TRUE PRAYER

François Fénelon (1651-1715) theologian and poet wrote:

“True prayer is only another name for the love of God. Its excellence does not consist in the multitude of our words; for our Father knoweth what things we have need of before we ask Him. The true prayer is that of the heart, and the heart prays only for what it desires. To pray, then is to desire — but to desire what God would have us desire. He who asks what he does not from the bottom of his heart desire, is mistaken in thinking that he prays.”

This may be true, however, some of us start with silence asking for the desire to pray, the desire to believe, the desire to care… and perhaps scratch and moan with fumbles and mumbles we call prayer and hope to be heard, found and desired before our prayers are.

“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Jesus