I have a definition of prayer, which is:

Many Christians, clergy and laity, think that prayer is only about asking for things, or praying for the needs of others. These are aspects of prayer, but should flow from a living relationship with the Lord. Juan Carlos Ortiz had this to say:

Our childishness is shown in our prayers. 'Heal me, help me, baptize me,prosper me, me, me'. The 'me' center, the 'I' center is childhood. Children are always asking, 'Give me, Daddy, give me, Mommy. Give me a dollar. Give me some ice-cream. Give me this. Give me that.' Only a mature person knows how to give. As a little babe I was continually asking. Now I am continually giving. Why? Because I am mature. I have grown up. So I must give and give and give. Ortiz, J (with Buckingham, J) 1975: Call to Discipleship. Plainfield: Logos International, page 6.

The key is in building a relationship with the Lord. Thomas Merton wrote:

Man's greatest dignity, his most essential and peculair power, the most intimate secret of his humanity is his capacity to love. This power in the depths of man's soul stamps him in the image and likeness of God. ... We can open the eyes of our heart and stand face to face with God our Father. We can speak to him and hear Him answer." (Merton, T, 1991:  Disputed Questions. London: Hollis and Carter, page 98.)

1. Lectio Divina – the devotional reading of scripture. This means letting every word and nuance speak to us. Speed reading is inimical to this style of reading.
2. Meditatio – is an active chewing on God's word, and allowing it to speak into your situation. Unlike Transcendental Meditation (TM) which is essentially Hindu and teaches one to empty oneself, Christian meditation is actively coming into God's presence using his word as the vehicle.
3. Oratio – Responding to what the Lord is saying through his word. James writes (2:17 The Message): 'Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?' Faith without works is dead. Oratio means converting God talk, his word and your faith response, into God acts, specifically prayer. For example, if the scripture has led you to identify something in your life that is an ipediment, offer it to the Lord, and ask him to work in helping you to overcome it.
4. Contemplatio – basking in God's presence, having opened the eyes of your heart and standing face to face with the Lord. The best definition I know of contemplation is when the Curé de Ars saw an old man of his French congregation spending long hours sitting in church. He asked what he was doing, and the man replied, 'I just sit and look at God, and he looks at me.'

When you can look God in the face with the eyes of your heart you start to achieve the definition of prayer above.

The writer, Geoff Paxton, has nearly completed a book, titled (temporarily) Let my people grow! about personal spiritual growth and related issues. He has not yet started looking for a publisher.

Email: geoff_paxton@yahoo.com

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