Father Bernard Basset, ,S.J, was an outstanding Jesuit priest in England  who was highly successful as a communicator in writing and speaking. He gave a series of talks on personal prayer that were broadcast on the then world-wide Sacred Heart Program on radio. They were subsequently published in the Canadian Messenger of the Sacred Heart magazine.

  His series was based for the most part on the text from St. Matthew’s Gospel in which Christ is advising His disciples, “When you pray, go into your own room…” (Mt. 6:6) We reflected in our previous article on that same text. .Father Basset’s popular series led to its publication in a summary form, “Guide to Personal Prayer.”  It is still a reliable guide as repeated here.

1.      There is no rule on how to speak to God which applies to everyone. Freedom is essential.

2.        But all authorities agree that: as a preliminary preparation for prayer I must recollect myself by seeking an atmosphere of quiet and peace. I must stop thinking of everything else for a moment while I stand and put myself in the presence of God, becoming aware that He is in the room with me.

3.      This awareness of God’s presence is a great gift. If God gives it to me, as He does from time to time, then I do no more than stand or sit or kneel in His presence.

4.      Any effort on my part to make myself feel that God is there is nearly always  wrong. I cannot move an inch in prayer unless the Lord leads me.

5.      If God does not make Himself present to me, I must ask Him for His help.

6.      Sometimes an object outside of myself (e.g. a crucifix, statue, picture which I associate with prayer will help me to meet God.

7.      After I complete the preliminary steps noted in number 2, I must feel perfectly free to do s God leads me to do. Some people are able to think about God, to have ideas about Him. Some people sit quietly in His presence without any thoughts. Some people find it necessary to read a book which leads to God. If I read, I must take one word at a time and pause so that God, if He so desires, may speak to me through that word.

8.      I should not be concerned about having thoughts about God. “I would not have thoughts of Thee instead of Thee.”

9.      As long as I am reverent, it does not matter whether I walk or stand or bow or kneel or lie down. If I find what I want in one position, I should not try another position. Also, as long as I find what I want in a particular thought or intimacy with God, I should remain with that thought.

10.  In my room, the length of my prayer is not half so important as the ardor of it.

An important point which we cannot stress too much is our inability to force God to do anything. In Father Basset’s words: “I cannot move an inch in prayer unless the Lord leads me.”

Trying to put an obligation on God reminds me of a prayer formula which has been sent to me on more than one occasion. I am referring to a prayer which is supposed to be recited a certain number of time daily or weekly or whatever. The claim is made that if the condition is fulfilled, then one is certain to have the favour granted by God. Moreover, those who promote this kind of prayer, claim that they have always experienced the favour being granted.

I can’t explain the claim that the particular favour requested is always received. Perhaps God overlooks the demanding nature of the prayer and rewards the conviction that God always answers our prayer. At times, parents can ignore a child’s demand and grant the favour because they know that is for the child’s good. But that does not mean necessarily that the way of asking was proper and to be encouraged.With God, demands are never in order. God is our Creator; we are His creatures. We depend on Him at every moment of our existence. No demands—ever is a rule that must be followed. Ask with confidence and with respect and “you will receive.” We have it on the authority of Christ, Himself.