When the disciples were looking for Jesus, on one occasion, they found Him “in a deserted place where He prayed” alone (Mark 1:36). Why, you may ask, did Jesus pray? After all, He was the Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, and lived His life on earth in union with the Father. Yes indeed, but don’t forget: Jesus was human, He was tempted like us in all things ( but sin ), and needed to spend time alone in communion with the Father.

Jesus needed to pray, and so do we.

Some people imagine that prayer springs forth spontaneously from an overflowing heart, and surmise that if the heart does not start to pray by itself they can never pray. Such a notion is wishful thinking. It is true that forced prayer is no prayer, but it is also true that prayer, like any activity of value, demands effort.

You do not have to be a polished speaker to pray. Your stammering is all accepted and understood by a generous God who knows the secrets of your hearts. No matter the confusion of your mind or heart, no matter how awkwardly you reach for words, the Holy Spirit, St. Paul reminds us, “intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). Prayer does not even require words. It can be a quick thought, a sudden elevation of the mind towards God in time of need or as a gesture of gratitude.

Jesus insists on the need to “pray always” (Luke 18:1), and not to lose heart. Prayer is always more than words; it is an attitude that puts God first in your life. Jesus tells the parable of the dishonest judge who granted a poor window’s request because of her attitude of never losing heart. “Will not God,” He says, “secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?” (Luke 18:7) So, pray always whether you are sitting or standing or walking without having to use words. God never spurns a contrite or grateful heart.

Some people also wonder why we have to ask God to answer our prayers. Does not God already know what we want even before we ask Him? Did Jesus not say, “when you pray, go into your room, lock the door; and your Heavenly Father, who knows your needs, will grant them in secret?” ( Matthew 6 : 6 )

So, why ask God to answer your prayers?

God wants you to ask Him to answer your prayers because He wants to have a trusting relationship with you. Like a loving parent who would say to a child who needed something, “why didn’t you ask me; don’t you know I would have given it to you,” God wants you to come to Him with your troubles. He wants you to trust Him to answer your prayers. Even though the Lord knows what you need before you pray, He wants you to ask Him, from the heart, because He loves you as a father.

There are different ways to pray, and I will mention a few practical ones:

1. The simplest form of prayer is the prayer of Petition. Asking God to help you with a particular need or asking God to help someone you know with a particular need. There are few things you can do for another person that is more beautiful than sincerely praying for him or her. It is a good practice before you go to bed at night to pray, not only for your own needs, but to include, in your prayer, the needs of others who are near and dear to you.
2. Another form of prayer is the Prayer of Thanksgiving or Praise. When you rise in the morning, greet the new day with a prayer of thanks for all the Lord has bestowed upon you : the precious gift of life, the gift of friends and family, the gift of your little pets ( if you have pets ), the gift of health if you are so blessed, the gift of good neighbors, the gifts of faith, hope, and love. Prayer of Thanksgiving like this, first thing in the morning, will go a long way to renewing your spirit and adopting a positive approach to the rest of the day.
3. Meditation is, perhaps, the most valuable form of prayer. It turns the mind to the contemplation of the Word of God in the scriptures as a means of spiritual and personal renewal. The Lord’s Prayer is a magnificent meditation, and can always be prayed slowly, and thoughtfully. Remember, one ‘Our Father’ prayed well is better than a thousand repeated over and over again. The Lord reminds us not to prattle on like pagans when we pray, thinking to gain a hearing through the multiplication of words ( Matthew 6 : 7 ). As a person thinks, so does he or she act. And, what better way to think and act than to ponder God’s word and act upon it? Prayer, Jesus reminds us, is not about repeating the words, “Lord, Lord,” but “hearing the word of God and keeping it” (Luke 11:28). Meditation requires discipline, the kind of discipline that is able to set time aside each day to contemplate the Word of God (in the scriptures) and to practice it.

Why pray? Do you really need to ask?

You pray because your Father in Heaven is eager to help you by establishing a personal relationship between you and His Son, through the Holy Spirit. He wants to establish this relationship, not only with you, but with all His “chosen ones,” all of humanity, by answering their prayers also.

Prayer! What a marvelous gift God has given us.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy