Devoting Time to God

The lack of true friendship with God is the source of all sins. Temptations attack us at the very heart of our faith, because the evil one knows that if we have no friendship with God we are spiritually weakened, vulnerable, and frail.

It is for this reason that the catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that when we are in communion with God it is impossible to sin. When we love someone, we look for time to be with that person. Your time together even becomes a moment of enthusiasm and delight.

What to do during the time devoted to God?

The first part of this meditation showed us the need to devote time to God, especially through prayerful reading, the Lectio Divina. In the spirituality of the Incarnation, this prayer can be done in a special way. For example, Lk 12:35-38: “Be ready to welcome Jesus.” Pray, for instance, in this way: ‘Lord, am I ready to meet you? If you called me today, would I be glad to meet you? I am sure, Lord, that the answer is “no,” because lately I have done this thing that did not please you. Forgive me. If you came today I would not be ready, because since that time I have not gone to confession. Lord, I really must go to confession. I will go this morning, tomorrow, or on Saturday. But moreover, Lord, even if I went to confession, I have such-and-such a trait that you do not like, and I cannot manage to change it; Lord, help me, I am weak. Grant that I may be ready—not only I, but my husband, my wife, my children. What can I do to help them be ready to receive you?’ (reflect for a moment): ‘What do you want me to do, Lord?’ Weigh the ideas that come to mind and that can help me lead my family to be ready to welcome Jesus. So in the conversation, speak to Jesus about everything—temptations, angers, or grievances against those who have annoyed or disappointed you—plead, ask, praise, put questions to him. Sometimes write your prayer in a prayer notebook.

The heart of my meditation, or of this time of prayer, can be summed up as “being ready to meet the Lord.” A resolution to go to confession and to help others also be ready to welcome the Lord. To remind myself regularly of this Word of God, in particular at every important moment of the day—meals, the Angelus, going out and coming into the house. During the day, to act so that if Jesus came, he would find me working well. Not to forget that the essence of my holiness consists in living this out today. In the evening during prayer (or at the next gathering if it is the following day), to ask myself whether I have been ready all day to welcome Jesus, whether I have gone to confession or planned to go, or whether I have helped others welcome Jesus. If not, for what reason? To ask forgiveness. If there were moments in which I was truly aware of Jesus’ request to be ready, to thank him for having given me this grace, and also for the forgiveness granted in confession if I made it.

The same attitude can be adopted with notes taken at retreats, at homilies, with old prayer cards, or the reading of the lives of the saints. Choose for prayer the meditation or the teaching that you believe will be of great help to you at that particular moment. The prayerful reading of your prayer notebook and of your testimonies of the Word lived out can also help you to pray. In every case, the use of the Word of God is the best means of progressing in prayer.

When we keep the Word and live it, the testimonies of the Word lived out fill our life. An example of the Word lived out: when have you been ready to welcome Jesus and to act accordingly? “When I served the meal, my husband was not pleased; he did not appreciate the food, even though I had done everything to make my cooking a success and to please him. I wanted to say harsh words to him—about never appreciating my efforts. I remembered that if Jesus came at that moment and found me quarreling with my husband, he would not be pleased with me. So I no longer grew angry; in the name of Jesus I instead promised my husband to do better” (and vice versa for men). So praise God for this action. Note it as a testimony in your notebook, otherwise it is more likely to be forgotten. As a couple, share often the spiritual lights, the testimonies, and the difficulties of prayer. Be faithful to this time devoted each day to God. Teach others this kind of meditative prayer, for it transforms and makes saints. The world needs men and women who pray. Begin, and be faithful to true prayer. What time do you devote to God, alone with him alone, each day?

Henri Bayemi