A Time for Prayer

A Guest Post by Ralph Ferraro

Lent is a time when we turn to God to pray for wisdom, guidance, strength and sometimes a healing for ourselves or others. Below are some findings on prayer which readers may find helpful. When we pray, we must trust in the answers we receive, whether or not they are the answers we expected or desired. We should relax before praying, quiet the mind and body by breathing deeply and making a passive effort to release any tension we may feel. Favorite prayers or mantras can help us to achieve a peaceful and receptive state of mind. When praying, we should realize that a calm, confident, and trusting attitude can influence the effectiveness of our prayers. If we feel an unknown obstacle is preventing our prayers from being answered, we should ask God what must be done to correct the situation. If our prayers have not the sufficient spiritual strength to accomplish their purposes, we can request from the Holy Spirit the knowledge whom to seek for aid in our petition. Visualize the desired outcome of your prayer, picturing it clearly and vividly, utilizing all the senses whenever possible. See the outcome occurring in the present, not in the future. Confident that God has answered your prayers, we give thanks for this blessing.

Only after much discipline can we learn how to pray effectively. Even to say we practice prayer, however, is a misnomer, for according to Scripture and tradition God alone teaches us to pray. When we call on the Lord in prayer, it is really the Lord beckoning us. As Christ taught his disciples, “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” Calling on God demands a special grace, one which not only draws us nearer to Him but also brings Him closer to us.

Readers wishing an instructional e-book copy of The Quest, a self-help text about health, prayer, and healing can obtain a free download/reading at http://www.italianamericanpress.com/Free_E_books.html.