St. John Eudes was a
master of the spiritual life. He taught
that the best method of prayer was to have no method! He might have said today: “Pray as you can,
not as you can’t”. He did however give
some pointers as to how to pray. The
four movements: Adoration, Giving thanks, Asking for forgiveness and Giving
oneself are one way of praying. | PLACE | Finding a place you
like, one where you are comfortable, helps create an atmosphere conducive to
prayer. Do not neglect to find the right place. | | YOUR BODY | Taking the time to relax, changing pace, deep breathing, walking, all prepare us for prayer.
Find a position which helps you to pray without any tension. | | RHYTHM | In your day, your week, find the most appropriate time for prayer and hold firmly to that schedule. Find what is best for you personally. | | DURATION | Before engaging in prayer, set a time limit: 15 or 30 minutes, an hour, whatever your schedule will allow. Begin your prayer time by invoking the Holy Spirit: "Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten my heart, enkindle in me the fire of your love."
Focus on one point (i.e. a Scripture passage, some-thing you read, some event) being careful to avoid remaining vague...
Open your heart to listening to the Word of God and remain open to the action of the Spirit who may lead you along unforeseen paths.
Read and reread the text, make yourself available to the movements of prayer welling up within you: Adoring Giving thanks Asking for forgiveness Giving of yourself
| | THE UNFOLDING | The aim of prayer is
not to help you reason things out, but to bring you to love. Here again the
Spirit is the main agent for developing in us an attitude like that of Jesus
praying to his Father or of Mary allowing Jesus to form himself in her. | | CONCLUDING | Offer yourself to the
Lord to express your wish to enter into the grace given you for this particular
day and time. |
|
