Taken from “The Benedictine Handbook.” Chapter 20
“The Ideal of True Reverence in Prayer”
“If in ordinary life we have a favour to ask of someone who has power and authority, we naturally approach that person with due deference and respect. When we come, then, with our requests in prayer before the Lord, who is God of all creation, is it not all the more important that we should approach Him in spirit of real humility and a devotion that is open to Him alone and free from distracting thoughts? We really must be quite clear that our prayer will be heard, not because of the eloquence and length of all we say, but because of the heartfelt repentance and openness of our hearts to the Lord whom we approach. Our prayer should, therefore, be free from all other preoccupations and it should normally be short, although we may well on occasions be inspired to stay longer in prayer through the gift of God’s grace working within us.”
My Note: Most of the time when we think of “reverence in prayer” it is in the bow, the kneel, and placing our hands together. These things do give “reverence.” When I read this, I begin to understand “true reverence in prayer” was going to God void of all distractions. A time set aside for He and I alone. A time calling for my humility and sorrow for my sins. A time which my heart would only be “open” to God.
It was not about how many words I was saying. It was not about the dishwasher which needed to be unloaded, the bills which needed to be paid, or the trip to the doctor that day. It was not about “rush” and “get through.”
Prayer is our very communication with God. It is through our “prayers” in which He answers and communicates with us. When we go to Him, should not He get the same “respect” that we would naturally give a “human being,” if not more? “After all He is God!”
God Bless, SR
excellent. i like how you interpret true reverence in prayer as time set aside particularly for God, free from distractions. for me that is usually about 30 minutes before the family wakes up in the morning when with my coffee, i settle in my “prayer chair” (the chair in the corner of the room) not on my knees but with my legs curled up under me—and i journal and/or read Catholic prayer books, usually daily readings in Magnificat.
Hey Number 9,
Thank you for comment. I as well pray in the morning. I try to get up around five as I love to pray at that time in the morning. It is dark and no one is moving around inside or out. I sit with my coffee also in a “prayer chair.” I think where we pray is as important as how we pray. I almost must have a clean space. I pray the Liturgy of the Hours. I used to do the daily reading in Magnificat, but in January wanted to do different this year. I still do the daily readings, just not in Magnificat. Again thanks for comment and God Bless, SR