23 August | Youth
«Pray without ceasing.» 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Some people think that prayer is a collection of elaborate phrases or a memorized prayer with a bunch of selfish requests. How good we are at asking God for things! We treat the Creator of the Universe as if he were an umbrella or a “genie in a lamp,” something sought only when a need arises or when there is an unsatisfied desire. But God does not want to be manipulated. He simply wants to be the God of our lives.
We need to understand that prayer is a conversation with God, a moment when we expose who we really are, without masks, shame, or embarrassment. When we open our hearts to the Lord, just as we do to a friend, we release anxiety, and our heart begins to beat in tune with God’s heart. Prayer is capable of regulating our thoughts, normalizing pressure, and bringing peace to the soul. As a song I like says, “praying to God is good for the soul. Talking to God satisfies me.”
Prayer is also an act of faith. It is like “throwing yourself into the dark”. And we still run the risk of hearing God’s silence. Did this already happen to you? Have you prayed and it seems like your prayer did not go beyond the ceiling? Still, even when this happens, we need to be sure that He is watching over us. Even God’s silence is an answer, and it often means, “Keep trusting! I am in control of your life.”
I remember when my children were little. After long trips with the King’s Heralds quartet, when I returned home, Miguel and Rafael came running towards me with their little arms flailing along. Before I got close, they already wanted to jump on me. “Dad, catch me! I want to go in your lap!” How nice it was to feel those hugs! And we had an agreement: before I handed over their souvenir from the trip, there was always a moment to talk. After all, I wanted to show that the most important thing was not the gift, but the father’s presence.
God is a loving Father who wants to have a relationship with you. He is eager to hear your voice. He constantly misses you. He wants to know how your day was, what your sadness and also your joys are. Why don’t you talk to Him anymore? Open your heart to God! He wants to be your best friend. He is there, by your side, just waiting for the mumble of a prayer.