Prayer

No Greater Love August 25: On Prayer

//**1. "I don't think there is anyone who needs God's help and grace as much as I do." How do you react to this statement from Mother Teresa?**//

//**2. In her discussion on the connection of love with prayer, what impacted you?**//

//**3. Compare her description of mental prayer with how you currently pray.**//

//**4. What do you do with silence?**//

//**5. What was your favorite part of this chapter?**//

1. At first glance, I thought "ya right, you are a saint, you are as close to being like Jesus as anyone I have ever learned about" Then I read the rest of the chapter and realized that only because Mother Teresa knew herself through prayer, was she able to be so Christ like in her love for even the dregs in the streets of Calcutta.

2. She makes it easy to understand: only through prayer do you learn love...that you are first loved by God and realizing this, you are able to love others. She says it over and over again and it never changes...love others as I (God) love you. She is a modern day Gospel.

3. Prayer in church on Sunday is usually a quick effort to get in all the bad things I need forgiveness for...it is hurried and the list never ends. I notice that especially when I am in the car by myself, I get a little closer to being quiet. I often wonder what it would be like to make time to be really silent...including my mind. ..to be in a place alone where I don't feel like others are looking at me... Inspite of my poor attempts at prayer, God does manage to break into my heart.and mind..to calm them

and give me direction. He sends people into my life that I learn from and help me realize that it is for my benefit that I love others, even when it is hard

4. Silence is wonderful especially if I am alone. Silence in a prayer group is more difficult as I always feel I must say something. But in real silence I do get close to being open to God's words. Sometimes I sense being in a conversation with Him. Sometimes I start humming a hymn like "In the Garden" and I do think He walks with me and talks with me and really does tell me I am His own. Really...no kidding

5. The simplicity of listening to God. To become childlike in trust and expectation in how God is always there. And that He doesn't expect me to become some Super Miracle Worker...but only to work in my space with great love. With Him, I think I can manage to at least try that.