Ever notice how all our prayers seem negative?
Is that the way it should be? Or am I missing something?
Today's topic is about something quite critical to our lives. Prayer. It's the lifeblood of any Christian. Rather, it's our lifeline. Being the only way of communication between God and us, you can bet your socks it's important. Which is why I'm writing about it. Specifically, the power of positive prayer. If you can't tell by now, I'm trying to think positively about things in general.
The phrase popped into my head in the car, while cogitating of things to blog about. (it bears no resemblance to the book with a somewhat similar title...) I wondered what it meant and what practical application the concept would have. I still am, which is why I'm writing this.
Let's start at the beginning. What does prayer mean? Well, it's etymology comes out to something related to entreating. Some synonyms for entreating would be beg, plead, or implore. Not exactly positive, is it?
That's not to put a negative spin on it, though, far from it. Many good prayers are ones of supplication. It's something common to all humanity, we all need to call out to God to deliver us. We're meant to be dependent on Him. In our weakness, he can reveal His power. We are lost without our Creator, our hearts long for God. As the oft-quoted St. Augustine put it, "our hearts are restless until they rest in You."
However, where does the power of positive prayer come in? Firstly, the word positive implies we have something. Negative means we don't. "Negative" prayers, then, are petitions to God for something. It could be anything. Courage, faith, purity, healing for a friend, a nudge in the right direction. These are all good prayers. God has an abundance of grace he wishes to pour out on us if only we ask.
I may be wrong, but it seems that most of our prayers reside in this category. Which leads to me to "positive" prayers.
Usually, it seems that "negative" prayers are ones of intention or need. Therefore, I'm guessing that "positive" prayers are ones of giving. At first glance, this might seem absurd. What have we to offer God? He created EVERYTHING. Why would he desire anything we have to give?
In the end, the only gift we can make to God is ourselves.
But why would he want me? I'm sinful, ungrateful, selfish. I'm made thousands of mistakes. I'm so helpless, I can't make it one step spiritually (or physically for that matter) without God. If we truly knew the extent of our sin and pride in our souls, we would cower before our Creator in utter shame.
If you find yourself thinking the above, you need to stop. Right now. God doesn't think that way and neither should you. Granted, we've all sinned and fallen short, but God's bigger than that. Have we considered the fact, that if we knew how much He loved us, we would die of joy? He is crazily in love with us. As the poem put it so beautifully, he is the hound of heaven who pursues us relentlessly. He would still go on the cross even if there was only one person to save. You.
So how do we pray this prayer of self-gift, this "positive" prayer? It all seems very vague and difficult to achieve. How do we make a gift of ourselves to God? What does that even mean? I think it's best to start small and very simply. The main point is not to achieve spiritual perfection on day one, what matters is whether we try or not. Therefore, the first logical step to take is the smallest.
God wants our love. He wants our hearts to freely conform to His. He desires that we would consciously choose to be His disciple. The term I heard is Intentional Disciple, which really sums up what our attitude should be. The time to choose is now. We cannot afford to wait for tomorrow. The sun might set tonight and never rise again. We don't have time to waste. Which leads us to our plan of action.
The first step is to desire to do God's will. This is the greatest gift we have to offer God. We can either follow Him or follow ourselves. He doesn't make the choice for us. And at first, this might seem easy. We say it every time we pray the Lord's Prayer. "Our Father, who art it in Heaven...Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven..."
But have we ever meant it? Do we truly want to be apostles of Christ and go where He sends us? We might not be called to go far, but it sure will be hard. Being a Christian is not easy. Anyone who says otherwise is not describing Christianity as it is, but as they would like it to be. And would we want it any other way? If something is worth believing in, it's worth suffering for. There are countless martyrs who died for Christ. What have we done?
So I'm suggesting this first step. Cultivating a desire to do God's will. If that's beyond you, then pray for the grace for such a holy desire. Remember, at the end of the day, all our successes are God's, while our failures are all our own. It is only through Him that we can do anything.
While you are growing this desire for His will, ask the Lord: What is one thing you want me to do for You today? I like to think of this as fulfilling one favor for God, one day at a time. I'm sure it won't be hard for God to find something for you to do! Perhaps, it's spending some time in contemplation every morning. Or being patient with those around you. Maybe, you're called to offer your help with doing the dishes. Assist a younger sibling with homework. Cleaning your room without having to be told. Praying more. The possibilities are limitless.
And there's no reason to stop there. Ask yourself daily, is there something I can do to become more like Jesus? Maybe this will lead you to something bigger, like volunteering at church or visiting those in nursing homes.
