One of the conditions for praying is a conviction of our dependence on God. If people are not praying, it could be a sign that they feel quite self-satisfied, self-confident, self-assured. For those who fit this life style, “self” seems to be quite sufficient.

  Young people, especially, are likely to rely on their physical strength and newly found talents to take care of any situation which might arise in their lives. Is not such a misguided confidence one of the reasons why some young people have turned away from practising the faith of their parents?  Why should they give any time to God when doing what they want is so satisfying? And do they not get emotional approval from their peers for being part of the crowd?

  Human pride can keep reliance on God at a distance for a long time. For some, one’s life has to hit rock bottom before dependence on a Supreme Being is accepted. When all efforts to cope keep failing consistently, then there is a chance that God’s help will be considered.

  Those who turn to associations like Alcoholics Anonymous or to other associations which take their principles from AA, have to admit that they can’t be freed from their addiction by their own power. They must accept the need for help from a Higher Power that is not explicitly defined although generally understood to be the God of Christians. It would not be a satanic force which is not benevolent or helpful. Without this fundamental acceptance, there is only a slight hope that they can turn their lives around.

  This dependence on God is not easy to practise. Our first parents found it so difficult that they failed to maintain a reliance on God. The desire to be one’s own master with no help from anyone is very strong in our nature. Even in praying, itself, one can take satisfaction from some holy thoughts as if they were the result of one’s own skill at praying.

  We can recall Christ’s parable about two men who went up to the temple to pray. The man at the front who prayed with great confidence that he was pleasing to God failed in praying. The man at the back who struck his breast with sincere contrition and humility won Christ’s stamp of approval.

   I know of a young man, a Catholic, who was in love with an attractive young lady, a Baptist. But any time that he mentioned religion, such a violent dispute erupted that it led him to think that any hope for their future together was most unlikerly.

  The young man went to see his wise pastor. He said that he wanted to marry this girl but religious differences were a major obstacle. The pastor told him to make the parish mission or retreat as it is known now.  It was due to begin shortly and to pray fervently for God’s help about the problem. When the mission was over he should ask her if she would like to come for instructions in the Catholic Church.

The young  man gulped at the proposal which seemed doomed to failure. But he made the parish mission, prayed very hard, and when it was over, he asked her if she would like to see his pastor about taking instructions to become a Catholic. She readily agreed. And from that day, there was never a disagreement about religion or anything else of a serious nature for the rest of their married life of more than 50 years.

  The young man in his praying felt a deep dependence on God.  No doubt the pastor in his praying relied on God’s help, too.