Lent 2013

Tuesday, First Week of Lent

When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  Pray then in this way:  Our Father in heaven...  Matthew 6:7-9

Our minds are always active.  We analyze, reflect, daydream or dream.  There is not a moment during the day or night when we are not thinking.  You might say our thinking is "unceasing".  Sometimes we wish that we could stop thinking for a while; that would save us from many worries, guilt feelings and fears.  Our ability to think is our greatest gift, but it is also the source of our greatest pain.  Do we have to become victims of unceasing thoughts?  No, we can convert our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer by making our inner monologue into a continuing dialogue with God, who is the source of all love.

Let's break out of our isolation and realize that Someone who dwells in the center of our beings wants to listen with love to all that occupies and preoccupies our minds.

O Holy Spirit, convert my never-ending flow of thoughts into prayer.

Action:  Today, every time your catch yourself worrying, say a little prayer.