PRAYER

PRAYER IS A SPOTLIGHT The Anglican Church, and now many other Christians besides, have, at long last, cottoned-on to one of the strengths of Catholic Spirituality, the “NOVENA”. The name of this time of prayer, “Novena”, is derived from the Latin “Novem” – nine.

These nine days of prayer mirror the actions of the first followers of our Blessed Lord, who obeyed Him when told to pray,  and who waited, with Mary and  “The Women”, in the Upper Room for His Holy Spirit to empower them.

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women 

and Mary the mother of Jesus,

and with his brothers.

(Acts 1:14).

 A “Novena” is for now –

and gives us opportunity to pray

during the next nine days

between Ascension Day and Pentecost. 

 What better time is there

to wait with our fellow Christians

in prayer than in this most poignant prayerful period between Ascension and Pentecost?

WHAT IS PRAYER?

The word “Prayer” comes from the Latin “precari”, "to ask earnestly”, “beg”, “entreat".  It is the same root as the word “precarious”, a position with which we can identify in the present international climate, but also as we wait to see “what next?” in our Christian journey as individuals or as members of a Church.

Sometimes my prayer-life feels “precarious”. Sometimes I don’t really understand what I am doing by praying for something.  What IS prayer? Surely it’s not about changing God’s mind, or reminding Him about something He might have forgotten!

What turned me around was reading a short booklet on prayer by

Mother Mary Clare, of Fairacres Convent, Oxford.It is entitled “Learning to Pray”, and at the nub of the book she describes prayer in terms of a theatrical stage –

"Prayer", she says, "is a spotlight, which focuses the Light and Love of God on to situations where there is “darkness”.

St John of the Cross said something similar –

“Prayer is putting the love of God where it is not”.

That makes perfect sense to me.

Mark Gibbard in his book, “Dynamic of Love” tells of the famous pianist Paderewski, who said this about piano practice:

““If I stop practising the piano for one day I notice the difference;

If I stop for two days, my family notices the difference;

If I stop for three days my friends notice the difference;

If I stop for a week the public notices the difference.”

In this Novena we are invited to practice our praying daily, and in this prayerful period to sit quietly with Mary the Mother of Jesus, as she joins us in making intercession to her Son......

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now,

and at the hour of our death.

REFLECTIVE PRAYER

O thou sudden God,

generous in mercy

quickener of new life

giver of new love

irreverent, subversive,

deep source of yearning

startling comforter

bearer of darkness

unmaker of old paths

bringer of strange joy

abundant, disturbing,

healing unlooked for

tender and piercing:

late have I loved thee

O beauty so ancient and so new.

 To be there before you, Lord, that’s all.

To shut the eyes of my body,

To shut the eyes of my soul,

And be still and silent,

To expose myself to you who are there, exposed to me.

To be there before you, the Eternal Presence.

I am willing to feel nothing, Lord,

To see nothing, to hear nothing.

Empty of all ideas, of all images,

In the darkness.

Here I am, simply, to meet you without obstacles,

In the silence of faith, before you, Lord.                        M.Quoist

“ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations;

and remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28

A Prayer for our Parish  -  David Adam

Grant us a vision, Lord, to see what we can achieve;

To reach out beyond ourselves;

To share our lives with others;

To stretch our capabilities;

To increase our sense of purpose;

To be aware of where we can help;

To be sensitive to your Presence;

To give heed to your constant call. Amen. 

Mary Sumner’s Personal Prayer

All this day, O Lord,let me touch as many lives as possible for You;

and every life I touch, by Your Spirit quicken,

whether through the word I speak,

the prayer I breathe,

or the life I live.

The Universal Prayer for Peace  -  Satish Kumar

Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth.

Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust.

Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace.

Let peace fill our hearts,

our world,

our universe.

Peace........Peace..........Peace..............