Step #1: Lectio / ReadMatthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” Step #2: Meditatio / MeditateSo you like Carpe Verbum, huh? Good. We hope it's helping you to maintain a committed daily prayer life in relationship with the Lord. The first step in developing this kind of prayer life is carving out the time and just doing it. It doesn't matter a whole lot what you do, as long as you pray. But today let's reflect on the nature of your prayer time. Is your prayer just another task, or is it a personal encounter with the living God? Do you read Carpe Verbum every day, or do you pray it? Do you do your prayer time, or do you enter into it? Do you merely reflect in your head, or do you speak to the Lord? I think the potential risk of something like Carpe Verbum is that we can easily go through the motions of just reading each day's reflection without truly entering into an intimate and heartfelt encounter with the Lord. Today Jesus tells us, "When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret." When you pray, do you go to the inner room of your heart, close the door, and have a secret rendezvous with the Lord? We know that God has chosen to make His dwelling in us. In reading the works of saints, many talk about setting up a little place for the Lord in their hearts. Like creating a little adoration chapel inside yourself where you can visit Him any time you want. A deeply private and personal place where only you and He ever enter. Your inner room. How do we make this inner room in our hearts for Jesus? Personally, I like to close my eyes, relax and steady my breathing. It helps me to imagine that inner room being deep in my chest or in the center of me. It's a place where there's no sound, and time slows to a stop. I enter my inner room, and then I simply wait for Him in silence. No time, no expectations, just waiting. When I sense the Lord joining me in my inner room, I speak with Him there. Sometimes with words, often times without. Most of all, I soak up every ounce of His presence that I can. I open my heart to receive His joy and His peace. I try to let Him move my heart and mind in any direction He desires. Many times it feels like He doesn't join me there at all. Other times it feels like He's there, but I don't know what He's saying to me or what He wants of me. Nevertheless, I stay there as long as I can, especially when I become bored or uncomfortable. Because who cares how I feel? I'm with the Lord. Maybe that sounds really cheesy to you. Cool. I'm just sharing with you how I do it. Unfortunately, in all honesty, I don't always go to my inner room when I pray. I don't know about you, but sometimes I just check the task of prayer off my list for that day so later on I don't feel guilty about not doing it. Where's your inner room? How do you get there? What's the not-so-cheesy way you try to encounter the Lord in your prayer? Resolve to take the next step in your prayer life. Ask the Lord to transform your prayer from a daily task to a living encounter with Himself. Step #3: Oratio / Pray"When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret." What is prayer to you: a daily task or a living encounter with the Lord? Do you have an inner room? How do you get there during your prayer time? Talk to Jesus about your desire to really and truly encounter His living presence in prayer. Ask for His help and grace to enrich and deepen your prayer life and your relationship with Him. Step #4: Contemplatio / ContemplateGo to your inner room. For the rest of Your Day...Frequently return to your inner room throughout the day. You don't have to go there for long. Even a few seconds at a time will do. Smartphone Lock SCreen Today's prayer was prepared by Dan Wolff.
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