Adoration

“My Lord and my God.”

Adoration of the Name of the Lord (Francisco Goya)

There are different ways that we can pray.  Sometimes, my prayer is a petition.  Here I pray for an intention of mine or someone else’s.  I might ask for healing or health or money or work.  I might ask that my children behave in a certain way or that I am stronger in another way.  These prayers can be formal or informal – they could be through prayers where the words are provided to me – the Hail Mary, Our Father, Sacraments, or other formal prayers.  I might pray these in community with others, for example in Holy Mass, or alone – driving in my car and reciting Rosaries to pass the time and speak to my Heavenly Mother, asking her to intercede for me.

Other times, the prayers may be informal.  I might just open my heart to God and allow Him to speak to me.  Here He may choose to inspire me so that I finish this informal reflection feeling rejuvenated, and other times, He may not speak to me at all and I might leave the time of prayer feeling that my God has not inspired me yet.  But still that is prayer – just as I can love my child and cover them at night even when they are sleeping and unaware of my presence.

And then there is adoration.  I consider adoration the highest form of prayer.  During adoration, I simply place myself in the presence of God and adore Him.  I consider Him in His Infinity and I do not say anything – for what could a soul like me ever say to God Himself.  I do not think anything – for what could a soul like mine ever think that could be pleasing to God.

Instead, I just empty my heart and mind to allow God to enter them.

My father tells me that when he was a schoolboy, the priest who taught them Religion told the schoolboys that when the Eucharist was lifted High during the Consecration, they should pray, “My Lord and my God.”

And in many ways, this is the prayer of adoration.  God already knows everything that I could ever say.  And there is a moment – in every single day – when we are called to simply reflect on the magnanimity of God.  And in that moment, I cannot impress God with flowery words.  If I were mute, it would make no difference to my Beloved.  All He wants from me is to know that I love Him with whatever love there is in my heart.  And my love is so imperfect that even when I pray and when I am overcome by the great magnificence of my Beloved – even then – I am still sinful.

And so, today – knowing the weakness of my own soul – I pray the prayer of my father in his boyhood, and I say, “My Lord and my God.”

And I adore Him…  “My Lord and my God.”

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.