Saint Katharine Drexel, Virgin (Optional Memorial)

In praying, do not babble.

Have you ever seen a toddler playing with a shape sorter?   It’s a common toy with blocks shaped like triangles, squares, or circles and corresponding holes for the blocks to pass through.   The concept is very simple, and yet until the child has practiced and developed coordination, it can be difficult for him to align the shapes correctly to fit through the holes.

Sometimes prayer can feel like trying to fit the right block into the right hole.   How am I supposed to pray?   What should I pray for?   What is successful prayer?   But Jesus distilled it down to its essential elements:  Keep it simple.   Persist.   Line yourself up with God and his plan.   That’s what he taught us in the Lord’s Prayer.   This familiar passage from Scripture is not just a beautiful prayer; it models for us what prayer should be.

For example, more words don’t always translate to better prayer.   In fact, the less we speak, the more time we have to listen to God.   Sometimes our words—even though well-intentioned and devout—can drown out the words that God wants to speak to us.

It’s in quiet and simplicity that we will be able to align ourselves with God’s will and his thoughts.   We can worship him (“hallowed be thy name”) and submit ourselves to what he wants (“thy will be done”).   We can trust him to provide for us (“give us this day our daily bread”) and realign ourselves with him and other people when we have fallen short (“forgive us . . . as we forgive”).  And we can ask humbly for his protection (“deliver us from evil”).

That’s the key to “successful” prayer!   As we spend time with God, commit ourselves to following his will, and listen closely for his voice in our hearts, he makes us more like him.   Our worship gains more depth.   Our trust in him grows deeper.   Our repentance changes our hearts—and our actions.   Like a child developing his skills, we find it easier to fit the right block into the right hole.   And we grow closer to the Lord in the process!

“Jesus, thank you for teaching me to pray with simplicity.   Help me to follow your example!”

Isaiah 55:10-11
Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19