Approaching God in Prayer

Let me begin this reflection by asking myself:

· How do I approach daily prayer?

· What is the content of my prayer?

· What is the disposition of my heart?

· Is it routine? A task on my schedule?

· Or is it love?

Let me be honest with myself, and if I find that I have rushed headlong into this sacred time without fixing my heart on Christ, let me gently take a minute to breathe, to settle my mind, and to ask the Holy Spirit to be present and to help me turn my heart to Christ.

These are important questions to ponder not just this morning, but every morning, afternoon, and evening when I pray. Jesus references these questions in today’s Gospel in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Two men are doing the same action – entering the Temple to pray – but Jesus juxtaposes these two men in the parable to highlight how very different they are.

The Pharisee Posture

The Pharisee entered the Temple and “took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself.” It sounds pompous; in fact, it does not even sound as if he is talking to God. It sounds as if he is talking to himself. This scene seems to insinuate that the Pharisee comes in to justify himself, to do what he feels he should do, but with very little regard that he is coming to talk to God.

What is the content of his prayer? He spends time congratulating himself. He spends his time in his head “thanking” God that he is better than others.

Let me not be too quick to disregard the possibility that I too may enter prayer this way at times. Do I forget to praise Him from my heart, recount His many blessings, and sincerely thank Him? Do I ever find that I think myself better than others? Do I stay caught in an intellectual exercise, forgetting that I am speaking with the Lover of my soul?

The Humble Heart

The tax collector entered the Temple to pray in a very different manner. He does not take up a position, but “stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes.” He comes in much clearer about who he is before God. It is obvious that this humble heart has taken time to examine his conscience and to approach with true humility. St. Thomas Aquinas defines humility as “seeing ourselves as God sees us: knowing every gift we have comes from Him as pure gift.” This tax collector acknowledges his true place before God.

He does not dare to praise himself in prayer. He has a repentant disposition. He acknowledges the goodness of God even by his posture. The content of his prayer is contrition, asking for God’s mercy.

How Shall I Pray?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church sheds some beautiful light on this important question. First, let me consider how I enter prayer. What attitude of the heart do I embrace?

“But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or ‘out of the depths’ of a humble and contrite heart?” CCC 2559

Second, let me consider the content of my prayer while pondering the words of St. Therese of Lisieux: “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and love, embracing both trial and joy.”

Let me turn my eyes to my Beloved Jesus. Let me honestly, humbly, and gratefully share my heart with the One who loves me fully, completely, just as I am. If I remember to ask the Holy Spirit, my Advocate, to help me pray, I will never be disappointed.

[Readings: Hos 6:1-6; Lk 18:9-14]