The Narrow road – A Journey

I came across this question recently, why do catholics depend on structured or pre-written prayers. Do we think that a ‘Our Father’ and a ‘Hail Mary’ suffice the need of every situation. If yes can you explain how these prayers help during death or birth or like. We dont know to pray like our non-catholic bretheren do. Their prayers are customised to situations.

The question does not really hold great significance, but is capable enough to make one think. Is catholic dependent on just these few prayers. Lets see.

I appreciate surely those christians who are able to pray ‘on spot’. Infact, I surely agree that it makes a lot of sense to pray like that. Now, what about those who struggle to pray as such.

I think our god clearly understands human weakness. As he has blessed some of us to pray instantly, for others, he taught us how to pray. When his disciples asked him “Master how do we pray”, he did not simply ask them to talk their heart out but taught them how to pray. Can anyone say the prayer our Saviour taught is not a complete prayer. Can this prayer be used in any situation. The answer is ‘YES’.

So does our church believe, when it is excellent that one can pray on own, we cannot completly disregard the beauty of these composed prayers. Afterall they are directly taken from the bible, arent they?

I went for confession last christmas time, as a part of preparation for the coming of Christ. Well, I ended up crying while confessing and telling the priest how I felt at certain times. I always wait for the consultation part, because that is so consoling.

I was quiet surprised by what the priest told me. He did not give me ways to escape my pain, instead asked me to bear it. He made me think and to this day it keeps me thinking and keeps me strong when I come across a bad situation.

I am going to share the secret, you might just happen to find this useful. He said, “Jesus did so much when he was on this earth. He preached the good news, healed people, he bore everything a human bears, he chose poverty. Such an awesome God he is. But what did he get in return, reproach, betrayal, denial and finally the cross. So Jesus calls us to be like him, when overcome with pain – pray for those who trouble you, forgive again and again. Our little burdens in life are our little crosses. We should not cry nor give up. Stop cribbing. Instead be happy that you are getting to bear them to ‘BE LIKE HIM’ “

The priest was so right. Today I feel very tired bearing the pain but I can still walk up as if I were strong because Jesus is my refuge and my strength. Amen.