Chapter 29 – Teach
Us to Pray
Praying
is a big deal to Christians. It’s how we stay in contact with God. We pray for
many things like forgiveness, strength, gratefulness, thanksgiving, health, and
the list could go on. We pray for everything and anything, all in simple
conversation with God. Praying doesn’t have to be complicated.
In
this chapter, Elton Trueblood warns about rote prayer, saying that “One of the
chief ways to deny Christ is to turn any of his words into what he called ‘empty
phrases’.” (p. 184) While I do agree that sometimes it feels as if we say pieces
of our liturgy simply by rote, without thinking much about what the words mean,
there are also times where repetitive prayer is useful and soulful.
Repeating
the Lord’s prayer when you don’t know what else to say.
Reciting
the rosary.
Having a mantra.
These are all prayers that are simple, can be said anytime, and are repetitive. The important thing is to make sure that each time you say your prayer, you’re not just racing through the words. Keep you mind and soul activated while you pray, each and every time.
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