaching is life.”(17)

597           Seventh, we pray because friends who love each other talk to each other.  This is the most heartfelt reason to pray.  Friends talk to each other because they are friends.  The Catechism starts the section on prayer with a quote from St. Therese of Lisieux: “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.<1>”(18)   Later, when addressing contemplative prayer, the Catechism cites Teresa of Avila: “‘Contemplative prayer [oracion mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.’<6>”(19)   The messengers simply and profoundly write that “Kindness is in speaking to the ones you love, so spare not your kind words.”(20)   “Keep on speaking to your Father.  Each word He cherishes.”(21)   As if to entice the person unfamiliar with prayer, the messengers also write, “God is easy to talk to.  Talk to Him.  Tell Him about everything.”(22)   The messengers also encourage us to continue praying when we fail, for they write, “In God’s love, remain.  When you fail, do not stop.  Continue in God’s love.  Sing on.  This is a special way, very special.  Such love is sent, too.  Pray on this Earth.  Sounds of music are prayers to God….Stay so close.”(23) 

                      Section 2 Our Actions in Prayer
 
598            With the simplicity of a storyteller and the eloquence of a mystical writer’s prayer journal, the messengers describe our reaching out in prayer to God as a loving embrace.  In the parable of the Loved Child, they write, “Once I arose from sleep, it was a dewy morning…. ‘Mother, Father,’ I called, ‘this is your child. I am ready for this day!’ I said, ‘I am reaching my arms for you!’ …. Then my mother came to my bed. She hugged me and kissed me. ‘I am so loved,’ I thought. Then my father came to my bed and hugged me and kissed me. ‘I am so loved,’ I thought. I am so loved and wanted. Blessed day of goodness and delight.”(24)   The messengers also write about the “reaching” of prayer: “Such little ones who come, love is in your reaching.  In this creation, love is the glory of all things made.”(25)   They write more about this loving embrace: “Always in such union are wisdom’s children.  It is wise to seek God’s love.  Right is this seeking.  In return for love is love.  In return for your love, God who is pure love sends His love without measure.  Reach such love. In this love is life.  Reach. Seek no less.”(26)   The life giving Holy Spirit is involved in this loving embrace, for they write, “Earth children who reach with such love, each one in unity with the Holy Spirit forever.  O, so beautiful is this song of spiritual beauty.  In all creation, the kiss of sacred rest is found in God’s Spirit.  Would you bless so well on Earth?  Would you bless with the sweet source of life that flows from the Father?”(27)
 
599           In this embrace by the Holy Spirit, we are drawn closer to God.  The Catechism comments that in prayer, the Spirit of God directs us to the Father: “Christian prayer is a covenant relationship between God and man in Christ. It is the action of God and of man, springing forth from both the Holy Spirit and ourselves, wholly directed to the Father, in union with the human will of the Son of God made man.”(28)   The messengers write about the loving pull of the Holy Spirit in prayer: “Each one who reaches out to God is coming to His Spirit.”(29)  And “Blessed prayers, sweet songs of life, inspirational Spirit that sends man to God.”(30)   In describing our embraced/shared journey to God, they write, “This is your way to God.  Blessed are you who share your spirits with God.  Very blessings in God’s Spirit are yours.”(31)

                      Section 3 God’s Actions in Our Prayer

600           As already mentioned, a good reason to pray is because God listens to our prayer.  When we pray, God listens.  The authors of In God’s Love write, “Sing it with songs of praise and thanksgiving.  Sing with all your might, people of Earth.  God is your Father who is listening to your song.  His Spirit is always listening to His dear children.”(32)   The messengers write about how close God is to us in prayer: “God is close. While you speak, God listens.  God’s Spirit speaks to your heart.”(33)   Because God is listening, we should speak to Him about all of our cares: “Please speak of your troubles.  God cares and hears your cries”(34)   God will never stop listening, for the messengers proclaim, “God never turns His back on anyone.  He never stops listening.  God is always there.  His love never fails.”(35)   We should voice all our concerns to God, for nothing is too trivial for God to deal with: “No cares are too troublesome to God.  This calling reaches so well.  He hears every word and answers in His wisdom as He pleases.”(36)

601           Not only does God hear our prayer, but God also answers our prayers.  As mentioned earlier, God is the answer.  The messengers constantly issue this message: “God hears and answers all prayers.”(37)   They tell us of our God: “You are a good and merciful Father who answers my prayers.”(38)   They also state, “(He has) answered all prayers, comforted those who ask for His comfort, restored the lost.”(39)  

602           The messengers reassure us that even when it looks like our prayers have not been answered, they are being answered: “Some people think their prayers are not answered, but all prayer is answered, every one…. He knows all our needs, and He knows what is needed most.  So, when you pray, and you seem to not get a quick answer, think about this: God knows what He is doing.  Sometimes, if a prayer is needed, it may be answered in some way other than what is expected.”(40)   Indeed, the messengers inform us that “Some (prayers) are not answered until the last hour.  This is the time when spirits need prayer.  So prayers are answered at the last hour.  Those who receive answers to prayer at the hour of death are so thankful that God has saved their prayer until the time it is needed most.”(41)   Our faith instinctively expresses awareness of the grave need of prayer at the hour of our death.  We express this when we ask Mary, the Mother of God, to “pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.”

