After a long summer break, punctuated by his trips to Madrid for World Youth Day and to his homeland of Germany, the Holy Father returned to the theme of Christian prayer in his general audience today.

He looked at Psalm 23, examining the reasons for the enduring popularity of this beautiful poem.

“‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want’. With its exquisite pastoral imagery this much-beloved Psalm speaks of the radical trust in God’s loving care which is an essential aspect of prayer.

“The powerful image of God as the Shepherd of Israel accompanied the whole religious history of the Chosen People, from the Exodus to the return to the Promised Land. It finds its ultimate expression and fulfilment in the coming of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who gave his life for his sheep.”

It is one of the earliest images used to represent Jesus in art, as anyone who has been to the catacombs of Rome will know, but this simple representation and others like it, play a vital part in helping us to pray, as Celia Wolf-Devine points out in the CTS booklet New Companion to Prayer:

“The way we think about ourselves in relation to God structures our response to Him. Imaginative images help us grasp unseen realities. Jesus, himself, used analogies of this sort constantly. He speaks of vineyards, wine skins, mustard seeds, yeast, pearls, sheep and shepherds, but there are many other images we can use when praying that will facilitate an attitude of receptivity and trust. The Lord may inspire you with a special way, He wants you to think about your relationship to Him and what He wants from you, so be open to that.”

For Pope Benedict XVI the image of the Good Shepherd is one that ultimately brings us to Jesus’ greatest expression of love for us:

“His Body and Blood as a foretaste of the definitive messianic banquet which awaits us in heaven.”

New Companion to Prayer is available from the CTS priced £2.50

	Deepening Prayer – Prayer is at the heart of the Christian life, but is always a battle. This booklet explores the opportunities of some of the main methods of Christian prayer, as well as the problems and pitfalls. Sr Mary David uses the wisdom of the Church Fathers to lead the reader into a deeper relationship with God.
	Contemplative Meditation – A genuine Christian guide on how to meditate – and the many practical fruits. This is an excellently written, thoughtful guide on contemplative meditation – on how to do it, and on how important it is for a disciple of Christ to carry an attentive spirit in a practical way into daily life.
	Eucharistic Adoration - Many people are discovering – or rediscovering – that quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is the best medicine for our busy and increasingly stressful lives. Illustrated with classic Christian art, and presented in a leatherette cover, this prayer book includes a unique Rosary of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Holy Father has pointed to the Psalms as one of the pre-eminent ways to turn to God, in his latest audience on Christian prayer.

Too often these days the Bible in general is valued for its language or poetry. As Europe becomes more secular, people will lose the ability to see that the Psalms are not simply poetry but prayers. As Pope Benedict said:

“These inspired songs teach us how to speak to God, expressing ourselves and the whole range of our human experience with words that God himself has given us. Despite the diversity of their literary forms, the Psalms are generally marked by the two interconnected dimensions of humble petition and of praise addressed to a loving God who understands our human frailty.”

The fact that they are poetic can move us and encourage us to listen, but this is no anthology of verse, it is the prayer book of Israel.

“In Hebrew, the Psalms are called Tehellim or songs of praise; the prayer of praise is, in fact, our best response to the God who even at times of trial remains ever at our side. Many of the Psalms are attributed to David, the great King of Israel who, as the Lord’s Anointed, prefigured the Messiah. In Jesus Christ and in his paschal mystery the Psalms find their deepest meaning and prophetic fulfilment. Christ himself prayed in their words.”

In the New Companion to Prayer from CTS, Celia Wolf-Devine shows that the Psalms do not shy away from the difficulties of life, but believes that God has answered them.

“The psalms, although they express so many varieties of anguish and desolation are remarkable because often even in the same psalm we suddenly find verses of lyrical beauty praising and glorifying God. Psalm 42 for example says ‘My soul is cast down within me, therefore I remember thee… Deep calls to deep at the thunder of thy cataracts; all thy waves and thy billows have gone over me…’ and ends with ‘Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.’  Remembering to praise God even in the midst of suffering can open us to God’s grace and peace.”

