On Sunday, January 23, third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the “Sunday of the Word of God ”, instituted by Pope Francis in September 2019, was celebrated for the third time. This is a good incentive to take a walk through the pages of the Bible.
Last year I attended a conference on the Bible. At one point, the speaker asked us how we prayed to God. He asked whether we only prayed to ask God for things; whether we thanked him; whether we prayed mechanically, or if we prayed with the confidence of someone who is before the Father and who knows that the Father loves him always and forever. I remember that the speaker ended his dissertation by recalling what Jesus advises us to do in the Gospel of St. Matthew when we address the Father. And, in response to those words, we all began to pray the Lord’s Prayer. The following selected verses from the Holy Scriptures speak of how to pray; how to have a “conversation” with God.
When I come into the presence of God, the following doubt often arises: What do I do? Do I pray the Rosary, or do I speak to him as if I were with a friend or a psychologist? The doubt is dispelled when I remember that I am in the presence of the Father, who loves me and, as the prophet Isaiah says: has already heard me before my lips move. A Father who, as the evangelist Matthew and the apostle Paul say: never tires of listening to us; of our asking him for something. And it does not matter to God how we approach Him, as long as we are grateful and compassionate with our neighbor. We don’t have to do anything special or go to any particular place to have a conversation with him, because God is always at our side. He can be seen with the eyes of our soul.
Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hearken to them.
Isaiah 65, 24
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7, 7.
With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones
Ephesians 6,18.
Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 6, 17-18.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.
James 5, 16.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6, 5-8.
