In His Presence

The Meeting

One of the most tender and personal encounters with Christ, one that helps us better appreciate this element of prayer, is the story of the Samaritan Woman meeting Jesus at the well. Their meeting was not planned, at least not by the Samaritan woman. Being the hottest time of the day, she was expecting to be alone, away from the accusatory remarks of the other women, because of her failed life. She comes alone bearing the burden of an empty jug and an empty heart. In their meeting, she fills a cup of water for Jesus to drink, but his real thirst is for her empty soul to be filled with the mercy and love only he can give. As their meeting ends, she goes to seek out those whom she had been avoiding, to announce with a joyful heart, "Come and see someone who has told me everything I have ever done - and has forgiven me." John Ch 4:

We often think of prayer as our going to God with our list of needs. While petition is a part of the purpose of prayer, its first purpose is presence, to encounter the Lord and his list of graces he wishes to bestow upon us. In the story of the Samaritan woman, when she discovers that Jesus is a holy man of God, she wants to discus the hot religious question of the day;  when it comes to places of worship, who has got it right, the Jews or the Samaritans? Jesus immediately redirects her attention to his deepest concern, her heart, release from the bondage of guilt, and true peace of soul.

When we pray in this way, our experience is no less real and dynamic than that of the Samaritan woman. Jesus will be present, it remains for us to begin to recognize him and to listen intently to what he has to say to us. He will lead us to that which is of greatest concern for us at this time. Prayer is never in vain. Our part is to bring our thirsting soul to the well of Jesus' love, and to drink fully of his grace. 

"Speak Lord, your servant in  listening."