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5) Giving in to our
feelings or emotions. This is the reaction opposite to denial
but with a similar outcome. We might think that our feelings are
unavoidable, that we cannot control them. Thus we give in, letting
ourselves be driven by our emotions and feelings. We do not even
pray over them, when actually feelings are the primary object of
prayer. We can have control over our feelings. It is true that we
can only control a feeling with another feeling. Through prayer
and a close communication with the Spirit we have a whole new
emotional dimension to our lives. God's love, the dignity, needs,
aspirations of our brothers and sisters around us should elicit in
our hearts, influenced by the Spirit, new feelings, new energy,
providing us with the power to face and control the old ones. This
process is not easy, but it is certainly possible.
The first step in this
new direction is hoping we can become emotionally free. God talks
to the heart and brings out in us new feelings and emotions. We
follow Christ with our hearts too, and Christ's friendship becomes
a strength that makes it possible to love our brothers and sisters
with an unwavering love. In fact, God's love opens wider and
richer horizons to our lives than all the love stories and
seduction of the natural world.
6) Not questioning
our ideas and criteria. Another obstacle to prayer is to
assume that our ideas and criteria are as solid as rock and should
not be questioned, when in fact these ideas and criteria are often
coloured by ignorance, prejudice and one sided influences. We
should be sufficiently humble and trusting of God's wisdom to
allow Him to question us, discussing the issues with others and
eventually changing our own ideas and criteria.
7) Not questioning
our relationships. Another object of prayer is the people with
whom we associate, our friends and the loyalty we owe them. It can
happen that we have allowed our friend to have total control over
our heart and do not like to question in front of God the special
character of this relationship, thinking that anything less than
total giving of self, any questioning of our fidelity, is a
betrayal of friendship.
Only God loves us
enough to deserve the total control of our hearts. We are often
hurt and robbed of our dignity when we allow a mere human to
control us, to become the lord of our hearts.
God wants us to love each other out of spiritual power, not need.
He wants us to choose freely whom we love, always maintaining the
final control over our friendships. Only then can we come closer,
communicate or step back under the light of God's Spirit. He
inspires and empowers us in our relationships. These relationships
with our loved ones, in the apostolate or in our leisure, should
always be the object of prayer in our communication with God. Our
best friend is God Himself. He is the one who knows us and will
protect our vocation and dignity especially when we become deeply
involved in friendship and love.
There are other
obstacles, many more, but these seem to be the most common ones
among our young people. How do we help them overcome these
obstacles? We can use the preparatory talks, the opening session,
the long exhortations, as well as the short introductions before
each meditation or in spiritual direction ? When we become
familiar with these obstacles our presence among them will be real
and concrete. Then we will be "prayer companions" who can help
them in the ways of faith and intimacy with the living God.
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