St. Paul says, “we do not know how to pray as we ought.” So how are we supposed to pray? Jason Quino McCreery, SJ, reflects on how to pray in this week’s One-Minute Homily. Based on the readings for Sunday, July 19, 2020.
How are we supposed to pray?
Hi, I’m Jason Quino McCreery, and this is my One-Minute Reflection.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul admits that “we do not know how to pray as we ought.” Because when it comes to genuine prayer, there is no guaranteed formula. There is no rulebook that will tell us, ‘this is the only way to pray.’ Yes, we have the words of prayers handed down to us through the Church. And they are powerful words. But sometimes, when I pray, I have no idea what to say. And that’s alright.
Paul tells us, we trust in the Spirit of God. Because prayer is not just about me and what I say. Prayer is an honest conversation with God. And what do you say to someone you love? There is nothing you are supposed to say.
We trust that the Spirit is enough to covey a love that fails to be put into words. For we trust, as the psalmist sings, that the Lord our God is good and forgiving.
