In this third meeting with Father Patrizio Sciadini, we reflect on what may seem to us to be a form of prayer, when in fact it is not. Distinguishing what is prayer from what is not is very important to avoid encountering certain dangers.

Candles and incense

Some customary actions, such as lighting candles or burning incense, are beautiful gestures, certainly inspired by faith and done from the heart, but they are not prayer; they are expressions of our desire to thank God and ask for his help: “Those who usually light them do so because they want to give thanks for something they feel they have received from God, or to ask to receive a grace.”
But we must always be careful with these actions, because “when candles are lit or incense is placed on the fire to ‘ward off’ the evil eye, or for other forms of superstition, then this is not prayer and does not please God.”

Let us stay away from superstition and magic

Those who trust in God do not need superstitions or to resort to magical rituals. However, Father Patrizio Sciadini reminds us that “today, more and more people claim to predict the future and offer paid consultations. Unfortunately, many Christians also turn to these people and have them ‘bless’ homes, photographs, clothes, various objects… These practices are not prayers and can harm our human and spiritual lives.
The danger is therefore real and more present than we imagine, but little is needed to overcome it, only faith! «Our faith is only in God: to avoid falling into false beliefs or deviations from the faith, we must, even on our own, recite the Creed many times, as it is the summary of our faith».

Nature must not be deified

The Author then warns against another danger and another “trend”: «In recent times, new forms of religiosity have been spreading, including some that deify nature». For those who believe in God, however, nature is not a divinity but God's work. Certainly, we can pray by exalting the beauty of nature and seeing in it a reflection of God's greatness; «those who love and respect nature and have a particular reverence for everything that exists, as Saint Francis of Assisi also sings in the Canticle of the Creatures, pray», but we must not make nature a divinity: it is a reason to praise God.
Prayer is first and foremost an encounter, a dialogue, and love that brings us into contact with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary, and the saints. Let us pray with this trust, and we will savor the beauty of feeling welcomed and heard!

Continue reflecting with us on prayer and, if you wish, share your experience with us. In the next article, we will discover for whom or what it is good to pray!