To pray is to have a relationship, a relationship with God who loves us so much. And the best relationship that describes this is friendship.
Friendship requires attentiveness and trust. One must be patient and courageous in facing the challenges of this relationship. It also requires repentance and forgiveness, accepting that one is weak and the other is ready to listen and forgive.
Friendship also needs celebration and faithfulness. In any circumstance that it triumphs over treats, it deserves a joyful celebration; and in any circumstance that it is being shaken, faithfulness will surely keep it to the end.
Prayer, just like friendship needs purification. St. Teresa of Jesus describes this relationship as a spiritual friendship. Prayer needs to become less dependent on fleeting emotions and more rooted in lasting commitment, commitment to keep that relationship with God to the end no matter it casts us. Thus, it involves risks at the same time discipline. Just like any ordinary friendship, underneath all our great commitments, we definitely find significant relationship with others, who are truly others.
And in our relationship with God, He challenges us to be committed with Him not just in words but in all our actions.
(From My Spiritual Journal - September 11, 2005, Davao City)
1 comment:
Hi Tito Juriel
You have a very nice blog and a very long one too. :-D. Yeah, I think you're right about the prayer stuff. That was pretty interesting too.
Good luck on more blogs!
Angel O:-)
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