The words have always been there.

A tidy string of assorted cliche words and phrases, all lined up in a neat row, packaged in your good little Christian brain.

Phrases like

‘He is the anchor of my soul’

or ‘His mercies are new every morning’

or ‘He’s the good shepherd’

The words we memorised in Sunday School are there, but it’s the Spirit of Love Himself that makes them come alive in your soul. Meaning and depth and beauty like you never imagined. Because that’s how Truth works. It’s alive. It’s not just a string of memorised words.

That’s why Jesus told us not to say meaningless vain repetitions, and then consider that as prayer.

It’s okay to memorise verses. But do so in the context of the Love that underlies them and gives meaning and life to them.

Because prayer is simply communing with God in His presence as a real Father, Friend or Lover. Be genuine. Authentic. Expose your heart to Him without reservation, shame or fear. Because that’s what a child does when they are in a secure home with a good father.

And if the ‘prescribed’ prayers are too long.. it’s okay to abandon them in your heart for real words and heartfelt connection with the Living God.

I grew up thinking that a good Christian pays attention to all the words of the 2-3 hour long liturgy. If I couldn’t do that then I was somehow not spiritual enough or didn’t love God enough. That pressure drove a rift between me and my God.

The Lover of my soul is way simpler than that. Abandoning all laborious practices, disciplines and the useless wrestling with my mind was the most liberating, freeing, exhilarating movement into real Love and relationship that I have ever experienced.

And now, with authenticity and love at the core, and in the freedom of being led by the Holy Spirit Himself, prayer, in all forms, has become simple, and lovely, and meaningful.

I still go to mass, and I love it. But I miss 90% of what’s being said. Because when I tune in and out of the 10%, the Spirit leads my heart and mind on an inward, reflective journey and conversation in Love.

God became simple for us so we could connect with Him at the realest most intimate level.

Relax in His love. Contemplate on His words. He doesn’t want your repetitive quantity. He is more pleased with you giving Him whatever it is you have in your heart. No matter how unimpressive or little it is. He loves it. He loves you.