Alone with Jesus: Praying with the Gospels

Many spiritual writers recommend using a book to assist us in our mental prayer. We can read a few lines and then bring them to our conversation with Our Lord. Indeed, many saints have urged us to take the Gospels to our prayer. Saint Ambrose said, We have been given Sacred Scripture so that God and man may talk together; for we speak to Him when we pray; we hear Him when we read the divine saying. More recently, Saint Josemaria Escriva counseled, Do you want to learn from Christ and follow the example of his life? Open the Holy Gospels and listen to God dialoguing with men-with you.

Alone with Jesus allows you to select Gospel passages by topic. After reflecting on the words of Our Lord, you can turn to several related considerations. Some may resonate with you. Pay attention to those and take them to your conversation with Jesus. At times, you will not have specific words to express to Our Lord. This is a time for your heart to rest in him. It is enough to simply be with him, knowing that he is with you. You are keeping each other company. It is important to take the time to listen to what Our Lord is saying. He certainly speaks to us in the Gospels, but he also speaks to us in the silence of our souls. If we do not take the time to listen to him, we may miss the inspirations he is communicating to us. So, silently putting ourselves in God’s presence and raising our hearts and minds to him can bear much enduring fruit.