29th Sunday, C, 2007


Both the first reading and the Gospel tell us to keep at it, to pray continually, to call on God without stopping.

What is continuous prayer? How do we do it?

There is a Russian book called The Way of a Pilgrim
about a man who walks all over Russia searching for an answer to the question,
how does one pray constantly?

A monk teaches him to pray with the words:
‘Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.’

He prays these words all the time and becomes so accustomed to it that after a time he no longer has to make any effort
because the prayer flows in him of its own accord.
He finds this a wonderful experience.
I have tried it and found it a wonderful experience.
We can work, read or hold a conversation while the prayer flows deep within our being; we can call it to the surface and pronounce the words and than let it sink down again and to repeat itself continuously like the engine in the depth of a ship.
The words can be any prayer that appeals to us; the important thing is the repetition.
Verbal prayer keeps us in touch with God and draws us closer to heaven.

Meditative prayer can also be continuous.
When we give time exclusively to God every day
we get accustomed to the experience of being before God and we can remain before God throughout the day
even while working, walking, talking or doing anything.
That too is a wonderful experience.
Continuous prayer leads of course to a conversion of life.
Very slowly and gradually, our life changes direction, our interests change, our priorities change, and our temperament changes.
Peace creeps upon us and we feel wiser.
We want to be open and speak the truth. Continuous prayer leads to the knowledge of God and the experience of his love.

If you have not tried it I recommend it.