Both Hands on the Wheel

     “Prayer is not a ‘spare wheel’ that you pull out when in trouble, but it is your ‘steering wheel’ that directs your path throughout life.”             
                                                                               Author Unknown

     Think about it. Who would plan a trip, get into the car, discover the steering wheel is missing and try to make the trip anyway? None of us would want to drive our cars without a steering wheel, since we would be unable to navigate to our desired destination. So why, when prayer is the steering wheel that directs our path throughout life, do we try to navigate without it, or think we don’t need it at all?

     As human beings, we are not masters of our own destiny, but need help from our heavenly Father, in order to reach our journey’s end, Heaven. Communing with God in prayer, is the roadmap that will direct us in the right direction. Prayer will get us on the right route and keep us on it no matter how many turns we make; how bumpy the is road is that we travel on, or how many detours we have or choose to take.

     Prayer does play an essential role in our relationship with God! It is something we must strive to incorporate into our daily schedule. Finding quiet moments to commune with God is often a challenge in our busy days. And if you happen to be a young parent or a care giver to a loved one, quiet moments are infrequent and rare!

     But do not fret! Our thoughts can be a prayer. We can converse and unite our hearts with God, as we go about our duties. It is easy to pray short little aspirations, even when we’re busy: my God, I love You; my Jesus, I trust in You; God, help me; all for You, dear Jesus; give me patience; help me to love; give me strength!

     Our actions too can be prayer. We have the assurance from St. Teresa of Avila who tells us, “prayer is not thinking much, but loving much.” Prayer for parents can be, doing homework with their children; changing diapers; playing games and such. For caregivers, giving medicine; changing bandages; taking to doctors’ appointments, can also be forms of prayer.

     Whether we surrender freely or just acquiesce to God’s will in our lives, by performing the duties of our state in life, those actions become a prayer. Whenever we do something for love of God, and pour love into each action, our work not only becomes a prayer, but a gift to God as well!

     That being said, we should still do what we can, to find time to pray quietly with God, to connect with Him, heart to heart. To make this type of prayer a reality, it might mean having to get up earlier than your spouse and children, or sacrifice a little television or reading time, after your children are in bed. For those who don’t have young children, it is often a matter of just making it a priority and doing it. If we but realized the strength and treasures prayer would bring to our lives, we would not allow a moment, let alone a day to pass without it!

     But don’t take my word for it, soak in the wisdom of St. Bonaventure: “If you would suffer with patience the adversities and miseries of this life, be a man of prayer. If you would obtain courage and strength to conquer the temptations of the enemy, be a man of prayer. If you would mortify your own will with all its inclinations and appetites, be a man of prayer. If you would know the wiles of Satan and unmask his deceits, be a man of prayer. If you would live in joy and walk pleasantly in the ways of penance, be a man of prayer. If you would banish from your soul the troublesome flies of vain thoughts and cares, be a man of prayer. If you would nourish your soul with the very sap of devotion, and keep it always full of good thoughts and good desires, be a man of prayer. If you would strengthen and keep up your courage in the ways of God, be a man of prayer. In fine, if you would uproot all vices from your soul and plant all virtues in their place, be a man of prayer. It is in prayer that we receive the unction and grace of the Holy Ghost, who teaches all things.”

     It is clear that St. Bonaventure knew the power of prayer and our great need for it! Begin today! Put both hands of the steering wheel of prayer to direct you on your path here on earth, and bring you safely to your heavenly destination!