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Prayer — Are We Speaking to God as Friend or King?
Wisdom from St. Teresa of Avila
“The custom of speaking to God Almighty as freely as with a slave — caring nothing whether the words are suitable or not, but simply saying the first thing that comes to mind from being learnt by rote by frequent repetition — cannot be called prayer; God grant that no Christian may address Him in this manner” (St. Teresa of Avila)
“Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything.”(St. Teresa of Avila)
Introduction
One of my heroines of Catholic spirituality is St. Teresa of Avila. When I was training to be a Catechist, I was introduced to her by Fr. Tom Curan.
He gave me the book “The Book of Her Life” and invited me to join his book club — with fellow lay Carmelites.
Although I was never privileged to attend his class on Church History (due to his old age), I owe much of my prayer practice to him. For that I am grateful to God.
