The ideal, of course, is to pray our prayers from the heart at all times and in all circumstances.
In our best moments, we can do this and should do this. But, to paraphrase Pascal, “Let us not think that we can do always that which we can only do sometimes.” We are subject to what C. S. Lewis called the “Law of Undulation.” Our existence is made up of peaks and troughs.
During our best moments-the peak of the cycle-we can pray right and pray well. During our un-best moments-in the trough of the cycle-we find it difficult to even pray at all.
Invariably, while in the trough, I think, “What if this trough turns out be an inordinately long period of time?”
Might I, by not praying, add time to the trough? And, how can I pray without words? And might I, during those times, use another’s words?
Filed under: Prayer
…And the Spirit prays for us when we don’t know what to say.
Good thing, remember in one of Prof Lewis’s books (I’m thinking Screwtape) expert’s prayers were “silent” I’m not sure I get it completely but there is a certain charm to just shutting up and basking…
Vic…