Prayer Words

 

            When Jesus called to peter on the water, Peter started toward Jesus and them faltered, doubted, and cried, “Lord save me.” Peter simply did not have time for a lengthy, formalized prayer. It was a beautiful three word prayer, very spontaneous. In our liturgy we have both long and short prayers. Perhaps something can be said for just one word prayers. Consider these five one word prayer. Each word prayer is chosen with the idea that it be dwelt upon for a lengthy period of time before going on to the next word prayer. In addition, certain prayerful and spiritual states of mind and heart are achieved, hopefully, before going on to the next prayer word or prayerful consideration.

            First, dwell on the word G L O R Y…Think only of God’s Glory, His Majesty, His Holiness, His Grandeur and repeat the word Glory again and again slowly… dwell on God’s creation of all things; the vast complex universe, the oceans, the continents, all nations, all peoples, animal life, the stars, the universe, all created from nothingness.

            Then put myself in the presence of my creator; creator of all; of me.

            *Ponder, reflect on Him, His power, His sovereignty, His splendor, His omnipotence,         His holiness, the All Holy Other; All Holy Love.

            *Now ponder the fact that I am his creature, trying all the while to come to that      profound realization, understanding, appreciation of my condition, status, circumstance as      His creature, being utterly and totally and lovingly dependent upon Him.

(During these considerations I continue to repeat slowly, prayerfully, GLORY…GLORY…GLORY…

 

            Then dwell on the prayer word F A T H E R

Father, our Father, My Father…….

            *Consider Jesus’ awesome instruction to call upon God, saying Father. Father, Abba, ABBA, Father

            *Consider the idea of fathers in human life, the father and son relationship as it is   today, as it was in the Old Testament, the Jewish father and son, the position the son holds, his status, the father’s attitude and relationship to his son.

            *Ponder God’s words, “I will never forget you; even the hairs on your head are       numbered.” Try to enter into an understanding of God as my Father and I as His adopted son.

(During these prayers continue to say slowly Father, All Holy Father…….)

 

            Then dwell on the word, the prayer word, M E R C Y

Mercy, Lord have mercy…Mercy…

            *Ponder my own sinful past and my sinful present, actual sins against God’s laws,            especially those relating to my neighbor; think about my own sinful response to God.

            *Dwell upon the enormous evil sin actually is; recall Adam’s sin and the vast and   incalculable amount of suffering and death that has come into the world as a result of Adam’s sin; consider again my own sins.

            *Ponder man’s desire to repent yet not being able to atone for his own sins; dwell upon man’s hopeless predicament…pray slowly Mercy, Lord, Lord have mercy on me a sinner…MERCY…MERCY…MERCY…

 

The fourth prayer word is JESUS

 

            Now dwell on the word J E S U S.

Lord Jesus…Jesus…Brother Jesus…Christ Jesus…savior...my…savior…my redeemer...my Shepherd…my God…my King…my Lord…my Jesus…our JESUS.

            *Consider and ponder the world without Jesus; imagine the long history of man and no Jesus, the hopelessness, the disorder, the confusion; consider modern times with no Jesus.

*Now recall very prayerfully the Incarnation, Bethlehem, Mary, Joseph, the cave, the crib, the shepherds, the angels, the wise mean; imagine myself in the cave; the crib, the shepherds, the angels, the wise men; imagine seeing the             infant Jesus for the first time, draw very near to Him; think only of His coming, stir up feelings of awe, wonder, thanksgiving, reverence, worship, and try to begin to enter into the mystery of God becoming man.

            *Next, imagine seeing Jesus, Hearing His words; imagine He is saying these things to ME; reflect on His parables and His miracles.

*Next, put myself with Mary and John at the foot of the cross; envision His           suffering; ponder his most sacred words from the cross; try to make real the fact that because of me and for me He suffers; meditate on His wounds and His agony.

            *Next, envision myself at the tomb on Easter morning; imagine the Risen,             Glorified and Victorious JESUS standing before me, try to dwell on His presence, His love…after a period of time imagine Jesus appearing to those on the road to         Emmaus; envision myself with them…During all these considerations interrupt silence only with the word Jesus…Lord Jesus…Jesus…Jesus…Jesus…

 

The fifth prayer word is Holy Spirit.

 

            Now Ponder and dwell on the prayer word H O L Y   S P I R I T

Holy Spirit… Come Holy Spirit ….Holy Spirit come….

            *Recall the last supper and the promise Jesus made to send the Holy Spirit.

            *Next, visualize that apostles in the Upper Room, afraid confused, doubting, arguing; then see them after the descent of the Holy Spirit, joyful, confident, believing, united, bold, spreading the Gospel.

            *Next, put myself in the presence of the Holy Spirit…pray to the Holy Spirit; make             myself aware that the sacraments, the scriptures and the spirit, the Holy           Spirit are the ways we go to the Father. Sin is the only thing standing in the way, the only thing cutting me off from God; try to stay in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

            During these thoughts continue to repeat…Holy Spirit,…Come Holy Spirit…Holy Spirit come…melt my hardened heart, mold me, make me new….renew me by Your         Spirit…Holy Spirit…Holy…Holy…Holy Spirit…Holy Spirit…