Prayer, when it is spontaneous and free, has a sort of continuous quality about it. Paul said, "pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 15:17)," and I think that sums up very well the kind of spontaneous prayers that keep Christians in constant communion with God, ranging from, "God please help me," to praising God for the beauty of a sunrise that paints the morning sky on our way to work.
That kind of prayer is, I think, the first and most natural way that we learn how to pray, as Christians. It is certainly the easiest, but there is so much more to explore, a vast treasury of prayer that unites Christians across the spectrum of time and place, prayer that Christ himself learned from, which gradually can teach us to articulate our own, more spontaneous prayers in ways that we otherwise would not be able to do.
As a pastor, I find that, when I pray "off the cuff," my prayers tend to follow a certain pattern, and I find that I often say certain things and pray in a sort of pattern. However, by following a more structured, liturgical form of daily prayer, my own "free" prayer has begun to grow in its depth of expression so that I am learning that there is a need for both kinds of prayer: structured as well as free.
I refer to the Psalter, which is a cycle of praying through the psalms, along with other readings from Holy Scripture and devotional texts. When I first began ordained ministry, I was blessed by a priest friend with a copy of the Liturgy of the Hours, and was instructed by him in its use. Immediately, I saw what an amazing resource this was, whether or not one is Catholic, and but over the years, as I have explored other written prayer resources, my observance of the divine office has grown rather slim.
As Lent began, therefore, I once again committed myself to daily prayer, using the Liturgy of the Hours. Perhaps one day I will have the discipline to pray all seven of the hours, uniting my spirit with the Psalmist, who said "Seven times a day I praise you (Ps. 119:164)." Right now, however, I am enjoying the inspiration and satisfaction of "going to church" every morning and evening with the Liturgy of the Hours.
Coincidentally, the devotional reading for Friday was precisely for me, at this stage of my journey in Lent. I will include it here for you:
"From a homily by Saint John Chrysostom
"Prayer and converse with God is a partnership and union with God. As the eyes of the body are enlightened when they see light, so our spirit, when it is intent on God, is illumined by his infinite light. I do not mean the prayer of outward observance but prayer from the heart, not confined to fixed but continuous through the day and night.
"Our spirit should be quick to reach out toward God, not only when it is engaged in meditation; at other times also, when it is carrying out its duties, caring for the needy, performing works of charity, giving generously in the service of others, our spirit should long for God and call him to mind, so that these works may be seasoned with the salt of God's love, and so make a palatable offering to the Lord of the universe. Throughout the whole of our lives we may enjoy the benefit that comes from prayer if we devote a great deal of time to it.
"Prayer is the light of the spirit, true knowledge of God, mediating between God and man. The spirit, raised up to heaven by prayer, clings to God with the utmost tenderness; like a child crying tearfully for its mother, it craves the milk that God provides. It seeks the satisfaction of its own desires, and receives gifts outweighing the whole world of nature.
"Prayer stands before God as an honored ambassador. It gives joy to the spirit, peace to the heart. I speak of prayer, not words. It is the longing for God, love too deep for words, a gift not given by man but by God's grace. The apostle Paul says: We do not know how we are to pray but the Spirit himself pleads for us with inexpressible longings.
"When the Lord gives this kind of prayer to a man, he gives him riches that cannot be taken away, heavenly food that satisfies the spirit. One who tastes this food is set on fire with an eternal longing for the Lord: his spirit burns as in a fire of the utmost intensity.
"Practice prayer from the beginning. Paint your house with the colors of modesty and humility. Make it radiant with the light of justice. Decorate it with the finest gold leaf of good deeds. Adorn it with the walls and stones of faith and generosity. Crown it with the pinnacle of prayer. In this way you will make it a perfect dwelling place for the Lord. You will be able to receive him as in a splendid palace, and through his grace you will already possess him, his image enthroned in the temple of your spirit."
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