Prayer: Are you closer to God?

Reflections on John 16:5-15

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into the truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine, this is why I said, “The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.” John 16:13-15

Do the prayers you pray, draw you closer to God or away from God? I am sure this statement is causing many who are reading these words today, to scratch your head. It did me when I first heard this statement. Questions arise, isn’t all prayer suppose to draw a person closer to God? The answer is, yes; but does it?

Years ago I discovered that I was trained in ministry well, to study God’s word to share with others to change their lives. I visited people who were struggling with spiritual issues, many were not members of my congregation, but many were. People said thank you for being there when I needed to feel Jesus’ presence in my life. But I had discovered that I didn’t know how to move a person closer to God’s presence. Until I studied spiritual direction and heard the words of St. Ignatius, “In prayer, the Spirit either moves you closer to God or away from God.” This was perplexing to me and all in the class because prayer is suppose to bring you closer to God. Yes, but what do your prayers say?

I once was with a person who needed more money because employment possibilities were scarce. They prayed with much zeal for a million dollars, said amen, and moved five feet to the left. After a short time, the person started yelling, “God doesn’t answer prayer!” I asked why they moved five feet away from where they were standing, they said “I didn’t what to be crush when the million dropped from the sky.” I smiled and mentioned that God probably didn’t see you needed that amount of money, but wants you to help others with the finances you have now. The point is do our prayers move us closer to God?

Jesus mentions to his disciples that the Spirit moves a person closer to God when our prayers glorify God. The Spirit will give us clues to the direction we are moving in life when we focus on the concerns that concern God, which draws all people in the love He has for everyone. Are we asking God for help to better ourselves or to bring others to His loving arms? In helping others to understand God’s love for them; we are drawn closer to God’s loving heart.

So the next time you pray, keep in mind, will this prayer help others or just me? Is the prayer that I offered, bringing understanding to a person who is seeking God’s presence? Am I selfish in my prayers or furthering God’s kingdom by understanding His gracious love? When we answer questions like these, we can determine if we are closer to God or not.

Dear Lord, you have loved me so much that you gave your life for me. Keep me in your Spirit, so I can give my life to others. Not in the way of physical death, but in walking with them to glorify your name. Amen.