MUNSTER – Vacations and prayers have something in common, Father Michael Yadron told members of the Live Christ, Share Christ discussion group at St. Thomas More last month, piquing their interest in his topic, “A Simplified Prayer Life.”
The pastor, known for his enjoyment of Disney World, noted that just like different people favor different vacation spots and activities, people have different ways to pray.
“I go to Disney each winter, and Bishop Dale (Melczek) went skiing,” Father Yadron said. “We all have a different relationship with God, so we need to sustain it in a different way.
“There are all sorts of ways to pray. There is no wrong way to pray, and no right way to pray,” he explained. “It’s all personal.”
After sharing his upcoming transatlantic cruise plans, Father Yadron smiled as he revealed that his story had actually included four ways of praying. “We’ve been praying,” he said. “Sometimes, it is just sharing. We opened the program by praying the Our Father, and sometimes you pray with (your own) words, or offer a prayer of silence.”
Some people, added Father Yadron, “always pray in the same way, and that’s okay if it is comfortable for them. But if you aren’t comfortable with a (particular) way that you pray, you may consider learning a different way to pray.”
The pastor suggested praying the daily Lectio Divina, as priests and deacons do, and alternatively noted that his father used a prayer book that finally came apart because of all the holy cards he tucked between the pages.
“Some people pray by sitting and talking to God, (maybe) barraging him with petitions, or gripes and groans,” Father Yadron said. “But if you are talking to God, you’d better give him a chance to talk back. You need to ask him for feedback, and listen to what he has to say. Practice your conversation with God. Practice silence.
“When we make ourselves silent and give God a chance to talk, it can be pretty frightening,” Father Yadron warned. “God frightens, he startles, he loves (intensely). I’ve been on silent retreats with other priests, and I guarantee that at some point you’ll hear a scream, because God can be frightening.
Our prayer is an opportunity to talk and listen to God … do whatever is most comfortable for you.” he added. “If you are upset bout something, let God know,” Father Yadron urged. “He will know if you aren’t being honest, anyway, because he knows everything about you already.
“He will answer you, but in his own good time, not your good time; you need to wait,” he reminded his listeners.
In answer to a question, Father Yadron assured his audience that “praying through the saints, not to the saints,” is a perfect example of communal prayer. You may be afraid of (talking directly to) God, or because a particular saint speaks to you. There is nothing wrong with asking a saint to take your prayer to God. The problem comes with cults to a saint, when prayers are not directed to God.”
Deacon Napoleon Tabion, who leads the Live Christ, Share Christ ministry, explained that the discussion group meets monthly at the Weis Center on the St. Thomas More campus to hear a speaker, followed by a small group discussion on the day’s topic. “We talk about what we have learned, and we share it with others,” he said.
“The speakers are always very informative, and it is a good way to spend a Saturday morning,” said St. Thomas More parishioner Elaine Herrmann, who considers herself a Live Christ, Share Christ regular.
Caption: "There are all sorts of ways to prayer - none are wrong, none are right," Father Michael Yadron, pastor at St. Thomas More in Munster, told the parish's Live Christ, Share Christ group during a program titled "A Simplified Prayer Life" on Sept. 9 the Weis Center. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)