Along with fasting and charity, Lent offers us a “call to prayer.” But why pray?
How often do we fear that prayer is a waste of time, that prayer does not “work?” How often do we think that, because we prayed that we would get a new job or that a friend would be cured of cancer (and neither happened as we had asked), our prayers were not answered?
On the other hand, how often have we feared that prayer may really work? That God will change us as deeply and radically as the people in the Scriptures who were caught up in God’s plans, tasks, and purposes to transform ourselves and our world? Might it be possible that we can be like Moses and the Virgin Mary and liberate our people or bring Christ into the world? Can we be like the Peters, Pauls, and Mary Magdalenes of our times? “Do not be afraid” is the most repeated phrase in the Bible. Do not underestimate yourself! God has need of the talents you have been given.
Never forget that prayer changes what we desire. Prayer transforms us into those who can walk with God now and live with God forever. Prayer impels us toward a change of heart, repentance, a change in our ways of thinking, doing, and being. When we really open our minds and hearts in prayer to the God who creates and who so desperately loves us, watch out! Anything can happen! So, keep in mind that prayer is a risk, but (as they say) the benefits are out of this world!
Prayer also shows us how to use and multiply our gifts (Jn 6,8-11). Prayer plunges us into the powerful process of transformation begun at Baptism. According to St. Athanasius, “God becomes what we are, so we might become what God is.” (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 460)
Lent is crying out to us to open our hearts and minds to the beauty and pregnant possibilities of prayer. As our friends at Nike used to say, “Just do it.”
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“You will seek me, and when you seek with your whole heart, you will find me. You will pray to me, and I will listen to you. I know the plans I have in mind for you, plans for your welfare and not for misfortune, plans that will give you a future full of hope. You will pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29,11-13