So they are more than poetry, they express the truth of God’s love. Personally my favourite is Psalm 117, the first four verses of which Blessed Pope John Paul II recited in Hebrew at the beginning of his historic visit to the Synagogue of Rome on April 13th 1986:

“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end. Let the sons of Israel say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let the sons of Aaron say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love has no end.’”

New Companion to Prayer is available from the CTS priced £2.50

	Book of Psalms – The psalter is the prayer book of Israel, the treasury of Israel’s hopes and fears, successes and failures, loves and hates. For centuries they have provided the material for monastic and priestly prayer, and in every age have been used to express the prayers of Christians in moments of crisis or joy.
	Contemplative Meditation – A genuine Christian guide on how to meditate – and the many practical fruits. This is an excellently written, thoughtful guide on contemplative meditation – on how to do it, and on how important it is for a disciple of Christ to carry an attentive spirit in a practical way into daily life.
	Eucharistic Adoration - Many people are discovering – or rediscovering – that quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is the best medicine for our busy and increasingly stressful lives. Illustrated with classic Christian art, and presented in a leatherette cover, this prayer book includes a unique Rosary of the Blessed Sacrament.

Continuing his school of prayer, the Holy Father spoke of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of intercessory prayer earlier this week.

Using the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal, Benedict XVI spoke of how God shows his mercy for all and warned against serving idols.

“At a time when the kingdom of Israel saw the spread of Baal-worship and syncretism, Elijah invited the people to renew their covenant with the Lord and to reject every form of idolatry. In the episode of his contest with the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel (cf. 1 Kg 18), he calls upon Israel to choose the Lord and prays for their conversion of heart. What is more, he urges the people themselves to draw near and share in his prayer.”

He pointed to Israel’s struggle with idols and other gods as the struggle of each Christian to serve the one Lord and not many masters.

“As we look to Elijah’s example, let us be ever more convinced of the power of intercessory prayer, so that we can help all people to know the one true God, to turn away from every form of idolatry, and to receive the grace offered to us on the wood of the Cross and in the fire of the Holy Spirit”.

Intercessory prayer can sometimes be difficult to understand; surely God knows what people, nations or the world needs? But the CTS booklet New Companion to Prayer by Celia Wolf-Devine points out a crucial difference, we must bring these things to God and allow him do as He wishes.

“We should pray regularly for those close to us, for those in positions of civil and religious authority, and for Christians everywhere (especially those suffering persecution). And pray, of course, for causes and concerns especially close to your own heart. It is usually a good idea not to be too specific about what we are asking God to do, but rather to just bring the problem to Him and let Him resolve it.

“It helps if you can find a few friends who you feel comfortable asking for prayers. And don’t neglect to ask Mary and the saints to intercede for you as well. Jesus on the cross gave the church Mary to be our mother, and remembering her role in Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana, we can trust in the efficacy of her intercession with her son.”

New Companion to Prayer is available from the CTS priced £2.50

	Deepening Prayer – Prayer is at the heart of the Christian life, but is always a battle. This booklet explores the opportunities of some of the main methods of Christian prayer, as well as the problems and pitfalls. Sr Mary David uses the wisdom of the Church Fathers to lead the reader into a deeper relationship with God.
	Contemplative Meditation – A genuine Christian guide on how to meditate – and the many practical fruits. This is an excellently written, thoughtful guide on contemplative meditation – on how to do it, and on how important it is for a disciple of Christ to carry an attentive spirit in a practical way into daily life.
	Eucharistic Adoration - Many people are discovering – or rediscovering – that quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is the best medicine for our busy and increasingly stressful lives. Illustrated with classic Christian art, and presented in a leatherette cover, this prayer book includes a unique Rosary of the Blessed Sacrament.