Prayer ~ Palms Down, Palms Up!

When I was in third grade, I coaxed my classmate, Mary, to come with me to church at noon recess. My plan was that we were going to visit Jesus and pray. Well, this is what we did. In the far left front section of the sanctuary was a side altar with a statue of the Blessed Mother. In front of the altar was a long metal table that held an abundance of colored glass votive holders with candles in each one. I had seen folks kneel in front of this table, light a candle, and bow their heads in prayer. So Mary and I, during this noon time pilgrimage, would do the same, and re-enact the prayer gestures observed from other devout pilgrims. So we knelt in front of the metal table with some of the candles flickering within the beautiful colored glass holders.  We then proceeded to light some candles, then more, and soon we had lit all the candles. We then folded our hands in prayer and bowed our heads.  However, we didn't pray any words since we weren't sure which prayers were the best ones to recite.

Within a few minutes we heard the church doors open and the sounds of rosary beads and keys jingling in the darkness of the church. Immediately our names were called and two soft voices asked what we were doing in church at this time? We turned and saw two Sisters looking at us with concern. We proceeded to tell them that we were here to pray to Jesus and lit the vigil lights like other people did. They asked if we had paid the ten cents for all the ones we lit. Pay?  Ten cents? Of course not.  I never noticed that part of the prayer ritual. Sure enough, they pointed to the small metal box under the table labeled - “10 ¢”!  So what could we do? Mary and I, without any hesitation, stood up and took a deep breath and proceeded to blow out each and every candle like a huge birthday cake.  

This Sunday’s gospel is the story in which the disciples want Jesus to teach them to pray. Certainly prayer is not kneeling in front of a table of colored lights, bowing your head, and folding your hands like we did in third grade. We just made the outward gestures, nothing more. However, prayer is much more than outward behaviors so others can see our piety. Prayer demands much more from us. Prayer truly costs – it costs everything from us.
Prayer actually is about conversion deep within, it is about transformation, it is a relationship of an ongoing conversation with God!  

As one author writes, prayer can be going to prayer, prayer can be saying prayers, but true prayer is becoming your prayer. I recall at one time a person came to me and said that she had been praying to be a saint. I asked her how she was going about it. She said that she went to the near-by chapel everyday and prayed ten Hail Marys, ten Our Fathers, and ten Glory Bes. So I asked the Dr. Phil question, “So how’s that workin’ for ya?”  She said it wasn’t. So I said to her, “Why not try meditating for 15 minutes just on the phrase, ‘Our Father,' and see what it does for your heart and how if it helps to transform you into a saint.” She turned and said, “Oh, that’s much too hard.” I said to her as she turned to wave me a good-bye – “What do you think becoming a saint is all about?”

Let us all pray that we not just go to prayer, or just say prayers, but truly become our prayer through God’s grace, mercy, and unconditional love.  So let us reflect on prayer through the words of author, Joyce Rupp: “Prayer is not a competition  not an experience of winning or of accumulating good feelings and great insights. Prayer is about ‘showing up’ with an open mind and heart, being willing and ready to grow and change.” 

Palms Down, Palms Up 

This is a very simple prayer meditation that can be done anywhere and anytime.

• Be seated. Close your eyes. Relax, but keep your back erect. If you need to stretch, do so.  Rest your hands on your knees with your palms down. Breathe deeply and slowly, inviting the Spirit of God in with each breath.

• Your hands, with the palms down, indicate your desire to turn over any concerns, worries, anxieties, fears to the God who loves you. Let any anxieties or anger come to mind and into your feelings.  Then, hand them over to God in a prayer like: “Loving God, I give you my worry about . . .” Whatever is weighing your spirit down, palms down, release it as if you were dropping the concern into God’s hands.  Let God take it and hold it gently for you. 

• When you have handed over each item to God, turn your hands palms up as a sign of your desire to receive from God.  Ask God for the graces you need right now that will help you to trust in God’s goodness.

• Finally, rest in God’s presence.  Listen.  Attend to God’s Spirit speaking from the depths of your heart.  If images or guidance come, well and good; if you find only calm silence, be content.