RBWords

     I once saw a poster that offered a prayer that could be used in most circumstances, but particularly when no suitable words existed to describe the situation.  It was a one-word prayer:  HELP!!!!!!!   Queen Esther has a lot more to say than that, but the word "Help!" pretty much sums it up!  God answer's her prayer (and that of her kinsman, Mordecai) and the Jewish people are saved from the wicked bad guy, Haman!  Here we have prayer for self and community/nation.  The gospel scripture today, "ask and you will receive...." encourages prayer in all circumstances, but the particular thrust is toward what is called "prayer of petition" - asking for something!

     On retreats and parish missions, I challenge folks to take a look at how they pray.  What words do they use?  When do they pray?  To whom do they pray?  I even suggest doing a "history of prayer" in their lives.  Do they still pray in the same way as they did as children?  The reason for this is to get at what kind of relationship one has with God.  Prayer is the expression of that relationship.  The American poet, James Dickey, in one of his poems (I can't remember which one) said, "Prayer is not in the words but in the breath!"  There are circumstances when no words but only "presence" will do.  In Lent it might be a worthwhile exercise, along with other observances, to take a good long look at how we pray!  When all is said and done, perhaps the best we can do is to say, "HELP!"  AMEN