In our modern society of instant gratification and consumerism, our definition of prayer has been tainted by material wants and self-righteous demands. The meaning of prayer has been reduced to a series of requests not unlike proposing a contract created by the grantee for the grantor to sign. I pray for (want) this, I pray for (want) that.

If this is what prayer is not, what truly is prayer? What meaningful purpose can prayer play in our lives? And, after considering such, how do we pray?

Essentially, prayer is simply being receptive to the presence of a higher power. There really is no more to it than that. When we pray, we open our hearts to God and God does the rest. Prayer then is a gift from God that we choose to receive. Prayer is not something we do or say, it is more of a state of mind, or a decision, to allow God into our lives.

When we pray, we present ourselves to God in whatever condition we are in. We let go of our ego and pride and surrender ourselves completely to God’s grace. Like the way of the Tao, we let go and go with the flow. Like the way of Jesus, we give ourselves completely to God’s loving will.

If through prayer we ask for anything at all, it is to request that through holy intervention our spirits become receptive to the presence of God in our lives. We ask not for material nor tangible things, rather instead we ask for the dissolving of the psychological barriers that separate us from God, for it is this separation that is the cause of our sufferings.

Prayer can be in words, in pictures or in feelings. It can be a conversation or contemplation; a meditation or mantra. There are no steadfast rules on how to pray other than a willingness to sit in quiet humility and open our hearts to a higher power.

If in doubt on how to begin a prayer, be reassured by the words of the Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, who sincerely wrote,

“I have not the courage to force myself to seek beautiful prayers in books; not knowing which to choose I act as children do who cannot read; I say quite simply to the good God what I want to tell him, and he always understands me.”

So find a quiet spot today while in nature or even while folding the laundry. Bring your hands gently together and give yourself permission to welcome God into your life. Say anything you want or say nothing at all, just choose to experience the ever holy grace of God and he will do the rest.


Dear God,

May my heart always be open to your love.
May my spirit be receptive to your tender blessings.
May I welcome you wholeheartedly into my life
with this simple prayer.

Amen