Spring 2013: Prayer and Spiritual Health

Article by Sr. Therese Marie, SJW

There is a great emphasis today on being healthy. But how much attention is given to one’s spiritual health?  Man, created in the image and likeness of God, is destined for communion with God.  That communion begins now through prayer - “an encounter between my intimate self and God.” (His Holiness Benedict XVI)  Fr. John Hardon, SJ said we need to pray “Because God is God.  He wants us to recognize Him for who He is.  He wants us to adore Him in sentiments of admiration and praise,” and because “We are we! We have been destined for heaven, but heaven is not natural to anyone, except God.”  We need grace, which is supernatural, in order to live God’s life and go to heaven.  But God usually only gives grace to those who ask for it.  “No prayer, no salvation.”  Spiritually healthy people possess God’s grace and desire to grow in their relationship with God.

True prayer comes from the heart and is “the life of the new heart.  It ought to animate us at every moment.”  (CCC # 2697)  “We must remember God more often than we draw breath.” (St. Gregory of Nazianzus)  We must have the intention to pray, to speak to God and be attentive to Him.  St. Joseph is a beautiful model of prayer, especially contemplative prayer. Joseph lived in the presence of God night and day.  He gazed into the eyes of the Child Jesus and lovingly held Him in his arms.  He had the privilege to converse with Him each day as they worked together in the carpenter’s shop.  As he watched Jesus grow into manhood, like Mary, he “pondered these things in his heart.”  His prayerful interior silence can teach us how to enjoy the Divine Presence, and how to enter into contemplation while engaged in work.

C.S. Lewis said, “Prayer doesn’t change God.  It changes me.”  It allows me to see myself as God sees me.  It gives me the strength and humility to surrender to God and allow Him to transform my inner self and keep me spiritually healthy.  Have you spoken to the Divine Physician today?  If your day is hemmed in with prayer, it is less likely to come unraveled.

Sr. Therese Marie taught elementary school for 27 years. She is currently the Mistress of Novices.