PRAY WITH LOUIS BRISSON
A Novena on the occasion of his Beatification on September 22, 2012

Day 7: Conversation with God

I place myself in the Presence of God.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God, You are here, in my thoughts and in my heart; You envelop me with Your Presence.

Louis Brisson

That conversation with God must be ongoing! “Man must pray always and without ceasing”. How do we understand the meaning of that phrase? Are we then always to be reciting set forms of prayers? No, of course not! We are to pray by means of all our actions, all that we do for God. (Louis Brisson, Instruction of November 21, 1888)

Scripture Text

Rejoice always; never cease praying; in everything give thanks; for such is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-22)

Reflection

For Louis Brisson, praying, so to speak, is not complicated. Prayer is simply a conversation between our soul and God. Praying may be as direct as it can be difficult, while it can also be so simple. Louis Brisson makes it clear that I must not only converse with God through my words, but also by means of my actions as well. Everything that makes up my life must become a prayer, as I am conscious of being in God’s Presence every minute of every day. It is facilitated not by means of eloquent words, nor by means of great acts, but simply by means of the knowledge that God is there, just as truly as the air, that I cannot see, yet which I absolutely need in order to live.

Questions for reflection

• How can I talk directly to God?
• Do I see my prayer as a simple conversation between God and my soul?
• Do I pray through my acts?

Prayer

God of Love, I know that You are here and that You hear me. You listen not only to my words, but to what my actions tell you as well, and You understand what they want to tell You. So I turn to You now and place my entire life in Your hands. Bless me with Your strength; be near to me in everything, in my thoughts, words, and actions. I praise You, and I thank You today and everyday of my life. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in heaven…     Glory be to the Father….