What do you think about prayers that are published?
I would like you to publish a prayer to the Holy Spirit by which favors are obtained. Here it is:
"Holy Spirit, You who make everything clear to me, You who shed light on the path to my goal, You who give me the divine power to forgive and forget all the pain inflicted on me, You who are with me at every moment of my life, I wish to thank you in this short dialogue..."
This prayer is to be said for three days in a row. After three days, the favor asked by the person who prayed in this way will be granted even if it seems improbable. Let the favor be published without mentioning the beneficiary. Write only his or her initials.
A prayer like this does not contain any theological error. Everything in this prayer to the Holy Spirit conforms to established doctrines. Similar prayers appear in our prayer books and hymnals. You may certainly say this prayer.
But, what I find less acceptable in it is a certain sense of superstition that pervades those Christians who would use such a prayer for a so-called infallible result. Yet, these people are good people, well-meaning men and women.
When asking me to publish the above-mentioned prayer, you added: "This prayer is to be said for three days in a row; after three days the favor will be granted. Let the favor be published anonymously"
Now, I cannot agree with this! I repeat: there is no heresy in the prayer itself. However, it reveals a fatalistic state of mind and some sense of superstition. This way of dealing with God is quite rigid. It overlooks God's freedom. It sounds like a binding contract with Him. "I say this prayer; you grant me that favor. Then I reward you by publishing the prayer." Of course, it is not said so bluntly, but it amounts to that.
By all means, let God be God! Do not deprive Him of His power to act as He wills and when He wills. In His absolute prescience and infinite goodness, our Heavenly Father knows what is good for us and gives us the best. He always answers our prayers, often beyond our expectations. He wants us to pray with humility, confidence and perseverance. This is made clear by Jesus' teaching and the living examples given in the Gospel.
But, God is not an automatic dispenser!
The Church recommends prayer. Recalling the example of Mary and Apostles in the upper room of the Last Supper, the Church even favors novenas. But, in so doing, she submits to God's good will and relies on His tenderness toward us. He answers our prayers at the time He judges fit and the way He chooses. Nevertheless, He gives us "what is good" Mt 7: 11) with the "gift of the Holy Spirit" (Lk 11: 13).
Let us purify our prayers, leaving out those more or less akin to chain prayers. As for threats and promises attached to chain letters, do not pay any attention to them. Do not go along with them, for that would be favoring superstition.