As Advent moves steadily toward our celebration of the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior, let us ponder some insights on prayer from St. Augustine.

“Amongst other Augustine concepts that pervade our culture are:

         Understanding God as a deep inner presence.

         Grace as an interior help.

Free will as a faculty uninhibited by external coercion as an integral feature of our soul.

The claim that words and gestures are signs that express our souls and personalities….

The view that each one of us is an “I” in search of a relationship with God, the only “You” who can satiate the soul.”

[St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer, p.4]

“… prayer can be compared to ‘the breath of the soul.  It is like incense, which rises to the holy altar.  There is no perfume more fragrant.  This life is for praying, (while) in heaven there will be no praying, only praising.’”  [Ibid., p.7]

 

“More than presenting God with a wish list of what we want from him, prayer is God’s means to prepare our souls for what he wants to give us.”  [Ibid., p.7]

Today spend a few minutes reflecting on your prayer life.

May God Be Praised!