In this time of pandemic, when many of us find ourselves limited in our ability to go out and interact with others, I encourage you to use the time to grow closer to God in prayer. One of the fundamental ways we can do this is through contemplative prayer, strongly recommended by St. Teresa of Avila and other spiritual writers.
For me, contemplative prayer is allowing God to intervene in our minds and hearts in a way in which we focus on Him, pray to Him, praise Him and allow Him to speak to us. A big part of it is listening and being silent before the Lord. Remember when the prophet Elijah spoke to the Lord:
1 Kings 19:11-12 Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound.
The Lord did not speak in the strong and violent wind, earthquake or fire but in a silent whisper. That is contemplative prayer: God speaks to us in a whisper. It is during this time that we need to let God love us, minister to us and encourage us.
Prayer Needs Time
If you’re new to contemplative prayer, begin by carving out a consistent time of the day where you may be alone and in silence for even a short a time. To begin with, start with five minutes. Invite the Holy Spirit to come into your heart. Ask the assistance of the Blessed Mother and your guardian angel.
Take a section from one of the four Gospels, particularly one which contains the words of Christ Himself, read it slowly, reflect on it and think how it might apply to you. Speak to the Lord about it with words, or without words, in the silence of your heart.
When you finish your time, try to make a resolution to apply something you’ve read to improve your life: perhaps to be more patient with others, to stop speaking uncharitably about others, to avoid bad language, to be more generous, more truthful, etc.
Increase your time of contemplation as you are able. Seek out the advice and support of a good priest to help you advance. I think you’ll find it most profitable to your spiritual wellbeing.
The Divine Office
When I became a deacon, I assumed the obligation of daily praying the Divine Office, or the Liturgy of the Hours or Breviary. Ordained members of the clergy and religious are required to pray the Divine Office. Dedicated members of the laity are also welcome to pray along with us, if they choose, and this can be a helpful tool to them in growing in contemplative prayer.
The Office is the public prayer of the Church as the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains; it is “the prayer of the whole People of God” (CCC, 1175). It is a collection of daily psalms, hymns, prayers and Scripture readings which we read, pray and meditate on at different times of the day. The practice goes back to the earliest days of the Church and is in response to Jesus telling His Apostles of the necessity “…to pray always without becoming weary” (Luke 18:1).
The Vatican’s Office of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship explains that “from ancient times the Church has had the custom of celebrating each day the liturgy of the hours. In this way the Church fulfills the Lord’s precept to pray without ceasing, at once offering its praise to God the Father and interceding for the salvation of the world.”
The Catechism goes on to explain: “The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. … The lectio divina, where the Word of God is so read and meditated that it becomes prayer, is thus rooted in the liturgical celebration” (CCC, 1177).
Sanctifying the Day
As I mentioned, as an ordained deacon of the Church, I pray the Office daily, both in the morning and evening, and sometimes during the day. It takes me an average of an hour and a half. I typically pray it at home in front of a crucifix or sacred image. I usually pray it alone, but I find it particularly impactful when I have the chance to pray it in community. When I have meetings with my fellow deacons, one of my favorite things is to begin with the Office’s morning prayers.
It is a great consolation knowing that, with the Office, the entire Church is praying with me throughout the day. The entire body of Christ is praying for one another, asking God to take over and to make Christ manifest to the world through us. It is a powerful spiritual tool.
Morning prayer helps me prepare for the day. Evening prayer gives me the opportunity to reflect on what has happened during the day and to lift up my concerns in prayer. The Psalms remind me I need to be praising God on an ongoing basis. The Office is a way I can maintain God’s presence in my life each day, develop an intimacy with Him, grow closer to Christ and grow in holiness.
Everyone Can Pray the Office
The laity are not required to say the Office but are encouraged to do so by the Church. If you live near a monastery, retreat center or parish church that publicly prays the Office, you may go and participate in certain parts of the Office, such as Vespers/Evening prayer, although I realize that there may be restrictions on some being able to do so during this time of pandemic.
Otherwise, you may do it alone at home, and there are many wonderful books explaining the most effective ways lay people can do the Liturgy of the Hours. I think you will find it to be a source of great spiritual strength and a wonderful way to grow in your faith.
Whatever tool you use, as long as it is a technique approved by the Catholic Church, I urge you to begin. I know the Divine Office will play a vital role in helping you grow closer to the Lord.
———-
Deacon Steve Greco wrote a 2020 book on prayer, Miracles Through Prayer, available through his Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry website, www.spiritfilledhearts.org.
