Prayer As Supplication Jesus compels us to seek the pearl of great value, to pursue it regardless of cost.
No price is too high to pay for this pearl; this ‘pearl’ is worth everything to us. But are we too afraid of what the price may be? Are we hesitant to ask God to help us secure it? Or are we just too distracted by busy lives, maybe too self-centred, or perhaps even too stubborn to ask God for help to attain this pearl of eternal life? Asking for God’s help is prayer of supplication which the dictionary says is asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly. Historians tell us it is likely the first word uttered by our early ancestors. But it seems some are just as uncomfortable with this mode of prayer as they are with prayers of confession. Some claim they find it easy to pray for other people, but think it is selfish to ask God for anything for themselves. However, King Solomon certainly does! In a prayer of supplication, he asks, “[God,] Give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people.” We might also remember what Jesus told us, “Ask, and the door will be opened.” Richard J. Foster is a celebrated Christian writer from the 70s, 80s and 90s. In 1978, his first book, Celebration of Discipline: the Path to Spiritual Growth, took Christian readership by storm, and became, and still is, a remarkable, classic guide to personal spiritual development. In 1992, he followed it with, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home. Richard greatly expands on the ‘prayer of supplication’ from three various, detailed options and perspectives: 1.) Moving Inward or Seeking the transformation we need, e.g. the Prayer of Examen, 2.) Moving Upward or Seeking the intimacy with God which we need e.g. Meditation and Contemplation, and 3.) Moving Outward or Seeking the ministry to others we need e.g. Prayers of Healing. Clearly, the prayer in which we appeal to God for help in its various forms is more varied and complex than we realize. Part 3 even illustrates how we can ask God to help us to help others! Richard does warn us, “To focus so much on the ‘self’ can lead to selfishness … rationalizing and manipulating our experiences, so we hear only what we want to hear … so consumed with ourselves we totally lose sight of God altogether.” But he also points out, “though there are dangers on the way, we are still on the right road”, because, “In the beginning of our lives we are indeed the subject and centre of our prayers. But in God’s time and in God’s way … We [can] pass from thinking of God as part of our life, to the realization that we are part of his life.” A ‘Prayer of Supplication’ in the form of the Greatest Prayer of Supplication, “The Lord’s Prayer”, derived from: Richard J. Foster’s, prayer from: ‘Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home’. Dear Father, I do not want to entreat you like a child does Santa Claus, but I do need to ask you for things – things I need, not want. Give me, please, food to eat today. I will not ask for tomorrow, as you know what is best for me. Please forgive me for the infinite offenses to your goodness which I have committed today … even in this hour, … most of which I am not even aware of. I live far too unaware. That in itself is a sin against heaven. For this I am deeply sorry. Please, increase my awareness. And in my ignorance, if I have asked for things which would only be destructive, please do not give them to me – do not allow me to be tempted. And please protect me from the evil one. I ask this, in your Son’s name, Jesus Christ. Amen. Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Pastor Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Parish Saugeen Shores, Ontario
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Rev. Fr. Christopher Tracey
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