I’ve had some health problems recently — nothing serious, but unpleasant. Illness can make it hard to pray. Fortunately, I don’t have to struggle alone. Mother Church has words for me when I cannot find my own.
I know that every day, someone is praying for me. It might not be by name, but at Mass and at home, millions pray for the sick and suffering of the world, including me (and you). It’s amazing to me that ordinary sinful human beings can be part of God’s healing work in the world. And just as we reach out to others through our prayers, so they reach out to us. If today we can’t pray much, we can be at peace. Someone else is taking up the slack.
I’m also blessed by specific prayers, beginning, of course, “with the words our Savior taught us.” The Lord’s Prayer continually teaches me about God and my relationship with him. It comforts me, reminds me of his love and resets my priorities. I could not ask for anything better for myself or those I love than that his will be done.
The words of Scripture bless me. My favorite passage in particularly hard times is Job 19:25-27: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the last day upon the earth; and though this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger.” When I’m really low, I just say the first six words over and over. Somehow, through the saying of them, my faith is strengthened that, yes, my redeemer does live and is active in me and for me.
I was not raised praying with Mary’s help, but I have become very fond of “Hail, Holy Queen.” For most of us, our first experience with love is our mother. Even now, when we’re hurt, part of us cries for a mother’s comfort. “Hail, Holy Queen” expresses the loneliness of suffering and leads us gently to Christ, our ultimate safety and peace.
John Milton isn’t Scripture or even Catholic, but one of his poems has become part of my spiritual treasure chest. He used his skill as a writer on behalf of religious and political reform in England. Then he went blind. In one poem, he wrestled with how he was supposed to serve God when he couldn’t work at his craft. He concluded that God doesn’t really need our labors as much as our obedience and trust. He realized that, “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Wise words for when we’re feeling useless.
The church’s traditional prayers are a rich blessing. They link us with fellow Christians throughout the world and throughout time. They assure us that we are not the only ones to discover that our sins are our own “most grievous fault.” They remind us to spare some thought for other sinners, especially those who are in most need of God’s mercy.
The most important prayer in Judaism is the Shema: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God; the Lord is one.” It doesn’t ask for anything; it simply affirms that God is. So, too, our Creed is a prayer. In reviewing our salvation history, we renew our faith that the Lord continues to save us daily.
Finally, God assures us, through St. Paul, that when we do not know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit “intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” At those times, all we need to say is, “Amen.”
Kathleen welcomes comments. Send them to Kathleen Choi, 1706 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720, or e-mail: kathchoi@hawaii.rr.com.
