4th October

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4, 6 & 7

How to pray

A mother once said with challenge: "I have never prayed in my life. You know me and religion..."
A Christian neighbour interrupts: "No doubt, you never have had an ill child?"
- Yes, one of my boys nearly died...
- And you did not call upon God for help?
- Oh yes! But I did not recite prayers!
- Do you believe that one only prays when one recites prayers already made? "Our Father" is a wonderful prayer which Jesus taught his disciples. But exactly, I am only allowed to say this prayer when I am sure that God is my Father and that I really am his child. After that can I express it mechanically without concerning myself with the sense of the words or repeat it ten times if my spirit is elsewhere? Is God indifferent to what comes out of our lips? If I say: "Hallowed be your name" can I immediately after swear or say something evil of somebody? If I add: "Your will be done" then I have to submit myself to his will and not follow my own will, don't I? Take care, one does not make fun of God!