09-10-24 Unlock Rahasia Doa: Bicara dengan Tuhan Seperti Teman

Wednesday 27th week in ordinary time "Lk 11:1-4" He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation." When we speak to a particular person amongst a group of people we pronounce their name; a mother at table with several of her children will say, '_Mike, how was your day?_' or '_Sarah, how was your exam?_' Our Lord's lesson is very clear: when you talk to God, say "_Father_". We are to talk to God as children to their father. How simple is that?! Even a baby can do it! Ever since that day no human being can say, honestly: '_I don't know how to pray_.' It would be like saying, '_I don't know how to talk to my father or my mother_.' Who taught you to talk to your mum and dad? Have you ever seen an advertisement: "_Now you can learn to talk to your dad. With our method, even you can!_"? Nonsense. You may not know how to talk in public or how to address the Pope or the King, but you certainly know how to talk to your dad. You don't need an appointment to talk to him (neither with your Father God). You don't need to introduce yourself or to be introduced. You don't need a special vocabulary to talk to your mother; you do it in your 'mother tongue' (as with your Father). You don't need long speeches. Think of a baby: sometimes just a word will do. The baby says '_wa-ha_' and mum gives him water. Sometimes you don't even need words. When there is good mutual knowledge, a gesture, a look can communicate enough. Your Father God loves those conversations. He loves your prayer, your words, your requests, your complaints, your apologies, your looks, your visits, your time... He loves you so much! So, don't say that you don't know how to pray. That doesn't wash. "_You say that you don't know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and once you have said, 'Lord, I don't know how to pray!' rest assured that you have begun to do so_" (St Josemaría). Mary, Master of prayer, teach me to talk to my Father God.