Listen to yourself pray
Have you ever “listened” to yourself pray?
Odd as that may sound, for most of us, prayer tends to be one of those “closet” aspects of our lives. We go to extraordinary lengths to make certain that others don’t hear our conversations with God, and, just as oddly, many of us don’t want to hear ourselves any more than we want others to hear us. Let’s face it – conversations with God are carefully placed in that compartment of our lives labeled “confidential.”
I was driving last week, and for some reason I became very aware of a conversation I was having with God. I have to admit, it was something akin to an out-of-body experience. My first reaction when I “heard” myself was, “Geez, I sound like a kid in a grocery cart while his parents are shopping.” “Please God … please … if only you would … I could sure use … just this one time, God, please.” I had to admit it was pretty pathetic, and, if I were God, I would have sent me to the time-out chair.
Since that experience, I’ve tried very hard to become more aware of the words I invest in God. In fact, I’ve tried to accept the reality that my words with God are one of the most important investments I can make in my life. And when we don’t invest wisely, the result speaks for itself. In fact, it’s no wonder that so many of us admit to struggling in our relationship with God.
I was at my doctor’s office this week, and while waiting to check out, I overheard another patient talking to one of the doctors. “Well, whatever you think is best for me, doctor. I trust your judgment,” the woman said.
When I heard those words, I thought to myself, that’s it … that’s what’s missing in my conversation with God! So often I resort to begging, pleading, cajoling or bargaining, without giving a thought to the reality that God already knows full well what I need. Instead, I should simply surrender myself to God’s will for my life, “Whatever you think is best for me, God. I place my trust in you.”
Consider joining me in a little experiment this week: Try “listening” to yourself pray. You just might be surprised at what you hear .. or perhaps, don’t hear.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." Ps 31:15
Deacon Mike serves the Monroe Catholic Family of Parishes, St. Mary Catholic Central High School, and Monroe Catholic elementary schools. He can be reached at dcnmike@stmarymonroe.org.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Mike Stewart: Listen to yourself pray
