PRAYERS AS A MEANS
OF BUILDING UP CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY
A prayer less
Christian, they say, is a powerless Christian, Hillary Eze in this piece
portrays how one can build up one’s spirituality through prayer.
“Lord teach us how to pray, as John
taught his disciple” (Lk. 11:1)
INTRODUCTION
Our everyday life is full of
activities which have continued linger and encroach into another day. But owing
to the fact that there is a being in control of both the past, the present and
the future, it is fitting to chart our activities through him. It is good to
communicate with him, converse with him each day to strengthen us for the
business of the days ahead, or to know what he has in stock for us.
Understanding
the importance of prayer, the apostles requested Jesus to teach the how to pray
(Matt. 6:9-13). In addition, Jesus in the gospel of (Lk. 18:2) encourages, His
apostles to always pray and not lose heart. It is in prayer that we can fully
realize ourselves, appreciate God for his good deeds upon us and ask for more,
like Oliver Twist. It is by this powerful weapon that we can recognize God as
the creator, who created us in his own image and likeness, and have faith in
him that he does anything we ask him, through his Son Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:14).
With prayer, God shows us the way to eternal life, just as he showed Abraham in
the Old Testament. Prayer is an essential tool for spiritual development. It
makes us commune with God and do that, which pleases Him. Effective prayer
solidifies Christian faith.
THE CONCEPT OF
PRAYER
St. Teresa of Avila, in her book entitled Life’
explained prayer as “an intimate sharing between friends; it means
taking time frequently to be alone with Him who, we know, loves us”.
The
catechism of the Catholic Church defines prayer as, the raising of one’s mind
and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God (No_ 2590) is a
great religious act. It is also a concept familiar and central in every known
religion though its interpretation and usage may vary from one religion to
another. In the Christian context, the classical definition of prayer by the
apostolic fathers, is the act of speaking to God. Therefore, prayer means the
act of conversation between mortal (a man) and immortal (God). St. Bonaventure,
in his own view, sees prayer as a journey from the body to the spirit; it is a
journey to God.
To
crown it all, prayer is a communication, union, awareness, encounter,
conversation, relationship and communion with God, it is a total turning to
God.
