About Prayer (15)

A priest observed a woman sitting in the empty church with her head in her hands.
An hour passed. Then two. Still she was there.
Judging her to be a soul in distress, and eager to be of assistance, he went up to the woman and said, "Is there anyway I can be of help?"
"No, thank you, Father," she said, "I've been getting all the help I need."

Until you interrupted!

Anthony de Mello

About Prayer (14)

They had made it their custom to invite their pious aunt to go with them on their picnic each year. This year they forgot. When the invitation did come at the last minute, she said, "It's too late now. I've already prayed for rain."

Anthony de Mello

About Prayer (13)

So intolerable had Hitler's persecution of the Jews become that two Jews decided to assassinate him. They mounted guard, their guns at the ready, at a spot by which they knew the Fuehrer was to pass. He was long in coming and a horrible thought occurred to Samuel. "Joshua," he said, "say a prayer that nothing's happened to the man!"

Anthony de Mello

About Prayer (12)

Of prayers and pray-ers

Grandmother: "Do you say your prayers every night?"
Grandson: "Oh, yes!"
Grandmother: "And every morning?"
Grandson: "No. I'm not scared in the daytime."

Anthony de Mello

About Prayer (11)

A pious old man prayed five times a day while his business partner never set foot in church. And now, on his eightieth birthday he prayed thus:

"Oh Lord our God! Since I was a youth, not a day have I allowed to pass without coming to church in the morning and saying my prayers at the five specified times. Not a single move, not one decision, important or trifling, did I make without first invoking your Name. And now, in my old age, I have doubled my exercises of piety and pray to you ceaselessly, night and day. Yet here I am, poor as a church mouse. But look at my business partner. He drinks and gambles and, even at his advanced age, consorts with women of questionable character, yet he's rolling in wealth. I wonder if a single prayer has ever crossed his lips. Now, Lord, I do not ask that he be punished, for that would be unchristian. But please tell me: Why, why, why have you let him prosper and why do you treat me thus?"

"Because," said God in reply, "you are such a monumental bore!"

The Rule in a monastery was not "Do not speak," but "Do not speak unless you can improve on the silence." Might not the same be said of prayer?

Anthony de Mello