Some Thoughts on Prayer

Prayer ought to always be approached with a spirit of humility and repentance. When you pray remember you are not entitled to any good thing in life, but good things are gifts. Ask God to show you your own failings and then for the strength to turn away from them and to show charity and love for others. The Christian life begins at home. How can we show love and compassion for our neighbors if we don’t tend to the gardens of our own hearts? 

Only God can help us see how we fall short and His grace, His mercy and compassion, are abundant for our need. Persistent, humble and repentant prayer are the oxygen of the spiritual life.

Consult prayer books, the Lutheran Book of Prayer or your Catechism are good places to start, and consider making a structured life of prayer for yourself. Regular prayer to God will change your heart and how you see your friends, family, co-workers, and even the strangers among you. Just like when you begin a diet or exercise you might find your heart has a hard time getting into it and you don’t want to do it, but stick with it and don’t let feelings get in the way of your discipline!