Prayer is a Gift of God: let us participate with zeal.
 by Fred Schaeffer, OFS (© 2006)

"Why in our fear of not praying as we should, do we turn to so many things, to find what we should pray for? Why do we not say instead, in the words of the Psalmist: I have asked one thing from the Lord, this is what I will seek: to dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, to see the graciousness of the Lord, and to visit his temple?" (Letter to Proba by St. Augustine)

This was the question Saint Augustine asked. Very often, especially on a quiet day at home, I feel the desire to pray, but nothing comes to me. Instead of praying a short mental prayer to get started, I look for my prayer book, get distracted on the way to the prayer book, and go off to pursue some other unimportant tangent. The desire to pray is forgotten. It is an opportunity lost in answering God's call to His servant. But then the Lord gives us this beautiful invitation: "There, the days do not come and go in succession, and the beginning of one day does not mean the end of another; all days are one, simultaneously and without end, and the life lived out in these days has itself no end." The Lord is talking about His temple, His home in heaven.

We can pray for an intention. If you can’t think of an intention, begin with the recent earthquake in Haiti where many lost their lives, more than 9,900 (from reliefweb.int) were gravely injured. These people need help, in prayer and in funds. Other people who need help are all those who are between a rock and a hard place in Afghanistan. Many there have converted to Christianity. They need our help. As Americans withdraw, they have no protection anymore. Pray for them, ask Our Lord to keep them safe. Pray for forgiveness, for the hundreds of thousands of aborted babies. Yes, there is much to pray for.

We can ask for good health for us and for each other, or for our family or friends, but, as the psalmist says, "I have asked one thing from the Lord, this is what I will seek: to dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life"... Because, my friends, that's really what it's all about... getting into Heaven is more important than suffering a little here on earth. In my opinion, suffering is necessary to get into Heaven. (CCC* 418 As a result of original sin, human nature is weakened in its powers, subject to ignorance, suffering and the domination of death, and inclined to sin (this inclination is called "concupiscence").

Salvation. Some people subscribe to the notion that once you give yourself to the Lord you are saved. Once you accept His Cross, you are redeemed. Yes, but it goes deeper than that... If you love the Lord Our God, it is also necessary to live a life filled with His goodness, be an example to others, to share that peace we feel within us. It must come from the heart.

Fred Schaeffer, OFS
8/21/2021

 (*CCC - Catechism of the Catholic Church 2nd Edition)