Whatever the case, don't be afraid to try! There's nothing more fulfilling than being a tool in God's hands. Doing God's will is the only way to true happiness and joy. Sometimes, all you need to do is ask. Don't forget the Holy Spirit. He's there to guide you. "Come, Holy Spirit," is the one prayer God never refuses to provide for.
It's only when we give of ourselves completely; when we start to pray and act "positively", that we begin to find true peace in our hearts.
And in that, we've given God what He desires so greatly of us,
Ourselves.
However, where does the power of positive prayer come in? Firstly, the word positive implies we have something. Negative means we don't. "Negative" prayers, then, are petitions to God for something. It could be anything. Courage, faith, purity, healing for a friend, a nudge in the right direction. These are all good prayers. God has an abundance of grace he wishes to pour out on us if only we ask.
I may be wrong, but it seems that most of our prayers reside in this category. Which leads to me to "positive" prayers.
Usually, it seems that "negative" prayers are ones of intention or need. Therefore, I'm guessing that "positive" prayers are ones of giving. At first glance, this might seem absurd. What have we to offer God? He created EVERYTHING. Why would he desire anything we have to give?
In the end, the only gift we can make to God is ourselves.
But why would he want me? I'm sinful, ungrateful, selfish. I'm made thousands of mistakes. I'm so helpless, I can't make it one step spiritually (or physically for that matter) without God. If we truly knew the extent of our sin and pride in our souls, we would cower before our Creator in utter shame.
If you find yourself thinking the above, you need to stop. Right now. God doesn't think that way and neither should you. Granted, we've all sinned and fallen short, but God's bigger than that. Have we considered the fact, that if we knew how much He loved us, we would die of joy? He is crazily in love with us. As the poem put it so beautifully, he is the hound of heaven who pursues us relentlessly. He would still go on the cross even if there was only one person to save. You.
So how do we pray this prayer of self-gift, this "positive" prayer? It all seems very vague and difficult to achieve. How do we make a gift of ourselves to God? What does that even mean? I think it's best to start small and very simply. The main point is not to achieve spiritual perfection on day one, what matters is whether we try or not. Therefore, the first logical step to take is the smallest.
God wants our love. He wants our hearts to freely conform to His. He desires that we would consciously choose to be His disciple. The term I heard is Intentional Disciple, which really sums up what our attitude should be. The time to choose is now. We cannot afford to wait for tomorrow. The sun might set tonight and never rise again. We don't have time to waste. Which leads us to our plan of action.
The first step is to desire to do God's will. This is the greatest gift we have to offer God. We can either follow Him or follow ourselves. He doesn't make the choice for us. And at first, this might seem easy. We say it every time we pray the Lord's Prayer. "Our Father, who art it in Heaven...Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven..."
But have we ever meant it? Do we truly want to be apostles of Christ and go where He sends us? We might not be called to go far, but it sure will be hard. Being a Christian is not easy. Anyone who says otherwise is not describing Christianity as it is, but as they would like it to be. And would we want it any other way? If something is worth believing in, it's worth suffering for. There are countless martyrs who died for Christ. What have we done?
So I'm suggesting this first step. Cultivating a desire to do God's will. If that's beyond you, then pray for the grace for such a holy desire. Remember, at the end of the day, all our successes are God's, while our failures are all our own. It is only through Him that we can do anything.
While you are growing this desire for His will, ask the Lord: What is one thing you want me to do for You today? I like to think of this as fulfilling one favor for God, one day at a time. I'm sure it won't be hard for God to find something for you to do! Perhaps, it's spending some time in contemplation every morning. Or being patient with those around you. Maybe, you're called to offer your help with doing the dishes. Assist a younger sibling with homework. Cleaning your room without having to be told. Praying more. The possibilities are limitless.
And there's no reason to stop there. Ask yourself daily, is there something I can do to become more like Jesus? Maybe this will lead you to something bigger, like volunteering at church or visiting those in nursing homes.
Whatever the case, don't be afraid to try! There's nothing more fulfilling than being a tool in God's hands. Doing God's will is the only way to true happiness and joy. Sometimes, all you need to do is ask. Don't forget the Holy Spirit. He's there to guide you. "Come, Holy Spirit," is the one prayer God never refuses to provide for.
It's only when we give of ourselves completely; when we start to pray and act "positively", that we begin to find true peace in our hearts.
And in that, we've given God what He desires so greatly of us,
Ourselves.
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