{"id":1361,"date":"2014-09-20T01:00:41","date_gmt":"2014-09-20T01:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=1361"},"modified":"2014-09-13T20:14:58","modified_gmt":"2014-09-13T20:14:58","slug":"a-praying-spirit-what-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2014\/09\/a-praying-spirit-what-works.html","title":{"rendered":"A Praying Spirit: What works?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Image<\/a>
Image courtesy of Franky242\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The longer I’ve written this blog, the more I’ve come to understand that I’m not the only one for whom prayer is crucial to coping with illness, pain, and other crises. For many of you, too, prayer is like spiritual food, essential and unceasingly necessary.<\/p>\n

So, each Saturday, I’m going to devote my blog to prayer. Not “prayers,” but the act of praying in all its many facets. I do this in hopes that our prayer lives may become even more full, abundant, and light-giving – an activity and a vocation that is a blessing to all.<\/p>\n

Today: What works?<\/p>\n

Let’s be honest, many times we pray in hopes of receiving an answer from God. And, we hope that that answer will be the one we want. So, we might be tempted to try “prayer that works,” whether it is a different ritual, different wording, or different posture (internal or external).<\/p>\n

But, so often, what we want out of prayer is not what God wants for us. That’s as hard for me to type as it might be for you to hear. But, it’s true. We are human, with a finite ability to discern and desire. Only God knows what is ultimately “The Good” for each of us.<\/p>\n

So, if you’re searching for “prayer that works,” I gently suggest that you not search so much for a way of praying, but rather for an attitude toward prayer. That is, take time to pray, most definitely, but also take time to listen. Listen willingly. Listen humbly.<\/p>\n

Listen for God’s voice and the ability to accept His answers.<\/p>\n

For, ultimately, prayer that works is when we hear God’s reply – and we love Him even more.<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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