"So what's the secret? How does one respond to grace and establish a personal relationship with God? Well, you can ask Jesus into your life with a simple prayer of commitment such as the one below. Note that these words are not magical. If the sentiments expressed in the prayer do not exist in your heart, nothing will happen. However, if you truly desire God you will find Him. And when you find Him, you will know "the peace of God that surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7)."
That verse from Philippians is incomplete. It comes from producing action. Here is what is before Phil 4:7- Prayers!! But like the main issue of the article you have to truly live the life.
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by Prayer..................................
Action! Action! Action!
Let's Not Forget It Either!!
You’re >right about that verse and prayer. +Action.
God works through prayer. Prayer works for good in the world, the Church, families & ourselves. = Part of the Mystery of eternal God. +Action. God wants >doers of the word working in his vineyard.
The main purpose of prayer: “Is to give enough >quiet time to God so we can hear God talking to us.” I heard a Priest (from Africa) say that.
I was part of a pow-wow prayer (Rosary) after a daily Mass once. The Priest came back into the main Church where we were pow-wowing. The Priest waited until the pow-wow was over. (Here’s the reason, I called it a pow-wow prayer.)
The Priest said something like this, “You’re all praying too >fast. When you pray to God, you should be mentally quiet and pray >slow enough so God can talk to >you.
The Priest: God already knows all the prayers, what you want, what you need & of course: what you need from God is what you will get.
The Priest emphasized praying slowly so God can talk to you. The Priest spent a bit of time on proper prayer. And, stressed the importance of being mentally quiet. Just a few people there; most of them geezers&geezerettes & a couple of young-whippersnappers like me.
He did >NOT say anything about a ‘centering prayer’ as he spoke of the ‘good old Catholic’ prayers.
Since I brought it up: (In the same Church) I heard a Jesuit Priest (from New York City) say a ‘centering prayer’ >can be dangerous as it can open you up to the >darkness. = Referring to the devil or the thoughts you may have that are not Catholic.
There were a number of people having some ‘pow-wow’ prayers in that Church which were not >completely Catholic prayers.
Personally, I try to stick to the ‘good old Catholic’ prayers especially the ones with an indulgence.
I find that if I pray that famous >non-Catholic prayer SLOW enough, God will still speak to me: “Why me Lord?” = Through my conscience I hear, “Offer it up!” 1Peter4: 19, “As a result, those who suffer in accord with God’s will hand their souls over to a faithful creator as they do good.”
