Does God Pray?

In Chapter 43 of his Rule, St. Benedict says, “Nothing is to be preferred to the Work of God.”  St. Benedict is referring to prayer, but the phrase “Work of God” makes me think that God works too. Does this mean that God prays?

The Kingdom Within by Greg Olsen

Because the nature of love requires that we freely choose to enter into a covenant relationship with God, we were given free will. Therefore, I do think that God prays for us —that we will make good choices, that we will listen to the promptings of the Spirit, that we will be open to the love God wishes to lavish upon us. Furthermore, if —as St. John of the Cross says —“Silence is God’s first language,” then it stands to reason that God engages in silent prayer. Certainly Jesus followed his Abba’s example by withdrawing from the crowds to pray in silence. We are invited to do the same.

The benefits of silent prayer are that it minimizes distractions, reminds us of God’s presence, and makes it easier to listen and incline the ear of our heart. This Labor Day, it makes sense to honor the work not just of our hands but of our hearts by taking some time for silent prayer — to rest in God, who is always praying for us and within us.