Don't Stand God Up

     “Pray with your whole being even though you think it has no savor for you. For such prayer is very profitable even though you feel nothing, though you see nothing, even though it seems impossible to you. It is in dryness and barrenness, in sickness and feebleness that your prayer is most pleasing to Me, even though you think it has little savor for you.”                             God to St. Julian of Norwich


     Prayer to God is essential, if we want to grow in relationship with Him. It is the way we stay connected to Him and commune with God in love. It is an avenue of grace and love, where we can learn to grow past ourselves and focus on God. It is an opportunity to waste time, to keep God company, just because we love Him.


      St. Therese penned, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”

     When prayer is a surge of the heart and a simple look toward heaven, it is easy and feels good! We smile in our hearts at God, while feeling all warm and fuzzy, engulfed in His love and presence. It takes no effort on our part and we look forward to our next “encounter.” God is in His heavens and all is right with the world!

     But what do we do when we come to pray and do not “feel” God’s love or presence? When our prayers don’t appear to be answered? When our soul feels barren and we can’t even eek out the words? When we or our loved ones are sick and we don’t have the words to say, let alone the energy or confidence to even begin to pray? What do we do when we just don’t feel like praying and want to either put it off till later, or throw in the towel altogether?

     We must keep praying! “Prayer cannot be reduced to the spontaneous outpouring of interior impulse: in order to pray, one must have the will to pray” (CCC 2650). We must push ourselves at those times, regardless of our feelings. “Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the saints, and He Himself, all teach us this: prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God. We pray as we live, because we live as we pray. If we do not want to act habitually according to the Spirit of Christ, neither can we pray habitually in His name. The ‘spiritual battle’ of the Christian’s new life is inseparable from the battle of prayer” (CCC 2725).

     So how do we pray when we just don’t feel like it? Just showing up is the first step. Keeping your committed time of prayer is key. A holy priest once told me that when we make a commitment to God in prayer, He takes us at our word and is waiting for us. Don’t stand God up!

     When you come to prayer, quietly remind yourself that God is present with you, whether you feel His presence or not. Think about a special image you have of Papa, Jesus, or Sasha, the Holy Spirit. Recall a particular scripture that has deep meaning -- to you – for you. If you are not happy or upset about a particular situation, talk to God about it. He’s waiting to listen. At times you might want to give Him a “piece of your mind.” He’s God. He can take it! By conversing with Him about the situation, He may bring about a new light on your problem. Even if nothing seems changed, you have been honest with God, which is always a good thing in relationships.

     When you or a loved one is sick, offer the illness to God as a prayer. Unite your suffering with Christ’s and turn it into a redemptive act. Speak to God about the problems, headaches, or heartaches you are facing, and listen for His whisper. At other times you may not have the words, or even know how to pray. Bring all your concerns to God, regardless of what they are, and ask His Holy Spirit to pray for you. God has given us His word in Holy Scripture, “the Spirit comes to our aid in weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Itself, intercedes with inexpressible groaning. And the one who searches hearts know what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’ will” (Rm 8 26-27).

     Being faithful to God in prayer during difficult times, can only happen when we have made the firm commitment to pray every day and follow it through. Choosing both a time and place for prayer is vital. Keeping our appointment with God each day, whether we feel like it or not, is a priceless gift to and from God. Our God is a God of generosity and He will not be outdone in gifts and graces.

     God assures us through St. Julian that the times when prayer is especially difficult and tasteless for us, is when prayer is most profitable. We must hold on to that truth and persevere in prayer, begging for God’s grace to enable us to do so.

     When we can get past ourselves and give ourselves to God in prayer, during the sunny, as well as the stormy times of our lives, we will be true friends of God and not fair weather friends.