Getting out of our comfort zone

Prayer for the Day

“Lord, teach us how to pray…”(Luke 11:1)

 Reflection

 We Christians walk an interesting path. On one side is the comfort of the body of Christ. It feels good to be in the house of God. It’s a place where we can recharge our spiritual batteries. There is security in worshipping with others who love Christ. And yet Christ says we have to step out of our “comfort zone”.  In Luke, Jesus’ mother and “brothers” come to see him, but cannot reach him due to the crowds. Christ says, “My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it”. (Luke 8:19-21)

If we are going to obey Christ’s commands, we have to risk. Maybe we think we aren’t qualified to present the Good News of Christ. Maybe we don’t really feel we have a gift to give.

Maybe we don’t even think we can pray. Have you ever had a time where you thought, “God doesn’t want to hear about my petty little problems?”

I have heard people offer up prayers that amazed me.  I attend Masses in Spanish occasionally.  The point is that I don’t speak Spanish.  Yet sometimes, when I see an old, withered grandma (who has obviously had a rough life) praying in front of a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—even though I don’t understand a word she’s saying—I know I’m hearing a true prayer.  Sometimes when I pray, I feel foolish.  I read God’s word and then I have to ask God to help me understand His word. I get a vision of God running his hands through his hair in frustration. I feel my prayer is feeble compared to others I have heard. And yet, Christ tells us that God longs to hear our voice.

My prayer today is for those of us who sometimes do not know how to talk to God; who do not feel worthy to offer up a prayer to God. That we would know that God loves us and longs to hears our voice. God hears every prayer, whether it is spoken with a beautiful, eloquent voice or a soft, humble plea.