"I don't think about whether people will remember me or not."

"I've been an o.k. person. I've learned a lot. I've taught people a thing or two."

This post is a reflection on Module 5 of the Community of Hope handbook: Prayer Christian Meditation and Silence.

I don't know if it was planned or not, but this lesson of our class came at a time that coincided with what Jesus was talking about each Sunday in the Gospel. I believe the Gospels for the weeks before, during, and after all involved prayer and how we are to go about doing it. I enjoyed listening and learning about what is considered right and not so right about our personal prayer lives and it made me think about mine, and how I may deepen it and therefore deepen my relationship with God. I also was again reminded that prayer is not simply kneeling down and with a preset list of things you would like to ask God for. God is not simply a Santa Claus that you can talk to year round. Yes, God would love to hear about your needs and problems, what you’re struggling with, and any and all sins you would like to repent for(and even those you don’t want to repent for). I am not saying God cannot be a Santa Claus type role sometimes, but it would be a shame, dare I say almost a sin, to limit Him/Her in such a way.

When I think about what prayer is, I usually don’t think about it so much as prayer in conventional terms like those mentioned above. My definition of prayer is a continuous conversation with God. Even though it is short, I think it means a lot. A least to me it does. The element of it being a conversation helps me remember the reality of it; the fact that even though God is more powerful than I or anyone else could ever imagine, it does not mean we are not worthy of conversation. Thinking of similarities in my mind, I often know that world leaders, movie stars, or CEOs of large companies rarely seem to take time to just have a conversation with someone. For me it brings the reality and truth that God is metaphorically always sitting at a Starbucks with coffee for both of us ready to talk about whatever I want.I am also reminded of this when I go to church on Sunday, and the first the priest usually says is something to the effect of “The Holy Eucharist continues on page 355 of the Book of Common Prayer.” This reminds us that it is not a one time a week thing, that Jesus does not come and go as we please. He is always there, never ceasing to live in us, die for us, and rise again for us. And that, to me, is very powerful and gratifying. And if He can do that for me, surely I can make an effort to try and talk to Him often.

"That's what's important."