PRAYER THERAPY

Father Keith McClellan said

* Prayer begins in a restless heart listen to its stirring.

* Prayer is a yearning for one’s true home. Follow its lead.

* Prayer is like a garden. Tend it and it will be fruitful.

* Don’t worry about words or formulas, Prayer is a listening.

* Prayer has many methods. Do it your own way.

* Pray always but schedule special time too. The spirit, like the body needs formal exercise

* Let your prayer be short. Love needs few words but more deeds.

* Pray where you are, God is everywhere.

* If you need something, pray for it. God desires your good.

* If you want something, ask yourself, “Do I want what God wants?”

God wants your true good.

* Remember: Your work and struggles are not unholy. Pray and God will come to you just as you are.

* When your praying becomes dry and routine keep at it. Parched earth welcomes rain.

* Bring your anger to prayer. Hot metal can be molded.

* When God seems far away, keep praying. Light can be blinding.

* When you sin and continue to fail, pray anyway. God keeps on loving you.

* Pray when you are worried. Prayer puts everything in perspective.

* If, for any reason, you cannot pray, relax. The desire to pray is already a prayer.

* When prayer invites you to take risks, have courage. God will uphold you.

* When you feel sad or worry, weep. Tears are a prayer of the heart.

* If you don’t like somebody, pray for them. Prayer uncovers the spark in the cinders.

* When sickness, age, pain or worry steals your concentration, relax, God is understanding friend.

* If you begin to feel advanced in the ways of prayer, think again. God’s life runs deeper than your feelings or experiences.

* If prayer makes you passive and indifferent, it isn’t prayer. True prayer will fruit in care and service.

* Use quiet times for prayers. Silence draws you to the infinite.

* Use noisy times for prayers. Sound is the clamor of creation seeking God.

* Pray when you feel lonely. Prayer puts you in the company of angels.

* When life is cruel and unjust, keep praying, God is the victim, not the cause.

* Touch the joys and troubles of your friends and neighbors. Shared life is a shared prayer.

* When your heart is bursting with thanks, just be. God’s spirit is praying within you.

* When you are overawed before Mystery, just be, God’s spirit is praying within you.

* Embrace the whole world in your prayer. Peace depends on it.

* Pray in your resting. Sleep is the prayer of a creature in God’s love.

* Pray in your rising. Each dawn draws you closer to the light.

* To pray is to breathe. Do it deeply and you will be filled with life.