603           When we pray, God shares our feelings.  The messengers write “In this, understand: tell God all about everything.  In your joys, His Spirit delights, and in His delight comes inspiration.  In sadness, He listens and shares in your present sadness”(42)

604           When we, in our need, pray to the Father, He comforts us.  The messengers write, “This, kind ones, is your Father who comforts His little ones who cry.”(43)   They write about the poor, who are comforted: “These are the righteous ones who have stayed in God’s love.  His Spirit is in this group. These are the saints on Earth.  Very wise were these weary saints in Earth’s toil.  Such kind ones who labored in such sorrow and in such honest labor ate their bread.  Sad were the days when poverty was close.  Such songs were sent very swiftly.  God’s Spirit came with such hope and comfort to many.  Songs of priceless jewels were the cries of this brave group.”(44)
 
605           When we pray, God blesses us: “God blesses all who reach out for His love.”(45)   They also write, “His blessings are unlimited to small spirits who are reaching, singing a very little song.”(46)   The comfort and blessings God sends happen during our prayer for the messengers write, “While you pray, Earth children, God comes to your aid, blesses and comforts you and gives you inspiration.”(47)

606           In our prayer, God helps us because God cares about us.  The messengers assert, “Does anyone care?  Yes, someone does care and desires your rest. Someone loves you with a passionate love.  Someone who can help.  God is so true and caring.  Seek His care.  Ask Him to help you.  His answer might not come exactly as you expect, but it will come, and your burden shall be lightened because God is with you and loves you so very much.”(48)

607           God wants to help us with all of our endeavors that we prayerfully express to Him.  The messengers write, “Reach so saintly, and God shall help you in your undertakings.”(49)   As we offer God our problems, God also helps us by increasing our love: “In His heart is understanding.  Come, speak of your troubles.  In this is your love nourished.”(50)   God helps us by inspiring us: “Make your spirit reach out in Earth’s toil, and, as you reach out, sacred inspirations fill your heart.”(51)  

608           In our prayer, God helps us by giving us His peace: “When His children cry,  He binds up the wounds and soothes your fear.”(52)   They also write, “Only God’s love can rest your soul.  You who send out prayers, you who are in such turmoil and send out prayers, bless the King who wishes your sending spirits put at ease.  While you pray, God’s spirit rests your soul.”(53)   Many times when those who are ill pray, God has given them peace: “God has heard your crying.  His comfort came many times when you were ill.  Each fear came and went.  In His Spirit, He was there to understand and bless.”(54)   Not only does God give us peace, but the Spirit of God also heals us as we pray: “On Earth, God’s Spirit is reaching you while you speak.  Beloved on Earth, God’s Spirit comes and heals while you speak.”(55)

609           While we pray, God is creating life anew within us.  The Catechism states that “Prayer restores man to God's likeness and enables him to share in the power of God's love that saves the multitude.<16>”(56)   When addressing contemplative prayer the Catechism states, “Contemplative prayer is a communion in which the Holy Trinity conforms man, the image of God, ‘to his likeness.’"(57)   The messengers mention that in prayer God is transforming us into His image: “God is young.  His youth is forever.  Sing with a young God.  In this song of youth, become young.  It is prayer in God’s Spirit that makes beings youthful.”(58)   I find that I feel more alive, more “youthful”, after a good prayer time with the Lord.  Do you feel that way?  The messengers also write, “God is blessed life in such men who reach out to Him.  Such are the ways of God.”(59)

610           When we pray, God’s Spirit speaks to our hearts.  The Catechism expresses the truth that “The Holy Spirit is the living water ‘welling up to eternal life’<3> in the heart that prays. It is he who teaches us to accept it at its source: Christ.”(60)    The messengers mention that the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and our souls when we pray: “God is close. While you speak, God listens.  God’s Spirit speaks to your heart.”(61)   As we pray, the beauty of the Holy Spirit grows within us.  The messengers express this by writing, “Such love of all things is in the heart.  Such things as you see hold beauty as the spirit sings to the body of such wonders that God has made.  Songs of such beauty do not come to all men.  This is your gift, small ones.  You see, as your spirit whispers, beauty comes from within your being….  True beauty comes from a spirit filled with the Holy Spirit.”(62)

611           When we pray, God instructs us: “In speaking comes understanding in God’s love.”(63)   They also write, “God is so pleased with righteous spirits who listen to God’s instruction.  Earth children, instruction is in serving God.  While you reach, God instructs.”(64)   God, in His loving care for us, is very active when we pray.  I believe, if we reflected upon what God does in prayer, we would pray more often.

  The next section of Part Two   Chapter 13  2/4