Prayer Is Not Rocket Science

Easy Prayer for Hard Times

An excerpt from the book, "Letters" by Father John Corapi

There is no question that today there is a burning desire for prayer, even if at times the individual isn't necessarily conscious of it. The more troubled the times become, the more the soul yearns to pray.

The great Doctor of Prayer, St. Therese of Lisieux, tells us "for me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." Another great Doctor of the Church, St. Alphonsus Liguori, tells us "the man who prays is saved. The man who does not pray is not." Such is the blunt language of the saints. Prayer, in order to be effective and even at times very elevated, should not be a matter of "rocket science". It is most of all simple, humble, and trusting. It is in fact the prayer of a confident child to a loving father.

Despite the thirst for prayer and for knowledge concerning prayer, very few individuals have much if any understanding of even the most basic elements of the science of prayer. We might say, as the official from Queen Candace's court mention in Acts of the Apostles, "How can I [understand] unless someone teaches me?" (Acts 8:31)

Let's strive to learn the ways of prayer, then teach others by our example first, then by our words.

God bless you,
Fr. John Corapi, SOLT