Today's Journal
SENT WITHOUT WORDS
Basil of Caesarea (330-379) early Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia (Central Turkey) wrote:“Prayer is a petition sent by the faithful to God for the acquisition of some good. The petition doesn’t necessarily have to be sent in words, and I don’t think that God needs us to remind Him in words of our desires, for He knows what’s good for us, even if we don’t ask Him for it.
It’s not necessary to pray with articulation of the words—it’s better to replenish the power of prayer with the free will of the soul and virtuous deeds that would extend throughout our lives. “Whether therefore ye eat, says the Apostle, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
I think most prayer is without words and also that we often do not realize when we are praying or when we are not. Therefore, as we go about our reformed life in Christ…our thoughts, intentions and actions are responses to internal prayer that always is resident in our mind and spirit. As Basil says, ‘it’s better to replenish the power of prayer with the free will of the soul and virtuous deeds.’ Our works become prayer in action. No words needed, no heads bowed, no hats off, no fingers pointing to the sky, no beads, no gimmicks, no format… just following what the Lord tells us as we pray along doing our stuff.
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” Jesus