by Sr Tamsin Mary Geach o.p.
Why do we want to pray? Prayer is at base the development of our relationship of Love with God. While I was preparing this talk I was given a firm reminder of my place in all this by a reading from the Divine Office:
‘Love of God is not something that can be taught. We did not learn from someone else how to rejoice in light or want to live, or to love our parents or guardians. It is the same – perhaps even more so – with our love for God: it does not come by another’s teaching. As soon as the living creature (that is, man) comes to be, a power of reason is implanted in us like a seed, containing within it the ability and the need to love. When the school of God’s law admits this power of reason, it cultivates it diligently, skilfully nurtures it, and with God’s help brings it to perfection.
For this reason, as by God’s gift, I find you with the zeal necessary to attain this end, and you on your part help me with your prayers
Read more: Prayer – the Spark of Divine Love