Perspective changes everything

I recently visited the home I grew up in. Last time I was there I was 11 years old, going back - everything looked smaller. The front drive, the hallway - all seemed smaller than I remembered... I took a glance out the the back window, thankfully the garden still looked big enough for a game of football!

As you grow up, your perspective changes - not just on size, but on time and what is important in life. As your perspective changes, it affects how you act and react in various situations.

The next question in the catechism speaks of our ATTITUDE in prayer. And this is so important, as like perspective, it changes everything about the way in which we pray.

Q39. With what attitude should we pray?A. With love, perseverance, and gratefulness in humble submission to God's will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers.

A few things to note:

Our prayers must always be marked with love: With love for God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We love him because he has rescued and redeemed us. We love him, because he rules over our lives. We love him because he care for us. With love for his Church. When we love the church, we will bring the needs of our brothers and sisters to God in prayer. We shall bring the mission and growth of the church to God, the Lord of the church, in prayer. We shall bring the whole life of the church - local, national and global to him in prayer. We do so, as we know he cares. With love for our family, community and world. We pray for those we love. We pray for the communities we are part of - in workplaces, clubs and neighbourhoods. We pray for this world, which God has made us stewards of. We pray for them, as we know this is the best we can do for those we love. With love for our enemies. Jesus instructed us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us. So as we turn to God in prayer - may our prayers for them be marked with love. We could go on - but do you see how when we pray with love, it shapes the things that we would pray for in each of these settings. It causes us to pray not for our own benefit and God. But for theirs. And ultimately, it humbles us, as we love God and so our desire is for his will to be done in every circumstance and setting.

We keep on praying We have heard of examples of those who have kept praying and praying for a particular person and circumstance. After years, God has heard and answered that prayer. Such perseverance is commendable, but it must always be tempered with humility. As we keep on praying for a particular thing, we must keep examining our motives, asking how exactly does God want me to pray? But there is more to perseverance. Quiet often it is simply battling for 5 minutes. Or making the effort to start. Or seeking not to get distracted. Ensuring you have prayed and not rushed through some thoughts in your head. To persevere in prayer, we must begin to pray. And fight to keep on praying.

We pray expectantly We can be bold and confident in our prayers. We can be sure that God shall hear AND answer our prayer. Not because we have used the right words, or come at the right time, or said the right amount. But because of Jesus. As the catechism puts it - 'for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers.' That expectant confidence will shape the way in which we pour out our hearts to God, as we seek him in prayer.