What is Prayer - what is Language?

We pray. Daily, hourly, weekly. Perhaps when we "feel" like it, perhaps following a routine. Perhaps we pray even as we say I love you to family, or when we pay taxes. I don't know. I am not the arbiter of prayer.

I have not been assigned a station to administer to and watch over people's prayer habits. No one comes up to me and says, "Pat. My praying. Is it going okay?" No, I do not have this task before me, where I can know, assess, and adjudicate in the matter of peoples' prayer.

You should not be surprised to know how little is under my purveyance or control. Almost all the issues I deal with are pretty ordinary - work matters, family concerns, etc. In fact, I cannot surprise you with what I control. All I can do is say what I do. Really, that is all I can do. And even then, I am bound to color how I handle things.

So, I will say, I pray. I pray for three reasons. Because I want to pray. Because Jesus told us to. And because, well, I need to pray. I need help. I need to be understood: forgiven for my terrible failings, and supported in my hopes and ambitions (many of which of course are failings in themselves).

I do not know how not to pray, except I suppose if I were to forget to pray, but even that circumstance would likely be brought about by some kind of extreme emotional condition which, in itself, could serve as prayer. And death is certainly no barrier to prayer. Along with the Little Rose, I look forward to praying in heaven for all the sorts of things I pray for now. Family, my parish, and the souls in purgatory, especially.

I do not believe that there is any one life that is absent prayer.

I do not believe that anyone believes in prayer in the same way one might choose this or that philosophy or way of life.

I believe that prayer in an inherent practice. Not quite breathing - but perhaps, not quite critical thought. Ha. I believe prayer preceded the human condition and will supersede it.

What is language? It is what comes from prayer.