The Need for Prayer

Progress in our relationship with Jesus, as with any friend, requires time spent together. Enjoyment, support in time of need, trial or faliure, a sense of worth, these are the fruits of friendship. Just being with each other, sometimes even without words exchanged, uplifts and gives energy. St. Teresa of Avila describes prayer as "nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us." (Magnificat, May, p. 386). We all have friends; we simply need to reflect on human friendship and apply what we discover to our Divine Friendship. St. Marcellin recommended recalling the presence of God as often as possible, and required that a prayer be said on the hour to guarantee time between friends.
Jesus tells us, knowing that most of the time we'll be using prayer for asking, "I tell you that all you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavnly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions." (Mk 11:25-26). There flows from prayer, a comfort in feeling the presence and love of Jesus, our Friend, answers to our needs, and the purifying process of forgiveness, which draws us closer to people as well as to God. It stands to reason then, that no matter how tired or busy we are, the need for and benefits from daily prayer are too great to be neglected. Some days are so "bad" that we can't say our usual prayers, but can lift up our hearts in a sigh, or a single word, as we would with our best friend, offer our frustration, fatigue or activity to God as our prayer, and thus at least keep our desire for prayer (which is the begining of prayer) alive. When things settle and we can go back to our regular routine, we appreciate even more what a precious gift we have in prayer.
Bro. Rene