A Few Thoughts On Prayer
A Testimony
The following article is a testimony written by Thora Smith, a lay secular contemplative expressing some of her thoughts and personal experiences of prayer.
The Scottish Catholic Catechism describes prayer as “the raising up of the mind and heart to God”.
Very true — that is prayer.
But how to we pray?
There are many different ways of praying: the Office of the Church; meditation and praying of the Psalms; the Rosary and the ‘Our Father’. Ejaculatory prayers sometimes described as ‘darts to God, for example, ‘my Jesus’, ‘mercy’, ‘Mary help’ etc. and turning to God interiorly in the prayer of adoration.
We can use different forms of prayer during the day in the diverse situations we find ourselves. No prayer is wasted, whatever the circumstances or interior disadvantage.
Of course the greatest sources are the Mass, the sacraments, and the Word of God in scripture.
We can adapt these for our own personal prayer - a certain word or phrase that has penetrated our mind, heart and soul and deepened our realisation of who God is -
that great gift from Him to you.
Then there is Intercessory prayer — a prayer pleasing to God as when one is asked to pray for another’s intentions, a diligent response to that request is in fact ‘loving ones neighbour as oneself’ [Mt. 22:59]. Interceding for others is also a way of following Jesus, who interceded for His disciples [Jn. I7] and responded to the pleas of the blind, lepers and many others in need.
Many people can be in great suffering, physically or emotionally.
A Testimony
The following article is a testimony written by Thora Smith, a lay secular contemplative expressing some of her thoughts and personal experiences of prayer.
The Scottish Catholic Catechism describes prayer as “the raising up of the mind and heart to God”.
Very true — that is prayer.
But how to we pray?
There are many different ways of praying: the Office of the Church; meditation and praying of the Psalms; the Rosary and the ‘Our Father’. Ejaculatory prayers sometimes described as ‘darts to God, for example, ‘my Jesus’, ‘mercy’, ‘Mary help’ etc. and turning to God interiorly in the prayer of adoration.
We can use different forms of prayer during the day in the diverse situations we find ourselves. No prayer is wasted, whatever the circumstances or interior disadvantage.
Of course the greatest sources are the Mass, the sacraments, and the Word of God in scripture.
We can adapt these for our own personal prayer - a certain word or phrase that has penetrated our mind, heart and soul and deepened our realisation of who God is -
that great gift from Him to you.
Then there is Intercessory prayer — a prayer pleasing to God as when one is asked to pray for another’s intentions, a diligent response to that request is in fact ‘loving ones neighbour as oneself’ [Mt. 22:59]. Interceding for others is also a way of following Jesus, who interceded for His disciples [Jn. I7] and responded to the pleas of the blind, lepers and many others in need.
Many people can be in great suffering, physically or emotionally.
Is God Listening? Yes
Sometimes the answer is instantaneous, at other times we have to wait. So what can we do with all the suffering and heartache just now? Endeavour to take the Lord at His word, sincerely pray the way you feel drawn to. Try to be childlike and realise He knows best, even when it is difficult to understand. We have the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to help us.
Look at what Jesus went through.
Sometimes our pain may be so bad we become wordless.
When that happens to me I place myself either exteriorly or interiorly at the foot of the cross, at His feet - pondering on how Jesus dealt with people, situations and His own suffering.
To me this is contemplative prayer.
I hope some of these thoughts will help someone, as Jesus has done and still does for me.
Deo Gratias
Thora Smith
Spring 2010
Sometimes the answer is instantaneous, at other times we have to wait. So what can we do with all the suffering and heartache just now? Endeavour to take the Lord at His word, sincerely pray the way you feel drawn to. Try to be childlike and realise He knows best, even when it is difficult to understand. We have the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to help us.
Look at what Jesus went through.
Sometimes our pain may be so bad we become wordless.
When that happens to me I place myself either exteriorly or interiorly at the foot of the cross, at His feet - pondering on how Jesus dealt with people, situations and His own suffering.
To me this is contemplative prayer.
I hope some of these thoughts will help someone, as Jesus has done and still does for me.
Deo Gratias
Thora Smith
Spring 2010
Information to the Reader - Thora Smith
“I have run the race to the finish, I have kept the faith” 2 Tim 4: 7
Thora Smith was born in Buckie a costal town in the North East corner of Scotland.
Thora was a lay contemplative who worked and prayed within the ordinary circumstances of everyday life. A valued gift of Thora's was a penetrating insight into the spiritual and emotional needs of others.
Thora had many difficulties throughout her life; some battles she won whilst others were not so easy to overcome. Nontheless her qualities were recognised, she had loyal friends and was regarded with affection
and respect by many.
Above and through all Thora kept the Faith and run her personal race to the finish.
Thora died in January 2016
May she rest in the peace and joy of the Lord whom she loved and served to the end.
“I have run the race to the finish, I have kept the faith” 2 Tim 4: 7
Thora Smith was born in Buckie a costal town in the North East corner of Scotland.
Thora was a lay contemplative who worked and prayed within the ordinary circumstances of everyday life. A valued gift of Thora's was a penetrating insight into the spiritual and emotional needs of others.
Thora had many difficulties throughout her life; some battles she won whilst others were not so easy to overcome. Nontheless her qualities were recognised, she had loyal friends and was regarded with affection
and respect by many.
Above and through all Thora kept the Faith and run her personal race to the finish.
Thora died in January 2016
May she rest in the peace and joy of the Lord whom she loved and served to the end.
Diana May Cockburn
24 September 2016
24 September 2016