"I am His Temple" Mother M. Angelica

There are many kinds and ways of prayer, and I use them all at different times and stages in my life of union with God, because-Sometimes I talk to God as a friend speaks to a friend, and that's conversational prayer. Sometimes I memorize a prayer and repeat it over and over to discipline my mind, and that's formal prayer. Sometimes I talk out loud and praise His Name in word and song, and that's vocal prayer. Sometimes I think of an incident in the life of Jesus and imagine myself there at the time it happened, and that's mental prayer. Somtimes I am distraught and in such desolation of soul that I merely cry out, "God help me," and that's the prayer of anguish. Sometimes I am so cold and in such darkness that I merely look to Heaven and plead for light, and that's the prayer of faith. Sometimes I am perplexed by suffering and pain, and without comfort, and I cry out "Thy Will be done," and that's the prayer of resignation. Sometimes I feel such a failure after so many attempts to improve, but I look to God who alone can make me holy, and that's the prayer of humility. Sometimes I pray the prayers of the Church, in communion with my neighbor, and that's the prayer of the Liturgy. Sometimes I feel like all is lost, but I look up to God and say, "I put my trust in You," and that's the prayer of hope. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with joy, and I whisper, "Thank You, God," and that's the prayer of gratitude. Sometimes I am aware of His Divine Presence in the depths of my soul- something unseen yet almost tangible- and that's the prayer of understanding awareness. And then...Sometimes the awareness of His Presence covers me with a mantle of serenity, and that's the prayer of loving attention. All these kinds of prayer are enhanced by the Gift of Understanding. It leads me to the heights of prayer, where my soul never leaves the Presence of its Beloved.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, give me an increase of the Gift of Understanding, that I may penetrate the Mysteries of God and understand the length and breadth of His Love for me.